Contractor Tips

How many boxes of tissues have you and you family gone through so far? Yep. Its that time of year. To be fair, the trees are probably not a fan, either. Think of how many false springs we’ve had in large parts of Michigan. If you are in the upper peninsula reading this right now, you probably despise me even saying that. Hope you all stay safe during this time.

In comes this change of season to the… well, you guessed it, the sneezin’. Allergy medicine galore, migraines, itchy eyes, and it seems like nothing will stop it. Truthfully, you cant stop it. Even if you have the tightest built house in all of Wayne County, every time the door opens you let more allergens in.

“Wait, didn’t we go over indoor air quality in a previous article?” Yes, we did! Back in August of 2025 was an article about back-to-school happenings. Now this time is back-to-garden happenings. “So, what makes this one any different than that?” Well, to put it bluntly, IAQ is that important and needs multiple understandings. And this one isn’t so much on what we let in, but more-so on what we keep in unwillingly, and albeit, unknowingly.

You see, maintenance this time of year plays a pivotal role not just on your equipment’s efficiency, but also your indoor health quality. Heat pumps provide an excellent source of efficient and comfortable heat, but sized improperly with too much humidity will cause breeding grounds for the big ole’ ugly M word – one of the worst allergens of all.

When a heat pump is oversized for a home, it tends to heat (or cool) the space too quickly. Sounds like a good problem to have, right? Not exactly. What ends up happening is what we call “short cycling.” The system turns on, satisfies the thermostat quickly, and shuts off before it’s had enough runtime to properly remove moisture from the air.

Humidity control isn’t just a summer issue—it matters in shoulder seasons too, especially in climates like Michigan where we bounce between damp, chilly mornings and mild afternoons. Without enough runtime, that excess moisture stays trapped inside your home. And when moisture sticks around, it doesn’t take long before it finds its way into carpets, drywall, and other porous materials.

That’s where comfort and health start to take a hit.

You may notice the air feeling “clammy,” even when the temperature looks fine on the thermostat. Maybe it’s harder to sleep, or you’re constantly adjusting the temperature trying to feel comfortable. Meanwhile, allergens thrive. Mold spores, dust mites, and other irritants love humid environments—and your home can unintentionally become the perfect place for them to grow.

Now, here’s the part most homeowners aren’t told: even a properly installed heat pump (or any air conditioner for that matter) may not always be able to handle humidity control on its own. That’s especially true during mild weather conditions when the system isn’t running long enough to pull out that moisture.

This is where pairing your heat pump with a whole-home dehumidifier becomes a game changer.

A dedicated dehumidifier works independently of your heating and cooling system. It focuses on one job and does it well—removing excess moisture from the air regardless of whether your heat pump is actively running. The result? More consistent indoor humidity levels, better comfort, and a significant reduction in conditions that allow allergens to thrive.

Think of it this way: your heat pump controls temperature, but your dehumidifier helps control how that temperature actually feels. Together, they create a more balanced indoor environment.

As we head deeper into allergy season, remember: you may not be able to control what’s happening outside, but you absolutely can take control of what’s happening inside your home.

I tend to write these homeowner facing – contractors please share this to your social media! Shorten it, post it up, or even share it on an e-mail thread for your marketing campaigns. We love to see your business grow!

New Year’s Resolution: Take Care of Your HVAC System

It’s a new year in Michigan. 2026, the year of the horse. Mercury finally is not in retrograde, but the Lions still may be. The holidays are over, winter is definitely not, and your HVAC system is already working overtime against lake-effect snow, polar vortexes, and that one random 5° day in January (-20° if you are a Yooper. Sheesh.)

Here’s a resolution that actually pays off: take better care of your HVAC system. Good news—you don’t need tools or a technician to do it.

Quick homeowner tips that make a real difference:

• Change your air filter.
  Check it monthly during winter. If it looks like it belongs in a snowbank or a garden bed, it’s time.
• Clear your outdoor unit.
  Brush off snow and remove leaves or debris so it can breathe. No shovel rage required. Heat pumps, especially, need air to breathe.
• Check your thermostat settings.
  Make sure it’s on Heat, (insert “Duh”, but you’d be surprised how many times this prompts a service call) replace batteries if needed, and avoid cranking it up like a gas pedal—it won’t warm the house faster.
• Keep vents and returns clear.
  Furniture, rugs, and dust buildup restrict airflow. Your couch shouldn’t be part of the duct system. If your return looks like it is wearing a Meijer’s sweater, its time to vacuum it.
• Use ceiling fans in winter mode.
  Clockwise rotation pushes warm air back down and improves comfort without touching the thermostat. No MiHER rebate required.
• Notice changes early.
  New noises, smells, or cold rooms are your system’s way of asking for attention—before the next arctic blast arrives.

So if you’re picking a New Year’s resolution that actually sticks this year, make it this one: Take care of the system that takes care of you—because Michigan winter weather sometimes certainly won’t.

Stay warm in there. (You see what I did? Its like an HVAC dad joke!)

