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The HVAC industry continues to evolve. Contractors are navigating shifting customer expectations, economic pressure, evolving technology, labor challenges, and the growing complexity of running a business in a market that never stays still for long. With so many moving parts, it can be difficult to know what is changing, what matters most, and where the biggest areas for growth may be ahead. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, Dave Holt sits down with Julie Trujillo of Decision Analyst to discuss the 2026 HVAC Contractor Survey and what it reveals about the current state of the industry. Their conversation explores the broader trends influencing contractors and sets the stage for a deeper look at what is shaping the HVAC market right now and what that means for you and your business. The post The 2026 HVAC Contractor Survey Revealed first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

The habits that made you good in the field might be the same ones keeping your business from growing. Contractors are taught to move fast, fix the problem, and get to the next call. But building a successful HVAC business takes more than technical skill. It takes a different mindset, one that helps you create trust, guide better customer decisions, and stop running the business the way it was done 20 years ago. In this episode of Cracking the Code, Contractor University coach, Joel Torma, shares why traditional HVAC thinking can hold contractors back and what it really takes to move forward. Joel uncovers why growth starts when you are willing to challenge what you were taught, slow down, and lead customers through better options instead of just quick fixes. The post Old-School HVAC Thinking Is Holding You Back first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

How do you build a successful HVAC business when no one taught you the business side? Many contractors enter the industry with strong technical skills but little training in running a successful company. That gap can make growth feel harder than it should, even for owners who know the work inside and out. In this episode of Cracking the Code, Contractor University Business Coach, Bob Larkin breaks down what it takes to make the shift from technician to business owner. From understanding your numbers and pricing correctly to building a clear vision and growth plan. Learn why long-term success depends on learning the business skills most contractors were never taught. The post From Technician to Business Owner: What It Takes to Succeed first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Is ductwork and poor filtration reducing your HVAC system’s value? Most HVAC systems are still being matched to ductwork that was never designed to deliver the comfort, airflow, or air quality homeowners actually need. That creates a hidden problem: even high-efficiency equipment can underperform when the system behind it is not working the way it should. In this episode of Cracking the Code, Drew Cameron joins David Holt to explain why healthy air should be part of every HVAC conversation. From airflow and duct performance to filtration and purification, they break down how improving the full home environment can increase comfort and performance to deliver greater value. The post The Hidden Problem in Most HVAC Systems first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

What are homeowners really buying when they replace their HVAC system, a box or a better outcome? In a market full of look-a-like equipment and competing claims, contractors who can connect performance, comfort and long-term value are the ones who stand apart. In this episode of Cracking the Code, Anton Martin, Owner of English Air, joins David Holt to talk about what it takes to deliver more than just equipment. From inverter technology and zoning to maintenance agreements and customer communication, Anton shares how contractors can create better comfort, lower utility costs and stronger customer relationships by focusing on the full solution instead of just the installation. The post Position Smarter Systems & Save Customers More first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Does your sales team sell what’s inside the box or the full value of what you deliver? When every proposal sounds the same, it’s harder to stand out and even harder to help homeowners understand what they are really buying. In this episode of Cracking the Code, Drew Cameron shares how contractors can break out of that cycle by selling by design instead of by default. He explains why the real value is in the diagnosis, design and performance of the total solution, and how a more systematic approach helps homeowners make better decisions while helping your team communicate that value more clearly. The post The Systematic Approach to Higher Close Rates first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

