Ryan McKernan owns Pro Comfort Control, a plumbing, heating and cooling company servicing homes and light commercial buildings.

The home heating industry has seen substantial changes in recent years, and customers need seasoned professionals to guide them through their options. Pro Comfort Control is the best-equipped local company to do just that, says Ryan McKernan, owner of the Framingham-based HVAC business.

McKernan has been in the trades since he was a kid — growing up on job sites with his local builder father and then delving into plumbing alongside his uncle, the former chief plumbing inspector for the City of Boston. With tradesman roots like these, he takes his work and customer satisfaction seriously. From the first inquiry call to the post-installation Mass Save rebate paperwork, McKernan says his family-owned business diligently attends to clients each step of the way.

Boasting more than 25 years of experience, Pro Comfort Control now is focusing on designing and installing heating and cooling systems, with a specialization in heat pumps.

“In New England, we have a lot of different styles of homes that require a really customized approach,” McKernan explains. “We have new construction that is pretty well sealed, but then we also have homes from the 1800s that are not well sealed and require a completely different design approach in terms of providing a heating and hot water solution that will adequately heat but also be efficient.”

Regarding efficiency, there has been a push from both the federal and state governments to meet increasingly strict regulatory standards, McKernan notes. As part of this shift, there are large financial incentives, such as Mass Save rebates of up to $10,000, zero-percent financing and up to $2,000 in federal tax credits.

Pro Comfort Control has worked with Mass Save for years, adapting to changing requirements and educating homeowners.

“In 2024, for example, Mass Save intends to phase out all fossil fuels from their heating program,” McKernan explains. “That comes with a lot of confusion for customers, so we’ll help transition customers through that process and give them options.”

McKernan says that heating technology has improved substantially, and heat pumps designed for cold climates now function well in New England weather, making them a new option for many houses. Heat pumps also double as a cooling solution, a welcome bonus for homeowners without air conditioning.

Despite these benefits, not all homes should get off fossil fuels, McKernan says. “In some houses, heat pumps don’t work well,” he explains, “and that’s where we, as professionals, analyze the home and propose solutions, like sealing up the house or a backup fossil fuel heat source.”

With significant incentives on the table and rising demand for services, more companies now are offering heat pump solutions, McKernan says, but Pro Comfort Control has the integrity and longevity to stand out.

“Customers tend to tell us that they chose us for their HVAC and hot water heating system installations because of our passion, thoroughness and clear expertise as true professionals,” he says.

To learn more, visit PROComfortControl.com or call 508-955-4PRO (4776).

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