HVAC Know It All Podcast

Gary McCreadie
  • 4.8 (210)
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  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

The HVAC Know It All Podcast, hosted by Gary McCreadie, is an industry leading show that focuses on education within the HVAC and Refrigeration Trade.

  1. How HVAC Contractors Can Fix Bookkeeping and Understand Profit Before Going Broke - Ruth King

    4D AGO

    How HVAC Contractors Can Fix Bookkeeping and Understand Profit Before Going Broke - Ruth King

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with financial expert Ruth King, Founder and CEO of Financially Fit Business and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation. They talk about the importance of understanding your finances as a contractor, especially when you're starting to scale your business. Ruth King is a seasoned business advisor who specializes in helping contractors get their finances in order. With years of experience working with contractors, Ruth has invaluable insights on how to manage cash flow, profitability, and how to structure your books for long-term success.   Expect to Learn: - The key differences between accrual and cash basis accounting, and why accrual is critical for contractors. - How to set up clean books and the importance of having the right bookkeeper. - Why it's essential to separate service and install divisions on your P&L as you scale. - How to handle deferred income from maintenance contracts for proper financial reporting. - Tips for managing cash flow, avoiding the common "cash-flow trap" that many contractors face. - Why paying yourself a salary as an employee is a smarter choice than an owner's draw for growing your business. - Key financial ratios, like working capital, and how to use them to assess the health of your business.   Episode Breakdown with Timestamps 00:00  – Introduction 01:32 – First things Ruth looks for in a contractor's financials 03:22 – Clean books: What does it mean for a contractor? 04:22 – Evaluating a good bookkeeper 05:41 – Upfront billing for maintenance contracts 07:22 – Avoiding "trash in, trash out" in bookkeeping 08:44 – Integrating CRM with QuickBooks 10:19 – Departmentalizing your P&L 11:38 – Owner's draw vs. paying yourself a salary 12:48 – The importance of paying yourself as an employee 14:27 – Key numbers to track on your P&L 15:43 – How to calculate working capital 17:35 – Cash Flow vs. Profitability   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: PartsTown: https://www.partstown.com/hvac-parts   Follow our Guest Ruth King: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthking1/ Ruth's Website: https://ruthkinghvac.com/ Company Website: https://financiallyfit.business/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/financially-fit-business/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Financially-Fit-Business/100090849001161/   Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Follow Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

    20 min
  2. This HVAC Technician Built a $1.2M Business and Still Ended Up Broke with Jason Julian

    MAR 5

    This HVAC Technician Built a $1.2M Business and Still Ended Up Broke with Jason Julian

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero talk with Jason Julian, Small Business Owner at Julian Heat & Air, President at J.G.Wholesale LLC and VP of Operations at Affordable Air McCallum LLC. Jason shares his incredible journey from a difficult personal period of recovery and incarceration to becoming a successful HVAC business owner. Through determination and a passion for the HVAC industry, Jason transformed his life and career. This episode dives deep into his story of overcoming challenges, growing his business, and providing valuable advice for aspiring HVAC entrepreneurs.   Expect to Learn - Jason's journey from recovery and incarceration to discovering his passion for HVAC - How thinking like a business owner, even before becoming one, led to success - The importance of taking ownership of your work and learning everything you can about the industry - The challenges Jason faced in starting his own business with limited resources - How the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly boosted business demand and growth - Advice on how to navigate competition in a saturated market   Episode Breakdown with Timestamps  00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:21 - Jason's Journey into HVAC 00:07:14 - Thinking Like an Owner Before You Are One 00:13:16 - Challenges of Starting a Business 00:16:17 - First Year in Business and Surprising Growth 00:21:34 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Business Owners   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: PartsTown: https://www.partstown.com/hvac-parts   Follow Jason Julian:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-julian-03530b160/ Julian Heat & Air Website: https://julianheatandair.com/ Julian Heat & Air Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianheatandair/ Affordable Air McCallum LLC Website: https://www.hotorcoldair.com/hvac/heber-springs-ar/   Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/     Follow Furman Haynes:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/  WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

    22 min
  3. The Mental Health Struggles for Tradesmen to Survive Divorce, Cancer & Isolation - Ilija Martinovich Part 2

    MAR 5

    The Mental Health Struggles for Tradesmen to Survive Divorce, Cancer & Isolation - Ilija Martinovich Part 2

