What we can’t see indoors often hurts us the most. Poor indoor air quality, hidden carbon monoxide (CO), and under-performing HVAC systems are invisible threats that affect people every day. They’re also why I believe Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), National Carbon Monoxide Month, and National Comfort Institute’s 2025 High-Performance Summit all belong in the same conversation.

IAQ: More Than Filters and Gadgets

Americans spend nearly half of their lives indoors, yet the air inside can be worse than outside. Leaky ducts, pressure imbalances, and poor ventilation pull pollutants in and spread them around.

Too often, the fix is a gadget — an air cleaner or filter — instead of starting with and addressing the entire HVAC system. But IAQ improvement isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about testing airflow, sealing ducts, balancing systems, and then choosing technologies that solve the actual problems.

Contractors also need to be careful. Some IAQ devices create harmful byproducts. As an industry, our job is to deliver healthier air with confidence, and that starts with testing.

At Summit 2025, I had the opportunity to talk to five contractors about IAQ and their businesses. Read what they had to say on page 13.

CO: The Invisible Killer

November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month and that is a reminder of just how high the stakes are.

We know how improper venting or blocked flues can quietly turn a home into a hazard. This is where contractors can truly save lives. Combustion testing, CO monitoring, and homeowner education aren’t extras — they’re essentials.

Protecting families from CO should be part of every service call. That’s why I was so excited about this year’s NCI High-Performance Summit, which took place September 9-12 in Austin, TX. Honestly, it’s not just another event — it’s an immersion into a culture of doing HVAC right: measuring, diagnosing, and delivering real results. Check out our Summit highlights on page 16.

The 2025 program included system performance, IAQ improvement, electrification, sales, and maintenance strategies. Hands-on sessions and peer discussions gave contractors practical tools to prove their work with data.

NCI has always said that “If you don’t measure, you’re guessing™!” Each year Summit drives that point home and helps contractors turn measurement into a business advantage.

One Common Thread

IAQ improvement, CO safety, and High-Performance HVAC all connect through a single thread: protecting people with knowledge, testing, and discipline.

This fall, IAQ and CO awareness campaigns will get homeowners thinking. That’s the perfect time for contractors to act — offering audits, safety checks, and performance testing that build trust and deliver results.

And for those ready to raise their game, think about adding more training for yourself and your team. That’s how contractors and technicians sharpen skills, network with peers, and strengthen their ability to deliver what customers need most. In a world where air is invisible, what sets us apart is our ability to measure it, improve it, and make it safe to breathe.

With that in mind, mark your calendars for September 2026 when Summit will be held in Eastern U.S.

More information to come soon.