#safety

Tech Tips:

DISCLAIMER: HVAC School is NOT an official OSHA safety training resource! Although we provide safety tips in good faith, our website is not a substitute for safety training from an authorized OSHA training source. Locking out and tagging equipment is one of the most basic safety procedures in general industry and maintenance work, especially in […]

Oxyacetylene Torches: Tips and Operation

Everyone in the HVAC/R trade uses some type of torch to braze or solder alloys together. So, what is the proper way to handle an oxyacetylene torch? It turns out that there’s more than one right answer. Depending on which torch rig you use, the manufacturer’s manuals for operation may vary. Everyone (hopefully) knows […]

Lifting Techniques Part 4 – Using Unistrut

This is Part 4 series by Senior Refrigeration Tech (and prolific writer) Jeremy Smith. Pay attention to this one, folks. I know rigging and safe lifting practices may be boring to some of you, but it could very well save your back or your life. Disclaimer This article is written by a technician representing his […]

Lifting Techniques Part 3 – Complex Block & Tackle

This is Part 3 series by Senior Refrigeration Tech (and prolific writer) Jeremy Smith. Pay attention to this one, folks. I know rigging and safe lifting practices may be boring to some of you, but it could very well save your back or your life. Disclaimer This article is written by a technician representing his […]

Lifting Techniques Part 2 – Pulleys

This is Part 2 series by Senior Refrigeration Tech (and prolific writer) Jeremy Smith. Pay attention to this one, folks. I know rigging and safe lifting practices may be boring to some of you, but it could very well save your back or your life. Disclaimer This article is written by a technician representing his […]

Lifting Techniques Part 1 – Basics

This is ANOTHER series by Senior Refrigeration Tech (and prolific writer) Jeremy Smith. Pay attention to this one, folks. I know rigging and safe lifting practices may be boring to some of you, but it could very well save your back or your life. Disclaimer This article is written by a technician representing his real-world […]

Boiler Basics Part 2 – Components

This article is the second in a series on boiler basics by senior boiler tech Justin Skinner. Thanks, Justin. There are many types of boilers that do many different things, but almost all of them have some of the same basic components. It's partially because regulatory agencies require them, and other times, it's because they […]

Lifting Techniques Part 5 – Really HEAVY Stuff

This is Part 5 of a series by Senior Refrigeration Tech (and prolific writer) Jeremy Smith. Pay attention to this one, folks. I know rigging and safe lifting practices may be boring to some of you, but it could very well save your back or your life. Disclaimer This article is written by a technician […]

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HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan and Jim discuss strategies for growing an HVAC business, focusing on the importance of maintenance contracts, consistent service, and effective branding. Drawing from Jim’s 15 years of experience running a successful HVAC company in California, they explore how maintenance contracts not only provide consistent revenue but also create valuable training opportunities for technicians.

The conversation emphasizes that maintenance contracts are fundamental to building company value. Jim shares that when he sold his business, the number of maintenance contracts was a key valuation metric. These contracts tie customers to your company, provide consistent work during shoulder seasons, and offer technicians crucial repetitive practice with equipment. Bryan adds that maintenance provides technicians with opportunities to observe normal equipment operation repeatedly, which builds troubleshooting skills through pattern recognition.

Both hosts stress the importance of consistency in growing a business. They note that large, successful HVAC companies aren’t always the most technically excellent, but they deliver consistent service that customers can rely on. Jim introduces the marketing concept of “TOMA” (Top Of Mind Awareness), sharing how he used branded coffee bags as thank-you gifts to keep his company in customers’ minds even after service calls were completed. The discussion concludes with an examination of White Rogers’ contractor branding program, which allows HVAC companies to put their name and logo on thermostats, creating another touchpoint for customer awareness.

Key topics covered:

How maintenance contracts increase company valuation and create customer loyalty
Using maintenance as a training ground for developing technician skills
The importance of consistent processes and documentation when scaling a business
Creating “Top Of Mind Awareness” (TOMA) with customers through strategic touchpoints
White Rogers’ contractor branding program for thermostats
Benefits of Sensi thermostats and their app features, including multiple temperature sensors
Different pricing strategies for customers with and without maintenance contracts
The importance of documenting extended warranty information on invoices
How service departments can weather economic downturns better than installation-focused businesses

Get contractor branding on your Sensi thermostats today at https://hvacrschool.com/contractor-branding.

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