In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with two passionate leaders from the GRIT Foundation—Executive Director Leilani Orr and Head of Training Ty Branaman. Together, they unpack the origin story, purpose, and transformative impact of GRIT Camps, which introduce youth to the skilled trades in immersive, hands-on ways. The conversation explores how GRIT—which stands for Growth and Resilience in the Trades—isn't just a clever acronym but a m...
Jul 25, 2025•54 min
In this wide-ranging episode, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome longtime HVAC pro and educator Adam Mufich to the podcast. Adam shares his unique path through the industry—from growing up in a third-generation HVAC family and starting his own company, to becoming a trainer at the National Comfort Institute (NCI). The trio dives into how social media unexpectedly played a pivotal role in Adam’s professional growth, helping him connect with future collaborators through YouTube live streams and on...
Jul 18, 2025•34 min
In this insightful episode, Bill and Eric are joined by Abhi Katamneni from Efficiency Canada and Nate Adams, also known as the House Whisperer, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of home performance, policy, and how HVAC contractors can play a central role in the electrification and decarbonization of housing. Abhi shares lessons from his ride-alongs with contractors across North America, emphasizing how real-world experience shapes policy that actually works. Nate dives into his shi...
Jul 11, 2025•57 min
In this engaging and insightful episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Matt Schwoegler, founder of Blaze Infrared and longtime thermography educator. Matt shares his unexpected journey into the world of infrared—from a marketing career in the ski industry to teaching thousands about heat transfer and thermal imaging. With deep humility and clarity, he walks us through critical lessons from his 20+ year career, including some humorous—and humbling—stories...
Jul 04, 2025•35 min
In this in-depth episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Phil Farese, CEO of Mojave HVAC, to explore the cutting edge of desiccant dehumidification technology. Phil, whose career began in physics at Cornell and research at Princeton before moving into consulting at McKinsey and leadership roles at NREL, Enphase, and now Mojave, brings a rare mix of scientific rigor and market savvy to the HVAC space. The conversation traces the evolution of liquid desicca...
Jun 27, 2025•41 min
In this high-energy episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Tersh Blissett—entrepreneur, podcaster, and automation enthusiast—for a deep dive into how AI and automation are transforming service businesses. Tersh, known for running multiple HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies, shares his journey from podcasting beginnings to becoming a Zapier expert and automation evangelist. He explains how AI voice tools, custom GPTs, and platforms like Notebook LM and PhoneTap...
Jun 20, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome back Brent Davidson, founder of the U.S. Heat Pump Summit, for an energizing discussion that soars from glider flights to the frontlines of heat pump education and adoption. Brent shares the story behind launching the Summit—from a hunch inspired by his solar-industry background to a growing movement that now brings together top contractors, technical experts, manufacturers, and rebate program leaders. The goal? To impr...
Jun 13, 2025•33 min
“Proposals don’t save energy… action does.” — Bill Spohn “I didn’t know how cool this thing was until we started sharing it with the world.” — Amanda Godward “Change is hard—but that’s what makes it great.” — Amanda quoting Ross Trethewey from This Old House In this episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Amanda Godward, founder of Ecotelligent Homes and Ecotelligent Software. Amanda shares her journey from mechanical engineer in the auto industry to a passiona...
Jun 06, 2025•34 min
“The process doesn’t fail. The technician fails to follow the process.” – Dirk Nauman In this inspiring episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn are joined by Dirk Nauman—HVAC trainer, simulator inventor, and founder of Visual 3D Academy. Dirk shares his personal transformation from a nervous first-time trainer to an industry innovator dedicated to improving HVAC education through simulation and visualization. He discusses how necessity drove him to create his fir...
May 30, 2025•38 min
“We’re not guessing what’s inside the walls—we’re measuring how homes really use energy.” Max Reichlin In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Max Reichlin from Clean Power Research to explore a groundbreaking HVAC tool: Thermentor. Designed to bridge the gap between estimated and actual residential energy loads, Thermentor leverages real energy usage data to perform virtual energy audits. The goal? More accurate, faster, and accessible load...
