An exclusive interview with Gary McCreadie
By: Laura Heckman
Gary McCreadie, once an ordinary HVAC technician, has taken the internet by storm with his engaging content and insightful commentary on the HVAC/R industry. His ability to connect with audiences on a personal level has propelled him to social media stardom, making him one of the most recognized names in the field and a true HVAC know it all.
From Humble Beginnings to Online Sensation
“I never thought I’d do a podcast,” Gary admits. “But a simple social media ad led me to Anchor, and the rest is history.” What started as a casual hobby quickly turned into a full-fledged passion project. His authentic approach to content creation, combined with his deep knowledge of HVAC, resonated with viewers and helped him build a loyal following. “The first few podcasts weren’t great quality, but I persisted. Having a strong social media presence helped me reach a wider audience, and inviting industry leaders as guests further boosted my engagement.”
The Power of Social Media
Gary’s success can be attributed in part to his strategic use of social media. He started with a simple Facebook page and used a clever tool to grow his audience. By actively engaging with other users in relevant groups, he was able to invite them to his page, gradually building a strong organic community.
“I’d go into groups, make comments, and then invite people who commented back,” he explains. “It was a simple yet effective strategy.”
What’s your advice for aspiring content creators?
Gary suggests walking the line a bit. “Hook your audience by challenging the norm. Tackle polarizing topics and spark conversation. By doing so, you can create engaging content that resonates with your audience and connects you to a larger audience. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats, like short-form videos and podcasts.”
We have been focusing on building a community around Spectroline and you have really helped us do that. Your thoughts?
Gary discusses the importance of finding your tribe that believes in what you’re doing. “You’re always gonna have the people that will come out and be negative. That’s just part of social media. People take whatever’s going on in their life and they put that onto someone else, like a stranger or another company. You have to accept that and you have to grow a thick skin and let negativity just roll off your back. If you don’t, you’re gonna pay for it because you won’t sleep at night. Community is super, super important.” Gary’s final thoughts on the subject were worth emphasizing.
“If you can build a community that believes in what you’re doing, You’re gonna come out on the winning end most of the time.”
A Love for HVAC
Gary’s passion for HVAC is evident in everything he produces. “I like the variety of things that I could see on a weekly basis. I mean, in one day I could be working in on a small little reach-in cooler. The next day I could be working on a chiller that’s 100 tons and the size of a bus. So it’s really diverse. I’m more on the service side, so I’d like to use my brain to solve problems rather than hustle in with my body up and down stairs and installing. I like using more of my mind and exercising the brain to figure out problems”.
What is a problem you keep seeing in HVAC?
Gary sees a significant problem within the industry: a lack of training and understanding and people making assumptions based on outdated information. He shares an example about the negative stigma of UV dye for leak detection in HVAC/R today. “You see it with your own product. People think UV dye is gonna get into their test tools and equipment and destroy it. And that’s just a lot of regurgitation from older techs when maybe there was something wrong with the system in the first place and they put dye in and now it failed. Now they think the dye caused it, but there’s a lack of understanding and lack of training, especially in the micro training segment.” Gary discusses ways to avoid simply being a status quo technician. “Going back to train for half day or full day micro trainings on specific industry trends and niches, I think is really important.”
Advice for HVAC Technicians
The industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. For aspiring and current HVAC technicians, Gary advises against complacency.
“Never get complacent. Complacency is based on comfort. Never get comfortable in your position because the minute you get comfortable is the minute you stop learning.” When it comes to being the best, Gary says the best thing to do is expand your knowledge.
“If you wanna be the best of the best, you have to walk out of your comfort zone and continue challenging yourself.
What are your main hobbies when you’re not being, as everyone knows you, “HVAC Know It All”?
Gary shares his passion for a sport that many of his followers may not know: Soccer. “I’ve been involved in the game for like 40 years and I coach. I do player development for our local club and stuff like that too.”
What is your favorite Spectroline product?
Gary’s favorite is the UV dye.
“I’ve been using your dye for years and I mean, like I’ve talked to you guys about in certain cases, it’s really helped reveal a leak. And I think it’s cool that UV dye could start to become a proactive leak method where it’s already in new systems.”
Technician-invented tools
What product do you wish Spectroline made?
Gary’s vision for the best new Spectroline product is all about the contractor. Spectroline could take people in the field and bring their ideas to life. “There’s companies doing this now where they will fund the project if you bring an idea to them. They will do the manufacturing and the distribution. Both parties work together to be profitable, the inventor and the company that’s doing all of the legwork.”
What or who is your biggest inspiration?
Gary’s passion for his family is his biggest inspiration. “My family’s my biggest inspiration because that’s why I get out of bed every morning- to support them. Every day I wake up, it’s for them, it’s to provide them with a certain lifestyle. So they can be in sports, so they can go on vacations. All that kind of stuff.”
GARY’S ADVICE FOR YOUNG HVAC PROFESSIONALS
“They’re gonna work with people that are really good at their job. They’re gonna work with people that are not so good at their job. Take everything at face value and don’t just assume everything they’re being told is correct. There’s so much information online nowadays that if you’re out on a job site with someone and you’re working on X piece of equipment, you can come home and you can download the manual. You can read about it, you can do all these kinds of things and just fact-check the person you’re working with. Cause a lot of the older generation was told a lot of things that are untrue and they just carry that information forward. Nowadays, the information is there. So always come home and do your own research. Research and fact-check what you’re being told and what you’re learning out in the field. Just so we are not producing another generation of misinformation.”
A Bright Future Ahead
As Gary continues to grow the ‘Hvac know it all’ empire, he’s excited about the future of his brand-new newsletter, podcast, and other projects. His journey from a small-town tradesman to a global social media sensation is an inspiring tale of passion, grit, and a special knack for connecting with people.
Listen to the HVAC Know It All Podcast
