Join Ryan Kearney as he interviews Ben Van Balen, owner of Triangle Air Conditioning in Pittsburgh's South Hills! Ben shares how he modernized a 73-year family HVAC business while preserving its legacy values.
Key Topics:
- Transitioning from pencil-and-paper to digital systems without overwhelming veteran staff
- Growing revenue from $800K to $2.7M through strategic tech adoption
- Educating customers on high-efficiency equipment and $2,600 federal tax credits
- Smart business acquisition that added 1,500 customers with 92% retention
- Why learning to say "NO" is crucial for business owners
Connect with Triangle Air Conditioning:
- Website: triangleairconditioning.com
- Service Areas: South Hills Pittsburgh - Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Banksville, and surrounding communities
- Specialties: Same-day emergency service, high-efficiency installations, federal tax credit guidance
Ready to modernize your HVAC business? Visit outworkemdigital.com to learn how we help contractors leverage technology for growth! 📈
Show Notes
About Ben Van Balen
Owner of Triangle Air Conditioning, a 73-year family business serving Pittsburgh's South Hills. Ben took over the company after his father's sudden passing in 2007, originally planning to stay "just two years" but has since tripled revenue through strategic modernization.
Key Business Transformations
Technology Modernization:
- Moved from pencil-and-paper to iPad-based systems
- Implemented flat-rate pricing structure
- Gradual "baby steps" approach to avoid overwhelming 30-year veteran employees
Strategic Growth:
- Revenue growth: $800K to $2.7M in 5 years
- Acquired smaller HVAC business with 92% customer retention
- Personal customer visits with introduction letters during acquisition
Customer Education Focus:
- High-efficiency equipment (25 SEER vs. old 10 SEER)
- Federal tax credits up to $2,600
- Utility rebates and manufacturer incentives
- ROI education on efficiency investments
Service Area
Primary coverage: South Hills of Pittsburgh including Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Banksville Road area, and surrounding communities. Same-day service commitment within territory.
Rapid Fire Highlights
- Best Business Advice: Learn to say "NO"
- Favorite Book: "Good to Great"
- Essential Tool: iPads and in-vehicle technology
- Daily Routine: 6 AM start, email check, team dock meetings
- Industry Excitement: Inverter technology and environmental efficiency
Connect with Triangle Air Conditioning
- Website: triangleairconditioning.com
- Google Search: "Triangle Air Conditioning Pittsburgh"
- Service Areas: South Hills Pittsburgh communities
- Specialties: Emergency service, high-efficiency systems, tax credit assistance
Want to modernize your Home Service business like Ben? Visit outworkemdigital.com
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.