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Best HVAC Business Loans (2026)

From SBA loans to equipment financing, here's how to fund your HVAC business in 2026.

Key takeaways

  • New HVAC businesses still have options. Fast working capital and equipment lenders like Credibly and Triton Capital accept businesses as young as six months old.
  • Credit scores from 500 can qualify. Some working capital products accept scores that low, while SBA loans typically look for 660 or higher.
  • Match the loan to the job. Equipment financing suits trucks and compressors, a line of credit covers seasonal gaps and SBA loans fit major expansion.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors or omissions.

Running an HVAC company means juggling seasonal revenue, expensive trucks and tools and customers who don’t always pay right away. The right business loan can smooth those gaps, whether you’re replacing a service van, stocking up on compressors before summer or just need breathing room between jobs. We compared lenders across SBA loans, equipment financing, lines of credit and fast working capital to find picks that fit the way HVAC contractors actually do business.

Best HVAC business loans

Finder Score Loan amount Loan term APR

Best for comparing multiple lenders

Lendio logo
$1,000 – $10,000,000
Varies by lender
Varies by lender
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Why we like it

If you'd rather see several offers side by side than research each lender one by one, Lendio's marketplace model does that work for you. One application gets matched against Lendio's network of more than 75 lenders, covering SBA loans, term loans, lines of credit and equipment financing. Because Lendio doesn't lend directly, it doesn't set its own rates or terms — those depend entirely on which lender you're matched with, so treat any figures as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Pros

  • Matches against more than 75 lenders from one application
  • Soft credit pull to see offers, free to use
  • Covers most major loan types in a single search

Cons

  • Lendio doesn't set rates, so exact APR isn't known until matched
  • More lender outreach after applying than a direct lender
  • Eligibility depends entirely on the matched lender, not Lendio itself

Best for 0% interest microloans

Businessloans.com logo
Kiva business loans
$1,000 – $15,000
6 months to 3 years
0%
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Why we like it

If your HVAC business is very new, very small, or you just need a modest amount to replace a broken tool or stock parts before a busy season, Kiva is worth a look precisely because it isn't a conventional lender. Kiva is a nonprofit crowdfunding platform: you write a public profile, rally 5 to 35 people from your own network to back you first, then open the loan to Kiva's global lender base. There's no interest, no fees and no minimum credit score, but the tradeoff is a slower, more public process than a typical online lender.

Pros

  • 0% interest with no fees
  • No minimum credit score or years in business required
  • No collateral required

Cons

  • Maximum loan amount is just $15,000
  • Requires you to recruit your own network of backers first
  • Funding isn't guaranteed or instant like an online lender

Best for SBA loans

SmartBiz logo
SmartBiz business loans
$50,000 – $350,000
Up to 10 years
Prime Rate, plus 3% to 5.75%
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Why we like it

If you're planning a big investment like a new shop, a fleet upgrade or refinancing expensive short-term debt, an SBA loan through SmartBiz is hard to beat on cost. SmartBiz is a lending marketplace, not a direct lender, so it pre-qualifies you in about five minutes with a soft credit pull, then matches you with SBA-preferred banks in its network. The tradeoff for SBA-level rates is a longer process and a business that's had a few years to build a track record.

Pros

  • Competitive SBA-capped variable rates
  • 10-year repayment terms
  • Soft pull to pre-qualify, no credit impact

Cons

  • Requires three or more years in business
  • Personal credit score typically above 660
  • Referral and packaging fees apply

Best for fast equipment financing

Triton Capital logo
Not scored yet
Triton Capital
Not scored yet
Up to $250,000
12 to 60 months
As low as 5.99%
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Why we like it

HVAC work runs on trucks, diagnostic tools and compressors, and Triton Capital is built around getting that equipment financed fast. It quotes approval within two to four hours and funding in one to two business days, which matters when a broken-down van is costing you jobs. Triton also works with startups and does a soft credit pull, so newer HVAC businesses have a real shot here.

Pros

  • Approval in as little as two to four hours
  • No down payment required
  • Works with startup businesses

Cons

  • Maximum loan amount caps out at $250,000
  • Minimum credit score not listed on its website
  • Rates and terms vary by equipment cost and collateral

Best for equipment financing with fair credit

National Funding logo
$5,000 – $500,000
4 to 24 months (working capital); 2 to 5 years (equipment)
Not listed
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Why we like it

National Funding is a solid option if your credit is fair rather than excellent and you don't want to put money down on a new compressor or service truck. It only asks for six months in business and doesn't publish a minimum credit score for equipment financing, describing its window as "fair to excellent." On its bad credit financing page, National Funding states that credit score isn't a factor in its bad credit loan decisions, basing approval instead on time in business and annual gross sales. The equipment itself acts as collateral, and National Funding backs it with a lowest-payment guarantee.

