“When you see his installations, you can tell he loves what he does,” one NCI colleague told me. “Every system looks like it belongs in a showcase, but more importantly, it performs as beautifully as it looks.”
In an age where speed and volume often overshadow quality, Dave represents a refreshing contrast. His approach is slow, deliberate, and measurable — an antidote to the “good enough” mentality that plagues too many corners of our trade.
When Small Means High Performance
It’s easy to assume that high performance is reserved for large HVAC companies with dedicated testing teams and expensive tools. But contractors like Dave Coziahr prove that’s not the case.
His company may be small, but his impact runs deep. Every technician he trains learns to measure pressure, verify airflow, and document results. They learn that high performance isn’t a department — it’s a discipline.
For Dave, this mindset isn’t optional. “We don’t have a marketing department or a massive service fleet,” he says. “Our reputation is our marketing. Every system we install becomes a living testimonial to how we do business.”
This idea captures what many small contractors understand instinctively: you can’t hide behind scale. Every mistake shows, every system tells a story. That pressure — the good kind — drives them to operate with extraordinary precision and pride.
The Roots of Modern Testing
The University of Illinois studies that Dave’s father participated in were among the first to reveal how differently systems perform in the field compared to in the lab. Those early studies uncovered something our industry is still learning today: that installation quality has as much impact on comfort and efficiency as the equipment itself.
Those early researchers used primitive instruments by today’s standards — but their work laid the groundwork for organizations like National Comfort Institute (NCI) to develop accessible, accurate testing methods for everyday contractors.
It’s a full-circle story. Dave’s father helped test the earliest theories of system performance, and decades later, Dave learned to apply those same principles through NCI training.
That continuity — from one generation to the next, from research lab to real home — captures the essence of what NCI calls measured performance. It’s about taking something abstract and making it practical, repeatable, and teachable.
Finding Purpose in Precision
One of the hallmarks of Dave’s success is his commitment to learning. He has been an NCI member for years and regularly attends the High-Performance HVAC Summit, not just to stay current but also to connect with others who share his philosophy.
“Every time I come to Summit,” he told me, “I’m reminded that we’re part of something bigger — a community that values proof over promises.”
That community connection matters, according to Dave, especially for smaller companies like his that often work in isolation. He adds that High-Performance HVAC is demanding work. It requires time, testing, and patience — things that don’t always align with quick-turn business models. But as Dave’s story shows, it’s also incredibly rewarding.
His company doesn’t chase every lead. Instead, they focus on clients who value measured comfort and verified results. That selective approach allows Coziahr to maintain both craftsmanship and profitability — a balance many in the trade strive for, but few achieve.
Legacy, Redefined
Perhaps the most potent element of Dave’s story is how it bridges generations. His father’s legacy isn’t just about technical knowledge — it’s about a way of thinking. It’s about doing work you can stand behind, and teaching others to do the same.
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