For entrepreneurs looking to enter the essential home services space, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offers a franchise model with a lower startup range than many brick-and-mortar concepts, while still giving owners access to a nationally recognized brand, established operating systems and the support of the Authority Brands platform.
The franchised business provides residential and light-commercial heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, maintenance, repair, and equipment replacement services. In other words, it operates in a category homeowners rely on when comfort, safety and urgency matter most.
“These services are absolutely essential,” said David Montanez, vice president of franchise development at Authority Brands. “When it’s 100 degrees outside and your AC goes out, it’s not a luxury to get it fixed. It’s urgent.”
So, how much does it cost to get started with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning?
According to Item 7 of the 2026 One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning FDD, the estimated initial investment to open a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise ranges from $143,273 to $286,702.
Here’s how those startup costs break down:
| Type of Expenditure | Investment Range |
| Franchise Fee | $43,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $0 - $6,000 |
| Rent/Lease of Real Estate | $3,090 - $9,270 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,030 - $4,120 |
| Computer, Technology Systems & Software | $1,854 - $4,120 |
| Office Furniture & Equipment | $1,545 - $4,120 |
| Machinery, Tools & Equipment | $3,090 - $10,300 |
| Vehicles | $8,240 - $15,450 |
| Vehicle Upfitting | $0 - $5,150 |
| Signage for Vehicles | $0 - $8,240 |
| Office Signage | $1,030 - $5,150 |
| Travel Expenses for Initial Training | $2,575 - $5,150 |
| Initial Vehicle Inventory | $2,575 - $8,240 |
| Insurance | $4,120 - $8,240 |
| Startup Supplies | $2,575 - $5,150 |
| Professional Fees & Licensing | $4,635 - $20,600 |
| Vehicle Registration Fees | $2,266 - $4,532 |
| Decals for Consumer Units | $309 - $515 |
| Telephone Services | $309 - $515 |
| Personal Tools for Technicians | $1,030 - $3,090 |
| Full-Time General Manager/Operations Manager | $0 - $25,750 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $60,000 - $90,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $143,273 - $286,702 |
Once open, One Hour franchisees are also responsible for ongoing fees, including:
Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross revenue or $1,500 per month, whichever is greater |
| Brand Fund Contribution | Currently 1.5% of the first $5 million of annual gross revenue, then decreasing tiers as revenue grows |
| Local Marketing | 6% of cumulative gross revenue, starting in the third month after opening |
| Technology Fee | Currently $100 per month, subject to future increases |
| Grand Opening Marketing | Up to $18,000 total, beginning 30 days before opening through 60 days after opening |
Compared with many restaurant or retail franchises that require major buildouts, large real estate footprints and extensive equipment packages, One Hour’s startup range reflects the mobile, service-based nature of the HVAC business.
According to Item 19 of the 2026 FDD, One Hour reported systemwide sales of $365,840,208 in 2025, representing 9% year-over-year growth.
The FDD also reported that 88 franchisees operating 364 territories for the full 2025 fiscal year generated total gross revenue of $359,273,411. Across those territories, the average gross revenue per territory was $605,630, while the median gross revenue per territory was $884,016.
At the franchisee level, the average gross revenue per franchisee was $4,082,652, with a median of $2,217,669. As with any franchise investment, individual results vary. Startup costs, market size, management ability, recruiting, local competition and execution all play a role in performance.
Overall, One Hour’s investment range gives franchisees a path into an essential service category without requiring a large restaurant buildout or expensive retail footprint. The model is approachable, Montanez says, because it is built around people, vehicles, tools, systems and recurring customer relationships.
“At the end of the day, we’re in the people business,” Montanez said. “Whether we’re selling air conditioners, lawn services or dog walking, it’s about being passionate about business and people.”
For entrepreneurs who want to build a service business in a category with long-term demand, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offers a franchise opportunity with a defined startup range, established systems and the backing of a national home services platform.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/one-hour-heating-and-air-conditioning.
One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning
SPONSORED
According to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, the total investment required to begin operating a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise ranges from $143,273 to $286,702.