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie wraps up his chat with Ilija Martinovich, about mental health in the trades and the personal struggles he faced over the past six years. Ilija shares his experience navigating COVID, a bladder cancer diagnosis, divorce, and the pressure of supporting his children while working as an essential tradesperson. He opens up about dark moments, the stigma around men speaking up, and how therapy, exercise, better habits, and honest conversations helped him turn things around. The episode highlights the importance of asking for help, managing stress in healthy ways, finding purpose, and taking small daily steps to regain control and build a better future. Gary and Ilija discuss mental health in the trades and the real struggles many workers face but rarely talk about. Ilija shares his experience during COVID while working as an essential tradesperson, being diagnosed with bladder cancer, and going through a divorce at the same time. They talk about the stigma around men speaking up, the dangers of turning to alcohol or isolation, and the value of therapy and honest conversations. The discussion also covers stress management, building healthy habits like walking and exercise, and finding purpose through family and daily routines. They finish by highlighting the importance of asking for help, taking control of what you can, and making small changes that lead to long-term improvement. Expect to Learn: How mental health challenges can affect tradespeople, especially during major life events. Why speaking openly and seeking therapy can help reduce stress and prevent darker outcomes. How unhealthy coping habits can make things worse, and how small daily changes can help. Why exercise, routine, and simple goal setting improve focus and emotional control. How finding purpose through family, support systems, and honest conversations can help you move forward.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Ilija Martinovich in Part 02 [01:36] - How younger generations are different today [05:01] - How instant gratification is changing human connection [10:18] - The turning point: When things started to get better [14:00] - Why do you have to help yourself first [16:12] - Simple ways to manage daily stress [18:27] - Focusing on small victories   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Ilija Martinovich on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hvac_foodie/  Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

    21 min
  4. Why So Many Blue-Collar Men Stay Silent about Mental Health - Ilija Martinovich's Story Part 1

    MAR 2

    Why So Many Blue-Collar Men Stay Silent about Mental Health - Ilija Martinovich's Story Part 1

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie sits down with Ilija Martinovich to launch a year-long mental health series focused on the trades. Ilija shares his personal journey through the past six years, including working through COVID as an essential worker, being diagnosed with bladder cancer, going through a divorce, and raising his children during a very stressful time. He speaks openly about the dark thoughts he faced, the pressure of staying strong as a father, and the stigma around mental health in blue-collar work. Ilija explains how speaking with a therapist, leaning on trusted people, walking daily, and building simple routines helped him regain control. Together, they highlight the power of honest conversations, healthy outlets, and finding purpose as key steps toward managing stress and protecting mental health. This episode continues the focus on mental health in the trades and the challenges many workers keep to themselves. Ilija joins Gary to share his experience over the past six years, including working through COVID as an essential worker, being diagnosed with bladder cancer, going through a divorce, and supporting his children during a difficult time. He speaks honestly about the dark places his mind went to and the pressure of trying to stay strong as a father. Ilija talks about how therapy, opening up to trusted people, improving his eating habits, and committing to daily walks helped him manage stress. The conversation reinforces the value of speaking up, building healthy outlets, and reminding tradespeople that support is available and they do not have to struggle alone. Expect to Learn: How working through COVID as an essential worker added stress at home and on the job. How a bladder cancer diagnosis and divorce affected Ilija's mental health. Why do many men in the trades stay silent, and the risks of keeping it inside? How therapy, trusted conversations, and crisis resources can provide real relief. How daily walks, better habits, and focusing on family help manage stress long-term. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Ilija Martinovich in Part 1 [01:30] - Why Mental Health Matters [02:42] - Stigma of Mental Health in Trades [04:24] - Old-School Coping: Alcohol & Drugs [08:09] - Ilija's Story: Cancer, COVID & Divorce [12:17] - Importance of Talking to Someone [16:15] - Gary's Experience with Panic Attacks [18:37] - Turning to Food as a Coping Mechanism [21:04] - Finding Purpose to Protect Your Mental Health This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at SupplyHouse! Follow the Guest Ilija Martinovich on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_hvac_foodie/  Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

    25 min
  5. HVAC Techs Are Skipping Critical Tests That Cause Dangerous System Failures with Tyler Nelson Part 2

    FEB 26

    HVAC Techs Are Skipping Critical Tests That Cause Dangerous System Failures with Tyler Nelson Part 2

