Meet Our Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Matthew McDonald: Elevating Comfort

By Julie Deacon, Diamond Certified Research Writer

Matthew McDonald originally entered the trades via his stepfather’s welding company, but it didn’t take long for him to set his focus on a specific area of the construction industry. “When I was a kid, I would always research the best jobs in construction and it kept pointing to heating and air conditioning,” he explains. “My stepdad wasn’t thrilled about it, but I eventually broke away to work for an HVAC company in Marin. That was two decades ago and I’ve been at it ever since.”

Starting as an installer, Matthew drew on his strong electrical background and earned his EPA certification while gradually taking on more leadership responsibilities. “After that, I moved into service, sales and management,” he says. “I basically got my feet wet in every part of the business.”

In 2021, Matthew established McDonald Home Solutions and rebranded as Elevated Comfort shortly thereafter. “I was doing everything back then, from selling HVAC systems and teaching technicians to scheduling jobs and training the call center,” he recalls. “We implemented ServiceTitan, learned pricing systems and built our processes from the ground up.”

Today, Matthew says his love for HVAC work is closely tied to variety and problem-solving, echoing his early experiences in welding. “Every customer has unique needs and every system has its own challenges, which keeps me engaged. I love solving people’s problems and seeing them happy at the end of a job.”

Originally from Colorado, Matthew moved to Santa Rosa when he was five years old and says Sonoma County has shaped his entire life perspective. “I love this area,” he affirms. “We’ve always had 10 acres, redwoods and the ocean nearby. It’s beautiful and it’s home.”

Outside of work, Matthew dedicates most of his free time to his wife, Elyse, and their son, Landon (another child is on the way). “My hobbies are mostly family-centered these days,” he affirms. “Landon is into baseball right now, so I like playing catch with him in the backyard and helping him get better.”

When it comes to a guiding philosophy, Matthew believes in the importance of taking risks. “I’ve seen friends who have the ability to do difficult things but never try, and they end up getting stuck,” he offers. “I’m glad I take risks. It’s painful at times, but it makes a big difference.”
Ask Me Anything!

Q: What’s the first thing you’d do if you could retire tomorrow?
A: Maybe I’d have a month of fun, but then I’d need to coach baseball or do something else. I like staying busy and making an impact.

Q: Do you prefer being somewhere hot or somewhere cold?
A: Somewhere hot.

Q: Are you an early bird or night owl?
A: An early bird.

Q: Are you a dog person or a cat person?
A: A cat person. They’re friendly, independent and easy to care for.

Q: If you could talk to anyone living or dead, who would it be?
A: Nikola Tesla. I’ve been studying his inventions—he was ahead of his time and I’d love to learn from him.