Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted HVAC, Plumbing & Refrigeration Experts in Billings, MT
Founded in 1972 by Al Schaff and his mother Catherine, Air Controls has evolved from a family-operated garage business to one of Montana's premier HVAC, refrigeration, stainless steel, and plumbing companies. With over 50 years of combined experience and a team averaging 25 years per member, we serve residential and commercial clients across Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Our team of ~100 licensed professionals delivers reliable heating, cooling, plumbing, and refrigeration solutions, maintaining the integrity of a third-generation family business while embracing modern technologies. We pride ourselves on personalized service, a client-first approach, and retaining most of our original customer base.Our emergency 24/7 service ensures rapid response to critical systems failures, while annual maintenance programs detect issues proactively. As certified dealers for Lennox and Trane systems, we combine brand expertise with multi-brand compatibility. Our in-house engineering team provides stamped mechanical plans and energy audits, and our sister company Skyline Stainless offers custom metal fabrication. From residential HVAC installations to large-scale commercial refrigeration, our reputation for excellence spans decades, backed by testimonials highlighting professionalism, technical expertise, and exceptional customer care.
Services
HVAC
Plumbing
Refrigeration
Restaurant Equipment
Stainless Steel Fabrication
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years serving Montana with HVAC and plumbing expertise
- 24/7 emergency service for urgent heating and cooling repairs
- Certified dealers for Lennox and Trane systems with multi-brand compatibility
- In-house engineering team for stamped plans and energy audits
- Family-owned with third-generation commitment to integrity
Associations and certifications
- Lennox
- Trane
What people say
Excellent service
Best techs in the business
Immediate emergency response
Professional and courteous
Highly recommend
Services
HVAC Installation
Air Controls delivers premium HVAC installation services for homes and businesses in Billings, MT. Our certified technicians specialize in furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioning systems from Lennox, Trane, and other leading brands. We ensure precise system sizing, energy-efficient performance, and seamless integration with smart thermostats. With 50+ years of experience, our team addresses unique property requirements while maintaining strict adherence to safety standards and local codes. Annual maintenance programs detect potential issues before they become emergencies.
Plumbing Repair
Our licensed plumbers handle commercial and residential plumbing needs across Montana. From emergency leak repairs to complete bathroom remodels, we service water heaters, snow melt systems, and high-efficiency tankless installations. Our ASSE-certified backflow testers ensure compliance for medical facilities, while radiant floor heating expertise delivers modern comfort solutions. All work includes system-wide inspections to identify hidden issues and prevent future failures during Montana's harsh winters.
Refrigeration Maintenance
Air Controls provides comprehensive refrigeration services for grocery stores, restaurants, and industrial facilities. Our 30+ year experienced technicians perform quarterly coil cleaning, refrigerant charge checks, and defrost cycle optimization. We service major brands like Henny Penny and Manitowoc, offering 24/7 emergency repairs for walk-in coolers and industrial systems. Preventative maintenance contracts reduce downtime by identifying compressor and line issues before breakdowns occur.
Stainless Steel Fabrication
Through sister company Skyline Stainless, we offer custom stainless steel fabrication using CNC plasma cutting and 12ft press brakes. Our shop handles projects from commercial kitchen equipment to architectural details, working with gauge up to 10. Capabilities include spiral ductwork, HVAC components, and polished stainless finishes. Projects benefit from in-house engineering coordination and 50 years of metalworking expertise combined with modern manufacturing precision.
Emergency HVAC Service
Air Controls guarantees 24/7 emergency HVAC response for heating and cooling failures in Billings and surrounding areas. Our on-call technicians arrive equipped to handle furnace breakdowns, air conditioner malfunctions, and commercial refrigeration emergencies. With same-day repair capabilities and a 100-person team, we minimize downtime for homeowners and businesses. Emergency service includes diagnostic evaluation, immediate fixes, and transparent pricing with no after-hours surcharges.
People
Chris Schaff
President
Led Air Controls as president since 2005, expanding from 20 to 100 employees while maintaining family business values. Holds 25+ years HVAC industry experience, oversees operations across five states, and maintains active licensing. Prioritized technical training programs that raised team certification rates by 40%.
