Building a Billion-Dollar HVAC Innovation with Donny Case

Building a Billion-Dollar HVAC Innovation with Donny Case

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Alright, welcome back to The Daily Mastermind, George Wright III with your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education. And we are gonna get into some really good stuff today. I'm super excited to have a special guest on the show, Donnie Case.

How are you doing, Donnie?

I'm doing great. I'm excited. 

You’ve got such a great background for us to get into some of this stuff. We’ve got listeners who are CEOs, business owners, investors, and funding sources. And at the end of the day, they’re always looking for powerful strategies and inspiring stories—and you’ve got both.

Let me give a quick intro before we dive in. For those of you just joining, make sure you hit that like and subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes.

Today, I’m speaking with Donnie Case—an HVAC industry veteran with decades of experience, the founder of Air Scientist Solutions, an inventor, innovator, and global impact leader. Under his leadership, the company has scaled across multiple continents and impacted millions of lives. Donnie recently received the 2024 Global Recognition Award for his contributions to tech-driven sustainability. I’m really glad you’re here, Donnie. Thanks for joining us.

It's my pleasure.

Let’s start with your background. Some people might be wondering, how did an HVAC technician become a founder, scientist, and inventor? Take us through your journey.

Sure. It’s kind of a long story, but I’ll make it brief.

I'm a military veteran. I picked up my first set of Freon gauges back in 1982 while serving in the Navy. After I left the military, I started working in the HVAC industry and eventually opened my own HVAC company.

While running my company, I started to notice patterns—things that just weren’t improving over the years. So in 2009, I went back to college. I earned my master’s degree in 2015.

But I didn’t go the traditional route. I already had an engineering background. I decided to get a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Legal Studies, because I wanted to understand and influence the environmental and legal aspects of HVAC.

While studying, I conducted deep research into indoor air quality. I kept working in the field, too—bidding jobs, inspecting systems, and observing how little had changed in HVAC designs over the decades.

Eventually, I realized that while I couldn't fix the outside environment—that takes government and international action—I could change the indoor environment. I started developing solutions to improve the air people breathe every day.

That led me to design a new approach. I now hold over 40 patents and counting. The first product I brought to market is the WiFi Smart Unit—a retrofit device that can be installed in existing HVAC systems or included in new units.

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The Power of Curiosity and Questioning the Status Quo

That’s amazing. And I want to point something out here. One of the reasons I brought Donnie on the show is because I look for guests who represent overlooked success stories. Most people follow the path in front of them.

But Donnie—you didn’t just accept how things were. You questioned it. You kept asking, “Why are things done this way?” And that’s the mindset that leads to major breakthroughs.

Had you not been curious and willing to go deeper, you never would have come across these innovations—right? Were you always like that?

Yes, even before I went to college, I had questions—especially about indoor air quality and the products that claimed to improve it. Something felt off. I didn’t believe they were doing what they promised.

But I couldn’t get those answers from the field alone. I needed the academic side—the science behind it. That’s why I got my degree.

And unlike most HVAC professionals who get degrees in mechanical or electrical engineering, I wanted to look at it from a scientific perspective. That gave me a totally different lens to work with.

That’s a great insight. Most people hear “HVAC” and think of it as just a trade or a business. But you found a way to align it with your personal passion—air quality.

Let’s talk about this WiFi Smart Unit. What is it? How does it work? And how is it different from what homeowners already know—like a Nest or Ecobee thermostat?

It’s a smart board that installs inside your HVAC unit—not on the wall. It communicates directly with your phone or smart device through an app.

Now, most people are familiar with smart thermostats. They’re mounted on your wall and give you remote control of your settings. That’s convenient—but it’s not revolutionary.

What we’ve built is something completely different. Smart thermostats only gather data like room temperature. That’s limited.

Our WiFi Smart Unit gathers data from inside the system. It looks at superheat levels, airflow, efficiency readings, and much more. It detects subtle issues that even experienced technicians may overlook.

Over 80% of HVAC systems worldwide run inefficiently—and most homeowners never know it. If your unit is running two extra hours a day because of an airflow issue, that’s a waste of money and energy.

This unit fixes that.

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Why Smart Thermostats Aren’t Really “Smart”

Wow. Let me repeat that—because I’m not super tech-savvy, but I want to make sure I’m following.

What people call "smart" HVAC tech—like remote thermostats—is mostly about convenience. It’s surface-level. But what you’ve created actually integrates with the unit itself to monitor performance and diagnose problems in real time.

That’s a major shift.

Exactly. Most smart thermostats are only reading what’s happening inside your home. They monitor the room temperature—maybe they anticipate a hot day and cycle the unit earlier—but they’re not evaluating what’s happening inside the system itself.

What we’ve created is a WiFi Smart Unit that sits inside the equipment and analyzes its performance continuously. It measures things like cooling efficiency, airflow calibration, superheat and subcool levels, and more.

