Walter Coziahr Jr. is still alive today, able to see how those early lessons continue to shape the industry. That living connection — from the pioneers of building performance to today’s high-performance practitioners — is rare and inspiring.
When I asked Dave what legacy means to him, he paused before answering. “It’s about taking what you were given and making it better,” he said. “My dad gave me a foundation, NCI gave me the tools, and now it’s my turn to pass that on.”
In that one sentence lies the heart of high-performance contracting — not just better systems, but better people, carrying forward a standard that transcends time and technology.
Lessons Learned
For every small contractor reading this, Dave’s journey offers a roadmap. You don’t need a huge team or a high-end lab to deliver measurable performance. You just need the will to test, the curiosity to learn, and the pride to keep improving.
High performance isn’t about having the newest tool or the biggest truck. It’s about consistency. It’s about treating every job like it’s being graded — because in many ways, it is.
As Dave says, “Our work isn’t just to heat and cool spaces. It shapes health, safety, and comfort for the people who live in those spaces.
“When we measure, verify, and teach those values to the next generation, we build something far more lasting than a business — we create a legacy.
Dave says he believes the future of HVAC is brighter than ever.
“The profession used to be narrow,” he says. “Now it’s broad. You can specialize in duct design, controls, residential, commercial, medical systems — whatever excites you.
“But one truth carries across all areas. Everything inside the home works together, or everything fails together,” he explains. “Understanding airflow, comfort, energy use, and system performance—that’s what sets a high-performance contractor apart.”
Small Contractors Matter
As the high-performance movement continues to grow, let’s remember where it began: in the hands of small contractors who believed in doing things right. If you’re one of them, take time to review your testing process. Invest in training. Mentor someone new. Share what you’ve learned.
Because as Dave Coziahr’s story shows, performance isn’t just about technology — it’s about legacy. And legacy starts with you.
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