“Are you really losing on price or failing to show what customers value? When contractors lead with specs, brands, and “SEER talk,” homeowners do what they’ve been trained to do: compare quotes and pick a number. But when you translate your work into what they actually care about — better sleep, fewer allergy flare-ups, quieter rooms, a home they can finally enjoy, the conversation changes. In this episode, Drew Cameron breaks down how to use education and emotional currency to become the only contractor worth choosing, without “selling” at all. The post The Buying Triggers Most HVAC Contractors Miss first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Are you really short on leads or just failing to convert the ones you already have? Too often business owners blame marketing when revenue slows. They buy more leads, spend more money, and hope volume fixes the issue. But if your booking rate is weak, you’re not growing, you’re wasting money. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, Zach Wilson of Lokal breaks down the real cost of unbooked calls, how AI-driven call analysis exposes operational gaps, and why more leads rarely solve a conversion problem. From CSR performance to white glove service, he unpacks what it actually takes to make marketing dollars turn into profitable jobs. The post Before You Buy More Leads, Fix Your Booking Rate first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Are you trying to beat the competition — or become a category of one? Too many contractors chase “being the best” by comparing, discounting, and outpacing everyone else. But in business, winning isn’t about beating someone, it’s about becoming so unique, so dialed in, and so committed to growth that there is no comparison. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, Drew Cameron breaks down what it really means to sell by design, not by default. From 1% daily improvement to mastering communication, industry knowledge, and team culture, he unpacks how focusing on service over outcomes transforms both your results and your customer experience. The post What it Takes Be the Best in HVAC first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Is your sales process getting more automated — but less effective? When HVAC decisions get reduced to scripts, software, and speed, contractors risk losing the one thing homeowners actually buy from, people. Homeowners call because life was disrupted and they want to feel taken care of. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, Drew Cameron unpacks why human connection is what truly drives HVAC purchase decisions and why it’s important not to rely on technology too heavily. He breaks down how empathy, presence, and real conversations build trust faster than any tool ever could, and why in a market flooded with AI, humanity becomes the premium. The post How Human Connection Wins HVAC Purchase Decisions first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Is your marketing funnel actually leading to converted customers? Stop paying for clicks that don’t convert. Or overcompensating with heavy paid search spend when a few website tweaks could unlock stronger organic results. If your marketing feels unpredictable, the problem usually isn’t that “marketing doesn’t work.” It’s almost always that the wrong metrics are being tracked and the right questions aren’t being asked. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, David Holt sits down with Shawn Byrne, CEO & Founder of My Biz Niche, to break down what real marketing accountability looks like for contractors. Shawn shares the red flags that expose wasted spend, along with the fundamentals too many teams miss that directly impact how search engines evaluate and rank your website. You’ll also hear how the most successful contractors take control of their marketing by consistently measuring the right data, adjusting spend, and optimizing performance for real, predictable growth. The post Marketing That Scales Without Draining Your Budget first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Are you building your business around brands and transactions or building foundational relationships that actually drive profit? If growth feels harder than it should, the problem may not be your pricing, products, or marketing. It might be as simple as how you’re partnering across your business. In this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, Drew Cameron breaks down what partnering for profit really means in HVAC. He explores how profit flows through relationships with homeowners, team members, distributors, manufacturers, and referral partners — and why contractors who focus on people instead of logos build stronger, more resilient businesses. You’ll hear how becoming a trusted resource, choosing partners invested in your success, and helping others win creates both financial return and long-term loyalty. The post The HVAC Relationship-Driven Profit Chain first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

What actually makes one HVAC company unforgettable while another blends into the background? It’s the experience you deliver at every touchpoint, from the first phone call to the final walkthrough. On this week’s episode, Jason Walker, President of Royalty Heating & Air and Founder of HVAC Masters of the Hustle, breaks down how top-performing contractors are building brands that command attention by creating “magic moments” that turn customers into advocates. Jason shares how to win on customers on experience and execution. You’ll hear how small details — from service interactions to install presentation — create premium value, drive reviews, and fuel long-term growth. The post How Elite HVAC Companies Win on Customer Experience first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

If your manufacturer or distributor relationship only starts when you need equipment and ends when the invoice is paid — you’re missing some real growth opportunities. The trades are being reshaped by new technology, evolving rebate and incentive programs, and the way contractors are being supported. On this week’s episode of Cracking the Code, David Holt is joined by Drew Cameron, President of Flow Odyssey and EDS, for a no-nonsense conversation about what modern HVAC partnerships should actually look like. Understand how contractors can define expectations, ask better questions, and turn vendors into strategic partners who support technology adoption and long-term business development. The post Turn HVAC Vendors Into Growth Partners first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.

Still stuck in a cycle of posting jobs, waiting, and disappointing results? For many contractors, hiring feels unpredictable with changing labor markets, employee expectations, and stale job postings. On this week’s episode, Kelly Presgrave, President & CEO of Work With Your Handz, breaks down how top contractors bring structure and predictability to hiring. From the one metric that changes everything to smarter job descriptions and how AI is accelerating recruiting without losing the human touch. Learn what it really takes to attract and retain A-players today. The post Attract & Keep Top Talent in Home Services first appeared on My Contractor University | Dashboard.