Walking into Richard McClure’s office in Dallas, Texas, I had no idea I was about to meet a man who had built the fastest Mustang in the world and later transitioned into mastering HVAC systems. His journey seemed unlikely, but as soon as we started talking, it all made sense. Richard approaches everything with a problem-solving mindset. He doesn’t just accept how things are—he figures out how to make them better.
His journey began in the world of turbocharged Mustangs, where he shattered records and defied expectations. That same mindset carried over when he made the switch to HVAC—diagnose the issue, find the best solution, and execute it flawlessly.
As we sat down to talk, I saw a pattern in Richard’s life—he doesn’t take shortcuts, and he never settles for “good enough.” In an industry where sales tactics often overshadow real service, Richard’s approach is refreshingly different.
A Born Problem-Solver: From Race Cars to Refrigerants
Richard recalls how it all started. “They told me I couldn’t do it, so I just figured out a way.” At just 20 years old, he built the fastest Mustang in the world. “Three days after I got my car running, I went to an event in Houston, and I beat every guy in the class. I was a kid in a street car, going up against these professional race teams.”
Back in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, turbocharging wasn’t considered practical for drag racing. Experts dismissed it, but Richard wasn’t one to accept limits.
“They laughed at us because we were just some guys from Texas. But by the early ‘90s, we were dominating. We were so far ahead that people started lobbying to get turbocharged cars banned.”
I respond, pointing out how this mindset—challenging the norm and proving doubters wrong—seems to have followed Richard into HVAC. It’s not just about fixing things; it’s about understanding them, improving them, and making sure they perform at their best.
But Richard’s journey wasn’t just about winning races. He also learned how to handle pressure, work with tight deadlines, and make critical adjustments on the fly—skills that would later prove invaluable in his HVAC career.
He recalls a time when his racing team was set to compete in a major event, only for the turbocharger to malfunction right before a critical run. With no time for replacements, he and his team had to improvise.
“We stripped apart another unit, modified it, and got it working just in time. We didn’t just compete—we won.”
Despite his success, the unpredictable nature of racing made him rethink his future. He needed something stable, something that rewarded his ability to diagnose problems and innovate solutions.
The Transition to HVAC
Richard’s shift to HVAC started through family. His father-in-law, an HVAC technician, needed help getting his business off the ground. Richard stepped in—not just fixing air conditioners, but refining the operations to make things run more efficiently.
“I wasn’t just fixing things; I was making the business run better. My father-in-law was great at the technical side but struggled with the business end. I helped him break away from a bad partnership and build something stable.”
I listen, nodding in agreement. The ability to recognize inefficiencies and turn things around isn’t something everyone has—it’s a skill that makes the difference between running a business and truly excelling at it.
Richard shares another pivotal moment. Early in his HVAC career, he encountered a customer who had been told by another company that their entire HVAC system needed replacing for over $10,000. Something didn’t sit right.
“I looked at it and realized the issue was just a faulty capacitor. A $30 part. We replaced it in 20 minutes, and their system was back up and running.” That moment reinforced his belief in honest service over high-pressure sales tactics.
After years of subcontracting, Richard knew he wanted to build something of his own. That opportunity came when Fred Fox, the founder of Fox Air and Heat, was looking to retire. “He told me, ‘I don’t trust anybody with my customers.’ But after a year and a half of going back and forth, we made it happen.”
Taking over Fox Air and Heat wasn’t just about running a company—it was about upholding a reputation built on trust and quality service.
Adapting to a Changing Market
The HVAC industry isn’t what it used to be. Large corporations are acquiring small businesses, flooding the market with aggressive advertising, and using high-pressure tactics to push costly replacements. Richard sees this firsthand.
“These guys will run ads saying ‘$79.95 for a full system.’ It’s a bait-and-switch. They get in the door and upsell everything. But because they dominate the advertising space, customers don’t know there’s a better option.”
I agree, pointing out that these tactics aren’t sustainable. Customers eventually see through them, and that’s when they start looking for someone they can trust—someone like Richard.
This is closely related to what my buddy Damon Burton teaches about serving people first with value. In other words, you don’t need to focus on advertising every time; instead, you need to deliver value to your potential and existing customers.
Richard shares a recent story about a homeowner who fell victim to one of these high-pressure sales tactics. The homeowner was told by a large company that their entire HVAC system needed to be replaced immediately. The cost? Over $15,000. Something didn’t sit right, so they called Fox Air and Heat for a second opinion.