For entrepreneurs looking to enter the essential home services space, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offers a franchise model with a lower startup range than many brick-and-mortar concepts, while still giving owners access to a nationally recognized brand, established operating systems and the support of the Authority Brands platform.
The franchised business provides residential and light-commercial heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, maintenance, repair, and equipment replacement services. In other words, it operates in a category homeowners rely on when comfort, safety and urgency matter most.
“These services are absolutely essential,” said David Montanez, vice president of franchise development at Authority Brands. “When it’s 100 degrees outside and your AC goes out, it’s not a luxury to get it fixed. It’s urgent.”
So, how much does it cost to get started with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning?
According to Item 7 of the 2026 One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning FDD, the estimated initial investment to open a One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise ranges from $143,273 to $286,702.
Here’s how those startup costs break down:
| Type of Expenditure | Investment Range |
| Franchise Fee | $43,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $0 - $6,000 |
| Rent/Lease of Real Estate | $3,090 - $9,270 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,030 - $4,120 |
| Computer, Technology Systems & Software | $1,854 - $4,120 |
| Office Furniture & Equipment | $1,545 - $4,120 |
| Machinery, Tools & Equipment | $3,090 - $10,300 |
| Vehicles | $8,240 - $15,450 |
| Vehicle Upfitting | $0 - $5,150 |
| Signage for Vehicles | $0 - $8,240 |
| Office Signage | $1,030 - $5,150 |
| Travel Expenses for Initial Training | $2,575 - $5,150 |
| Initial Vehicle Inventory | $2,575 - $8,240 |
| Insurance | $4,120 - $8,240 |
| Startup Supplies | $2,575 - $5,150 |
| Professional Fees & Licensing | $4,635 - $20,600 |
| Vehicle Registration Fees | $2,266 - $4,532 |
| Decals for Consumer Units | $309 - $515 |
| Telephone Services | $309 - $515 |
| Personal Tools for Technicians | $1,030 - $3,090 |
| Full-Time General Manager/Operations Manager | $0 - $25,750 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $60,000 - $90,000 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $143,273 - $286,702 |
Once open, One Hour franchisees are also responsible for ongoing fees, including:
Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross revenue or $1,500 per month, whichever is greater |
| Brand Fund Contribution | Currently 1.5% of the first $5 million of annual gross revenue, then decreasing tiers as revenue grows |
| Local Marketing | 6% of cumulative gross revenue, starting in the third month after opening |
| Technology Fee | Currently $100 per month, subject to future increases |
| Grand Opening Marketing | Up to $18,000 total, beginning 30 days before opening through 60 days after opening |
Compared with many restaurant or retail franchises that require major buildouts, large real estate footprints and extensive equipment packages, One Hour’s startup range reflects the mobile, service-based nature of the HVAC business.
According to Item 19 of the 2026 FDD, One Hour reported systemwide sales of $365,840,208 in 2025, representing 9% year-over-year growth.
The FDD also reported that 88 franchisees operating 364 territories for the full 2025 fiscal year generated total gross revenue of $359,273,411. Across those territories, the average gross revenue per territory was $605,630, while the median gross revenue per territory was $884,016.
At the franchisee level, the average gross revenue per franchisee was $4,082,652, with a median of $2,217,669. As with any franchise investment, individual results vary. Startup costs, market size, management ability, recruiting, local competition and execution all play a role in performance.
Overall, One Hour’s investment range gives franchisees a path into an essential service category without requiring a large restaurant buildout or expensive retail footprint. The model is approachable, Montanez says, because it is built around people, vehicles, tools, systems and recurring customer relationships.
“At the end of the day, we’re in the people business,” Montanez said. “Whether we’re selling air conditioners, lawn services or dog walking, it’s about being passionate about business and people.”
For entrepreneurs who want to build a service business in a category with long-term demand, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning offers a franchise opportunity with a defined startup range, established systems and the backing of a national home services platform.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/one-hour-heating-and-air-conditioning.
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