Pros

  • No down payment required
  • Only six months in business needed to qualify
  • Financing terms up to 10 years

Cons

  • Caps out at $150,000 for equipment loans, lower than some competitors
  • Rates aren't disclosed until you apply
  • Requires a vendor equipment quote up front

Best for a business line of credit

Bluevine logo
$5,000 – $250,000
Not listed
Not listed
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Why we like it

HVAC revenue swings hard between summer, winter and the shoulder seasons in between, which makes a revolving line of credit useful for smoothing out payroll and parts orders. Bluevine's line of credit goes up to $250,000 and only charges interest on what you draw, and approved businesses can access funds in as fast as 24 hours, or instantly with a Bluevine checking account. It's not available to sole proprietorships or businesses in a handful of restricted states.

Pros

  • Only pay interest on funds you draw
  • Decision in as little as five minutes
  • No impact to your credit score to apply

Cons

  • Not available to sole proprietorships
  • Excludes Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota and US territories
  • Rates aren't published on its website

Best for fast working capital

OnDeck Capital  logo
$5,000 – $400,000
12, 18, or 24 months
Not listed
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Why we like it

When you need cash the same day, OnDeck's term loan is built for speed rather than the lowest possible rate. It skips hard credit pulls during the application and can fund the same day for loans up to $100,000 submitted early in the day. The cost of that speed is a high average APR, so it's best reserved for short-term needs like covering payroll through a slow month rather than a major equipment purchase.

Pros

  • Funding as soon as the same day
  • No hard credit pull to apply
  • Only one year in business required

Cons

  • Average APR runs significantly higher than a bank or SBA loan
  • Daily or weekly payments, not monthly
  • Not available in North Dakota

Best for bad credit

Credibly  logo
$5,000 – $600,000
Not listed
Not listed (factor rates as low as 1.11)
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Why we like it

If your credit took a hit or your HVAC business is still young, Credibly's working capital loan has one of the more accessible bars to clear: a 500 credit score and just six months in business. Credibly is a direct lender for this product, and it says it looks at your full financial picture rather than leaning on your credit score alone. Like most fast-funding products, it uses a factor rate instead of an APR, so it's worth calculating the total repayment cost before signing.

Pros

  • Credit scores as low as 500 accepted
  • Only six months in business required
  • Funds as fast as four hours after approval

Cons

  • Uses factor rates, which can be harder to compare across lenders
  • Full repayment required, no partial payoff structure
  • Daily or weekly automatic payments
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How we chose these lenders

We matched lenders to the funding needs HVAC contractors actually have — equipment, SBA-backed expansion and short-term cash flow — then verified every figure directly on each lender’s own site.

How to compare HVAC business loans

Loan terms can look similar on the surface but cost you more or less once you dig into the fine print. Before you commit to a lender, compare:

  • Total cost. A low APR with high fees, or a factor rate instead of interest, can cost more than it looks.
  • Repayment schedule. Daily or weekly ACH debits hit cash flow differently than monthly payments.
  • Funding speed. Same-day funding is convenient, but it often comes at a premium.
  • Collateral. Equipment loans typically use the equipment itself as collateral, which can lower your rate.
  • Eligibility. Minimum time in business, credit score and annual revenue vary widely by lender.
  • Prepayment terms. Some lenders charge a penalty for paying off early, others discount it.

What is an HVAC business loan?

An HVAC business loan is financing built for the day-to-day and big-ticket needs of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contracting business. It’s not one specific product. It can mean an SBA loan for a major expansion, equipment financing to buy a new service van or diagnostic tools, a line of credit to cover payroll during a slow season or a short-term working capital loan to bridge a cash flow gap while waiting on a commercial invoice. HVAC businesses tend to have higher equipment costs and more seasonal swings than a typical small business, so lenders that understand construction and trade contracting are often a better fit than generic small business lenders.

Pros and cons of HVAC business loans

Like any financing, HVAC business loans come with real tradeoffs depending on the product you choose.

