ECM Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

ECM Technologies (ECMT), a Phoenix-based pioneer in heating, ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) preventative maintenance and efficiency, has been named Most Innovative Business of the Year in the 2025 Champions of Change Awards. The annual program recognizes trailblazing pioneers and organizations that are reshaping Arizona’s business landscape through visionary thinking, bold leadership and philanthropic impact.   HVAC preventive maintenance “This award is a testament to the hard work and vision of our entire team,” said David Fenton, chief revenue officer at ECM Technologies.  “True innovation means more than introducing new ideas — it’s about challenging the status quo and uplifting others along the way." "We’re honored that ECM Technologies reflects that spirit. ThermaClear® is shifting the conversation around HVAC preventive maintenance, from a standard routine service to a strategic investment in long-term resilience and operational excellence.”  Cause of HVAC inefficiency The treatment removes oil buildup from heat exchanger coils, restoring optimal heat transfer ThermaClear is ECM Technologies’ breakthrough solution to the widespread issue of oil fouling, an often-overlooked cause of HVAC inefficiency and premature equipment failure. The treatment removes oil buildup from heat exchanger coils, restoring optimal heat transfer and maximizing energy efficiency.  It also super-lubricates compressors to minimize wear and reduce the risk of mechanical failure. By creating a permanent protective barrier within the system, ThermaClear prevents future fouling, resulting in fewer repairs, lower operating costs and enhanced long-term reliability.  HVAC-related operational costs Beyond innovation, ECMT is also being recognized for its commitment to the community. The company has selected Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) as its charity of choice nationwide, donating ThermaClear treatments to reduce HVAC-related operational costs across club locations. These contributions help free up resources, allowing local chapters to focus more of their budgets on programs that directly support children and families in need.  New standard for sustainable management “Our partnerships reflect the heart of our mission,” Fenton added. “Whether we’re supporting nonprofits or expanding our ThermaClear Preferred Service Network (PSN), our goal is to help organizations lower energy use, avoid unnecessary breakdowns and extend the life of their critical HVAC systems.”   The company’s PSN features a select group of premier commercial HVAC service providers operating across 40 locations in multiple states; all experts authorized to offer ThermaClear as part of their preventative maintenance programs. To date, ECMT has treated over 32,000 HVAC systems ranging from 1-ton inverter units to 2,000-ton water-cooled chillers, establishing a new standard for sustainable, cost-effective facility management.  

PSR Mechanical, a pioneering commercial HVAC service provider in Seattle, has partnered with ECM Technologies, a national pioneer in HVAC operational efficiency and energy conservation, to bring ThermaClear® to the local market. This groundbreaking HVAC treatment significantly improves system performance and extends equipment life. The first Seattle treatment took place at The Museum of Flight, the world’s largest independent, nonprofit air and space museum, housing more than 150 aircraft and spacecraft on its 23-acre campus.  optimizing system performance The programs deliver immersive, user-driven affairs around the subjects of aviation and robotics The Museum plays a vital role in community aerospace education, offering immersive STEM programming for K-12 educators and students. The programs deliver immersive, user-driven experiences around the subjects of aviation, space and robotics. By reducing energy use, optimizing system performance and lowering operating costs, ThermaClear frees capital for new exhibits and programs, safeguards delicate artifacts with reduced equipment downtime and delivers greater year-round comfort for the Museum’s guests and staff.  Several HVAC units The initial treatment was completed on several HVAC units within the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion, and PSR Mechanical is scheduled to treat an additional 282 tons throughout the rest of the campus within the coming months. Among the treated units is the system that cools the historic first jet Air Force One, used by Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon.   Declining HVAC performance ThermaClear is a one-time therapy that eliminates internal oil fouling, a joint but often overlooked ThermaClear is a one-time treatment that eliminates internal oil fouling, a common but often overlooked cause of declining HVAC performance. The treatment works by displacing oil buildup on heat exchanger coils, restoring maximum energy efficiency and allowing optimal heat transfer. It also super-lubricates compressors, reducing wear and tear and lowering the risk of failures. By forming a permanent protective barrier inside the system, ThermaClear prevents future oil fouling and the efficiency losses that come with it. This leads to fewer repairs, reduced operating costs and greater reliability with less system downtime.   ThermaClear Preferred Service Network The introduction of ThermaClear in Seattle follows a national partnership between ECM Technologies and Service Logic, the largest privately held commercial HVAC service provider in the United States. As a Service Logic company, PSR Mechanical is now one of a limited number of North American providers in the ThermaClear Preferred Service Network. This exclusive designation allows PSR to offer ThermaClear as part of its ongoing commitment to building performance and reliability.  Range of preventive maintenance programs “Adding ThermaClear to our service and project offerings allows us to combine our deep expertise in preventive and predictive HVAC maintenance with a cutting-edge technology that restores lost efficiency and protects systems long term,” said Greg Hagen, vice president of PSR Mechanical.  PSR Mechanical currently offers a full range of preventive maintenance programs designed to keep HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably. Over time, neglected maintenance issues can contribute to energy loss and premature equipment wear. With the addition of ThermaClear, PSR can help clients restore HVAC systems to peak performance and maintain long-term efficiency. 

