In the HVAC industry, innovation is often born in the field, shaped by the everyday frustrations technicians face on the job. For Pro Charge co-founders Angel Rodriguez and Rich Bond, the idea behind the company came from years of hands-on experience working with leak detection and repair products that were often messy, wasteful and limited to a single use.

Seeing a need for a cleaner, more efficient solution, the duo developed a different approach: blending UV dyes, sealants and other additives directly into refrigerant for easier application and greater control in the field. The result was a reusable product designed to simplify the process for contractors while helping reduce waste and mess on the jobsite. 

Today, Pro Charge (prochargeproducts.com) continues to focus on practical solutions built around the needs of HVAC technicians and distributors alike. We sat down with Angel Rodriguez to discusses the company’s origins, the challenges that inspired the product line, and how innovation continues to shape the future of HVAC system maintenance and repair.

The Wholesaler: Both you and Rich came from the contractor side of the business. What gaps did you see in the refrigerant market that led to the creation of your business?

Angel Rodriguez: Coming from the field, we saw firsthand how undervalued recovered refrigerant was. On one job, we recovered a large volume of R-22 and brought it to a wholesaler, where we noticed a sign offering just $3 per pound while recyclers were buying it for around $20. That gap immediately stood out. Contractors were doing the work but not capturing the value.

We realized there was no efficient bridge between contractors and recyclers, so we built one. By purchasing recovered refrigerant directly from contractors and supplying it to reclaimers, we created a model that puts money back in contractors’ pockets while streamlining the supply chain.

The Wholesaler: You describe the journey as a true all-in risk moment. What did the early days look like, and how did that experience shape the company you’ve built today?

AR: In the beginning, we were full-time HVAC technicians and part-time entrepreneurs, cold-calling contractors and buying refrigerant after hours. Within six months, one of us went all in, and shortly after, the other followed.

The real turning point came when we leveraged our homes to fund the business, betting everything on a vision we were still learning to navigate. We often say it was “trial by fire,” figuring it out day by day. That experience built our foundation: resilience, adaptability and a deep respect for risk. Today, those same principles drive how we operate — staying scrappy, thinking creatively and never forgetting where we started.

The Wholesaler: Tell us about the products you offer and how they serve the HVAC market.

AR: We developed Pro Charge products to simplify and improve how additives are introduced into HVACR systems. Our core offering is refrigerant preblended with UV dye and sealant, eliminating the messy, time-consuming process of injecting additives separately.

Technicians can recharge a low system while simultaneously adding leak detection and sealing capability, saving time and improving efficiency on service calls.

We also offer an innovative flush product packaged in a high-pressure can with approximately 300 psi of nitrogen. This allows the flush to penetrate deeper into the system while fully evacuating the can, ensuring no material is wasted.

Both products are designed to increase productivity, reduce labor time and deliver cleaner, more effective results in the field.

The Wholesaler: Pro Charge emerged at a time of market disruption. What problem were you trying to solve, and how did it lead to its development?

AR: Pro Charge was born out of frustration with two major challenges: volatile refrigerant pricing and the inefficiency of adding system additives in the field. Refrigerant had become a commodity with constantly fluctuating prices, creating uncertainty for both contractors and distributors.

At the same time, technicians knew that injecting UV dye and sealant was messy, time-consuming and inconvenient.

Our solution was simple but powerful: pre-blend the additives directly into the refrigerant. By doing this, we transformed refrigerant from a commodity into a service tool.

This innovation not only made technicians’ jobs faster and cleaner but also stabilized pricing for distributors because the product delivered added value beyond refrigerant alone.

The Wholesaler: For those in distribution who may not be familiar with how Pro Charge works, what makes it a practical solution for contractors in the field?

AR: Pro Charge is designed to make leak repairs faster, cleaner and more efficient. Each can contains refrigerant preblended with UV dye and sealant capable of treating systems up to six tons.

This allows technicians to top off a low system while simultaneously adding leak detection and sealant in a single step.

For contractors, it’s a practical solution because it becomes one billable item, simplifying inventory tracking and job costing. The compact size also saves valuable space in already crowded service vehicles.

Most importantly, Pro Charge reduces time on-site. Technicians can complete a leak call in as little as 30 minutes, restore cooling and schedule a follow-up for long-term solutions such as system replacement.

The Wholesaler: Contractors have historically had mixed experiences with additives and sealants. How does your product address those concerns and deliver more reliable results?

AR: Contractors are right to be cautious. Traditional sealants often relied on chemical reactions that could activate anywhere moisture or air was present, potentially clogging components or tools. In real-world systems, contamination is common, which made those products unpredictable.

Pro Charge addresses this by using advanced additives designed to function through a more mechanical sealing process rather than a broad chemical reaction. This means the sealant won’t activate where it shouldn’t inside the system and instead targets the actual leak point.

Combined with UV dye for verification, technicians gain both control and confidence. The result is a more reliable, technician-friendly solution that minimizes risk while still delivering effective leak management in the field.

The Wholesaler: From the distributor’s perspective, what makes your product a strong fit for the channel in terms of inventory, margin and ease of sale?

AR: Pro Charge is a strong fit for distribution because it delivers value across inventory, margin and ease of sale. Instead of pushing multiple additives and full refrigerant cylinders, distributors can offer a single, high-value product that consolidates SKUs. This reduces carrying costs while increasing both gross and net margins.

When refrigerant prices spike, such as with R-22, Pro Charge provides a more economical alternative contractors can confidently offer customers. It solves the immediate problem while naturally opening the door for system replacement conversations. That makes it an easy, practical sell at the counter.

Ultimately, Pro Charge helps distributors move a differentiated product that saves contractors time, improves profitability and drives repeat business.

The Wholesaler: Your growth has largely been driven by word of mouth and rep relations. How has that approach fueled your expansion, and what is next as you continue scaling into new markets?

AR: Our growth is all about results and relationships. Working with independent reps — small businesses that have developed trust with both distributor and contractor customers — has allowed us to expand organically while staying close to the needs of the market.

That approach keeps us agile, allowing us to make quick decisions and adapt in a constantly evolving market while building trust within the channel.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on partnering with refrigerant manufacturers, especially around new A2L refrigerants, introducing new solution-focused products and developing competitive programs with our distributor partners.

Our goal is to continue scaling by strengthening these relationships while expanding into new regions with innovative, high-value solutions.