For HVAC companies
Payments for HVAC companies, on your own merchant account.
System replacements, repairs and maintenance plans all end in an invoice. When that invoice is paid through built-in payments, a big install pays the same percentage as a filter change.
Where the fees go
Built-in payments typically charge 2.9–3.5% per card and 1% per bank payment.
Your own merchant account typically runs about 2.1–2.4% on cards all in, and a few dollars per bank payment (published rates and sources). For HVAC companies, that shows up here:
Big installs, big fees
A flat 2.9–3.5% on a system replacement is a three-figure fee on one job.
Deposits and progress payments
Each one is charged the full built-in rate, every time.
Maintenance agreements
Recurring plans renew on the same flat rate, year after year.
The math
One example: a $9,000 system replacement.
Illustrative. The built-in rate is a common published one, 2.9% + 30¢ (sources). 2.25% is the middle of what a small business typically pays all in on its own merchant account (Merchant Cost Consulting). Your rate depends on your cards and your account.
| Paid by | Built-in | Own account |
|---|---|---|
| Card | $261.30 | about $202.50 |
| Bank payment | $90.00 | a few dollars |
About $58.80 less on this card payment. It isn't always cheaper: below about $43,000 a year in cards, account fees can eat the difference, and a mix heavy in Amex or business cards costs more anywhere. Estimate yours
How it works in your day
Same software, same invoices. A Pay button on each one.
SwitchKeep Pay runs in Chrome beside the software you already invoice from. It reads the open invoice, takes the payment on your own merchant account and records it on that invoice. Nothing else in your software changes.
In the office
Open the invoice, take the card over the phone, and it's marked paid in your software.
In the field
The tech opens the merchant portal on their phone and emails the customer a pay link. Reminders follow if it isn't paid.
Maintenance plans
Set up recurring charges with the customer's consent on record, and see each next charge in the portal.
FAQ
Questions.
Can I take a deposit before an install?
Yes. Charge any amount against the invoice, full balance or part, and the payment is recorded on that invoice.
Can customers pay a large invoice by bank?
Yes. Bank payments (ACH) on your own merchant account usually cost a flat few dollars, not a percentage of the job.
Do I have to change my software?
No. You keep your software, your customers and your invoices. SwitchKeep takes the payment and records it on the invoice.
What does SwitchKeep cost?
Nothing to use: the extension and the merchant portal are free, and you never get a bill from us. We're paid through a share of card processing.
See your own number.
Send a recent processing statement. We'll price the same month on your own merchant account, line by line.