As I sit in the Chicago O’Hare terminal — my home-away-from-home these past few months — on my way back from the US Heat Pump Summit, I can’t help but reflect on the last decade of my career in the HVAC industry. Running alongside my own journey has been the evolution of our skilled workforce and the rapid changes in equipment: companies selling to private equity, refrigerant transitions, new rebate programs, and a wave of retirements that has reshaped our labor pool. Add in the endless acronyms used to explain “efficiency” to homeowners — acronyms that confuse new contractors just as much as seasoned ones — and the landscape can feel overwhelming. But one thing hasn’t changed: homeowners still need this trade.

I joke with colleagues that “back when I started, people hated us just as much as technicians hated the job. Nobody wanted to do this.” Now, somehow, it’s cool to be an HVAC tech. The stereotype has shifted from the cigarette-smelling, mud-tracked, torn-shirt tech to the clean-shaven, white-button-up model with a polished script at the door. And the truth is — it works. It works because it builds customer trust. But the downside is that it has pushed the industry to funnel new technicians into sales roles instead of developing their technical skill sets. My response to that is simple: there’s a lot of honest money to be made by being truly skilled in this trade.

Because at the end of the day, everything comes down to relationships. Walking through the booths, seeing the LinkedIn and YouTube HVAC personalities, and talking with the hundreds of people at the Heat Pump Summit, one thing is obvious: none of these events would exist without the men, women, and people in homes every day actually doing the work. And it’s not just the work — it’s the relationships built inside those homes that make the real impact.

We used to use the service term “ABC,” meaning Airflow Before Charge. As the industry continues to evolve, I like to think that idea is becoming Airflow Before Change. Not just airflow measurement, not just the shift from delivered fuels to heat pumps, but the conversations — those pivotal, at-the-table moments — that are shaping the future of this entire industry.

Have you ever been out on an estimate and thought, “Gee willikers, this ductwork is oversized!”? Well Robin, probably not—and that’s the point. Those campy one-liners belong in old TV reruns, not in a real-world estimate. Back when black-and-white sets were just entering living rooms, neither heat pumps nor today’s familiar heating and cooling systems were standard in homes. So, how do we expect something designed in 2025 to operate seamlessly in a house built in the early 1900s?

When ductwork isn’t an option, multi-system setups can be a game changer. That doesn’t mean tearing out an operational boiler. In fact, leaving it in place while adding a ductless mini-split can be the best move. “But wait—why keep the boiler if we’re talking heat pumps?” Two words: market adoption. By combining the old with the new, you give homeowners what they really want, whether it is cooling availability, cheaper and more even heating options, or even a comfortable introduction to heat pumps—especially for those still clinging to the myth that “heat pumps don’t work in cold climates.”

So how does this work? Simple. Set the ductless system as the primary source at a “set-it-and-forget-it” temperature. Then dial the boiler or baseboard backup system just a few degrees lower. Most of the time, the ductless unit carries the load, while the boiler is there as a safety net for those brutal, below-design days. Over time, the “backup” becomes more of a decorative relic than a necessity—but it’s still there for peace of mind.

“What if I already have ductwork?” Great question. Even in those cases, switching from a traditional AC to a heat pump can be one of the easiest upgrades you’ll ever make. The challenge is that many people tend to go from zero to “I’ve given her all she’s got!”—as if there’s no middle ground. In reality, there is. Even simple, single-stage heat pumps have been shown to cover up to 70% of the heating load (props to TEC for backing that up!). The key to success? Always keep static pressure front of mind because it drives both performance and efficiency.

And remember—just because a home is as old as the Moon Pie (back when it was only a nickel!) doesn’t mean it’s off-limits for heat pump technology. Age isn’t a barrier; it’s just context. By offering the right system, you’re not only delivering modern comfort—you’re also putting real money (more than nickels) back into the homeowner’s pocket over time.

It’s that time of year again — the back-to-school rush. Stores are packed with parents and students grabbing last-minute supplies, planning those final summer vacations, and taking advantage of tax-free weekends. Amid the chaos, there's one back-to-school item that always stands out: tissue boxes. Ever wonder why schools request so many?
The answer is simple — sickness. As students return to school, they also return to close contact with dozens, if not hundreds, of other kids. Germs begin to spread like wildfire, and before long, your child is bringing them home on their hands, clothes, and even their shirt sleeves.

As gross as it sounds, it’s inevitable. But what does this have to do with HVAC systems?

A phrase I’ve used time and time again in the field is: “The home breathes what you breathe.” When your child comes home sick, those airborne germs are introduced into the home’s environment — and your HVAC system circulates that same air throughout the house. Without proper filtration and air quality strategies, you're just giving those germs a free ride to every room.

It’s important to understand that standard HVAC filters aren’t there to protect your health — they’re there to protect the HVAC system itself. In fact, the most effective filter at blocking particles would be a solid sheet of wood — which, of course, would also block all airflow and shut your system down completely. The key is finding the balance between air flow, humidity control, and filtration efficiency.

