“Learning the NCI system performance approach to HVAC showed our team how to do many things I knew we needed to but had no idea how to implement. Today, I love showing customers real efficiency,” says Jerry Kennihan, Bill’s son and the company general manager.
Whenever the Kennihan team goes to a job, they look for the little blue plugs in the ductwork. If there aren’t any, they tell the customer that nobody has ever measured their system performance.
Training is equally important on the plumbing side. Jerry Kennihan recently took two plumbing technicians to Georgia for advanced training in flat-rate pricing.
“It was tough to pull techs away from jobs, but we know it’ll pay off in the long run,” Jerry notes.
Even beyond technical training, Kennihan prioritizes safety education. Every technician is certified in CPR, and the company has even discussed implementing defibrillators in service trucks.
“We’re in people’s homes every day,” Jose says. “If something happens, we want our team prepared to help.”
Bill Kennihan on the Challenges and Future Trends
Despite their success, Kennihan is keeping a close eye on industry challenges. One primary concern is the transition to new refrigerants.
“The switch to A2L refrigerants is still coming,” Bill says. “We’re preparing, but the cost increase — potentially by as much as 15-20% — will be a challenge for homeowners.”
He also sees the move to electrification as another challenge.
“Pennsylvania doesn’t have strict mandates yet, but we’re already seeing shifts,” he says. “In the next few years, gas water heaters are being phased out in favor of heat pump water heaters. That’s going to be a big adjustment for customers.”
To stay ahead, Kennihan is continuing to diversify its services. Geothermal installations, for example, have become a growing segment of the business.
“We’ve done geothermal for years,” Bill says, “but demand has increased. And since some contractors have exited the market, we’ve stepped in to fill that gap.”
Why Kennihan Stands Out
In an industry where many contractors focus on quick installations and low-cost solutions, Kennihan HVAC continues to differentiate through meticulous testing, top-tier training, and a commitment to doing the job right.
“Customers come back to us because they realize the difference,” Bill says. “We’ve had homeowners choose another company based on price, only to call us later to fix the mistakes. It happens all the time.”
Ultimately, Kennihan’s approach isn’t just about installing equipment but delivering real, measurable comfort and efficiency improvements.
“If we’re not improving the home, we’re not doing our job,” Bill concludes. “And that’s why we’ll never stop focusing on training, testing, and doing what’s right for the customer.”
For these and many other reasons, the team at High-Performance HVAC Today chose Kennihan Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning as this month’s Contractor Spotlight. Congratulations to Bill Kennihan, Jerry Kennihan, Jose Montes, and the entire Kennihan team.
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