ECM Technologies’ ThermaClear® product earned for the Phoenix-based leader in HVAC preventive maintenance and efficiency honors as the Most Innovative Business of the Year in the 2025 Champions of Change Awards. The annual program recognizes trailblazing leaders and organizations that are reshaping Arizona’s business landscape through visionary thinking, bold leadership and philanthropic impact.
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. ThermaClear® dramatically improves the efficiency of HVAC systems with one treatment that lasts for the entire lifespan of the equipment, resulting in dramatic carbon footprint reduction and substantial HVAC operational savings of up to 20% annually.
The team behind ECM Technologies had spent years working across the HVAC, Trades and building efficiency industries. Time and again, they encountered one recurring and universal problem: oil fouling. Over time, oil from the compressor migrates into the refrigerant lines and settles on the internal surfaces of HVAC coils. This microscopic oil layer acts as insulation, significantly reducing heat transfer and forcing systems to work harder. As a result, energy consumption rises, mechanical wear increases and HVAC equipment fails earlier than expected.
What made this issue even more frustrating was that oil fouling affects virtually every HVAC system. It is not limited by size, brand, climate or building type. Yet, despite its widespread impact, the industry offered no real solution. Maintenance teams were left to manage the symptoms through more frequent service, premature replacements and higher utility bills. Recognizing this costly and inefficient cycle, the team at ECM Technologies decided to address the root of the problem. That decision became the foundation for ThermaClear®.
The result of extensive research and lab testing, ThermaClear® was validated through a series of pilot programs with major facilities across Arizona and beyond, monitored and evaluated by third-party professional engineers.
To meet growing demand and maintain consistent service quality, ECM Technologies launched its Preferred Service Network, a national network of certified HVAC service providers trained to deliver ThermaClear® treatments to the highest standard.
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.
Did You Know
In 2022, the year ThermaClear® was officially introduced to the market through a series of pilot programs with major facilities across Arizona and beyond, the City of Phoenix became one of the first municipalities in the nation to integrate ThermaClear® into its long-term sustainability strategy. According to Jim Gorombei, energy management specialist for the City of Phoenix Public Works Department, the City was highly satisfied with the pilot outcomes and saw ThermaClear® as a meaningful tool in its carbon reduction plan.
David Fenton (right), ECM Technologies CRO, completing a treatment of ThermaClear® at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. With him are Ed Cannon (PSR Mechancial) (left) and Gerard Egan (PSR Mechancial) (standing). Photo courtesy of ECM Technologies.