Now consider heat pumps — a rising choice for homeowners. Unlike traditional fuel-burning systems, heat pumps run longer and more consistently. While that might sound like a downside, it offers a hidden benefit: longer run times mean more opportunities for indoor air quality (IAQ) systems and better filtration to do their job and better humidity control. These systems rely on frequent air movement to be effective, and heat pumps create the perfect environment for that.

But even the best filtration and circulation can fall short if you’re ignoring one crucial factor: humidity. If the humidity in your home is too high, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and dust mites. Too low, and it dries out your skin, eyes, and respiratory system — making it easier to catch and spread viruses. Cue the curtains to open for a full communicating, cold climate rated heat pump system to drastically help with these seasonal back-to-school time woes.

As we head into another school year, don’t just stock up on tissues and hand sanitizer. Take a moment to think about your home’s air. Your HVAC system is more than just a source of comfort — it’s the lungs of your house. By investing in proper air filtration, humidity control, and routine maintenance – all of which pair perfectly with a heat pump system –  you can turn your HVAC system into a first line of defense against the back-to-school germ invasion. Because if the home breathes what you breathe… shouldn’t it be clean air?

Far too often, we as contractors find ourselves stepping into a role we didn’t necessarily sign up for—getting deep into a homeowner’s finances. Like it or not, it comes with the territory. If you’re like me, money is one of those “hush words” you don’t talk about in public. Now, imagine being in the shoes of a homeowner with a broken HVAC system. We’ve already entered a highly uncomfortable space—money talk.

Let’s be honest: no one wakes up hoping to spend money on HVAC repairs. And absolutely no one wakes up wanting to buy a new system. So when we sit down with a homeowner for that pivotal conversation—repair versus replacement—we’re already fighting an uphill battle. The homeowner is thinking one thing: This is going to cost me money.

And they’re right. But here’s the bigger issue: we too often focus only on the cost. With the flood of online content, energy-saving blogs, and even AI-driven recommendations, homeowners are hearing a lot about heat pumps and energy efficiency. Yes, we can bring up NEEP data or BeCOP ratings and show how a system could save them money in the long run. That’s important—but it’s not the whole picture.

Here’s the challenge I want to present: Let’s change our language. Let’s stop framing replacement systems as just a cost. Instead, let’s call it what it truly is—an investment.

Because it’s not just about lower energy bills. In some cases, those numbers may not tell the full story. What about all the other discomforts the homeowner is experiencing? Hot and cold spots in the home. Poor indoor air quality. Humidity control issues. Systems that run too often—or not enough. This – and many more uncomfortable implications – address larger things that linger as issues already existing in homes, but easily over-sought when we talk about paying for equipment breakdown.

When we recommend a new system, we’re not just addressing costs. We’re helping solve real, everyday problems that affect comfort, health, and peace of mind. Yes, it may be costly to keep an aging system limping along. But investing in the right solution can transform the homeowner's experience in their space.

Let’s start having conversations that reflect the real value we bring. Not just cheaper utility bills—but a better, healthier, more comfortable home.

Mornings call for winter coats, but by afternoon, shorts seem like the better choice. Sound familiar? This in-between season—where chilly mornings turn into warm afternoons—brings back memories of those 90s zip-off pants that transformed from pants to shorts in an instant. HVAC professionals call this time of year “swing season,” when service calls slow down, and system maintenance takes priority. But for homeowners, the big question is: how do you manage your thermostat when you need heat in the morning and cooling by afternoon?

Your thermostat is the brain of your home’s comfort system, and how you use it can impact your energy bills. It may be tempting to crank up the heat a few degrees first thing in the morning, but for homes with all-electric systems—especially those with heat pumps—this habit can significantly increase energy usage. Many thermostats are pre-programmed to activate electric heat strips when the temperature is raised by just a few degrees, which can lead to higher utility costs. An HVAC professional can adjust these settings, but the best approach is often to adopt a “Set It and Forget It” strategy.

To stay comfortable during swing season, consider setting your thermostat to heat in the late evening when the temperature drops and cool before you head off to work. Some thermostats, like my own, has an option for “HEAT/COOL” where you can select to what temperature you want to keep the comfort of the house between, which is set to 67ºF heating and 75º cooling. This approach helps maintain consistent comfort while preventing unexpected spikes in your energy bill. And as the weather continues to warm, don’t forget to adjust your settings before the hot summer arrives!

I'll never forget the panicked call from a client who exclaimed, "my heat pump is on fire!" Was the heat pump on fire? Thankfully no, but mistaking the steam for smoke can cause panic.

Cold winter days can cause smoke billowing from your heat pump, but this can be a missed opportunity to educate homeowners about the heat pump's defrost mode—what it does, the sounds it makes, and the steam it can produce.

During defrost mode, the outdoor coils begin to freeze and need to thaw. To do this, the heat pump reverses its cycle, sending hot refrigerant to melt the ice. Once the cycle ends, steam is pushed out as a result, which can be accompanied by hissing noises, a louder-than-usual compressor, and the outdoor fan occasionally pausing its rotation.

Though dramatic, rest assured, it's all part of normal operation.