HVAC Know It All Podcast

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Rich Ortega, the C.O.O. and co-owner of On The Rock Services and podcast co-host of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, about the realities of starting and growing a service business. Rich explains why people considering entrepreneurship should do their research before leaving their current jobs and seek advice from business owners who have built the type of company they actually want to create.

He and Gary discuss the difference between owning a business and simply owning a job, including the importance of building infrastructure, creating systems, and eventually making the company self-sufficient. They also explore the less-discussed stresses of business growth, from managing employees and maintaining revenue to taking responsibility for employees and their families. Rich shares why hiring inexperienced people with the right personality can be preferable to hiring experienced technicians with bad habits, while also explaining the challenges of finding the time and financial margin to train new employees.

Expect to Learn:

● Why researching the realities of business ownership is important before leaving your job.

● Why entrepreneurs should seek advice from people who have built the type of business they want to create.

● The difference between owning a business and simply owning a job.

● Why business growth brings additional stress, risk, and responsibility.

● The challenges and financial risks that come with hiring and managing employees.

● Why business owners eventually need to focus on relationships and generating new business opportunities.

● The advantages and challenges of hiring inexperienced employees with the right attitude and personality.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Sponsor Ad: Factory Direct Filters

[00:42] — Guest Introduction in part 2

[04:30] — Why Research Matters Before Starting Your Own Business

[05:36] — The Difference Between Owning a Business and Owning a Job

[08:03] — The Hard Struggles Entrepreneurs Don't Usually Talk About

[13:04] — The Stress and Responsibility of Growing With Employees

[19:13] — Hiring Green vs. Experienced Technicians

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Guest Rich Ortega and His Companies on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-ortega-61460125b/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontherockservices/

Company Website: https://www.ontherockservices.com/

Guest's Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/commercial-kitchen-chronicles/

Guest's Podcast Website: https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Daniel Quinonez, Chief Operating Officer of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors -National Association. They discuss HVAC licensing standards, technician training, safety risks, workforce education, and preparing contractors for industry change.

Dan shares perspectives on building trade careers through continuous learning, business education, community, and technology adoption. The conversation also covers how AI, data centers, and evolving tools can create opportunities for contractors who stay ready to adapt.

• Why EPA certification alone may not provide sufficient HVAC training.

• How licensing standards can support safer installations and consumer protection.

• Why training and mentorship remain essential throughout an HVAC career.

• How Pell Grants may expand access to qualifying workforce programs.

• When technicians often begin transitioning into HVAC business ownership.

• How business and leadership education can support career growth.

• Why contractors should treat AI and new technology as resources for efficiency.

00:00 - Daniel Quinonez returns for part two

01:55 - Licensing standards for HVAC technicians

02:58 - How diluted licensing can affect quality

04:50 - A costly water heater installation example

05:44 - Carbon monoxide and combustion safety risks

07:20 - Pell Grants for workforce education

08:16 - Career opportunities in the trades

11:04 - Transitioning from technician to business owner

14:03 - Building a future-ready HVAC business

16:14 - Staying open to new tools and technology

Follow our Guest Daniel Quinonez:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-quinonez-690ba68/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phccnational/

• Company Website: http://www.phccweb.org/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Rich Ortega, the C.O.O. and co-owner of On The Rock Services and podcast co-host of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, to discuss the realities of starting and running a service business. Rich shares his experience working in the commercial kitchen industry for 20 years, including his time working for his father and grandfather before eventually moving into larger companies and starting his own business.

The conversation begins with the challenges of working with independent restaurants, including low budgets, price objections, and the difficulty of getting customers to understand the true cost of repairs and maintenance. Rich explains why he shifted his focus toward larger chain and multi-unit operations and how those customers provide more opportunities to perform profitable repairs and maintenance.

Gary and Rich then discuss Rich's journey into entrepreneurship, including the experiences that pushed him to leave his previous employer, the importance of building a strong personal reputation, and how existing customer relationships helped him establish his own company. They also explore the less-discussed side of business ownership, including long hours, being available 24/7, sacrificing vacations and free time, and the intense workload during the first few years. Rich shares what his first year was really like and why, despite the exhaustion, he genuinely enjoyed the journey.

