Anthony says, “We’ve got no truck wraps, no ads, and no search engine optimization (SEO). But we’re swamped. The phones just don’t stop ringing.”
Discovering NCI and a New Path Forward
Anthony’s transformation into a High-Performance HVAC contractor started with a Google search.
“One of my techs suggested getting into indoor air quality (IAQ), so I started looking for the best indoor air quality trainer out there,” he recalls. “That search led me to John Ellis, and eventually to the National Comfort Institute (NCI) Summit in 2024.”
Up to that point, Anthony says he didn’t know what NCI was. But John Ellis was speaking at the Summit event, so he bought a ticket and attended.
That changed everything for him. After attending his first Summit, he went all-in.
“I didn’t even know what I was signing up for. I just wanted to hear John Ellis speak. But once I got there, I realized NCI wasn’t just about training, it was about community.”
In less than a year, Anthony completed every NCI certification except combustion (which requires licensing not available in Quebec). He has also ensured that his team receives training tailored to their roles.
“My installers went through duct optimization. My service technicians performed airflow balancing and system performance optimization. Everyone’s specialized, and I’ve taken all the courses, so I know what each person is learning.”
Red Tape, Real Problems
If operating a business in a highly competitive HVAC market is challenging, try doing it in Quebec, where language laws, licensing limitations, and import restrictions create constant roadblocks.
“We can’t install disconnects because that’s an electrician’s job. We can’t even run a drain hose into a wall without risking union complaints,” Anthony explains.
Even obtaining the necessary tools for performance-based testing can be a nightmare.
“Most U.S. manufacturers won’t ship to Quebec because of packaging laws requiring French-language labels. I had to order TrueFlow® Grids and capture hoods to a U.S. address in New York, then drive across the border to pick them up. I got flagged at customs for exceeding the $2,500 personal import limit.”
And yet, Anthony persists. “I might be the only contractor in Quebec running static pressure tests with TrueFlow Grids on every job. No one installs test ports here. My customers are shocked — in a good way — when I show them actual system data. It’s not that they resist testing; they’ve just never seen it before.”
Bringing Consistency to Chaos
With growth came new challenges, mainly consistency. Anthony and KYT realized it was time to slow their expansion and focus on internal systems.
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