Megan McIntosh never planned to be in HVACR, but her hands-on nature led her here. As co-owner of Mechanical Environments in Denver, CO, she specializes in environmental control for cannabis cultivation facilities, where controlling temperature and humidity are everything, especially in the dry Colorado climate.
From Photography to Fixing Things
Megan started in photography and sculpture with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Sculpture and Expanded Practice from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, but quickly realized she preferred building and fixing over sitting in a classroom. She jokes that she should have gone into construction from the start.
In 2018, she took a sales role in HVACR with no prior knowledge, armed only with homemade flashcards and a determination to absorb as much information as possible. “I knew absolutely nothing. I made flashcards to get familiar with the names of parts and components and what their purpose is, though I didn’t know what any of it meant. I leaned on my coworkers, vendors, and literally anybody who was willing to have a conversation with me. I’m thankful to have worked with a bunch of contractors who were willing to take the time to teach me things when I asked questions.”
Megan also credits vendor relationships as a key part of her learning process. Because she was a salesperson eager to gain knowledge rather than just push products, vendors saw her dedication and were willing to take the time to explain how systems and components actually worked. This helped her develop a deeper understanding of HVACR, laying the groundwork for her transition into the contractor side.
After two years, she made the decision to shift gears to the contractor side, taking on a role with a general contractor who was launching a full-service operation that included an HVAC division. Megan was responsible for sales and operations, building out-of-state projects while managing local service work. However, after about a year, the company owner realized just how difficult and expensive HVAC could be and decided to shut down the division.
Rather than walk away from what they had built, Megan and her business partner, Matt, decided to continue on their own, forming Mechanical Environments. With an established client base and a deep understanding of precision climate control, they took their experience and turned it into a company dedicated to providing high-quality HVAC solutions for a specialized industry.
HVAC for the Cannabis Industry
Megan’s business focuses on HVAC systems for cannabis grow facilities, where climate control is critical. “You can have the best nutrients and lights, but if your temperature and humidity aren’t right, none of it matters,” she says. Maintaining precise environmental conditions is a non-stop job, requiring long hours of wrench-turning, troubleshooting, and system fine-tuning to ensure everything runs smoothly.
A key part of keeping systems efficient is cleaning coils regularly, and Megan relies on Viper products for the job. “They actually listen to techs and make products that work,” she says. “When I’m servicing units, Viper Aerosol Coil Cleaner is my go-to. I’m thankful to have safe chemicals that actually can clean a unit and are safe for the plants.” With the demand for peak performance in grow facilities, she doesn’t take chances. “I buy that stuff by the case. I have a whole shelf in the back of my van dedicated. It’s got five little slots, with five Viper aerosol cans all the time, plus two different cleaning kits that I keep cans in. I just love it.”
Megan’s attention to detail and commitment to efficiency extend beyond just product choice. In an industry where precision matters, she’s also focused on educating and supporting the next generation of HVACR professionals, especially women looking to break into the trades.
Building Customer Trust & Pushing for Change
Megan thrives on helping her customers, calling it her love language. “One client told me every time we show up, it’s like getting a warm hug,” she laughs. She’s also embraced social media, using TikTok to educate and connect, despite occasional skeptics.
Megan often finds herself one of the few women in the room. “The only time I ever see another woman is occasionally at training classes. And it’s always at a training class, you know? Because we’re out there trying to better ourselves,” she says. Despite her knowledge and experience, she’s faced pushback online. “Men like to have their opinions. Do you own a meter? Do you even know what you’re doing? You can’t be a real tech, you don’t have enough body hair. I can’t believe you’re wearing shorts. Those aren’t work shoes—despite them actually being composite-toe, oil and slip resistant, and electrical hazard protected work shoes. Yeah, it’s a fun battle online.”
She used to engage more with critics but has since shifted her focus. “I used to go to bed at night arguing with some haters. And, you know, what they don’t realize is they’re only helping the algorithm. But I’ll keep putting stuff out there, and people can continue to disagree with me. We’re just trying to educate and build the community however we can. And if I can inspire another girl, then I’m doing my job.”
Megan pushes for more women in HVACR and modernizing trade education. “Just because something’s always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way,” she says. She believes schools should embrace digital tools and new techniques to keep students engaged.
Finding Your Place in HVACR
Megan encourages newcomers to explore different paths within HVACR, even if they don’t start in the field right away. “If you come out of trade school and can’t get a job, go find a parts house to work for. Learn more lingo. Learn more products. You’re going to meet hundreds of contractors, and you’ll start to understand the industry from the inside out.”
She believes that education isn’t limited to a classroom. “I tell people all the time—you don’t even have to go to trade school. Go work for a parts house. Start learning. Educate yourself. For anyone wanting to get into this industry, just don’t be afraid. Sure, there’s going to be haters, and you’re going to get pushback, and people are going to tell you that you don’t deserve to be here. But whether you’re in the field turning wrenches or not, there’s a place for everybody in the trades.”
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