"There are people who teach for income, and people who teach for outcome."

"You want to grow an industry, you can't ignore half America."

"Become an unsung hero, mentor someone, and give back to the industry you love."

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill and Eric are joined by Renee Tomlinson and Howard Weiss from ESCO Institute (and HVAC Excellence) to talk about a theme that does not get nearly enough airtime: the "quiet" people in HVAC who shape careers and raise standards without chasing attention. Howard explains ESCO's role in the industry, from accrediting HVAC educational programs and credentialing instructors to administering a huge number of certifications and developing curriculum, all aimed at improving HVAC education overall. Renee adds the bigger why behind the work, pointing to education as the lever that improves lives, strengthens communities, and leaves the trade better than we found it.

The conversation turns into a celebration of "unsung heroes" such as instructors, trainers, mentors, and program leaders who quietly change the trajectory of students, apprentices, and working techs. Howard and Renee share examples of people who built exceptional programs through sheer effort and care, and they frame recognition as something deeper than popularity. It is about honoring outcomes, the ripple effects of mentorship, and the real human impact that happens behind the scenes. They also highlight how the industry is getting younger, how newer instructors blend legacy fundamentals with modern tools, and how podcasts and social platforms can be powerful teaching aids at scale.

The episode closes with a challenge to listeners: become one of the unsung heroes. Thank the people who trained you. Mentor someone coming up behind you. Join an advisory board. Give back because you "get to," not because you have to. Renee also recognizes the behind-the-scenes ESCO team whose daily work keeps training, testing, and education moving forward, and Bill wraps with a promise to share links in the show notes so listeners can connect and learn more. Regarding the National Home Performance Conference:

New Contractor Discount - $825 - HVACSCIENCE

Unique URL for your Show: http://nhpc26.org/building-hvac-sci

Renee's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneemtomlinson/

Howard's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardsweiss/

ESCO Institute: https://www.escogroup.org/

The National HVAC Educators Conference: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVEPCOXJHXNUZ/home/

The 2025 List of Most Influential Instructors: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/163726-25-for-25-most-influential-instructors-named

This episode was recorded in February 2026

"The more you know, the more you're worth and the harder you are to replace."

"Just because you're a great technician doesn't mean you're ready to run a business."

"You can't buy the satisfaction of helping someone you may never meet."

Bill sits down with Rick Diermeyer, better known to many in the trade as the face behind the HVACR Survival YouTube channel. Rick shares the origin story of his channel, which now boasts tens of thousands of subscribers and hundreds of field-based videos. What began as a simple way to document and share service technician experiences evolved into a platform focused on helping others "survive" and succeed in the HVACR trade through practical, experience-driven education.

Rick walks through his professional journey, from early service roles to leadership positions and eventually into highly diversified technical work spanning refrigeration, geothermal, chillers, generators, and more. He reflects on the culture of the company he works for, emphasizing how strong leadership, training, and employee investment create long-term loyalty and performance. The conversation also highlights the realities of business operations, reminding listeners that technical skill alone does not automatically translate into business success.

The discussion expands into content creation, covering how Rick chooses video topics, balances liability concerns, and adapts content based on audience engagement. He also shares how his background as a mobile DJ shaped his communication style, marketing instincts, and comfort with public speaking. The episode closes with advice for both technicians and employers: invest in your skills, build relationships, create value, and recognize that personal growth and trade mastery go hand in hand.

Rick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdirmeyer/

His Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacrsurvival His YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACRSurvival

Regarding the National Home Performance Conference:

This episode was recorded in February 2026

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Episode Quotes: "Airflow isn't good. It's measured."

"Most pushback isn't 'I won't.' It's 'I'm afraid I'll mess it up.'"

"This is a people industry, by people, for people."

JT Stewart joins Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser to talk about how he went from long-term care nursing to HVAC, thanks to a red Chevy Ventura van, a ladder on top, and a "let's go fix some stuff" invitation. Today JT is an HVAC consultant at Slipstream, working with utilities and state programs to build real-world training that goes beyond "heat pumps are hot" and into the building-science fundamentals that actually make systems work.