It sends that data to your phone and tells you:
“You’re running at 80% efficiency.”

That’s not just a convenience—it’s actionable intelligence.

That’s so powerful. So instead of just giving homeowners remote access, you’re helping them reduce waste and improve system health in ways they didn’t even know they could. That leads to real cost savings, right?

Yes. Let’s say your filter is getting dirty. Most people procrastinate. Even I do sometimes. You know it needs changing, but you put it off.

But now your phone buzzes and says:
“Unit operating at 80% efficiency.”

Now you have a measurable consequence. You get up and change that filter. You don’t wait until something breaks. That’s what real smart technology should do.

And most people wouldn’t even know they were running inefficiently. You’re not relying on the homeowner to guess anymore.

Exactly. That’s the core idea: we take the guesswork out of HVAC.

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Built-In Diagnostics and Consumer Protection

So the unit sends real-time performance data to the homeowner. But what if they don’t know how to interpret it? What happens when they need service?

That’s where it gets even better.

Let’s say the unit still shows 80% efficiency after you change your filter. Now you call your HVAC company.

They send out a tech—maybe someone with only a couple years of experience. He pokes around, swaps out a part, and hands you a bill for $400, saying it’s fixed.

But your phone still says:
“80% efficiency.”

That’s where the Smart Unit holds them accountable.

You now have a system that keeps companies honest. It protects your wallet, ensures the job is done right, and prevents unnecessary repairs.

That’s huge. I know so many people—myself included—who hesitate to call HVAC companies because they’re worried about unnecessary charges.

And we’ve thought about that too.

We created a subscription-based model through Air Scientist Solutions. When you subscribe, you’re assigned a certified service provider.

That company is monitored by us. They have to meet strict technical standards, and we provide them with access to the Smart Unit's diagnostics.

Here’s how it works:

• You call your assigned company.
  
  
• They ask you for a temporary access code to your Smart Unit.
  
  
• You, the homeowner, control that code and how long it stays active.
  
  
• They access your unit’s internal diagnostics remotely and see exactly what’s wrong.
  
  
• They show up with the right part in hand, saving you time, cost, and frustration.
  
  

It’s like when you take your car to a mechanic and they plug into the OBD2 port to see what’s going on—but for your HVAC system.

This is incredible. Instead of paying for a tech to come out and guess, you’re empowering the homeowner with transparency.

And you’re re-engineering the service model—not just the hardware.

Exactly. It’s about more than efficiency—it’s about rethinking the entire experience.

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Disrupting the HVAC Industry from the Inside Out

I love the direction you're taking this. A lot of people innovate on the surface—making things shinier or more convenient. But you’re re-engineering the system from the ground up.

Let’s talk about sustainability. Your original passion was air quality and environmental impact. How does this Smart Unit fit into that?

That passion still drives everything I do. While this particular board doesn’t directly purify air or filter contaminants, it supports sustainability in key ways.

For example, a lot of smart thermostats are complex. They need extra wiring, fancy interfaces, and expensive wall hardware. That’s extra cost, labor, waste—and often unnecessary.

Our solution is a simple smart board. It installs inside the unit. No wall installation. No new wires. You reduce labor, reduce cost, and reduce waste.

The result?

• Lower energy use
  
  
• Extended system life
  
  
• Less landfill contribution
  
  
• More transparent and responsible operation
  
  

It’s greener, leaner, and smarter.

And it’s more transparent—for both the homeowner and the service provider. It saves time, cuts waste, and lowers energy bills.

Exactly. And there’s another piece: remote diagnostics.

Homeowners often need to take a day off work just to have their system checked. But with this technology, they don’t have to.

A technician can log into the system remotely, check its status, and tell you exactly what’s wrong—without ever stepping into your home unless necessary.

That’s game-changing. I just had someone no-show on me for a service appointment with a 6-hour window. This solves that.

It does. And that’s just the beginning.

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From Prototype to Billion-Dollar Orders

Let’s shift gears a little. Clearly, this technology has global potential. But how did you go from concept to market? What were some of the biggest business challenges you faced?

A few big ones:

1. Raising capital – As a deep-tech startup, we needed investors who could see the long-term potential.
   
   
2. Finding the right go-to-market strategy – We had to ask: Who’s going to buy this? HVAC companies? Distributors? Retailers?
   
   
3. Proving demand – We surveyed HVAC firms and retail buyers. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed interest in large orders.
   
   

That gave us the confidence to move forward.

And what route did you choose? Direct-to-consumer or wholesale?

We decided to go through distributors and major retail partners. We’re not offering this directly to homeowners—at least not yet.

We’re focused on scaling globally through the right partners.

How big is this market? I heard you’re already in talks about a billion-dollar deal?

Yes. One of the companies we’ve spoken with has 13,000 global outlets. They’re looking at an initial order valued near $1 billion.

We’ve also had interest from other buyers estimating first-time orders in the $5 million range.

