SmartAC has announced a strategic collaboration with Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning™, enhancing growth opportunities for the HVAC service provider, which operates across Fayetteville, Laurinburg, Pinehurst, and eight other North Carolina regions.
This partnership has enabled Simmons One Hour to maintain a club membership conversion rate exceeding 50%, boosting the number of homes managed and ensuring more predictable, year-round revenue — especially during slower shoulder seasons.
Award-Winning Service with Deep Roots
Simmons One Hour boasts a rich legacy of service excellence, having been established in 1953 by F.H. Simmons, Jr. The company has been recognized for its outstanding contributions to the HVAC field, with accolades such as the 2024 National Franchisee of the Year award within the One Hour franchise system.
Under the guidance of General Manager Derek Cole, a seasoned professional with 25 years in the industry, Simmons One Hour has collected several President's Circle Awards from 2022 to 2024, and Derek Cole was highlighted as a Top 40 Under 40 figure by The News Magazine. Their distinguished "Always On Time, Or You Don't Pay A Dime®" guarantee exemplifies their commitment to high-quality home comfort service.
Adopting Connected Technologies
The partnership features the integration of SmartAC’s advanced IoT sensors and homeowner app
The partnership features the integration of SmartAC’s advanced IoT sensors and homeowner app, illustrating Simmons One Hour’s commitment to innovation.
By adopting connected HVAC technologies, the company has transformed its business operations, which now include the "Derek AI" digital assistant on its website to provide prompt answers to customer inquiries regarding HVAC issues.
This technological initiative enhances service delivery, as SmartAC’s platform facilitates early detection of equipment performance issues, offering unprecedented visibility and confidence for both technicians and homeowners.
Toward Proactive and Predictive Service
The new technologies allow technicians to identify and address potential problems before they affect homeowners, thereby repositioning traditional repair services as advisory and proactive interactions.
With data insights available in real-time, Simmons One Hour fosters stronger customer relationships and loyalty by moving away from reactive service calls to informed, planned maintenance. This shift results in steadier workloads and revenue for contractors, while customers perceive them as genuine partners in maintaining home comfort.
Future of home comfort is predictive
"The future of home comfort is predictive, not reactive," stated Derek Cole, adding "SmartAC gives our customers peace of mind that we're looking out for problems before they turn really expensive. Everybody wins."
Josh Teekell, Founder and CEO of SmartAC, remarked, "We're proud to partner with Simmons One Hour as they redefine what proactive HVAC service looks like. Their over 50% conversion rate proves that when you combine trusted local service with powerful technology, customers respond enthusiastically."
SmartAC, the premier B2B SaaS platform providing smart monitoring, analytics, and an end-to-end customer engagement for HVAC service providers to accelerate sustainable, long-term growth, has announced a strategic partnership with Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning™, a family-owned HVAC pioneer serving Fayetteville, Laurinburg, Pinehurst, and eight additional North Carolina markets.
Through its partnership with SmartAC, Simmons One Hour continues to achieve over a 50% club membership conversion rate, and together these results have dramatically increased the number of homes under management and created more predictable, year-round revenue, especially during slower shoulder seasons.
Award-Winning Contractor Embraces Digital Transformation
Simmons One Hour brings exceptional credibility to the partnership. Founded in 1953 by F.H. Simmons, Jr., the company has served North Carolina communities for over seven decades. Under the leadership of General Manager Derek Cole — a 25-year HVAC industry veteran — the company earned 2024 National Franchisee of the Year honors, the highest recognition in the One Hour franchise system.
The company's track record includes multiple President's Circle Awards (2022-2024), and Derek Cole was recognized as Top 40 Under 40 in the HVAC Industry by The News Magazine. With a signature "Always On Time, Or You Don't Pay A Dime®" service guarantee, Simmons One Hour represents elite service excellence in home comfort.
Connected Technology and Innovation at Work
By integrating SmartACs advanced IoT sensors and branded homeowner app, Simmons One Hour has embraced innovation across its business — from adopting connected HVAC technology to launching “Derek AI” on its website to better serve customers by answering any HVAC question they have in moments.
This commitment to forward-thinking tools has transformed its service delivery model. SmartAC’s early detection platform helps prevent surprise breakdowns by providing real-time data on system performance, creating new levels of visibility and trust for both technicians and homeowners.
Redefining Proactive HVAC Service
The technology enables technicians to identify potential issues before customers even realize problems exist – transforming the contractor’s role from responder to trusted advisor. With real-time system data, Simmons One Hour can engage homeowners proactively, strengthening relationships and driving long-term loyalty rather than waiting for service calls.
By replacing emergency-driven visits with planned, data-informed interactions, contractors gain more predictable workloads, steadier revenue, and customers who view them as partners in home comfort, not just repair providers.
Proactive HVAC service looks like
"The future of home comfort is predictive, not reactive," said Derek Cole. "SmartAC gives our customers peace of mind that we're looking out for problems before they turn really expensive. Everybody wins."
"We're proud to partner with Simmons One Hour as they redefine what proactive HVAC service looks like," said Josh Teekell, Founder and CEO of SmartAC. "Their over 50% conversion rate proves that when you combine trusted local service with powerful technology, customers respond enthusiastically."
