SPONSORED CONTENT

Kathy Knutson, Ph.D., PCQI, is the Founder of Kathy Knutson Food Safety Consulting LLC. She is also an author and the former Chair of the Education Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), with expertise in the fields of bacteriology, food science, and education. She speaks, writes, and trains on U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FDA FSMA) compliance, and has trained over 500 Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs) throughout her career. Dr. Knutson works with managers to help them write thorough hazard analyses, food safety plans, recall plans, environmental monitoring programs, and allergen programs. Additionally, she travels to manufacturers to conduct swabbing to locate pathogens during recall investigations, as well as for gap assessments of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for cannabis-infused edibles. In 2020, Dr. Knutson published her book, titled, Food Safety Lessons for Cannabis-Infused Edibles.

Contributed by Podium

Let’s face it: in the HVAC and plumbing world, change is constant. Whether it’s new regulations, innovations in technology, or shifts in customer behavior, contractors face growing challenges.

On top of that, getting leads and booking jobs can feel like a race you’re always running. The difference between winning and losing often comes down to one thing: speed. That’s where Podium comes in — a platform that’s supporting more than 11,000 HVAC and plumbing businesses with the tools to convert more leads, fast.

With its all-in-one lead management and communication tools, Podium is helping businesses respond faster, work smarter, and turn more leads into actual revenue. And the secret sauce? Its AI-powered “employee” that never sleeps, never take breaks, and never stops working to get your business more jobs.

Why Speed Matters More Than Ever

If you’re not the first business to respond to an incoming service request, chances are, that customer is moving on. The numbers don’t lie:

• 78% of consumers buy from the company that responds to them first
• The average customer expects a reply within 5 minutes of reaching out
• A delayed response often means losing a lead to your competitor

But let’s be real — it’s not always easy to respond immediately, between managing a packed schedule, fieldwork, and a flood of inquiries, most teams are stretched too thin. That’s where Podium’s AI CSR shines. It will respond in under a minute, whether it’s 2 PM or 2 AM, it’s always ready to engage with potential customers, answer their questions, and even book appointments.

AI That Works (and Feels) Like a Pro

Podium’s AI CSR isn’t just another chatbot spitting out canned responses. The AI is designed to sound natural, like your best customer service rep on their best day. Whether they’re texting, chatting, or answering questions, they keep customers engaged and confident that they’re in good hands.

Take it from Jeremy Altman, General Manager at Pride Air Conditioning & Appliance: “We had a customer come in super upset after hours, and by the end of the conversation, they were thanking Larry. They had no idea they were talking to an AI.”

HVAC and plumbing companies who have implemented Podium’s AI CSR are seeing incredible results:

• 50% faster response times
• 30% increase in booked jobs

That’s the beauty of Podium’s AI — it doesn’t just handle leads; it builds trust, keeps customers happy, and makes your business look like a well-oiled machine.

Turning Missed Calls into Opportunities

How often do you miss a call, only to never hear back from that potential customer? It’s a painful reality for most businesses, especially when 57% of people would rather text than talk on the phone. Podium has the perfect solution for this with their VoIP phone system.

Here’s how it works: if a customer calls and you don’t pick up, they get an automatic text message. And guess what? 58% of people who get those texts end up getting back in touch. That’s a ton of opportunities you might otherwise lose!

This setup has been a lifesaver for businesses like All Seasons HVAC/R LLC. Owner Kellie Waldron shares: “Before Podium’s AI Employee, after business hours, I’d be sitting here doing admin work and still picking up calls. Now the phone stops ringing, and Max [the AI employee] will hop on and take care of it. The customer knows we’re closed, and we’ll get back to them the next day.”

Save time and take your nights back with a tool that can help you even on the busiest days.

Voice AI that answers like your best CSR

Text is powerful, but in home services the phone still drives a huge share of bookings, especially after hours. That’s why Podium’s AI CSR now includes Voice AI — an always-on, natural-sounding assistant that answers calls, helps customers right away, and books appointments when your team can’t get to the phone. Voice AI handles calls 24/7, with the same speed and accuracy customers expect, so leads don’t go cold while you’re on another job or the office is closed.

Businesses using Podium Voice AI are seeing real impact. One HVAC company reported 2x more calls handled and a 30% increase in revenue after enabling Podium’s AI CSR with Voice AI, because every call gets answered and guided toward a booking. And just as important, it doesn’t feel robotic. As Carl Kelly, COO at Trouth AC, shared: “I absolutely hate talking to a computer. Press one for this, press two for that drives me crazy. Podium Voice AI actually sounds like a person. That was a game changer for us.”

Why After-Hours Is the New Gold Rush

Here’s something you might not realize: 40% of job opportunities for HVAC and plumbing businesses come in after hours. That’s a staggering amount of potential revenue that could slip through your fingers if you’re not prepared.

With Podium, you don’t need to worry about what happens when the office lights are off. Its AI employees are always ready to respond, making sure your business stays “open” even when it’s technically closed. That’s how you stay ahead of the competition — by being the business that’s always there when customers need you.

More Than Just Speed: Why Podium Works

Sure, speed is a big deal, but Podium is more than just a way to answer leads quickly. It’s a complete toolkit designed to help your business grow in every way possible. Here’s what it can do:

• Help you get found online: Get more online reviews by sending automated review invites to boost your Google rankings. On average, businesses working with Podium have a 4.9-star rating.
• Convert more leads: Consolidate all your lead channels into one easy dashboard and respond quickly to all incoming job opportunities.
• Turn phone calls and texts into bookings: Keep customers engaged with your business in channels they want to use.
• Drive repeat business: Use the power to text to re-engage customers, sell more maintenance plans, and gain loyalty.

And it’s all handled in one place, so you’re not juggling a dozen different tools or platforms. Everything — from customer conversations to payment processing — is right at your fingertips.

Not Just a Tool — A Teammate

Let’s clear something up: AI isn’t here to take jobs. It’s here to make your team’s life easier. Podium’s AI CSR handle the repetitive, time-sucking tasks — like responding to FAQs and filtering out spam — so your human employees can focus on what they do best: connecting with customers and closing deals.

Think of AI as your star teammate, not a replacement. It’s the kind of support that allows your business to run smoother, faster, and more efficiently without burning out your staff.

Seamless Integration with Tools You Already Use

One of the best parts about Podium is how easily it fits into your existing setup. It integrates with popular HVAC and plumbing software like ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, FieldEdge, Service Fusion, Jobber, SimPRO, and more.

Plus, Podium’s dedicated sales and support teams understand the unique challenges of HVAC and plumbing businesses. They’re there to help you make the most of the platform and share tips from other companies just like yours.

AI That Keeps Customers Happy

One of the biggest concerns about AI is that it won’t feel “human” enough. But with Podium, that’s not a problem. The platform’s AI CSR is designed to reflect your business’s personality, ensuring customers feel heard and valued — even if they’re chatting with an AI.

And the proof is in the feedback. As Jeremy Altman puts it: “Larry has turned customers around for us. By the end of the conversation, they’re thanking him and saying, ‘I appreciate your help!’”

Don’t Get Left Behind

Here’s the bottom line: AI isn’t the future — it’s the present. And businesses that embrace it now will be the ones thriving tomorrow. Podium isn’t just a tool; it’s a partner that helps HVAC and plumbing companies work smarter, respond faster, and grow in 2026.

Whether you’re looking to capture more leads, improve your customer experience, or make your team’s life easier, Podium has you covered. The question is: are you ready to take your business to the next level?

With Podium, you’re not just keeping up — you’re leading the way. And in an industry where every second counts, that’s the edge you need.