In the Air - HRAI Industry News

Entrepreneurship has been a good fit for Nathan Horton. And today, as CEO of 1Click Heating & Cooling, he’s applying his affinity for lifelong tech and innovation to building a more efficient and sustainable HVACR sector. 

Horton began exploring the transformative power of technology as a teen, launching his own online game server at 14. His introduction to the HVACR world came later at 19, when he started doing marketing work for Reliance. “I was deep in lead generation, trying out new avenues and programs and running a lot of their trade shows,” he recalls. 

Soon, Horton’s focus at Reliance shifted to the property-management side, where he worked with co-operative and municipal housing groups on equipment upgrades, helping them choose the right heating and cooling systems. Over the years that followed, he gained insights into the business and the opportunities for innovation within it. “I spent a lot of time looking at how the industry actually operated,” he says. “It was still very much a kitchen-table sale, even as the rest of the world was moving toward faster, more streamlined ways of doing things.” 

Enter: 1Click Heating & Cooling. Launched in 2018, Horton developed the online platform with the goal of accelerating the equipment upgrade process. As he explains it: “We built a mobile application that lets large property groups upgrade and manage their equipment portfolios. The idea was to give them the online tools to order equipment with a single tap, removing the slow, sales-driven process that required someone to come out in person and often caused delays. We also wanted to make it so groups could upload their portfolios and access everything they needed to plan and complete upgrades.” 

At first, Horton’s innovative approach to HVAC equipment upgrades was positioned for property owners. It was during COVID that the company saw an opportunity to bring the same solution to homeowners. “We recognized that HVAC doesn't change too much in cost from customer to customer,” he says. “There are certain variables that can significantly affect an installation, but equipment and labor costs are fairly consistent from house to house. We built that into our online platform, so customers can easily order equipment online, and we handle the installation.” 

Growth has been steady for Horton and his team. At first, 1Click worked solely through vetted local contractors across Canada, similar to a traditional “Uber” marketplace model. As the company grew, however, it began opening its own branches in provinces where it had a strong customer base to ensure tighter quality control and logistics. Today, 1Click operates in six branches across the country (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, BC), with a team of over 70 internal employees and a network of 160-plus external contractors. 

Pivoting to electrification 

In 2021, Horton wanted 1Click to play a more transformative role in Canada’s HVACR space by shifting away from gas-powered systems and toward heat pumps and electric solutions. It was a significant pivot, he says, and one driven by a desire to get ahead of market trends, contribute to Canada’s Net Zero ambitions, and bring advantages to Canadian homeowners: “There’s a substantial amount of electric, oil, and propane homes across Canada, and putting in heat pumps and electric assets first, we knew there would be some pretty substantial cost savings for Canadians,” he said. 

The transition marked a new chapter for 1Click. Soon, the company began introducing its digital-first model to additional regions and received recognition for its role in Canada’s transition away from fossil fuels. From there, Horton adds, “We expanded pretty rapidly.” 

Putting passion to work 

After nearly a decade in business, 1Click Heating & Cooling is making its mark. For Horton, building the company and leading its evolution has played into his enthusiasm for innovation. “With my marketing and tech background, it’s been exciting to see new innovations every year, driving the industry forward,” he says. “The constant learning, the pace of innovation, and the development of new technology are what make this journey fun.” 
 
It's not the only fulfilling journey Horton has thrown himself into. As the father to a 14-month-old, he’s enjoying the balance of building both a business and a young family. And if there’s time to get in a round of golf or a quick video gaming session, he says that’s all the better. Looking back at his teen entrepreneurial days, he admits, “I’m still a bit of a nerd at heart.”