HVAC is one of the highest-volume industries for contractor financing for a straightforward reason: the ticket size is large, the work is often urgent, and a lot of homeowners do not have $8,000-$15,000 sitting in a checking account when their system fails in July. GreenSky has dominated this space for years, but it is not the best fit for every HVAC shop. Here are the 5 best HVAC contractor financing programs for 2026, including what GreenSky actually costs and where the alternatives win.
Why HVAC Has the Highest Financing Attach Rates of Any Trade
Roofing and HVAC have more in common than most contractors realize. Both are largely emergency-driven (failed system, storm damage), both have average tickets in the $8,000-$20,000 range, and both face homeowners who often say “I wasn’t planning for this.” The difference is that HVAC runs on manufacturer programs and seasonal promotions in a way that roofing typically does not.
Carrier, Lennox, Trane, and other major manufacturers have long-standing dealer financing programs designed to move equipment during slow months. These programs often include 0% for 12 or 18 months promotions that let HVAC dealers run seasonal campaigns around spring and fall tune-up season. Understanding how those dealer programs interact with third-party platforms like GreenSky or Hearth is the key to minimizing what you give up in dealer fees.
GreenSky’s Dominance and Its Problems
GreenSky is the most widely used financing platform in HVAC. A large portion of major HVAC manufacturers have or have had some connection to GreenSky’s dealer network, and many HVAC contractors were introduced to financing through a manufacturer rep who pointed them to GreenSky.
The problems with GreenSky center on three things. First, dealer fees on promotional products (the 0% APR or deferred interest offers) are high, often running 7-12% of the financed amount. On a $12,000 system, a 9% dealer fee is $1,080 you are absorbing. Second, GreenSky’s history with the CFPB (including a 2022 consent order) has made some contractors nervous about long-term platform stability. Third, GreenSky’s annual fee model and program structure can be confusing, with different rates attached to different promotional products.
None of this means GreenSky is a bad option. It has wide consumer brand recognition and a large lender network. But knowing the alternatives is how you avoid overpaying.
The 5 Best HVAC Contractor Financing Programs in 2026
1. Hearth
Hearth is the best fit for high-volume HVAC shops that finance more than $36,000-$46,000 in projects per year. Instead of per-job dealer fees, Hearth charges a flat annual subscription fee (starting around $1,799 per year as of 2026). If you finance $150,000 in HVAC jobs in a year, your effective cost on that volume is roughly 1.2% rather than the 7-10% you would pay in per-job dealer fees on promotional products. Hearth connects homeowners to 18 or more lenders, approval rates are competitive, and there is no per-job charge regardless of ticket size. The math strongly favors Hearth for any shop doing consistent volume. See if Hearth makes sense for your shop here.
2. EnerBank / Regions Bank Same-As-Cash (ZIL)
EnerBank (now part of Regions Bank) runs the manufacturer seasonal programs that power most of the 0% APR offers you see attached to Carrier, Lennox, and similar brands. Their “Same-As-Cash” and deferred interest products are designed specifically for HVAC seasonal promotions. If your shop is a manufacturer dealer with an existing program relationship, EnerBank/Regions is often the cheapest way to offer 0% promotional financing because the dealer fee is built into the manufacturer program rather than charged separately by the platform. Dealer fees on ZIL products typically run 4-7% depending on the term. Best fit: manufacturer dealers running seasonal 0% promotions.
3. Wisetack
Wisetack is the best option for HVAC shops that do lower volume financing (under $46,000 per year) or want a no-commitment entry point. There is no annual fee. Wisetack charges a per-job fee that varies by the loan product the homeowner selects, typically 3.9% to 8% depending on the term and rate. For a shop doing 3-5 financed jobs a year, pay-per-use beats a $1,799 annual subscription every time. Wisetack’s approval floor is around 540-550 FICO. The main limitation is that Wisetack does not offer 0% APR promotional products the way manufacturer programs do.
4. Service Finance Company
Service Finance Company is a specialty HVAC and home improvement lender that runs its own dealer program. It offers both same-as-cash and standard installment products. Dealer fees on same-as-cash products run roughly 6-9%, similar to GreenSky. Where Service Finance differentiates is in its HVAC-specific program structure and the fact that it is a direct lender rather than a marketplace, which gives it more flexibility on approval criteria for some borrower profiles. Best fit: established HVAC dealers looking for a GreenSky alternative with a similar program structure.
5. Synchrony HOME
Synchrony HOME is the consumer brand attached to Synchrony Financial’s home improvement lending network. Many homeowners already have Synchrony credit relationships through retail programs, which can ease the approval process. Synchrony HOME offers revolving credit lines (not just installment loans), which some homeowners prefer because they can use the line for future service calls. Dealer fees are in the same range as GreenSky for promotional products. Brand recognition is a real asset, particularly in markets where homeowners are familiar with Synchrony from other retail contexts. Best fit: HVAC contractors in markets where the Synchrony brand helps with consumer trust.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Fee Model | 0% APR Promo | Approx. Dealer Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hearth | Flat annual fee | No | ~$1,799/yr flat | High-volume shops ($46k+ financed/yr) |
| EnerBank / Regions ZIL | Per-job dealer fee | Yes | 4-7% per job | Manufacturer dealers running seasonal promos |
| Wisetack | Per-job fee | No | 3.9-8% per job | Lower volume or no-commitment start |
| Service Finance | Per-job dealer fee | Yes | 6-9% per job (promo) | Established dealers wanting GreenSky alternative |
| Synchrony HOME | Per-job dealer fee | Yes | 6-10% per job (promo) | Shops where brand recognition aids conversions |
Bottom Line by HVAC Business Size
Solo tech or 1-2 tech shop doing under $500k in installs per year: Start with Wisetack. No annual fee, no commitment, and the 3.9% cost on a $10,000 job is $390, which is well below the dealer fees on promotional products at the same volume level.
3-10 tech shop doing $500k-$2M in installs per year: Hearth is almost certainly cheaper than per-job fees at this volume level. Run the math: if you finance $100,000 in jobs at 7% average dealer fee, that is $7,000 in fees per year versus a $1,799 Hearth subscription. The savings are $5,200 annually.
Manufacturer dealer with active seasonal programs: Keep EnerBank or your manufacturer program for the 0% promotional products. Add Hearth as your non-promotional financing option for homeowners who do not want deferred interest. Running two platforms is not complicated and it covers more homeowner situations.
For more on contractor financing, check out our comparisons of Hearth vs GreenSky, Hearth vs Wisetack, and dealer fees in contractor financing.
Ready to See If Hearth Makes Sense for Your Business?
Hearth gives contractors access to 18 plus lenders at a flat annual rate with no per-job dealer fees. If you finance more than $36,000 in projects per year, the math almost always works in your favor.