HVAC CHATS

"HVAC Chats" welcomes Carlos Aponte, business coach with Nexstar Network, for a practical discussion on how HVAC contractors can grow revenue through value-driven sales. Hosted by Contracting Business Head of Content Nicole Krawcke, the episode explores why contractors should rethink “add-on sales” and instead present Indoor Air Quality, filtration, humidification, water treatment, and surge protection as core homeowner solutions. ...

In this episode of HVAC Chats, Nicole Krawcke, head of content of Contracting Business, speaks with Peter Capuciati, CEO of Bluon Inc., about the evolving service landscape in the HVACR industry. Capuciati shares insights on the industry’s shift from replacement-driven revenue to repair and retrofit strategies, driven by rising equipment costs, new regulations, and financing challenges. The discussion also explores the growing skil...

In this episode of "HVAC Chats," host Nicole Krawcke, head of content at Contracting Business, speaks with Jay Villegas, vice president of Frontier Air Conditioning, about leveraging technology to drive business growth. Villegas shares how his team transitioned to a CRM-based operational system to improve efficiency, streamline workflows, and enhance the customer experience. The conversation explores how automation, consistent ...

In this episode of HVAC Chats, host Nicole Krawcke, head of content for Contracting Business, sits down with Colleen Keyworth, director of sales and marketing at Online-Access, to unpack how AI-driven search is transforming digital marketing for HVAC contractors. The conversation explores how tools like Google's AI Overview and large language models are shifting consumer behavior, what that means for local search visibility, and wh...

In this episode of HVAC Chats, Nicole Krawcke speaks with Danielle Putnam, CEO of The New Flat Rate, about pricing strategy, mindset, and profitability for HVAC contractors. Putnam shares insights on resetting pricing through accurate billable hour calculations, overcoming technician discounting habits, and using menu pricing systems to reduce objections. The conversation also explores how branding, scripting, and structured custom...

In this episode of "HVAC Chats," host Nicole Krawcke, editor-in-chief of Contracting Business, is joined by Lori Tschohl and Barbara Pfeiffer from the Women in HVACR Navigator program to discuss how mentorship builds confidence and strengthens leadership pathways in the HVACR industry. Tschohl shares her journey from business ownership into the trades and her long-standing experience mentoring professionals, while Pfeiffer reflects...

In this episode of HVAC Chats, host Nicole Krawcke, head of content at Contracting Business, sits down with Dustin Guyton, coach and industry expert at Business Development Resources (BDR). The conversation explores how HVAC contractors can recognize early signs of a softening market, set realistic revenue goals using historical data, and stabilize operations through proactive planning. Guyton also discusses why maintenance agreeme...

"HVAC Chats" Host Nicole Krawcke, editor-in-chief of Contracting Business, is joined by Gage Donovan, director of account services at Johnson Media Group, to discuss how HVAC contractors can evolve their marketing strategies for 2026. Drawing on Johnson Media Group’s deep experience in the trades, Donovan explains the growing role of streaming television, targeted media, and data-driven planning in building trust and improving lead...

In this episode of "HVAC Chats," host Nicole Krawcke, editor-in-chief of Contracting Business, speaks with Tony Cooper, owner of Cooper’s Plumbing and Air in Bainbridge, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida. Cooper shares how leadership development, employee incentives, and phantom equity have supported retention and growth in his HVAC and plumbing business. The conversation explores workforce challenges, hiring leaders from outside t...

In this episode of "HVAC Chats,"  Nicole Krawcke, editor-in-chief of Contracting Business, speaks with Brian Beaulieu, chief economist at ITR Economics, about economic trends and business strategies for 2026. They discuss rising material and labor costs, effective pricing strategies, workforce retention, and capital planning for contractors. The conversation provides actionable insights for HVACR professionals seeking to maintain p...

In this episode, Editor-in-Chief Nicole Krawcke speaks with Trevor Matthews, founder of Refrigeration Mentor, a provider of refrigeration, CO₂, and HVACR training programs. Matthews shares insights from his career as a commercial refrigeration technician, manufacturer trainer, and industry educator. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence, smart controls, CO₂ systems, and advanced electronics are reshaping refrigeration...

In this episode, Trey McWilliams, founder of Blue Cardinal Home Services Group and CEO of McWilliams & Son Heating and Air Conditioning, shares how he transformed his third-generation family business from a small lifestyle operation into a thriving, culture-driven HVAC company, and how those lessons inspired the creation of Blue Cardinal. The conversation explores servant leadership, employee retention, and how HVAC contractors...

In this episode, Trevor Bacon, operations manager and vice president of construction at Bacon Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, shares proven strategies for engaging and retaining HVAC talent across multiple generations. From setting clear expectations during onboarding to creating transparent career roadmaps, Trevor explains how contractors can build a culture of growth. He emphasizes the importance of listening to employees,...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Johnson, president of Elko, Nevada-based Charles Chester Plumbing & Heating Inc., to talk about why engaging a multigenerational workforce matters more than ever. From seasoned pros passing down hard-earned wisdom to younger techs bringing fresh ideas and digital know-how, each generation has something valuable to contribute. Tune in as we explore how bridging those differences can build ...