Pros

  • Preserves cash for payroll and parts
  • Equipment loans use the asset as collateral
  • A line of credit can flex with seasonal swings

Cons

  • Fast-funding products often carry high APRs
  • Daily or weekly repayment can strain cash flow
  • SBA loans offer the best rates but fund the slowest

Compare other HVAC business loans

7 of 7 results
Finder Score Min. Amount Max. Amount APR Requirements
$10,000
$5,000,000
Varies by loan type
525 credit score, 6+months in business, $180,000+ annual revenue
Apply in minutes with funding as fast as 24 hours and zero impact to your credit score.
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$1,000
$10,000,000
Varies by lender
Operate business in US for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 520 personal credit score, at least $8,000 in monthly revenue.
Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.
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$5,000
$20,000,000
Varies by lender
Minimum credit score of 500, minimum annual revenue of $120,000, preferably one to two years in business
Compare lending options and get funded fast.
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Fundera logo
$2,500
$5,000,000
Varies by lender
$60,000+ of annual revenue, 600+ personal credit score, in business for 6+ months
Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.
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PayPal logo
$5,000
$300,000
Fixed fee (amount not disclosed)
Minimum credit score not disclosed, 9+ months in business, at least $33,300 in annual revenue
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Fora Financial logo
$5,000
$1,500,000
Factor rate of 1.05-1.5
6+ months in business, $240K+ annual revenue, 570 minimum credit score
Get approval decision for funding in minutes for up to $1,500,000 without affecting your credit score. Best for companies seeking large business loans.
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Best Money logo
Best Money
$5,000
$5,000,000
Varies by lender
Depends on the lender
Apply in minutes. Get funded fast.
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Showing 7 of 7 results

What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score crunches 12+ types of business loans across 35+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best business loans for startups loans, you can see how each business loan stacks up against other business loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.

Read the full breakdown

Types of HVAC business loans

Different jobs call for different financing. Here’s how the main options break down.

TypeTypical loan amountsTypical term lengthsBest for
SBA loan$50,000–$5 millionUp to 10 years (up to 25 for real estate)Major expansion, real estate or debt refinancing
Equipment financing$5,000–$250,0001–10 yearsTrucks, compressors, diagnostic tools
Business line of credit$1,000–$250,0006–24 months per drawSeasonal cash flow and payroll gaps
Term loan$5,000–$400,000+Up to 24 months (short-term)One-time expenses like a shop renovation
Working capital loan$5,000–$600,000Varies, often under 24 monthsBridging cash flow while waiting on invoices
Microloan (nonprofit)$1,000–$15,0006 months to 3 yearsVery new or very small businesses, small purchases

How to qualify for an HVAC business loan

Requirements vary widely by lender and loan type, but most look at some combination of the following:

  • Time in business, ranging from six months for fast working capital lenders to three or more years for SBA loans
  • Personal credit score, from around 500 for some working capital products up to 660+ for SBA loans
  • Annual revenue or monthly deposits, since lenders want to see the business can support repayment
  • A clean record with no recent bankruptcies, tax liens or foreclosures for lower-rate products
  • For equipment loans, a vendor quote for what you’re financing

Alternatives to HVAC business loans

If a loan isn’t the right fit, a few other options are worth a look:

  • Business credit cards. Useful for smaller, recurring purchases like parts and fuel, and some offer 0% introductory APR periods.
  • Invoice factoring. Sells your unpaid commercial invoices for immediate cash, which can help if slow-paying commercial clients are the real problem rather than a lack of financing options.
  • CDFIs and microloans. Community development financial institutions often work with newer or smaller contractors who don’t yet qualify for bank or SBA financing.
  • Vendor and manufacturer financing. Some HVAC equipment manufacturers and distributors offer their own financing or leasing programs directly on parts and systems.
  • Personal savings or a personal loan. For very small purchases, tapping personal funds or a personal loan avoids business loan fees, though it puts personal credit on the line.

How to apply for an HVAC business loan

Once you’ve picked a lender, the application process usually follows the same basic steps:

  1. Decide what you’re financing. A big equipment purchase, a cash flow gap and a full expansion call for different loan types.
  2. Check your numbers. Know your credit score, time in business and recent revenue or bank deposits before you apply.
  3. Gather documents. Most lenders ask for bank statements, and SBA and long-term lenders may also want tax returns and a profit and loss statement.
  4. Compare offers. Apply with a few lenders that fit your loan type, since prequalification usually only involves a soft credit pull.
  5. Review the fine print before signing. Check whether you’re being quoted an APR or a factor rate, and confirm the repayment schedule fits your cash flow.

Frequently asked questions

Richard Laycock's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Laycock as part of our fact-checking process.
Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
Editor, Loans & Insurance

Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder. Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics. Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company. See full bio

Megan B.'s expertise
Megan B. has written 115 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal loans, business loans and home loans
  • Underwriting guidelines
  • Life, disability, car, health, accident, critical illness, dental and vision insurance
  • Policy comparison

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