HVAC Is Changing Fast: The 2026 Slowdown, AI, Culture & the Technician Shortage

The Beer Can Cold Podcast is back. This week, JG and Will sit down with Brian and Carrie Ivester, owners of Anderson Heating & Cooling, a woman- and veteran-owned HVAC company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

We dig into what HVAC contractors are actually dealing with in 2026: slowing call volume, changing consumer behavior, the technician shortage, recruiting and training young technicians, HVAC marketing during the shoulder season, maintenance agreements, customer retention, company culture, and the growing pressure from DIY repairs and big-box stores.

We also have a candid conversation about AI in the HVAC and home service industry. Can AI answering services replace CSRs? Should an HVAC company use AI to answer after-hours calls? Both Anderson Heating & Cooling and Boer Brothers have experimented with technology and outside call centers, but the conversation keeps coming back to the importance of having a real person available when a customer needs help.

Brian and Carrie share how Anderson Heating & Cooling recruits and develops technicians, including hands-on HVAC training that allows young technicians to troubleshoot real equipment and learn by doing.

Carrie also breaks down how Anderson approaches company culture, employee recognition and team events. From summer kickoffs and family events to what they call "Carrie's Stupid Fun," they've intentionally built a workplace where people can enjoy being part of the company.

We also discuss one of the biggest questions facing HVAC contractors: how do you generate revenue when the phone stops ringing?

The conversation covers outbound calling, following up on old estimates and technician recommendations, maintenance customers, cloverleafing, door knocking, customer retention and finding opportunities already sitting inside your existing database.

Then we tackle HVAC pricing and the rise of DIY repairs. If a homeowner can buy a capacitor online for $45, why does a professional HVAC repair cost more? The answer involves technician training, diagnostics, trucks, tools, insurance, warranties, overhead and having a qualified professional available when something goes wrong.

Brian and Carrie also share how Anderson Heating & Cooling gives back to the veteran community by donating complete HVAC systems to deserving veterans.

This episode is for HVAC contractors, home service business owners, technicians, service managers, comfort advisors, CSRs, dispatchers and anyone trying to build a better company in the skilled trades.

And because this is Beer Can Cold, we eventually get to the question that matters most:

Do you believe in Bigfoot?

Subscribe to Beer Can Cold for real conversations about HVAC, home services, leadership, company culture, technician training, marketing and running a contracting business.

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