The HVAC industry needs skilled workers — and there may not be enough of them to meet the demands of where the industry is headed.

In Episode 10 of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Martin Luymes, Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations at HRAI, to discuss the skilled labor shortage, HVAC regulation, electrification, heat pumps, government incentives and the future of the HVAC workforce.

Martin explains why the shortage of skilled tradespeople has become a bottleneck across the industry. As governments encourage the transition toward heat pumps and electrified heating, contractors also need technicians with the refrigeration skills required to properly install and service increasingly sophisticated equipment.

The conversation also explores the difficult balance between necessary regulation and government overreach, the refrigerant transition, tariffs and trade, and lessons learned from Canada’s Greener Homes program.

Martin makes the case that government incentives designed to increase demand for new HVAC technologies also need to support the skilled workforce required to install them.

Topics include:

• The HVAC skilled labor shortage

• Training the next generation of HVAC technicians

• Heat pumps and electrification

• Refrigeration skills and technician qualifications

• HVAC regulations and building codes

• Refrigerant regulations

• Tariffs and North American trade

• Canada’s Greener Homes program

• Government HVAC incentives and rebates

• Qualified heat pump installation

• Manufacturer training and contractor upskilling

• Why HVAC contractors provide an essential service

Guest:

Martin Luymes

Vice President of Government and Stakeholder Relations

HRAI

Hosted by Ben Middleton of Daikin Comfort Technologies.

What's the biggest business challenge facing HVAC contractors today? According to Sandy MacLeod, one word sums it up: uncertainty.

In Episode 9 of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Sandy MacLeod, President and CEO of HRAI, to discuss tariffs, rising equipment costs, refrigerant changes, electrification and the future of Canada's HVAC industry.

Sandy explains how uncertainty surrounding tariffs, supply chains and regulations makes it increasingly difficult for wholesalers and contractors to plan and price future work. They also discuss the impact tariffs can have on gas furnace prices, the transition toward new refrigerants, and why electrification in Canada will be a long-term journey rather than an overnight change.

The conversation also explores what these changes mean for HVAC technicians and why contractors who plan to remain in the industry need to continue learning and adapting to new technology.

Topics include:

• Tariffs and HVAC equipment prices

• Supply-chain uncertainty

• Gas furnace pricing in Canada

• Refrigerant regulations and A2Ls

• Electrification and heat pumps

• HVAC contractor profitability

• Training for new HVAC technology

• Government regulation

• The future of Canada's HVAC industry

• Why contractors need to stay informed

Guest:

Sandy MacLeod

President & CEO

HRAI

Hosted by Ben Middleton of Daikin Comfort Technologies.

With HVAC system prices rising dramatically since 2019, affordability has become one of the biggest challenges facing contractors and homeowners.

In Episode 8 of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Greg Jones, Regional General Manager for Stevens Equipment Supply in the Southwest, to discuss how contractors can adapt to a changing HVAC market.

Greg and Ben explore the importance of financing, including how consistently leading with financing can increase contractor closing percentages by 11%. They also discuss the growing role of AI in HVAC, the importance of technical and sales training, what the HVAC branch of the future should look like, and how distributors can become true business partners instead of simply providing equipment and a price list.

Greg also shares why, after decades in the industry, he believes HVAC remains one of the best opportunities available for the next generation.

Topics include:

• HVAC financing and homeowner affordability • Increasing contractor close rates • AI and the future of HVAC • Training technicians and sales teams • The HVAC branch of the future • Supporting independent contractors • Building stronger distributor relationships • Career opportunities in the HVAC industry

Guest: Greg Jones Regional General Manager – Southwest Stevens Equipment Supply

Hosted by Ben Middleton of Daikin Comfort Technologies.

Ryan Van Tassell, Vice President of the West Division for Stevens Equipment Supply, shares how Stevens expanded from zero customers to a $70 million HVAC distribution business in just a few years.

Ryan discusses leadership, private equity, inverter technology, customer experience, contractor growth, and why businesses that refuse to evolve risk getting left behind.

Hosted by Ben Middleton.

Topics include:

• Building a distribution business from the ground up

• Private equity's impact on HVAC

• Why inverter technology is changing the industry

• Customer-first leadership

• Growing contractors through training

• The future of HVAC distribution

Every incoming phone call represents revenue—but most HVAC companies are only booking about 58% of those opportunities.

In this episode, Ben Middleton sits down with Barry Gates, Vice President of Power Selling Pros, to discuss why customer service representatives have such a massive impact on company growth and profitability.

Barry shares proven strategies for improving call conversion, creating exceptional customer experiences, coaching CSRs, and building a culture where every phone call is treated like the valuable opportunity it is.

If you're looking to improve your booking rate, increase customer satisfaction, and grow your HVAC business without increasing your marketing budget, this episode is for you.

Strong contractor-distributor relationships can make the difference between simply surviving and building a highly profitable HVAC business.

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Jeremiah McClelland, Regional Operations Manager at Daikin Comfort Technologies, to discuss inventory planning, technology, forecasting, customer experience, and how the "Branch of the Future" is helping contractors succeed.

Topics include:

• Inventory forecasting

• Seasonal planning

• Technology in distribution

• Contractor communication

• Customer experience

• Branch operations

• Growing your HVAC business

If you're an HVAC owner, manager, technician, or comfort advisor, this conversation offers practical insights into building stronger business partnerships.

Every HVAC contractor wants to increase profits—but many focus on lowering equipment costs instead of improving business performance.

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Nathan Boisvert, Regional Sales Director at Daikin Comfort Technologies, to discuss what separates successful HVAC businesses from those that simply compete on price.

Topics include:

• Profitability vs affordability

• Building strategic distributor relationships

• Financing and business growth

• Using technology to improve efficiency

• Becoming a better business owner

• Preparing your company for long-term success

Whether you're an HVAC owner, sales manager, technician, or comfort advisor, this episode offers practical business advice you can immediately apply.

The HVAC refrigerant phase-down is accelerating, and many contractors still aren't prepared for what's coming.

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Ben Middleton sits down with Michael Ragan to discuss refrigerant recovery, reclamation, EPA regulations, and how contractors can prepare for the future while creating additional value for their businesses.

Topics include:

• The HFC phase-down timeline

• Why reclaimed refrigerant is becoming more valuable

• EPA recovery requirements

• Common contractor misconceptions

• How refrigerant can be reused indefinitely

• Why refrigerant recovery protects your customers

• Practical ways contractors can implement recovery programs

Whether you're an owner, technician, or service manager, this episode provides practical insight into one of the biggest changes impacting the HVAC industry.