May 23, 2025•32 min
In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Ben Hildebrandt, a passionate advocate for building science and green technology education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Ben shares his winding career path—from automotive mechanics to aircraft maintenance to architectural technology—and how that journey has shaped his deep commitment to sustainable building practices. Ben discusses the role of applied research at SAIT, highlighting...
May 16, 2025•49 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn are joined by a special guest who’s carrying on the Spohn legacy—Billy Spohn. The trio recaps their experience at the 2025 National Home Performance Conference in New Orleans, the largest in the event’s history, with over 2,800 attendees. They reflect on the continued convergence of HVAC and building performance disciplines, and how this cross-pollination is finally taking root at scale. From highlights in the expo hall, includ...
May 08, 2025•22 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Jeff Cherif and David Madden from JB Industries, a long-standing, U.S.-based HVAC tool manufacturer with deep roots in Aurora, Illinois. Jeff shares his fascinating journey from Motorola executive in Dubai to co-owner of JB Industries, sparked by a chance rooftop encounter with one of JB’s own vacuum pumps in the Middle East. David brings a multi-generational connection to the business and reflects on the ev...
May 02, 2025•40 min
“How much pain they have cost us, the evils which never happened.” —Thomas Jefferson In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Anthony Woo, an HVAC contractor from Quebec, Canada. Anthony shares his journey from dropping out of college to becoming a successful business owner specializing in heat pump installations in one of North America's coldest climates. He discusses his personal and professional evolution, from gaining confidence through a...
Apr 25, 2025•41 min
“You can be high quality and effective, but also efficient at the same time.” — Furman Haynes, Founder of WorkHero In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Furman Haynes, co-founder of WorkHero, to explore a critical challenge facing small HVAC business owners: the administrative burden that stifles growth. Furman shares his journey into the HVAC industry, inspired by a passion for building organizations that support small business success. H...
Apr 18, 2025•34 min
In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser interview Jake Yurek, the co-founder of Pearl Edison, a platform designed to simplify the installation of energy-efficient systems for homeowners and contractors. Jake shares the origins of the company’s name, inspired by Thomas Edison’s first power station on Pearl Street, and explains how Pearl Edison partners with trusted entities like utilities and city governments to facilitate HVAC installations. Their approac...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Eric George, founder of Home Comfort Advisor, to discuss his journey from insulation and energy audits to content creation and education. Eric shares how his background in home performance shaped his passion for providing homeowners and tradespeople with reliable, science-based information. He details his soon-to-launch online course, which simplifies building science principles for homeowners and professionals al...
Apr 04, 2025•34 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill and Eric welcome Rachel Kaiser to discuss an often-overlooked yet critical topic: data integrity in HVAC and building performance. Rachel, who has a background in scientific research and data quality, shares insights into how the HVAC industry generates and manages data, why data integrity matters, and the risks of poor data management. They explore real-world examples—from technicians misreporting measurements to the challenges of maintaining relia...
Mar 28, 2025•41 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Sophie Ashley of Energy Vanguard, an HVAC designer with a background in carpentry and building science. Sophie shares her journey from hands-on construction work to HVAC design, emphasizing the critical integration of mechanical systems and building structures. She discusses the importance of feedback loops with installers and her experience performing HERS ratings in the field. Sophie also highlights the shift to...
Mar 21, 2025•34 min
In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, host Eric Kaiser is joined by Keith Gifford, Senior Global Product Manager at Penn Controls, for an in-depth discussion about the emerging use of A2L refrigerants in the HVACR industry. A2Ls are a new class of refrigerants classified by ASHRAE as mildly flammable and boast a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants. Keith shares his unique perspective, shaped by extensive experience across all ma...