ECM Technologies (ECMT), a globally renowned provider of HVAC efficiency and energy conservation solutions, is pleased to announce the promotion of Sofia Lozoya to Vice President (VP) of Marketing and Creative. In this expanded role, she will oversee the development, coordination, and execution of all marketing, advertising, and public relations initiatives, driving both digital and traditional strategies to meet client and company goals.  new responsibilities She will also serve as a key Brand Manager, responsible for shaping the company’s brand identity Sofia Lozoya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ECMT, as it continues to expand its footprint in the HVAC industry. With a data-driven approach, she will ensure marketing campaigns are strategically aligned, measurable, and results-focused, further strengthening ECMT’s market position. She will also serve as a key Brand Manager, responsible for shaping and maintaining the company’s brand identity, ensuring it remains forward-thinking and synonymous with innovation in sustainable solutions. Central to this identity is the company’s signature product, ThermaClear®, which dramatically improves HVAC system efficiency with a single treatment lasting the equipment's entire lifespan.  ThermaClear® - cost-effective technology “Sofia’s vision and leadership have been instrumental in elevating ECM Technologies’ brand and positioning ThermaClear as the pioneering cost-effective technology in the HVAC sector for reducing energy consumption and emissions,” said David Fenton, Chief Revenue Officer of ECM Technologies. He adds, “Her ability to seamlessly integrate creativity with strategic execution sets her apart, and we are excited to see her excel in this expanded role.”  Sofia Lozoya's education Sofia Lozoya holds a Master’s degree in Global Management with a concentration in global business and marketing from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Beyond her marketing role, she serves as an Advisor to ECMT’s Executive Committee, offering key insights on strategic initiatives and company growth.

Each day we’re reading headlines about decarbonization ambitions for buildings while challenged with supporting day-to-day operational needs. Yet, we’re still tasked with delivering energy and cost reductions. Given the magnitude of energy consumption and the importance to occupant/tenant comfort, HVAC systems warrant significant attention. There are a lot of options with new equipment and controls to drive energy use down and enhance overall comfort that are very impactful, when budgets allow. However, there are budget friendly options that should be considered now. There are aftermarket products that restore lost performance efficiency, reduce loads on equipment and extend equipment life.  A challenge is knowing which products really work and what can be trusted. Refrigerant additives have been around for decades, solving several issues including improved thermal heat transfer, reduced frictional forces through enhanced lubrication, acid scavengers, water displacement, stop leaks, and the list goes on. Over forty years ago, some of the first refrigerant treatments were formulated, with varied results. The principal objective was twofold: enhance the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the heat exchanger coils and reduce friction on the compressor moving parts.  How to reduce compressor friction and keep it low Industry offered improvements to refrigerant oils, building on synthetic oil development HVAC systems include oil to lubricate the compressor mechanical moving parts with mineral oil being the old standard, used for decades. Older systems with R-22 refrigerant, as well as other types, use mineral oil.  This oil, made from naturally occurring crude petroleum oil, is prone to breakdown over time from wear and elevated temperatures. This means hermetically sealed compressors operating with the same oil as when originally built are running with greatly diminished friction protection. Friction protection longevity was greatly improved with the advent of synthetic oils, but even these oils can see diminished protection from wear and elevated temperatures. Industry offered improvements to refrigerant oils, building on synthetic oil development. Two additives commonly found in gear oils include active sulfur with phosphorus, noted as Extreme Pressure (EP) gear oils. This same approach found its way to HVAC systems, adding materials that offered greatly improved friction reduction. Some mistakes were made, such as using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), best known as Teflon. Although PTFE has phenomenal lubricating properties, it is