The HVAC industry is increasingly dominated by large, private equity-backed companies. Sul
Salam of Temperature Repair is keeping it simple.
The Troy businessman is staying independent. For his customers, that means a focus on service, not price.
“When a company answers to investors, the pressure may be to grow revenue,” Sul says. “When
you’re privately owned, as we are, you’re trying to fix the customer's problem.”
Sul’s mindset: “We’re in the service business. We just happen to do heating and cooling.”
It’s why Sul has guided his crew of licensed technicians to prioritize customer service. To him, it’s about clear, upfront pricing and explaining what’s really needed.
That non-traditional approach explains the 201 reviews on Google for Temperature Repair – every one a 5.0 rating.
This success comes from a guy who didn’t take a typical path into the business.
Sul grew up in Livonia after moving to the U.S. as a toddler and later played college football before shifting his interests to a career in the trades. With no clear path into a specific field, he took an internship that paid just $20 a day – and he stuck with it.
“I looked at it as a chance to learn the trade, not to get rich,” he says.
He spent years building his skills, often working long days and side jobs, focused on understanding heating and cooling systems, diagnosing problems and doing work the right way.
That approach still defines Temperature Repair today.
While many larger companies rely on sales-driven models, Sul and his team focus on fixing what actually needs to be fixed.
“There are times when systems need to be replaced,” he says. “But a lot of times, they don’t. We can do full replacements, of course, but we often find smaller issues – maybe a component or even a wire – that can solve the problem for far less.”
And when a replacement is needed, Sul is selective about what he installs.
“We stick with brands we trust, like Coleman, Bryant and American Standard,” he says. “They’ve proven themselves over time. When we put something in, we want to know it’s going to last.”
It’s not always the most profitable route. But it’s the one that builds trust. That trust shows up in real situations.
Sul recalls customers who were told they needed a full system replacement by other companies, only to have his team make repairs for a fraction of the cost.
And in more urgent moments – like families left without cooling in the middle of summer – his team steps in, sometimes without worrying about the invoice first. “You just do what’s right,” he says.
Inside the company, the culture reflects that same thinking. “We think of it as taking care of people, not just HVAC systems,” he says. “That’s the real job.”
For Sul, the work is personal. Sul and his wife both grew up in Detroit, and the company continues to serve communities across Oakland and Macomb counties, including the neighborhoods they came from.
“We’re not just working here, we’re trying to make a difference," he says. "I want to be able to look our customers in the eye when I see them in the grocery store or at the park. We're part of this community."
So it's no surprise that Sul keeps an interesting mindset for when the heat goes out or the AC stops working after hours.
“In this business, you have to offer same-day heating and cooling service,” Sul says. “You show up with your tools and you might as well be Superman.”
Every Superman needs a sidekick and, in this case, it’s his son Elijah, who is not quite two years old.
“Sometimes I pack him up and bring him along,” Sul smiles. “He loves it and so do the customers. As he grows, I’ll teach him the same principles.”
In an industry chasing scale, Temperature Repair is choosing something else: Do the right thing. Treat people fairly. Be human.
Be the company they call again.
TemperatureRepair.com | (248) 817-5487
How to know when you need help
If you see any of these issues with your heat or air, Sul says it may be time to call a professional:
1. AC blowing warm air or not turning on at all
2. Furnace running but not heating your home evenly
3. Sudden spikes in energy bills without explanation
4. Strange noises in your AC or furnace, burning smells or frequent system cycling
5. Hot and cold spots in different rooms of the house
”We think of it as taking care of people. That’s the real job.”