AI Overviews now appear on 63% of HVAC searches, study finds

A July 2026 study by HVAC SEO says Google’s AI-generated answers now show up on 63% of HVAC search terms in the U.S., reshaping how contractors are discovered online. The report finds AI dominates research queries, while local “near me” searches still lean on Google’s Map Pack.

Why it matters: - Google’s AI Overviews are changing how homeowners find HVAC information, moving answers higher on the page before users reach websites or ads. - The split between AI answers and local listings means HVAC contractors now have to compete in two different search experiences: research and hiring. - The study’s 4.9 million monthly U.S. search terms show the shift affects a meaningful slice of demand.

What happened: - HVAC SEO analyzed 512 U.S. HVAC search terms in July 2026. - The study found AI Overviews on 63% of the search terms. - Every one of the 30 most common question searches triggered an AI-generated answer. - Example question searches included “how much does a new HVAC system cost,” “how long do HVAC systems last,” and “is HVAC a good career.” - The AI response appears above websites, ads, and map listings on those question searches.

The details: - Research-stage searches were the most affected, with 61% of product and service research terms showing AI Overviews. - Example research terms included “heat pump vs furnace” and “heat pump installation cost.” - Local-intent searches were less affected. - Only 16% of local searches such as “furnace repair near me” or city-specific furnace repair queries showed an AI answer. - Those local searches still led with Google’s Map Pack. - BrightLocal research cited in the study says the Map Pack captures a third or more of all clicks. - Search terms contractors use to find marketing help were heavily affected, with 89% of terms such as “HVAC SEO services” and “HVAC marketing agency” showing AI Overviews. - The study compared a representative buyer search across Google and nine AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini. - More than half of the businesses cited by AI assistants did not appear in Google’s results for the same search. - The overlap between Google and AI assistants held mainly at the top of Google’s rankings. - HVAC SEO said the full findings and methodology are available in its report on AI Overview visibility for HVAC contractors. - The agency said it offers a free audit showing how a business appears across Google search, the Map Pack, and AI-generated answers. - HVAC SEO says it works exclusively with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractors in the U.S. and U.K. - The agency said it includes generative engine optimization, or GEO, in local SEO campaigns alongside Google Business Profile and Map Pack work. - The study methodology note says 516 HVAC-related keywords were drawn from the Semrush U.S. database in July 2026. - Four keywords were excluded because 512 returned SERP feature data. - AI Overview presence was measured using Semrush SERP feature detection. - The buyer search comparison tracked one representative query across Google and nine AI platforms in July 2026. - The company’s website is More information. - Social links provided in the source include LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The findings suggest Google is increasingly acting as an answer engine for early-stage research, while local intent still converts through map-based results. - The mismatch between Google and AI assistant recommendations suggests HVAC visibility strategies may need to diverge by platform, not just by keyword. - Contractors that rely on only one search surface may miss either the research phase or the hire-now phase.

What's next: - HVAC contractors are likely to focus more on AI citation visibility during research queries and on Map Pack rankings for local-intent searches. - The study implies more businesses will test GEO tactics alongside traditional local SEO as AI answers become a bigger part of the search page. - HVAC SEO says contractors can request a free audit to measure their current visibility across search surfaces.

The bottom line: - For HVAC search, AI is now shaping discovery, but Google’s Map Pack still controls much of the hiring moment.