Expect to Learn:

● The challenges of servicing independent restaurants and dealing with limited repair budgets. ● Why Rich shifted his business toward larger chain and multi-unit restaurant operations. ● How to identify additional legitimate repair and maintenance opportunities during service calls. ● Rich's journey from working for his family and larger companies to becoming an entrepreneur. ● Why building a strong personal reputation can help when starting a new service business. ● The sacrifices, long hours, and lack of work-life balance that can come with starting a business. ● What Rich's first six months and first year in business were really like.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Sponsor Ad: Factory Direct Filters

[00:42] - Introduction to Rich Ortega & the Focus of the Episode

[03:21] - The Challenges of Servicing Independent Restaurants

[07:10] - Why Rich Focused on Larger Restaurant Accounts

[10:17] - Rich's Journey Into Entrepreneurship

[17:36] - The Sacrifices & Reality of Business Ownership

[20:38] - Why Rich Enjoyed the Journey Despite the Exhaustion

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Guest Rich Ortega and His Companies on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-ortega-61460125b/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontherockservices/

Company Website: https://www.ontherockservices.com/

Guest's Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/commercial-kitchen-chronicles/

Guest's Podcast Website: https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/

Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, Host Gary McCreadie Director of Player Development and Head Coach at Shelburne Soccer Club and President of McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services and HVAC Know It All Inc, examines compressor oil return, including why lubrication matters, how low load and reduced airflow affect oil movement, and how oil separators can protect compressors. Listeners will learn how to investigate oil-failure alarms, improve return velocity, and avoid replacing controls before finding the underlying system issue.

Drawing on a past five-story rooftop-unit service case and observations from LG VRF training, the host explains how improper building automation programming contributed to repeated compressor failures. That field perspective connects oil separators, inverter oil-return modes, suction piping, traps, double suction risers, and compressor unloading to practical troubleshooting decisions.

• Why inadequate lubrication can cause compressor seizure, metal debris, and component damage.

• How an oil separator can return oil from the discharge line to the suction line without circulating as much oil through the system.

• How reduced airflow and low suction pressure can prevent oil from returning to a compressor.

• Why an oil-failure control trip requires troubleshooting oil pressure and return rather than immediately replacing the control.

• How suction-line traps and double suction risers help maintain oil-return velocity in vertical piping.

• The importance of periodically loading inverter or unloaded compressor capacity to bring pooled oil back to the compressor.

[00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters

[02:32] - Why oil is important for compressor lubrication

[04:15] - How VRF oil-return mode raises compressor speed to return oil at low load.

[07:27] - Why an Oil Separator Was Recommended for the System

[10:58] - How Oil Failure Controls Work and Why You Shouldn't Just Reset Them

[12:52] - Oil Traps and Double Suction Risers

[17:21] - Troubleshooting Oil Return Issues and Using the Oil Sight Glass

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Host on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccreadie-hvac-refrigeration-services/ Shelburne Soccer Club: https://shelburnesoccerclub.sportngin.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow the Podcast on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Daniel Quinonez, Chief Operating Officer of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors -National Association. They discuss contractor communities, member education, apprenticeship programs, and the operational challenges facing small HVAC businesses.

Dan explains how contractors can access peer support, business resources, and training opportunities through membership. He also shares his perspective on hiring green apprentices versus experienced technicians and the fragmented approach to trade training across the United States.

• How contractor communities can provide peer support and business resources.

• Why business operations can be challenging for technicians who become owners.

• Ways AI can support administrative work without replacing technicians.

• The tradeoffs between hiring experienced technicians and training apprentices.

• How contractor-sponsored apprenticeship programs combine coursework and hands-on experience.

• Why training requirements and licensing vary across U.S. states.

• The case for a more coordinated national strategy for trade education.

00:00 - Introduction

01:27 - PHCC's history, membership, and education programs

05:05 - Benefits of joining a contractor chapter

06:44 - Common needs of small contractors

09:25 - Operational and time-management challenges

11:53 - Hiring apprentices versus experienced technicians

13:24 - Online apprenticeship training and contractor sponsorship

17:30 - Training capacity at large and small companies

18:32 - The lack of a national training strategy

20:04 - China's unified trade-training standards

Follow our Guest Daniel Quinonez:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-quinonez-690ba68/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phccnational/

• Company Website: https://www.phccweb.org/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, Host Gary McCreadie Director of Player Development and Head Coach at Shelburne Soccer Club and President of McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services and HVAC Know It All Inc, talks about volunteer leadership, workplace burnout, and gratitude. Using experiences from coaching and leading a youth soccer club, He explains how HVAC business owners, service managers, and technicians can use encouragement, communication, and patient development to help people perform at their best.

He draws on the pressure of managing complaints and limited positive feedback while serving as president of the Shelburne Soccer Club and coaching soccer. That experience informs a leadership perspective centered on recognizing effort, building confidence in small steps, and supporting people in every direction of an organization.

