The Smart Choice: Why HVAC Professionals Trust ecobee for Easy Installations

On a misty day in late September in Shelburne, Ontario, Gary McCreadie, owner of McCreadie HVAC and Refrigeration Services, is about to upgrade a local business's HVAC system with ecobee's Smart Thermostat Lite. The business, The Dufferin Public House, afectionately known as 'The Duff', is a former church that now houses a bar on the lower level and a residence upstairs.

Gary’s customer, Chris, the owner of The Duff, needed a more convenient thermostat solution for the building. With two thermostats needed—one for the bar and one for upstairs—the ecobee Smart Thermostat Lite paired with ecobee's SmartSensor was the perfect choice for boosting comfort, saving energy, and providing control from anywhere through the ecobee app.

The SmartSensor detects occupancy and helps the Smart Thermostat Lite adjust for added comfort in the rooms that matter most, ensuring the right temperature for guests of The Duff, and the family’s dog, Pepper, who lives in the residence upstairs and is always happy to greet anyone that enters.

For the past eight years, McCreadie has cultivated a thriving online brand known as HVAC Know It All. Through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, he shares engaging content tailored for the HVAC community of professionals. His posts cover a wide range of topics, from installation tips and insights to valuable advice on running a successful business.

“I wanted a creative outlet for myself,” Gary explains as he begins the install of one of the smart thermostats. “I’ve always been interested in videography and photography, and I found there was this unique opportunity to inject some positivity into the HVAC community and help others in the trade.”

A Brampton, Ontario native, Gary made the decision to pursue a skilled trade from the suggestion of his father, who was a Maintenance Supervisor at a plant. His dad asked a colleague, a HVAC pro he dealt with frequently, to come over to talk to Gary about pursuing this career path.

Gary, who wasn’t a kid that often worked with his hands or understood the many functions of different tools, pursued a two-year program at Humber College for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Technician and he hasn’t looked back.

“What’s interesting about the trade is that you acquire many skills from other trades. I know a little bit about wiring, like an electrician, and you’re learning about heating, cooling, gas systems, and how these complex systems function. I don’t think many people realize just how broad of a skillset you need to be successful in this trade.”

Armed with an entrepreneurial spirit and wanting to build on more opportunities as his online brand grew, Gary made the decision two years ago to go out on his own and start McCreadie HVAC and Refrigeration Services.

“That was my goal. I said I would give it 5 years. I would give myself 5 years to grow HVAC Know It All and see what happens. It was my side hustle that turned into a full-time gig. With owning my own business, it allows me the flexibility to choose the jobs I want to take and also make sure I have a solid work-life balance. My son has a school soccer tournament this Friday, and I get to go and watch him play. That’s the goal—to live a balanced life doing what I find fulfilling.”

It was at The Dufferin Public House where his son’s soccer fundraiser was held. The owner, Chris, had asked Gary to help him upgrade his thermostat, as his system was outdated in this old building and needed one that was more convenient.

“The owner was getting tired of having to run upstairs to adjust the thermostat if it was getting too hot or too cold for customers. With installing ecobee Smart Thermostat Lite, he can adjust the temperature directly on his phone using the ecobee app. It doesn’t get much easier than that.”

For this install project, Gary is utilizing an added accessory, ecobee SmartSensor, that detects if a room is occupied ensuring more comfort in the rooms people are in. Each thermostat will be paired with an ecobee SmartSensor—one for the upstairs area and one for the bar. The SmartSensor will help maintain comfortable temperatures by detecting both occupancy and current conditions. If the bar heats up during a busy event or the upstairs cools down after hours, the thermostats will automatically adjust to ensure the perfect temperature. The SmartSensor detects when the space is empty and automatically shifts to "Away" mode, helping save energy and reduce costs for the owner. This provides a seamless way to keep the building comfortable, no matter where people are or what’s happening in each space.

“I often get calls from homeowners complaining that it’s too hot upstairs or too cold downstairs. It’s unfortunately the design of the vent system that’s usually the problem. But with ecobee’s SmartSensors, it can help ensure comfort in the rooms that are occupied. It’s a great accessory.”

As Gary moves seamlessly through the install process in a short amount of time, he emphasizes on why he likes ecobee. “It’s simple and reliable. In my line of work, those are two important factors. It’s easy to install the wire, simple to start up, and far more reliable than other brands.”

Through his passion for the HVAC trade and his commitment to community, Gary McCreadie exemplifies what it means to be a modern HVAC professional. By blending his technical skills with his growing online presence, he not only upgrades systems but also enhances the lives of those around him. As he continues to build McCreadie HVAC and Refrigeration Services, he’s not just a service provider; he’s a vital part of the Shelburne community, helping local businesses like The Dufferin Public House thrive in comfort.