too large of a minimum particle size, creating havoc within expansion valves. Teflon also received scrutiny by researchers identifying adverse health effects. Today, there are several technologies promoting improved refrigerant lubricants, either as a direct replacement or as an additive to existing oils. How to restore lost HVAC performance efficiency The refrigerant oils that keep compressor moving parts running serves a second important role: acting as a seal to keep compressed refrigerant from escaping from the compressor and ending up in the oil sump. HVAC engineers allow and design for some oil to migrate through the refrigerant loop, the condenser and evaporator coils. More sophisticated equipment, such as chillers, have features to collect and return most of this oil. Simpler systems rely on the high velocity of the refrigerant to pull the oil through the coils and return it to the compressor. Inevitably, some oil remains as a film on the heat exchanger coils and slowly builds through the operational life of the equipment. The oil buildup continues to reduce the heat transfer efficiency between the refrigerant and the coil walls. There have been numerous formulations brought to the market with few detailed accounts of chemistry specifics An opportunity was born for creative individuals to invent formulations that would remove this efficiency robbing oil layer. Early design attempts sometimes led to more problems than the efficiency improvements were worth. Some chemistry mistakes included using solvents or other cleaning agents to aid in removing oil from heat exchanger tubing. This diminished the effectiveness of the refrigerant oil and led to shortened equipment lives. There have been numerous formulations brought to the market over the past four decades with few detailed accounts of chemistry specifics. There are few patents in addition to product website information that offer limited details in the public domain, making it hard to trust the suppliers. Today’s formulations offer greater opportunity for realized performance gains, especially given advances in material science. Nanomaterials have enabled several newer solutions to be developed. One such product employs graphene, which is known for its fantastic heat transfer and lubricating properties. Nanomaterials offer properties to enhance heat transfer, improve lubrication while negating concerns about excessive buildup within expansion valves. For example, graphene exists as a one atom thick nanomaterial. Perhaps the biggest challenge to the use of nanomaterials was how to keep the particles in suspension over the life of equipment, something that most specialty chemical houses hold as trade secrets.  Some products offered today boost refrigerant performance, stating altered boiling points. The performance is achieved by adding particulate that acts as nucleating sites. As material science continues to advance, we’ll see more products enter the market that also address changes in the choice of refrigerants and refrigerant oils. How to select the best additive for your needs Make sure the formulation is compatible with your specific equipment, refrigerant and refrigerant oil When considering additives to reduce energy consumption for your HVAC refrigerant systems, your contribution to decarbonization, do your own due diligence and require validated performance efficiency improvements.  Make sure the formulation is compatible with your specific equipment, refrigerant and refrigerant oil. Given that many sales agents won’t divulge their respective chemistry (or don’t know it) and most individuals responsible for HVAC equipment aren’t chemists, look for credentialed validations and testing. Ensure the products have been evaluated against ANSI standard compatibility tests and performance validated to ASHRAE or other accepted industry standards.  What the market thinks of refrigerant additives Over the first few decades since the creation of efficiency improving formulations for refrigerants and refrigerant oils, there has been mixed market adoption. The early days of failed attempts with oil degrading use of solvents or the use of expansion valve clogging solids, left a lingering perception of “snake oil”. Only those businesses that took the time to sort through the offerings to find the truly validated products found success in reducing their HVAC energy use and an added benefit of extending the life of their equipment. Today the market is better accepting of newer technologies, gaining distance to the old wild west days of unproven formulations.  Trust is being earned for those businesses that offer professionally validated products that stand behind them with warranties.