• How consistent encouragement can help a struggling employee or player rebuild confidence and improve performance.

• Why gratitude matters in volunteer roles, field work, and leadership positions where positive feedback can be limited.

• The value of assigning manageable tasks and increasing responsibility as someone builds confidence.

• How transformational leadership differs from ridicule, angry emails, and focusing only on mistakes.

• Why leaders also need honest positive feedback when they are carrying responsibility without support above them.

• The connection between toxic work environments, burnout, and employees deciding to leave.

Key Timestamps

[00:00] – Episode Introduction

[05:18] – The Mental Strain of Thankless Volunteer Work

[07:11] – Lack of Gratitude and What Employees Need From Leaders

[08:47] – Coaching a struggling player through confidence-building encouragement

[11:07] – Why Leadership and Support Need to Go Both Ways

[14:17] – Why employees should share positive feedback with good leaders

[16:37] – Sharing Gratitude and Building People Up Through Positive Reinforcement

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at SupplyHouse!

Follow the Host & His Companies: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccreadie-hvac-refrigeration-services/ Shelburne Soccer Club: https://shelburnesoccerclub.sportngin.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Samir Pendse, Co-founder & CEO at Coral exploring the future of HVAC financing, heat pump adoption, rebate programs, and innovative business models like HVAC-as-a-Service. They discuss why affordability remains the biggest barrier to energy-efficient equipment, how contractors can simplify financing for homeowners, and why marketing should focus on comfort and savings rather than politics. The conversation also covers the challenges small contractors face, the evolution of financing options, and what the future of home comfort solutions looks like.

Coral is a company helping HVAC contractors simplify rebates, incentives, and financing for homeowners. Coral enables contractors to offer affordable energy-efficient systems without navigating complex incentive programs, making high-efficiency HVAC upgrades more accessible across the United States.

• Why affordability is the biggest challenge for heat pump adoption.

• How financing can increase sales of high-efficiency HVAC systems.

• Why comfort and energy savings should be the primary marketing message for heat pumps.

• The unique challenges small HVAC contractors face with rebate programs.

• How contractor coordination impacts energy-efficiency projects.

• The rise of HVAC-as-a-Service and subscription-based home comfort.

• Coral's vision for simplifying financing, incentives, and rebates for contractors.

00:00 - Introduction

00:53 - Are Heat Pumps Becoming the New Standard?

02:01 - The Politics of Heat Pump Marketing

04:25 - Keeping Politics Out of HVAC Sales

05:54 - Why Economics Will Drive Heat Pump Growth

07:21 - Can Small Contractors Keep Up With Incentive Programs?

09:25 - Coordinating HVAC, Electrical & Weatherization Projects

10:56 - The Future of HVAC Financing

13:37 - HVAC as a Service: Subscription-Based Heating & Cooling

14:56 - Why HVAC Subscriptions Are Growing

16:25 - Partnerships Between Manufacturers, Distributors & Financing

17:41 - Why HVAC as a Service Makes Sense for Homeowners

20:12 - Coral's Expansion Plans & Final Advice for Contractors

21:06 - Closing Remarks

Follow our Guest Samir Pendse:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirpendse/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startcoral/

• Company Website: https://www.startcoral.com/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Samir Pendse, Co-founder & CEO at Coral. He shares how Coral simplifies that process by guaranteeing rebates upfront, connecting homeowners with the best financing options, and helping contractors close more deals without adding administrative burden. The conversation also explores financing for repairs, contractor operations, working capital challenges, and how evolving government rebate programs are shaping the future of the HVAC industry.

Coral is a platform that helps HVAC contractors simplify rebate management and financing for energy-efficient home upgrades. By combining guaranteed upfront rebates with low-cost financing options, Coral enables contractors to improve close rates, streamline operations, and make high-efficiency systems more affordable for homeowners.

• How upfront rebates improve homeowner affordability and contractor sales.

• Why financing has become essential for modern HVAC replacements.

• The operational challenges contractors face when managing rebate programs.

• How rebate complexity impacts sales, marketing, and back-office workflows.

• The importance of working capital when contractors float rebate payments.

• Why repair financing represents a major untapped opportunity.

• What upcoming government rebate programs mean for HVAC contractors.

00:00 – Introduction

01:12 – The Affordability Challenge Behind Heat Pumps and Energy Upgrades

01:54 – Can Financing Help Homeowners Cover Costly HVAC Repairs?

