Industry Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in installing and servicing plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment. Contractors in this industry may provide both parts and labor when performing work. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs.
Illustrative Examples:
Cooling tower installation
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors
Duct work (e.g., cooling, dust collection, exhaust, heating, ventilation) installation
Lawn sprinkler system installation
Fire sprinkler system installation
Mechanical contractors
Fireplace, natural gas, installation
Refrigeration system (e.g., commercial, industrial, scientific) installation
Furnace installation
Sewer hookup and connection, building
Cross-References. Establishments primarily engaged in--
Business Examples
Common types of business activities within NAICS 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors are:
- Air vent installation
- Snow melting system (e.g., hot water, glycol) installation
- Sprinkler system, building, installation
- Boiler chipping, cleaning and scaling
- Scrubber, air purification, installation
- Plumbing and heating contractors
- Heating equipment installation
- Process piping installation
- Pumping system, water, installation
- Water heater installation
- Central air-conditioning equipment installation
- Industrial process piping installation
- Sewer hookup and connection, building
- Heat pump installation
- Cooling tower installation
- Household oil storage tank installation
- Refrigeration system (e.g., commercial, industrial, scientific) installation
- Fire extinguisher installation and repair
- Water softener installation
- Radiant floor heating equipment installation
- Blower or fan, cooling and dry heating, installation
- Mechanical contractors
- Commercial refrigeration system installation
- Heating contractors
- Boiler, heating, installation
- Plumbers
- Chilled water system installation
- Pipe fitting contractors
- Kitchen sink and hardware installation
- Oil burner installation
- Furnace, forced air, installation
- Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractors
- Drinking fountain installation
- Central cooling equipment and piping installation
- Dust collecting and bag house equipment installation
- Water meter installation
- Hot water heating system installation
- Water system balancing and testing contractors
- Sanitary ware installation
- Air-conditioning system (except window) installation
- Fuel oil burner installation
- Fire sprinkler system installation
- Fire extinguisher installation
- HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) contractors
- Chimney liner installation
- Heating and ventilation system component (e.g., air registers, diffusers, filters, grilles, sound attenuators) installation
- Warm air heating system installation
- Furnace installation
- Bathroom plumbing fixture and sanitary ware installation
- Exhaust system (e.g., kitchens, industrial work areas) installation
- Plumbing fixture installation
- Furnace humidifier installation
- Waterless fire suppression system installation
- Waterless fire suppression system installation and repair
- Duct work (e.g., cooling, dust collection, exhaust, heating, ventilation) installation
- Lawn sprinkler system installation
- Sump pump installation
- Fireplace, natural gas, installation
- Central heating equipment and piping installation
- Heating and cooling duct work installation
- Hot water tank installation
- Steam fitting contractors
- Commercial freezer installation
- Warehouse refrigeration system installation
- Plumbing contractors
- Solar heating equipment installation
- Drain, waste and vent system installation
- Natural gas piping installation
- Air system balancing and testing
- Furnace conversion (i.e., from one fuel to another)
- Gas line installation, individual hookup, contractors
- Ventilating contractors
- Gas fitting contractor
- Hydronic heating system installation
- Dry heating equipment installation
- Sheet metal duct work installation
- Heating boiler installation
IBISWorld Industry Research Report
Heating & Air-Conditioning Contractors in the US (23822a)
Revenue 2025
$156.2bn
Growth 2025
2.36%
Key Trends
Despite many challenges, performance for HVAC contractors tends to hold up well during periods of economic disruption
Spending on maintenance remains anchored amid economic downturns, so revenue for HVAC contractors avoids disruptions
Pandemics like COVID-19 were airborne, so effective HVAC systems can be integral in reducing the spread of pathogens
Products and Services
Similar Industries
For some business types, there may be a similar industry to 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors that is a better classification match. Establishments primarily engaged in:
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NAICS Cross Reference
Installing electrical controls for HVAC systems--are classified in Industry 238210, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors;
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Installing septic tanks--are classified in Industry 238910, Site Preparation Contractors.
IBISWorld industry research report
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NAICS Cross Reference
Duct cleaning--are classified in Industry 561790, Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings; and
IBISWorld industry research report
NAICS Hierarchy 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
NAICS Code 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors sits in the 2-digit Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors sector. NAICS codes can be 2- to 6-digits and the further along the hierarchy, the more detailed and specific the category will be. Learn more about the structure of NAICS codes
2 Digits: 23
Sector Title: Construction
3 Digits 4 Digits 5 Digits 6 Digits
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2361 Residential Building Construction
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2362 Nonresidential Building Construction
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23621 Industrial Building Construction
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23622 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
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2371 Utility System Construction
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23711 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
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23712 Oil and Gas Pipeline and Related Structures Construction
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23713 Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
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2372 Land Subdivision
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23721 Land Subdivision
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2373 Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
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23731 Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
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2379 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
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23799 Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
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2381 Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
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23811 Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors
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23812 Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors
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23813 Framing Contractors
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23814 Masonry Contractors
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23815 Glass and Glazing Contractors
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23816 Roofing Contractors
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23817 Siding Contractors
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23819 Other Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
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2382 Building Equipment Contractors
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23821 Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
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23822 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors
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23829 Other Building Equipment Contractors
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2383 Building Finishing Contractors
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23831 Drywall and Insulation Contractors
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23832 Painting and Wall Covering Contractors
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23833 Flooring Contractors
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23834 Tile and Terrazzo Contractors
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23835 Finish Carpentry Contractors
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23839 Other Building Finishing Contractors
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2389 Other Specialty Trade Contractors
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23891 Site Preparation Contractors
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23899 All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
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NAICS Resources
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