In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Vern Crawford, founder of Flow Logic Automation, about practical uses of AI and automation in HVAC and plumbing businesses. They examine an after-hours AI phone agent for plumbing emergencies, the difference between deterministic automations and AI agents, and how APIs, webhooks, and MCPs connect business systems. The conversation also covers starting with simple workflows, using field service management data effectively, and preparing clean data before implementing AI.

Vern has experience working with Housecall Pro automations and building AI-enabled workflows. He discusses creating an MCP connection for Housecall Pro, using Make.com to process plumbing work orders, and helping businesses implement these systems.

• How an after-hours AI phone agent can handle emergency calls and referrals.

• Why voice, tone, and local context matter when designing AI phone agents.

• The difference between deterministic automations and AI agents.

• How a completed-job trigger can improve office visibility in Housecall Pro.

• Why technician habits and workflow design affect automation success.

• How AI agents can help interpret technician notes and complete administrative tasks.

• What APIs, webhooks, and Model Context Protocols do in an AI workflow.

00:00 – Introduction to Vern Crawford and Flow Logic Automation

01:05 – A practical AI phone agent workflow

03:57 – AI voice options, tone, and customer reactions

04:52 – Testing accents and using human reception during business hours

06:41 – Automation versus AI agents

10:14 – A starting automation for completed jobs

11:55 – Technician use of the finish button

15:19 – Managing variation in HVAC service jobs

18:03 – APIs, webhooks, and MCPs explained

19:36 – Model Context Protocols and AI system connections

21:28 – Webhooks as machine-to-machine messages

Follow our Guest Vern Crawford & His Company:

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

• Company Website: https://www.flowlogicautomation.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 HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie speaks with Matt Showers, a commercial-industrial HVAC professional and the host of Trade Therapy Podcast, about the effects of compulsive screen time, gaming, and other obsessive behaviors on family life. They discuss recognizing a problem, confronting the consequences of addiction, setting boundaries, and taking the first step toward getting help.

Matt shares how gaming became an ongoing problem during his marriage and why an ultimatum from his wife became his turning point. Drawing on his experience of rebuilding trust and changing his habits, he explains how honesty, visible boundaries, and a long-term focus on the kind of parent and partner he wants to be have shaped his approach.

• How recognizing the impact of compulsive behavior on family life can become the first step toward change.

• Why knowledge and sound measurement practices matter more than owning expensive tools.

• The importance of creating boundaries that reduce easy access to habits that can become compulsive.

• How honesty about setbacks can help rebuild trust and keep recovery efforts accountable.

• Why obsessive behavior can become harmful when it displaces sleep, food, work, or family responsibilities.

• How reaching out to a trusted person can start the process of finding appropriate support.

00:00 – Cintas Ad

02:45 – Community, social media, and calling out poor HVAC practices

05:21 – Matt's breaking point with compulsive gaming and screen time

08:23 – How addiction can take many forms, including work and learning

11:16 – The effects of obsessive behavior on basic needs and family responsibilities

17:05 – Why bottling up emotions can lead to a breaking point

20:04 – Matt's advice to reach out to a trusted person for help

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 and His Podcast on:

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

Guest Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Hvac.grammarian

Podcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/trade-therapy/

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