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie wraps up his chat with Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR, Business Development Manager, Sales Manager - Americas, Global Trainer, at Sauermann Group, about Combustion Analysis and why proper testing is critical for safe and efficient equipment operation. Tyler explains how to correctly use a Combustion Analyzer, the importance of testing at light off, steady state, and shutdown, and why commissioning should always be done. They discuss stack temperature, efficiency readings, manifold pressure adjustments, and how measured data helps technicians make better decisions and communicate clearly with customers. The episode highlights the value of understanding the why behind the readings and using data to improve performance and accountability in the field. Gary and Tyler discuss combustion analysis and why proper testing is essential for safe and efficient system operation. They talk about using a combustion analyzer the right way, including finding the correct test location and checking readings at light off, steady state, and shutdown. Tyler explains why commissioning is often overlooked and why equipment must be adjusted to match the environment it is installed in. The conversation also covers stack temperature, manifold pressure settings, and how efficiency readings reflect fuel use, not true system output. They finish by highlighting how measured data builds trust with customers and helps technicians make clear, confident decisions in the field. Expect to Learn: How to properly use a combustion analyzer and understand what the readings mean. Why testing at light off, steady state, and shutdown helps catch hidden problems. How stack temperature and manifold pressure affect efficiency and performance. Why commissioning equipment is critical and often overlooked in the field. How measured data builds trust with customers and supports clear diagnostic decisions.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Tyler Nelson in Part 02 [01:02] - Why open-mindedness matters in HVAC [02:23] - Mastering the combustion analyzer: Usage vs. understanding [05:41] - Real case study: The importance of day-one commissioning data [10:06] - Manufacturer's confession: Why commissioning is non-negotiable [13:20] - Fine-tuning equipment: Going beyond the manual's specs [16:16] - Behind the book & what's next for Tyler [18:38] - Wrap-up & where to find the book   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-nelson-master-hvacr-9a8a981b/   Sauermann Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sauermann-group/  Get  Tyler Nelson's Book: Tyler's book Combustion Analysis: The Essentials is available now. If you want a practical, field-ready guide to combustion testing and diagnostics, grab your copy here: 👉https://tyty5.gumroad.com/l/zfsmxo Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

    19 min
  6. How HVAC Technicians Use the Owner Mindset to Start a Successful Business with Jason Julian Part 1

    FEB 25

    How HVAC Technicians Use the Owner Mindset to Start a Successful Business with Jason Julian Part 1

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero talk with Jason Julian, Small Business Owner at Julian Heat & Air, President at J.G.Wholesale LLC and VP of Operations at Affordable Air McCallum LLC. Jason Julian shares his personal and professional journey from a difficult period of addiction recovery to becoming a successful HVAC business owner. His story highlights the power of perseverance, hard work, and the ability to turn adversity into opportunity. Jason Julian also offers practical advice for technicians looking to transition into business ownership and shares insights on building a positive work culture, navigating local competition, and the lessons learned from his experiences in the HVAC industry. Whether you're an aspiring business owner or just interested in the HVAC world, Jason's story is a must-listen.   Expect to Learn Jason's journey into HVAC after a period of recovery from addiction How he transitioned from a helper to a business owner Why thinking like a business owner early on is key to success The challenges of starting a business with limited resources The importance of building a strong internal culture in your business How Jason Julian navigated competition and created growth despite a tough local market   Episode Breakdown with Timestamps  00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:02 - Jason's Journey Into HVAC 00:04:39 - Thinking Like an Owner Before You Are One 00:05:11 - First Steps into Business Ownership 00:06:10 - Overcoming Challenges and Finding Opportunity 00:14:35 - Building Internal Culture at Julian Heating 00:19:51 - Navigating Local Competition   Follow Jason Julian:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-julian-03530b160/ Julian Heat & Air Website: https://julianheatandair.com/ Julian Heat & Air Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julianheatandair/ Affordable Air McCallum LLC Website: https://www.hotorcoldair.com/hvac/heber-springs-ar/   Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/     Follow Furman Haynes:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/  WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/

    20 min
  7. HVAC Techs Use Combustion Analysis to Diagnose Issues & Improve Efficiency with Tyler Nelson Part 1

    FEB 23

    HVAC Techs Use Combustion Analysis to Diagnose Issues & Improve Efficiency with Tyler Nelson Part 1

