CJ Lawyer
Co-Owner & Lead Technician
A proud Northland native from McGregor, Minnesota, CJ Lawyer has always been drawn to the outdoors, the trails, the trees, and the kind of quiet that only northern Minnesota delivers. When he’s not working you’ll find him somewhere in the woods with his Boxer, Milo, hiking, camping, or just taking it all in.
CJ served in the United States Army as a tank operator before setting his sights on the sky, earning his helicopter pilot credentials as a private citizen because once he decides he wants to learn something, he sees it through. That same drive brought him to the HVAC world, where he found a craft worth mastering.
At Northland Air, CJ manages the day-to-day field operations and leads every installation with the same professionalism and integrity he carried through his military service. He’s dedicated to making every customer experience dependable, seamless, and done to the highest standard, from the first call to the final walkthrough. Every project he touches reflects his belief that quality isn’t optional and neither is customer satisfaction.
Kristopher Higgins
Co-Owner, Operations & Partnerships
Growing up in Spokane, Washington, the Northland in its own right, Kristopher Higgins spent over 25 years as an actor before channeling that same drive for creativity and reinvention into building businesses from the ground up. He approaches business the way he approaches life, with curiosity, a willingness to take on what others won’t, and a belief that the biggest opportunities live just outside the conventional playbook. That spirit led him to Duluth, where his wife was raised, and together they’ve made the Northland their home. They have three boys and spend their summers at her family’s lake cabin in the Boundary Waters, the kind of place that reminds you what matters.
Kristopher started Northland Air because he’s always believed that the best businesses are built around people, not transactions. HVAC wasn’t the industry he planned on, but it became the one that chose him, because of his youngest brother TJ.
TJ's Story
Northland Air was built in memory of Thomas Joseph Higgins, TJ, Kristopher’s youngest brother, who passed away at 29 years old. TJ was a gifted HVAC technician, a devoted father, and the most loving and caring person you could ever know. He had a light about him that touched everyone around him, and that light is what this company was built to carry forward.
What Your Neighbors Are Saying
Real Customers, Real Results. No Paid Testimonials.
Read Our Paw-sitive Reviews!
Our furnace died the night before a snowstorm. Three other shops couldn’t come for days, these guys had us back on heat in four hours flat.
Sarah K., Duluth, MN
Honest about what was actually wrong with the water heater. Saved us $1,200 over the big-name shop’s quote, and the install was cleaner too.
Tom B., Cloquet, MN
Pipes froze at -20°F on a Sunday. They were here in 90 minutes, thawed everything safely, and even insulated the worst run before they left.
Mike T., Superior, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about service, pricing, and emergencies, no jargon.
Are you licensed and insured in Minnesota?
Yes. We carry a Minnesota HVAC contractor license, plus full liability and workers’ comp coverage on every job, for your protection and ours.
Do you give upfront pricing?
Always. You see the full quote before any work begins, no hourly billing surprises, no add-ons mid-job.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. We offer flexible financing through approved lenders on qualifying installations, so you can move forward with the right system and spread the cost over time. We go over current options and terms when we quote your job.
Do you offer same-day or emergency service?
Yes, we run 24/7 emergency calls for no-heat, no-water, and burst pipe situations. Most other calls are same-day if booked before noon.
Do you service Duluth and the rest of the Twin Ports?
Yes. We serve a 60-mile radius from Duluth — including Superior, Hermantown, Cloquet, Two Harbors, Carlton, Grand Marais, and everything in between. We also serve the Ely area and the surrounding Iron Range communities. One company, one standard of service, across the entire region.
How does your estimate and consultation process work?
New installs and replacements include an in-home consultation where we assess your home, size the system properly, and give you an all-in, upfront price before any work begins. Our $139 diagnostic covers the full estimate — no travel charges, no hidden fees, no surprises. If you move forward with the work, the $139 rolls into the job.
Do you charge a diagnostic fee?
Yes. Diagnostics start at $139, which covers the on-site visit and a written quote. If you book the repair or install with us, that $139 rolls into the job. No hourly billing surprises, no mid-job add-ons.
How does your pricing work?
Flat-rate, upfront. You see the all-in price for the work before we touch a wrench. For larger installs we also walk through annual operating-cost differences between options so you can make a real decision, not a guess.
What kind of warranty do you offer?
Every install carries a 1-year labor warranty on top of the manufacturer parts and compressor warranties. We document the work with photos and combustion / pressure readings on every job, so if anything is off, we have the records to make it right.
Do you pull permits on installs?
Yes, every install. Permits pulled, inspections passed, and full commissioning documented. You get the paperwork. If anyone tries to talk you out of permits to save you a few dollars, get a second opinion.