Mar 14, 2025•43 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser, along with the TruTech Tools team, recap their experiences at the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium and AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. They share insights from meeting industry professionals, attending educational sessions, and exploring the latest HVAC tools and technology. The team discusses key highlights, including the impact of Second Chance University, the HVAC Tactical Awards, and the High-Performance Hangout, emphasiz...
Mar 07, 2025•40 min
In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Craig Migliaccio, the creator of AC Service Tech, author, educator, and industry influencer. Craig shares his journey from teaching HVAC in high school to becoming a prolific author and content creator, driven by a passion for making practical, hands-on learning accessible to HVAC professionals and students. With over 60,000 copies sold of his first book and a rapidly growing suite of resources, Craig has made an indeli...
Feb 28, 2025•41 min
In this insightful episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, host Eric Kaiser takes a deep dive into the world of indoor air quality (IAQ) with guest expert John Ellis. With over four decades of experience in HVAC and building science, John shares his wisdom on addressing IAQ challenges effectively. The discussion spans the critical importance of tailoring solutions to individual client needs, the tools and methodologies for assessing indoor air environments, and the interplay between buildi...
Feb 21, 2025•41 min
In this heartfelt episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Manly Arnason, an HVAC business owner from Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Manly shares his journey of transformation—from a challenging past to becoming a dedicated tradesperson with a mission to bring integrity and quality to the HVAC industry. Drawing from his experiences running a small business, Manly opens up about the challenges of implementing proper practices in the trades, the importance of co...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min
In this engaging episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Jason Esteves and Dan Kelly from Seitron Americas. The discussion offers an in-depth look at Seitron’s evolution, its role in the HVAC industry, and the company's dedication to training and customer support. Jason and Dan share their personal journeys, recounting how they started in the industry, their mentorship under the late Ray Biarnes, and their passion for delivering high-quality product...
Feb 07, 2025•37 min
In this engaging episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, host Eric Kaiser is joined by Robert Bean, an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and a renowned expert on indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Together, they explore the intricate relationship between architecture, thermal comfort, and HVAC systems. Robert shares insights from his extensive travels, observations of traditional architecture, and key lessons from his work in designing high-performance buildings. The discussion highlights the...
Jan 31, 2025•45 min
In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser welcomes David Richardson from the National Comfort Institute. David shares his journey from starting as a “gopher” for his father’s HVAC business to becoming a leading advocate and instructor for high-performance HVAC systems. The discussion delves into the evolution of HVAC standards, focusing on the importance of measurements, diagnostics, and craftsmanship in delivering comfort, safety, and energy efficiency. David introduces ...
Jan 24, 2025•44 min
In this insightful episode of Building HVAC Science, co-hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser reconnect with Silas Hoeppner for a follow-up discussion that dives deeper into optimizing comfort and efficiency in existing homes. Silas shares his journey of transitioning from a house-centric approach to an occupant-centric model in his work, detailing the lessons he’s learned and how these shifts have reshaped his philosophy. You can find more details on Silas’ backstory in Episode 193, found here: http...
Jan 17, 2025•46 min
In this milestone episode, Bill Spohn and co-host Eric Kaiser welcome Bryan Orr, the instigat-ORR behind the creation of the Building HVAC Science podcast. They dive deep into the podcast's origin story, reflecting on how Bryan's love for audio and creative expression sparked a wave of content that has deeply impacted the HVAC industry. Bryan shares his journey from audio experimentation as a child to podcasting professionally, highlighting the values of curiosity, passion, and the abundance min...
Jan 10, 2025•43 min
In this powerful episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser bring on a truly inspiring guest, Danny Huffman, founder of Second Chance University. Danny shares the transformative mission behind his organization, which helps individuals transitioning from incarceration, substance abuse, or homelessness rebuild their lives through HVAC training, life skills development, and career preparation. Danny’s passion shines as he recounts his journey, from growing up on ...
Jan 03, 2025•34 min
