HVAC, home health & home services M&A activity sits at record highs heading into 2026.

Kentucky Active PE Market

What's Your Kentucky HVAC Business Worth?

Kentucky has 928 HVAC businesses generating an estimated $2.3B in annual revenue. Here is what buyers are actually paying, what drives multiples up or down, and how to find out what your specific business is worth.

Kentucky HVAC Market · BLS QCEW 2024
HVAC businesses (est.)
928
Industry employment
9,557
Est. annual market size
$2.3B
Avg. business revenue
$2.5M
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual, NAICS 23822 (Plumbing and HVAC Contractors, Private Sector), HVAC share apportioned by BLS OEWS May 2024 occupational mix (SOC 49-9021 vs 47-2152). Revenue estimated at ~$240K per employee (PHCC industry benchmark). Data & methodology

Climate & Demand Signal

Balanced demand across both cooling and heating seasons. Diversified revenue mix appeals to buyers looking for year-round cash flow stability.

Active PE Market

Buyer Landscape in Kentucky

Kentucky sees regular PE and strategic acquisition activity. Regional platforms owned by Redwood, Champions Group, Wrench, and Sila are actively adding tuck-in acquisitions in the state. Owners with $1M+ EBITDA typically get 2-4 buyer inquiries per year.

HVAC Valuation Multiples by Business Size · Kentucky

The larger your HVAC business, the higher the multiple buyers will pay. Below is where Kentucky shops typically fall in the 2026 market, based on comparable transactions and current PE platform activity.

Business Size Valuation Basis Typical Multiple
Under $500K revenue SDE 1.8× – 2.8×
$500K – $2M revenue SDE 2.2× – 3.5×
$2M – $5M revenue SDE / EBITDA 3× – 4.5×
$5M – $15M revenue EBITDA 5× – 7.5×
$15M – $50M revenue EBITDA 6.5× – 9×
$50M+ revenue EBITDA 8× – 12×

Multiples are directional. Actual sale prices depend on recurring revenue, owner dependency, customer concentration, financial hygiene, and buyer type. Take the Exit Score to see where your specific business lands.

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What's your Kentucky HVAC business actually worth?

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What Actually Drives Your Kentucky HVAC Multiple

Maintenance agreements

The single biggest lever. HVAC buyers pay 1-2 extra turns of EBITDA when 30-40%+ of revenue is recurring maintenance-agreement income. In Kentucky, buyers with active PE platforms specifically model recurring revenue percentage as a first-page deal metric.

Owner dependency

If the business runs when you take two weeks off, it is worth more. If you are answering every service call and doing every estimate, buyers will discount aggressively or require you to stay for 3+ years post-close.

Tech retention

Kentucky has an estimated 9,557 HVAC workers across 928 shops. Tenured techs are the scarce resource. Buyers pay premium multiples for shops that keep senior techs 5+ years.

Clean financials

Accrual-basis books, reviewed or audited financials, and a clean chart of accounts add real dollars to your exit price. Cash-basis QuickBooks cost owners 10-15% at the table.

Frequently Asked · Kentucky HVAC Valuation

What is the average HVAC business worth in Kentucky? +
A typical HVAC business in Kentucky does about $2.5M in annual revenue with roughly 10.3 employees. For an owner-operated shop, that usually translates to $200K to $600K in seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), which at Kentucky's current market of 2x to 4.5x SDE means the business is likely worth $400K to $2.7M in a normal sale. Larger operators above $1M EBITDA get valued at 4x to 9.5x EBITDA.
Are private equity buyers active in Kentucky? +
Kentucky sees regular PE and strategic acquisition activity. Regional platforms owned by Redwood, Champions Group, Wrench, and Sila are actively adding tuck-in acquisitions in the state. Owners with $1M+ EBITDA typically get 2-4 buyer inquiries per year.
How does Kentucky's climate affect HVAC business valuations? +
Balanced demand across both cooling and heating seasons. Diversified revenue mix appeals to buyers looking for year-round cash flow stability.
How many HVAC businesses are for sale in Kentucky? +
Kentucky has approximately 928 HVAC establishments (BLS QCEW 2024, NAICS 23822, HVAC share estimated via BLS OEWS May 2024 occupational mix). In any given year, roughly 4 to 6% change hands through owner retirement, private equity acquisitions, and estate transitions. That means 46 businesses per year, on average, are candidates for sale. Most transactions happen quietly and never hit a public listing site.
What is the fastest way to know what my Kentucky HVAC business is worth? +
Take the free Exit Score assessment. It takes about 5 minutes, asks the same questions a buyer or investment banker would ask, and returns your estimated valuation range plus the specific factors moving your multiple up or down. No sales call, no obligation, just the number.

Find out what your Kentucky HVAC business is worth

Free 5-minute assessment. Get your estimated valuation range plus the specific levers moving your multiple. No sales call, no obligation.

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