We return to the Mid-Coast Energy Systems Podcast, joined again by James Hovance.

James has a large family, and a not-so-small farm— and still he travels for over an hour to get to work, and back from work, every day. It keeps him busy, and it keeps him healthy, and it keeps him supported. It keeps his family happy, too, with Mid-Coast helping pay for travels to theme parks and baseball games, and giving a little extra help when his family needed it the most— because Mid-Coast isn't about power, it's about people: both the customer and those who count among their ranks.

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com.

Eric and Bill are back, joined once again by technician Joseph Giberson of Mid-Coast Energy Systems. Together, they dive into the past, present, and future of the HVAC trade, and what it means to grow a career in the trades from the ground up, both then and now.

Joseph also turns the tables, asking Bill about what's ahead for Mid-Coast Energy, including the company's vision for the next decade. If that vision comes to life, Mid-Coast Energy Systems won't just be keeping the lights on — they'll be lighting the way forward.

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com.

Eric and Bill sit down with HVAC technician Joseph, who started with the company at just 16 years old. What started as a high school elective turned into an eight-year journey through the company's apprenticeship program. Eight years later, he's installing complex heating and cooling systems all over Maine, from troubleshooting pool heaters in Boothbay to managing full-scale installs on Islesboro. Joseph's story is a clear example of what happens when hard work meets opportunity. No shortcuts. No handouts. Just drive, skill, and results.

Eric and Bill also share how the Mid-Coast apprenticeship program came to be, what it takes to suceed, and why giving young people a shot in the trades matters now more than ever.

If you've ever wondered what it takes to go from high school shop class to mastering a skilled trade, this is the episode for you.

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com

What would you do if you had all this money to burn? In this episode, Eric, Bill, and HVAC technician Joseph talk about how they would outfit their house's heating if they had all the money they could ever want.

With their inside-and-out knowledge of the business, our hosts are more than qualified to share their heating dreams. Hear the professionals at Mid-Coast Energy Systems talk about their dream designs and the limitations that they'd have to consider, even with all this money to burn.

Takeaways:

* There's an incredible amount of heat pump manufacturers, so to have the right replacements specific to the equipment is very rare.
* A heating system is more critical for a household than a cooling system, especially in Maine's weather.
* Everybody has their preferences for their perfectly-heated house, but you'll learn pretty quickly what works and what doesn't.

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com

HVAC work isn't always about furnaces and heat pumps. Sometimes, it's about dodging a runaway sheep, coaxing a curious cat, or meeting a little dog with a big attitude. In this episode, Eric, Bill, and technician Joseph swap stories from the road — the animal encounters that come with the job, and the bigger challenge that's always there: communication. From scratchy phone calls to satellite connections, Midcoast Energy Systems has had to keep evolving how crews stay in touch and keep the work moving.

Takeaways:

* How changing communication tools have reshaped HVAC work
* What happens when technicians meet Maine's wildlife on the job
* Why good communication is just as important as good equipment

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com

What does it take to keep homes warm across Maine during the long winter? In this episode, Eric, Bill, and HVAC technician Joseph share how they handle emergency heating repair calls, cover hundreds of miles, and improve systems to keep families safe.
You'll hear how the team manages the winter rush, the systems they've improved over the years, and why ignoring a "cold home" report can be dangerous. They also discuss the realities of installing and maintaining heating systems, the challenges of servicing heat pumps, and why recruiting skilled HVAC technicians is critical for expansion.

Takeaways:
* The challenges of providing emergency HVAC service across rural Maine
* How heat pumps perform in Maine winters and why repairs can be tricky
* Why hiring and training new technicians is key for growth

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com

What's changed in the field? And what still works? A lot. In this episode, Eric, Bill, and HVAC technician Joseph talk about how the work has evolved—and what today's techs need to keep up and stay ahead.

From brazing to ZoomLock, analog gauges to digital, and the rise of heat pumps, the tools, systems, and know-how on site look a lot different than they did even a decade ago. Hear what's making installs faster and safer, what's coming with the 2026 refrigerant shift, and why the best techs still lean on real-world experience to get the job done right.

Takeaways:
* The tools that are saving serious time (and reducing safety risks) on the job
* How heat pump installs and refrigerants are evolving—and what that means for 2026
* What heat pump installations look like now vs. a decade ago
* Why dual-fuel systems and real-world maintenance still matter
* Lessons from the past that still apply today

Learn more about Mid-Coast Energy Systems at midcoastenergysystems.com