This episode of Heat Pumped dives into the business side of heat pumps with Brent Davidson, founder of the U.S. Heat Pump Summit. We cover why 70% of HVAC companies fail in their first year, what private equity–backed competitors are doing differently, and the practical steps contractors can take to build resilient, profitable heat pump businesses.
Brent shares his unique perspective coming from the solar software world, where he learned the importance of combining technical expertise with business fundamentals. We talk about why leadership is a skill that needs to be learned, how to think like a CEO instead of just a technician, and why PE rollups aren’t the end of the world—but they are a wake-up call for contractors to level up their operations.
📊 Why HVAC startups fail: Pricing mistakes, weak financial planning, and missing basic business metrics
🏢 Private equity rollups: What they mean for competition and how to stand out against well-funded players
🧰 Tactical advice: Specialize in housing types, simplify your offerings, and test your own customer experience
🌱 Long-term strategy: Build trust, invest in your team, and create systems that survive market cycles
🗓 The U.S. Heat Pump Summit: Two days of technical and business training, November 18–19, 2025, in Worcester, MA
If you’re a contractor, business owner, or anyone thinking about starting a heat pump company, this episode is packed with practical advice on building a business that lasts — and thriving even in a competitive market.