Our Team

Nick Bender is the founder of Green Spirit Home Performance and a recognized expert in the field of home energy efficiency, with over two decades of experience spanning installation, project management, and multi-trade retrofit planning.

Nick’s professional journey began with technical college and hands-on work as an HVAC installer. Since then, he has built a diverse and impactful career that includes:

• Installer to Project Manager: Started in the field before expanding into leadership and sales roles.

• Geothermal Program Revival: Helped a local company reestablish a dormant geothermal heat pump division.

• Startup Success: Helped grow a startup into the #1 Bryant HVAC dealer in the country through process innovation and high-volume success.

• Sales Leadership: Led and trained sales teams for a large Home Depot subcontractor with a focus on product knowledge and professionalism.

• Older Home Specialist: Worked extensively in local Victorian and prewar homes, guiding companies toward high-efficiency upgrades like heat pumps and insulation.

Nick’s technical fluency spans HVAC, electrical systems, insulation, indoor air quality, and building science. His approach is informed by both formal study, such as passive home design standards, and personal experience, including a full gut-and-retrofit of his own Minneapolis home using advanced building materials and systems.

Beyond project work, Nick is a respected figure in the broader energy community. He’s done educational training on heat pumps for Fresh Energy, a Minnesota-based nonprofit, and is a trusted contractor with the Center for Energy and Environment. He’s also been interviewed in media outlets including Canary Media and The New York Times about heat pump installation.

At Green Spirit, Nick applies his knowledge to help homeowners modernize their homes in a way that is thoughtful, efficient, and forward-looking. He oversees every project personally, ensuring that each plan is executed to the highest standards, with transparency, coordination, and long-term performance in mind.