Craig
Service Technician
Recognized HVAC technician with 18 years at Air Controls, specializing in residential system replacements. Completed 1,200+ installations annually while maintaining 98% customer satisfaction ratings. Trains new technicians in customer communication and diagnostic procedures. Known for detailed system explanations and clean work environments.
Antonio
Senior Technician
Master plumber with ASSE backflow certification, serving commercial clients since 2010. Specializes in medical gas systems and radiant heating installations. Developed training modules for new hires that reduced onboarding time by 30%. Maintains perfect safety record across 15,000+ service hours.
Rich
Refrigeration Specialist
12-year refrigeration veteran handling grocery store systems and industrial coolers. Completed 40+ emergency repairs during 2022's record cold snap without missing a service call. Optimized preventive maintenance schedules that reduced client downtime by 25% year-over-year.
Kent
Customer Service Manager
Managed Air Controls' dispatch center since 2015, coordinating 24/7 emergency response during severe weather events. Implementing new CRM software improved appointment accuracy by 35%. Personally handles 95% of high-priority client communications during system emergencies.
Questions
Do you offer 24/7 emergency HVAC service?
Yes, Air Controls provides 24/7 emergency HVAC repair services in Billings, MT and surrounding areas. Our technicians respond to urgent heating and cooling system failures day or night.
What areas do you service?
We serve Billings, MT and surrounding regions including Montana, Colorado, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wyoming. Our aviation division reaches remote locations across these states.
Are you licensed for commercial refrigeration?
Yes, Air Controls holds commercial refrigeration licenses in five states. Our technicians service grocery stores, restaurants, and industrial facilities with EPA-certified refrigerant handling.
Do you provide preventive maintenance programs?
We offer customized HVAC, plumbing, and refrigeration maintenance contracts. Annual plans include quarterly inspections, coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, and priority emergency response scheduling.
Can you handle large-scale installations?
Our team manages commercial projects of all sizes, from new construction HVAC systems to complete refrigeration retrofits. With in-house engineers and fabrication capabilities, we handle complex installations seamlessly.
Are financing options available?
We partner with approved lenders to offer financing for residential HVAC replacements. Discuss payment plans with our service advisors when scheduling your equipment replacement.
Reviews (6)
Clinton Kegel
Jun 05, 2022
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Craig did a very good job of explaining all the options and guiding us to make our decisions on what we needed. The technicians were excellent. Very courteous and explained what they were doing, how and why. The installation looks very good, they left the area clean and need, everything works as it is supposed to and they gave good instructions on how to use the new thermostat. We are very pleased.
Jerold Howland
Jan 20, 2022
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We have used AirControl for over 35 years. We have never had an issue with their service. I would recommend them to any friend or foe who needed service. They have been like family. We will definitely continue to use them. Service: Heating system installation
Chris Lavers
Jan 19, 2022
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Phone contacts helped us decide to use this company. Service tech had never before repaired the branded furnace we own. He was able to diagnose the issue with non-starting heat cycle. He had it repaired and heating our home again. Grateful we won't freeze again tonight. Service: HVAC system maintenance
Lance Trusty
Jul 06, 2021
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During my years of Facility Management you find few that you can call reliable and professional. This is one company that I can say I call and I know they will be there ASAP and then I get a call that either we are repaired or the repairs are at some stage. I would recommend this company to residential or commercial work without a doubt or worry. Thank you for years of reliable service. Thank you.
Miranda G.
Mar 28, 2021
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Air controls worked on both our ac unit and have done plumbing repair. Both their hvac and plumbing departments are top notch. very professional and I'm confident in the work they did. Services: Faucet repair, HVAC system maintenance
Josh Gilligan
Feb 25, 2021
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My experience with Craig was great. Our AC unit was on our patio and we wanted to move it around the house so there would be less noise while we are outside. I met Craig at our house and he came up with the least expensive game plan to get it moved. They came out shortly after and took care of everything. Service: Installation