According to an independent third party that analyzed the industry, there are over 9,600 HVAC outlets in the U.S. alone that match our buyer profile. If they adopted at the same rate, we’re looking at a projected revenue opportunity of $7.6 billion.

That’s massive. But as you know, big opportunities come with big questions. One of the biggest is: Can you fulfill a large-scale order? It sounds like you’ve prepared well for that.

We have. We’re also thinking ahead: We’re planning for licensing opportunities with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). Eventually, we want our Smart Board installed in factory units.

At the same time, we’re offering a retrofit kit for older systems—so even a 20-year-old unit can become smart, often with less effort than installing a new thermostat.

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Leading with Purpose — Made in America, Built for Impact

Your business journey is impressive. But what I think really sets you apart is your mission. You’re not just building a product—you’re building a legacy.

Tell me more about the purpose behind what you're doing. What drives you to keep pushing forward?

For me, it’s about more than business.

I’m a military veteran. When I served, I took an oath to protect and defend this country—against enemies foreign and domestic.

I never imagined that the fight I’d be facing after service would be for jobs, communities, and economic opportunity—especially in small-town America.

That’s why I’m building this company in a way that brings jobs back to communities that need them.

We’re planning to open manufacturing and shipping centers across the U.S., specifically in areas where employment is low and opportunity is scarce.

These centers won’t just produce product. They’ll pump money into local economies, provide skilled trade jobs, and reignite American manufacturing in the HVAC space.

That’s a powerful mission. I love that you’re creating global impact—but you’re doing it with a local-first mindset. And you’re not just talking about it—you’re actually structuring the business to make it happen.

Exactly. We registered as a C Corporation because we’re serious about long-term infrastructure.

Think about it: when chain stores enter small towns, they often drive out local businesses. They take money out of the town.

We’re doing the opposite. When we drop a manufacturing center into a community, we create good-paying jobs. We sell the product globally, but we keep the money circulating locally.

We don’t want to drain the town—we want to empower it.

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Vision, Values, and the Entrepreneur’s Mindset

Let’s end with something I think every entrepreneur can benefit from. I noticed when we first spoke, you kept saying how “big” this is going to be.

That mindset—that vision—is something I hear from the most successful people I interview. They focus on their vision, and that’s what fuels them.

That’s exactly right.

It’s that vision that keeps me going.

When things get hard—and they do—I just remind myself what we’re building. I don’t focus on the short-term setbacks. I stay laser-focused on the long-term mission.

And there’s something else that matters just as much: your “why.”

I’m not doing this just to make money. Don’t get me wrong—there’s money to be made. But the real reason I’m doing this is to help people.

I’ve seen people living on the streets. Struggling. Hungry. Lost. And I want to do something about it.

If I build something big enough, I can use that success to make real change—for veterans, for homeless communities, and for people who just need a chance.

That’s the definition of legacy. You’re using business as a force for good. That’s rare. And it’s inspiring.

Thank you. That’s what it’s all about.

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Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

For those listening, you might have started this episode thinking we were going to talk about HVAC. But I hope you see now—this is about innovation, vision, and using entrepreneurship to make the world a better place.

Whether you’re an investor, homeowner, or entrepreneur—there’s something powerful in what Donnie is building.

If you want to connect with Donnie, check the links in the show notes. I’ll include his website, Air Scientist Solutions, and his contact information.

Donnie—thank you again for being on the show. This has been inspiring, eye-opening, and one of the most important conversations we’ve had.

Thank you. It was an honor to speak with you.

And to our listeners—thank you for supporting The Daily Mastermind. Please share this episode, leave us a review, and continue to pursue your goals with focus and clarity.

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About Donny Case:

Donny C. Case is a seasoned HVAC expert and the visionary founder and CEO of Air Scientist Solutions Inc., a company at the forefront of smart HVAC technology. With over four decades of experience in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, Case has dedicated his career to enhancing indoor air quality and energy efficiency through innovative solutions. His academic background includes a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from Purdue Global, which has informed his approach to sustainable HVAC design.

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Guest Resources:

Website: Smart Air Technology
LinkedIn: Donny Case
Email: airscientistsolutions@gmail.com

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About George Wright III:

George Wright is a Proven, Successful Entrepreneur- and he knows how to inspire entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals to achieve Massive Results. With more than 20 years of Executive Management experience and 25 years of Direct Marketing and Sales experience, George is responsible for starting and building several successful multimillion-dollar companies. He started at a very young age to network and build his experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a driven and well-known entrepreneur. George built a multi-million-dollar seminar business, promoting some of the biggest stars and brands in the world. He has accelerated the success and cash flow in each of his ventures through his network of resources and results driven strategies. George is now dedicated to teaching and sharing his Prosperity Principles and Strategies to every Driven and Passionate Entrepreneur he meets. His mission is to Empower Entrepreneurs Globally to create Massive Change and LIVE their Ultimate Destiny.

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