03:37 – Why Repair Financing Matters Just as Much as System Replacement

06:34 – How Contractors Can Use Rebates as a Competitive Advantage

08:11 – Creating More Confidence at the Kitchen Table with Guaranteed Rebates

09:34 – Understanding How HVAC Rebate Programs Work

12:03 – Should Contractors Lead Every Sales Conversation with Financing?

13:59 – Building Contractor Operations Around Rebate Programs

16:21 – The Working Capital Challenge of Waiting for Rebate Payments

17:09 – What the Latest Federal Rebate Guidance Means for HVAC Contractors

Follow our Guest Samir Pendse:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samirpendse/

• Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startcoral/

• Company Website: https://www.startcoral.com/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Clayton Cassady, President, and Robert Laframboise, Vice President, Class A Operator at RC Mechanical Canada, about industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and the role of plant operators. They explain how ammonia plants work, common system pressures, direct and indirect refrigeration, operator training, control room duties, system redundancy, emergency response, and how proper operation helps keep products safe while supporting reliable plant performance.

Gary, Clayton, and Robert discuss how industrial ammonia refrigeration plants operate and what it takes to keep them running safely. They explain direct and indirect refrigeration systems, common operating pressures, operator training, control room responsibilities, system redundancy, emergency response, and how proper plant operation helps protect refrigerated products and maintain reliable performance.

Expect to Learn:

• How direct and indirect ammonia refrigeration systems are used in industrial facilities.

• What operators monitor in the control room to keep refrigeration systems running safely.

• How operator training prepares workers for plant operation, safety, and certification exams.

• Why redundancy and spare parts are important for protecting refrigerated products.

• How operators respond to power failures and other plant emergencies to keep systems operating.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters ad

[00:42] - Intro to Clayton & Robert in Part 2

[01:58] - Direct vs indirect refrigeration systems

[03:09] - Ammonia pressures: discharge 150-180 PSI, suction 30–35 PSI

[03:48] - Secondary refrigerants used in hockey rinks & production

[06:45] - Hockey rink economics: costs, declining ice time, dry-pad growth

[08:02] - Operator training: 10-week program covering theory, safety & exams

[13:00] - Redundancy: multiple compressors & spare parts

[16:29] - Emergency shutdowns, power failures & system restarts

[18:59] - How to contact RC Mechanical & upcoming textbook

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall

Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/

Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/

SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Guests Clayton Cassady and Robert Laframboise on:

LinkedIn Profile - Clayton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-cassady-04a484205/

LinkedIn Profile - Robert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-laframboise-805100204/

LinkedIn - RC Mechanical Canada: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rc-mechanical-canada/

Website - RC Mechanical Canada: https://www.rcmechanical.ca/

Follow the Host on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc

Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/615679643061429/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow the Podcast on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Valeria Velázquez, Director of Customer Strategy at WorkHero and Co-Founder of Climate Champions to explore the balance between financial discipline and entrepreneurial vision. They discuss why accountants should provide clarity not dictate strategy, how contractors can use financial data to make better decisions, common operational mistakes they see across the industry, pricing in competitive markets, and how AI is reshaping the future of HVAC operations.

Having worked with more than 45 HVAC contractors, she specializes in helping businesses improve their financial visibility, operational efficiency, pricing strategies, and office workflows. Her unique perspective combines real-world contracting experience with modern automation and AI-driven operations.

• Why financial reporting should support business vision, not replace it.

• The difference between accountants, advisors, and business decision-makers.

• The common operational patterns successful HVAC contractors share.

• Why clean data and accurate reporting are essential for growth.

• How to price profitably without simply matching competitors.

• Why small contractors often undervalue their services.

• How AI and automation will transform HVAC office operations by 2030.

00:00 – Introduction

00:42 – Finance vs. business vision

02:17 – The role of financial professionals

03:55 – Should accountants influence strategy?

05:25 – Budget limits and business growth

07:06 – Common patterns in successful HVAC businesses

08:20 – Why clean data matters

09:15 – Common HVAC pricing mistakes

10:08 – Pricing in a competitive market

11:00 – Pricing for long-term profitability

13:06 – Should small HVAC companies charge less?

14:36 – The future of AI in HVAC

17:39 – How WorkHero helps contractors

19:10 – Working in HVAC operations and AI

20:47 – Final thoughts & closing remarks

Follow our Guest Valeria Velázquez & her Companies:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-velazquez-6a00402b7/

• Climate Champions: https://www.linkedin.com/company/callthechampions/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Climate Champions: https://www.callthechampions.com/

• WorkHero: https://www.workhero.pro/

• WorkHero: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

Follow Gary McCreadie:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

• Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

Follow Furman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

• WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/