UPEI Sustainable Design Engineering graduate builds growing venture around indoor air quality
For many engineering students, university is about technical formulas and design theory. For Ben McQuaid, a 2024 graduate of the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering program at the University of Prince Edward Island, it was about learning how to identify the root cause of a problem. This mindset led him to launch EZ Breathe Heat Pump Cleaning.
McQuaid’s entrepreneurial drive began before his time at UPEI. Throughout high school and university, he routinely bought, repaired, and resold vehicles on Facebook Marketplace, gaining practical experience in risk assessment, cost management, and client negotiation.
When evaluating Prince Edward Island’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) market, McQuaid spotted a distinct service gap. While major HVAC firms focused on high-value unit installations and major overhauls, routine preventative maintenance such as heat pump cleaning was often overlooked. When he looked at the HVAC industry on PEI, he realized the real problem wasn’t that homeowners didn’t want to maintain their heat pumps. It was that there were not many companies focused on providing those smaller maintenance and service jobs.
Rather than competing directly with established installation companies, McQuaid founded EZ Breathe to specialize in preventative care and indoor air quality services.
The transition from concept to active business accelerated during McQuaid’s studies at UPEI. A major turning point occurred at the University’s Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program competition in April 2024, where his business model earned multiple awards and initial startup funding.
McQuaid attributes much of his foundational business development to resources within the UPEI community:
Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship: Mentorship from advisors Jeremy Heartz, Entrepreneurship Program Officer and Amy Andrews, Manager of Entrepreneurship provided critical feedback and strategic direction during the venture's early stages.
Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program: McQuaid and two fellow engineering students, Taylor Gallant and Brett McQuaid, participated in the program, winning $14,500 for their startup while sharpening their leadership and communication skills.
Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering: McQuaid received training in root-cause analysis, standardized operational procedures, and data-driven decision-making.
“Beyond the technical knowledge, UPEI helped me develop strong project management, communication, presentation, and leadership skills,” said McQuaid. “The Harry W. MacLauchlan Entrepreneurship Program helped prepare me for entrepreneurship by building my confidence to communicate and present my ideas effectively. It taught me how to educate the community about my business, clearly explain the value of our services, and confidently share my vision for growing EZ Breathe. Those communication and leadership skills have been invaluable throughout my entrepreneurial journey.”
Following graduation, McQuaid completed two business accelerator programs through Dal Innovates—Campus2Market Validate (offered by the Catherine Callbeck Centre and NSCC) and Campus2Market Launch (offered by Dalhousie University)—and secured support from Innovation PEI. This network of regional backing enabled him to transition from his full-time engineering role to running EZ Breathe full-time. These programs also gave him the opportunity to work alongside other entrepreneurs and experienced mentors who had faced many of the same challenges. They provided practical advice, new perspectives, and the mindset to approach everyday business problems strategically rather than reactively. That support has played a significant role in helping McQuaid navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and continue growing EZ Breathe.
“Ben is a great example of what can happen when a student combines a strong idea with a willingness to test, learn, and keep moving forward,” said Amy Andrews, Manager of Entrepreneurship at the Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship. “It has been exciting to watch EZ Breathe grow from an early-stage student venture into a full-time business, and to see Ben continue building on the skills, confidence, and momentum he developed while at UPEI.”
EZ Breathe Heat Pump Cleaning has built its customer base primarily through exceptional service and strong word-of-mouth recommendations. By consistently delivering quality work, the company has earned the trust of homeowners, many of whom refer friends, family, and neighbours to it. A strong online presence has also played an important role, with regular Facebook updates featuring authentic job-site photos, positive Google reviews, and a user-friendly website that includes helpful FAQs and a 24/7 online booking system. Maintaining relationships with existing customers through annual maintenance reminders has further encouraged repeat business and long-term loyalty.
Since McQuaid graduated from UPEI, he has focused on sustainable, strategic growth by refining EZ Breathe’s operations, investing in specialized equipment, and ensuring a consistently high standard of service. As demand grew, EZ Breathe expanded beyond heat pump cleaning to offer a full range of indoor air quality services, including air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, HRV servicing, and custom EZ Shield heat pump shelters. This gradual expansion has transformed the company into a comprehensive provider of solutions that help homeowners improve indoor air quality, HVAC efficiency, and home safety.
Looking ahead, McQuaid plans to evaluate heat pump repair services and ultimately expand the “EZ” brand into a broader family of home service solutions across Atlantic Canada while maintaining the exceptional customer service the company is known for. He aspires to continue expanding the range of services based on customer needs, including exploring heat pump repair services as his customers’ systems age.
When offering advice to current university students considering entrepreneurship, McQuaid said his biggest piece of advice is that they surround themselves with people who share a similar mindset and are willing to put in the time and effort to build something meaningful.
“Start sooner rather than later,” he said. “You learn far more by taking action than by waiting for the perfect plan. Take advantage of local mentorship, and don’t be afraid to take calculated risks and seek advice. Learning from others can help you avoid mistakes, gain confidence, and accelerate your own journey.”