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR, Business Development Manager, Sales Manager - Americas, Global Trainer, at Sauermann Group, about his new book, Combustion Analysis: The Essentials, and the Fundamentals of Combustion Testing. Tyler explains how technicians can better understand oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, excess air, and efficiency readings, and how to use those numbers to diagnose and adjust systems properly. The conversation covers light off, steady state, and high fire conditions, fuel selection in combustion analyzers, and how proper adjustments can improve system performance and save money. Gary and Tyler also discuss why combustion testing is a thinking person's skill and how using the right data can help technicians work smarter and deliver better results for their customers. In this conversation, Tyler talks about the core basics of combustion and why understanding the numbers is key to proper diagnostics. He explains oxygen levels in fresh air, carbon monoxide limits at light off and steady state, and how carbon dioxide is calculated inside a combustion analyzer. Gary and Tyler discuss testing at low fire, mid fire, and high fire on modulating equipment, and why selecting the correct fuel setting matters. They also cover excess air, stack temperature, and how small adjustments can improve efficiency and save customers money. The episode highlights the importance of thinking through the data and using combustion testing as a true diagnostic tool in the field. Expect to Learn: How to understand oxygen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide readings during combustion testing. What happens at light off, steady state, and high fire on different types of equipment? Why is selecting the correct fuel in your analyzer is critical for accurate results? How excess air and stack temperature affect efficiency and system performance. How small adjustments can improve efficiency, reduce fuel use, and help technicians diagnose problems with confidence. Episode Highlights:  [00:00] - Intro to Tyler Nelson & His New Book in Part 1 [01:32] - Book Purpose: A Field Reference, Not Memorization [03:44] - Combustion Basics: O2, CO, and CO2 Explained [09:06] - Why CO2 is a Calculated Reading, Not a Sensor [11:04] - Troubleshooting Modulating Systems at Different Fires [15:49] - Efficiency Explained: Stack Temperature & Fuel Savings   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-nelson-master-hvacr-9a8a981b/ Sauermann Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sauermann-group/    Get Tyler Nelson's Book: Tyler's book Combustion Analysis: The Essentials is available now. If you want a practical, field-ready guide to combustion testing and diagnostics, grab your copy here: 👉https://tyty5.gumroad.com/l/zfsmxo Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

    19 min
  8. How Service Leaders Use Soft Skills to Keep Culture Strong and Teams Accountable - Josh Zolin Part 2

    FEB 20

    How Service Leaders Use Soft Skills to Keep Culture Strong and Teams Accountable - Josh Zolin Part 2

    In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, Host Gary McCreadie talks with Josh Zolin, CEO of Windy City Equipment (WCE, Inc), Founder of Blue Is The New White, and Director Board of Directors in CFESA, about leadership, accountability, and building a strong culture in the trades. They discuss the difference between being nice and being kind, and how leaders can have hard conversations while still showing care and respect, in Part 2. Josh shares his approach to handling poor behavior, setting clear expectations, and knowing when to let someone go. Gary and Josh also explore flexibility, leverage, motivation, and why increasing your value through soft skills can create more opportunities. The episode highlights how strong leadership is built on communication, honesty, and the smart use of soft skills. Gary and Josh discuss leadership in the trades and how to handle tough situations with employees. They talk about the difference between being nice and being kind, and why hard conversations should be clear, direct, and rooted in care. Josh shares how setting expectations early helps hold people accountable and explains when it makes sense to let someone go, especially when trust is broken. The conversation also covers flexibility, time off, and how company culture can impact honesty and performance. They finish by exploring how building value through soft skills and personal growth can create leverage, motivation, and stronger teams. Expect to Learn: How to handle difficult employees while staying firm and kind at the same time. Why setting clear expectations early makes accountability easier later on. When it makes sense to give someone another chance and when it is time to let them go. How flexibility, time off policies, and culture impact honesty and performance. Why increasing your value through soft skills can create leverage, motivation, and stronger leadership. Episode Highlights:  [00:00] - Intro to Josh Zolin in Part 02 [00:57] - Being "kind" vs. being "nice" as a leader  [03:21] - The magic phrase: "You're better than this"  [05:31] - Debating the "Fire fast" philosophy  [08:13] - Red flags: trusting your gut instinct on new hires  [12:02] - Flexibility & leverage in the workplace  [14:30] - Josh's PTO policy & flexibility value  [18:00] - The power of soft skills in leadership  [21:42] - Wrap-up & guest contact information This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Josh Zolin on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshzolin/   Windy City Equipment (WCE, Inc): https://www.linkedin.com/company/wcecommercial/   Blue Is The New White: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blue-is-the-new-white/   CFESA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cfesa/  Website:  Windy City Equipment (WCE, Inc): https://wcecommercial.com/   Blue Is The New White: https://www.blueisthenewwhite.com/   CFESA: https://cfesa.com/  To learn more about Josh Zolin, BITNW Academy, or his podcast "Everything They Don't Tell You", visit https://joshzolin.com/    Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

    23 min
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4.8
out of 5
210 Ratings

About

The HVAC Know It All Podcast, hosted by Gary McCreadie, is an industry leading show that focuses on education within the HVAC and Refrigeration Trade.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary McCreadie
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    532
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    HVAC Know It All Podcast

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