Episodes

“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...

“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....

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...

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 a...

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 reli...

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 t...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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: htt...

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...

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...

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser are joined by Ross Trethewey, a mechanical engineer, consultant, and building science advocate who also appears on This Old House. Ross shares his journey from being a fifth-generation plumber to becoming a professional engineer with a passion for high-performance buildings. He discusses the critical interplay between building systems and science, highlighting his work in residential and commercial design through his firm, TE2 ...

In this engaging Building HVAC Science Podcast episode, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Dr. Allison Bailes, a renowned building science expert, to discuss his ongoing home remodeling journey. Allison shares his firsthand experiences of retrofitting a 1960s ranch home in Georgia, uncovering challenges, lessons, and unexpected discoveries along the way. Allison dives deep into the realities of balancing technical expertise with practical decision-making, from asbestos abatement to air se...

In this episode, Bill Spohn reviews the 52 episodes of the Building HVAC Science Podcast. published in 2024. EP# Published Topic Guest(s) 147 1-5-24 Building science hiaku with Shawna Henderson Shawna Henderson 148 1-12-24 Trade Secrets Revealed- Inside Classset, the Platform Building a Blue-Collar Boom with Cooper Newby Cooper Newby 149 1-19-24 More Than Just Fixing Furnaces: Why NCI is the Heartbeat of the HVAC Industry with Dominick Guarino Dom Guarino 150 1-26-24 Filtering...

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric dives into Bill's recent two-week trip to Africa, covering his time in Kenya and Tanzania. The discussion is rich with cultural insights, unique experiences, and lessons in building science. Bill shares his observations of local architecture, sustainability practices, and the warmth of the people he met, all against the backdrop of Africa’s breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. The full video presentation will be available shor...

This episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast features Greg Bokan, Customer Service Manager at TruTech Tools. Greg shares insights from his recent experience (November 13, 2024) attending the IHACI (Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries) trade show in Pasadena. The event attracted a younger crowd, including many students and instructors, offering an opportunity to showcase tools like multimeters and thermal cameras that appeal to HVACR beginners. Greg highlights the importance...

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Silas Hoeppner, a passionate advocate for building performance and HVAC design, to explore his unconventional career journey in the industry. Silas shares his story of starting in his family's insulation business, transitioning through various roles in energy ratings, HVAC consulting, and contracting, and ultimately finding his niche at Modern Heating and Air Conditioning in Iowa. He details the...

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, co-hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser are joined by Eric's father, Mark Kaiser, for a special father-son discussion. Mark shares his experiences with building and improving a unique energy-efficient home in Carlinville, Illinois. His journey began in the late 1970s, when he retrofitted a modest house to reduce energy consumption using insulation, solar energy, and a variety of unconventional methods. Mark talks about his motivation for energy e...