FairFuel / Calculators / HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical
HVAC & Plumbing Fuel Surcharge Calculator
A service van loaded with parts, tools and ladders averages around 15 MPG. This calculator turns the official EIA gas price into a fair fuel adjustment you can add to a trip charge or a flat-rate invoice, with math your customer can check.
- Price above baseline
MAX(0, $4.00 − $3.05) = $0.95/gal - Surcharge / mile
$0.95 ÷ 15 MPG = $0.0633/mi - Total surcharge
$0.0633 × 30 mi = $1.90
U.S. Average · Regular Gasoline · calculated November 2026. Only the increase above the baseline is passed on.
Ready-to-invoice toolkit
Free. No sign-up. Nothing is stored.
Fuel Surcharge Adjustment — FairFuel Verified (EIA U.S. Average Gas Index: $4.00/gal vs. $3.05/gal baseline @ 15 MPG for 30 mi) — $1.90
Paste into QuickBooks, Jobber, Stripe or Housecall Pro.
A short, polite explanation that the surcharge follows official EIA data and drops automatically when fuel prices fall.
A printable FairFuel Verification Statement your customer can open. Preview statement →
Practical tips for hvac, plumbing & electrical businesses
- Add it to the trip chargeCustomers already expect a dispatch or trip fee. Showing the fuel adjustment as a separate line next to it is clearer than raising your hourly rate.
- Use zones for a wide service areaRun the calculator for a typical round trip in each zone (for example 15, 30 and 50 miles) and publish one fuel adjustment per zone.
- Keep maintenance plans simpleFor service agreements billed monthly, use the invoice percentage method and review it quarterly rather than changing it every visit.
- Send the proof link with the estimateAttach the FairFuel proof link to the estimate so the customer sees the calculation before the work starts.
Need contract wording? See the free fuel surcharge clause templates.
HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical fuel surcharge FAQ
Can a plumber or HVAC company charge a fuel surcharge?
Yes. In general a service business may charge a fuel surcharge as long as it is disclosed before the customer agrees to the work and is not misleading. Some states have specific disclosure rules for home services, so check your local requirements.
How much should a fuel surcharge be on a service call?
For a typical 30-mile round trip in a 15 MPG van, every $1.00 that gas rises above your baseline adds about $2.00 in fuel cost. A fair surcharge passes on that difference and nothing more.
Is it better to raise prices or add a fuel surcharge?
A surcharge is temporary and transparent: it falls when fuel falls. A price increase is permanent. Many contractors use a surcharge for fuel spikes and reserve price increases for lasting cost changes.
Is a fuel surcharge taxable?
In many states a fuel surcharge is taxed the same way as the service it is attached to. Sales tax rules vary by state, so confirm with your accountant or state revenue department.