Triton Air

Leaders in Service and Community

by Victoria Kertz

It’s safe to say that Triton Air is a company that stands out. Whether it’s their eye-catching Pacific blue service vans or the more than 1200 5-star Google reviews, this San Clemente-based heating and air service company simply blows the competition away. Known for excellent service, generous work with families in need, and campaigns like Lennox’s “Feel the Love,” Triton Air is unique. 

In 2021, a year that didn’t exactly go as planned, Triton Air beat revenue projections, increased the number of employees, and acquired Ocean Air from the Kopp family in Laguna Niguel. But if you ask Mike Nicolai, founder of Triton Air, he’d say the highlight was his July trip to Malawi, Africa. In a remote part of the country, he and his wife Kim are working to fund a unique all-terrain, 4×4 ambulance used to transport expectant mothers and other women to the hospital. This area suffers from heavy rains, washed out dirt roads, and a high infant mortality rate due to the lack of dependable transportation. As a result, mothers often walk for miles or take an ox cart to the hospital in Livingstonia. 

Working with the non-profit company Y-Malawi, Mike and Kim met with local hospital association leaders and residents who will benefit from the vehicle. “What’s so mind-blowing is the lack of funding for medicine and everyday items like bandages that we’re able to readily purchase,” says Mike. “It’s a whole different story in Malawi, a land-locked country that receives goods much slower than other African countries. They can teach us a lot about patience and gratitude.”

Here in Orange County, Triton Air has provided free services to nonprofits and families in need for years, but the Nicolai’s were still surprised to be recognized for their efforts when the company was named San Clemente Business of the Year. This is an honor that Mike attributes to his team’s consistent community involvement and dedication to clients during the lockdowns of 2020. His staff even volunteered to go grocery shopping for some of their customers. Mike calls the recognition a “lifetime achievement award; it really is an honor and we are blessed and so proud.” Triton Air was also named Most Popular in Orange County by the Los Angeles Times, ranked #1 in South County companies on Google, and was recently nominated for a Spire award.

Accolades aside, Mike says his customers always come first. As we head into cooler weather, he stressed the importance of scheduling a safety inspection of your furnace to prevent potential carbon monoxide issues. “You would never leave your car running in the garage because of the dangerous fumes,” he says, “but a very similar, and deadly, situation may result if gas fumes from your furnace leak into your house.” Triton Air technicians attend weekly training sessions that focus on the details of furnace safety and thorough inspections, thus ensuring that your system is running efficiently and safely. 

For those who want to avoid carbon emissions of any kind, Mike explains that Triton Air offers new zero-emission heat pumps that both heat and cool your home without using gas. These pumps are powered by electricity and, for homes with solar panels installed, can heat and cool with power generated from the sun. These systems also offer a financial benefit by avoiding future local or state taxes on gas or fossil fuel-dependent appliances.

Ready to schedule an inspection? Call Triton Air today to create a healthier, safer, and cleaner environment for your family. Partner with a company that puts people first, both locally and internationally. Call 949-482-2492 or visit TritonAir.com.