“I walked in, inspected the system, and found that it was in great shape. The only issue was a clogged drain line. We cleaned it out, and the system was running perfectly again.” The final cost? Less than $200.
Richard shakes his head at how common these situations are. Customers, many of them elderly or families on tight budgets, are often pressured into paying for services they don’t need. “That’s why we educate people. The more homeowners know, the harder it is for them to get taken advantage of.”
Technology is also evolving rapidly, making HVAC systems more complex. Richard believes staying ahead means continuous learning.
“A lot of these new systems require specialized training that most companies aren’t willing to invest in. We make sure our technicians are equipped with the best knowledge so they can properly diagnose and repair issues, rather than just pushing a new unit on the customer.”
I bring up how important it is to educate customers so they can make informed decisions. Richard agrees—he’s not just running a business, he’s building a service people can rely on.
Overcoming Industry Challenges
Richard has seen the HVAC industry change, and not always for the better. He’s frustrated by how large companies prioritize sales over service.
“These big companies pay $700 per click on Google ads. They don’t care because they’re selling $25,000 systems. But what happens when grandma just needs a small repair? She gets told she needs a whole new system because the sales guy is on commission.”
I interject, noting that this is something many industries are facing—companies that care more about numbers than about long-term relationships with customers. He’s seen how businesses that focus on real value and customer education are the ones that stand out.
Richard nods, adding that he’s seen cases where customers were charged thousands for unnecessary replacements. His approach is different—honest diagnostics, fair pricing, and quality repairs that extend the life of a system rather than replacing it prematurely.
He recalls another case where a customer was quoted nearly $20,000 for a full HVAC replacement. When Richard arrived, he quickly discovered that the real problem was an airflow issue caused by improper duct installation.
“Instead of replacing the whole system, we reworked the ductwork and improved the airflow. The system started working efficiently again, and they saved about $18,000.”
These situations aren’t rare. Richard has built a reputation for saving customers from unnecessary expenses simply by taking the time to diagnose problems correctly. “It’s not just about fixing AC units. It’s about helping people and making sure they aren’t being taken advantage of.”
The other major challenge he sees in the industry is a growing skills gap. With newer HVAC systems relying on smart technology and automation, there’s a need for highly skilled technicians. But Richard says many companies don’t invest in proper training.
“Some companies just throw new hires into the field with minimal training, hoping they’ll figure it out. That’s not how we operate. We make sure our team is properly trained so they can diagnose problems accurately and provide real solutions.”
I agree, noting that the businesses that invest in their teams and prioritize customer service are the ones that build long-term trust. Richard’s focus on honesty and expertise is exactly what sets Fox Air and Heat apart.
After our deep conversation about Richard’s journey, he gave me a tour of his workspace, showing the behind-the-scenes of what makes Fox Air and Heat run efficiently. Walking through his facility, it was clear that attention to detail isn’t just something he talks about—it’s how he runs his business.
No great conversation ends without a good meal, so Richard and I grabbed some nice meat. We continued discussing life, work, and the value of doing things the right way—both in business and in relationships.
Final Thoughts: Richard McClure’s Approach to Doing Things Right
Richard’s journey reflects his belief that success isn’t about quick sales or cutting corners—it’s about solving problems the right way. One of his longtime customers recently shared their experience:
“Our AC stopped working in the middle of a Texas summer, and another company told us we needed a full system replacement for over $12,000. We called Richard for a second opinion. He came out the same day, diagnosed the issue, and fixed it for a fraction of the cost. Three years later, our system is still running perfectly. Honest, knowledgeable, and truly puts customers first.”
I summarize some key takeaways from our discussion:
- Honesty over sales tactics: Customers deserve straight answers, not upsells.
- Experience-driven solutions: Whether it’s a car or an HVAC system, finding the best fix is key.
- Continuous improvement: Investing in training and new technology ensures quality work.
Richard isn’t just thinking about the future of Fox Air and Heat—he’s thinking about the future of the HVAC industry.
“I’ve built race cars, I’ve built businesses, and now I’m building a legacy. At the end of the day, if people remember me as the guy who did things the right way, that’s all that matters.”
I agree. That’s exactly the kind of business people are looking for—one that values expertise, integrity, and trust over quick sales.
If you’re in Texas and want an HVAC expert who puts customers first, visit Fox Air and Heat to learn more about Richard’s services.