JT shares what his trainings look like in the wild, from half-day sessions to multi-day workshops, and how he designs them around the human side of HVAC. Homeowners are already uncomfortable when the system breaks, and techs can feel the same pressure when equipment and software change constantly. JT's take is that most resistance isn't stubbornness; it's uncertainty and fear of getting it wrong. He argues that confidence comes from structure: give techs time to learn, reduce guesswork, and use tools and processes that help them make good decisions when support is not available.

The crew also gets into handling skeptical attendees and misinformation. JT's approach is to challenge people respectfully and bring it back to the homeowner, the contractor's long-term reputation, and the reality that this is a people industry. He encourages contractors to lean on manufacturer and distributor training, and he makes a strong case that homeowners also need better education on what questions to ask so "slick sales" do not replace proper design and commissioning. Bottom line: HVAC is getting cooler as a career because the knowledge, community, and training ecosystem are leveling up, and JT hopes that part isn't a fad.

JT's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-t-stewart/

His company: https://slipstreaminc.org/

This episode was recorded in February 2026.

"Listen first, talk last."

"Integrity costs something, you've got to be willing to pay it."

"If I'm going to fail, I'm going to go down fighting."

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill and Eric sit down with Don Gillis, a longtime industry pro with a career spanning roles as an installer and service tech, service manager, outside sales, corporate training, and now building technical training within a smaller nonprofit environment. Don shares the real story behind the resume: high-volume service management, the stress and health toll of living in "two phones to your ears" mode, and the hard decision to finally step away, even when loyalty and integrity made it feel impossible.

A big theme is the power of soft skills, especially listening. Don talks about how learning to listen changed everything: calmer customers, stronger trust, better long-term relationships, and even better outcomes inside a distributor sales role where he turned around a struggling territory by showing up as himself. He digs into what "genuine" actually looks like in the field, why people can smell a script or hidden agenda, and how trust can become so strong that customers insist on "their" technician.

The second major theme is growth through discomfort. Don repeatedly stepped into roles where he felt over his head, then compensated by obsessively preparing: reading, practicing, recording himself, and learning from people with deeper experience. The episode closes with a simple message that ties it all together: integrity and passion cost something, but they are also the multipliers that make careers durable and meaningful.

Don's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dongilliscom/ Don's company: https://hardinet.org/

This episode was recorded in February 2026

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Quotes from the episode:

"If you're not measuring, you're just arguing with opinions."

"The tools got better, but what really changed is the technician mindset."

"We used to diagnose systems one reading at a time. Now we see the whole story live."

Recorded live at 9:00 a.m. on Day 1 of the AHR Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast captures the spirit of the industry in real time. Bill and Eric kick things off reflecting on their decades of AHR attendance, the miles walked, vendors visited, and friendships built along the way. They're joined on the floor by Chris Fabre and Dave Cornette of Hughes Mechanical in Zachary, Louisiana, who share perspectives from the commercial service and construction sides of the trade.

The conversation dives into how contractor learning has evolved, from early podcast forums and Facebook groups to today's hyper-connected social media ecosystem. Chris and Dave talk candidly about being called in to fix improperly installed systems, how that forced growth sharpened their diagnostic skills, and why measurement tools have become indispensable. From airflow testing to wireless probes, they reflect on how modern instrumentation has transformed troubleshooting from guesswork into data-driven decision making.

They also touch on highlights from the HVAC Tactical Awards, industry legends like John Pastorello, and the growing role of apps, workflows, and integrated digital tools in technician performance. The episode wraps with a discussion around contractor accountability, Better HVAC's mission, and how directories and verified credentials can help homeowners find professionals committed to continuous learning, ethical work, and measured results.

Chris' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fabre-2a2b5933/

Their business: http://www.hughesmechanical.net/

This episode was recorded in February 2026.

Pithy quotes

1. "Your product can be great, but if you're hard to work with, nobody's going to buy it."

2. "Take a deep breath, go back to the fundamentals, and ask: what's the biggest value I can add today?"

3. "You're allowed to say, 'I don't know. I'll figure it out for you.' People respect that more than the runaround."

Brad Adcox joined the Building HVAC Science podcast with Bill and Eric and, within minutes, earned the unofficial title "donkey wrangler" after sharing a story about his donkey. The laughs kept coming, including a side quest into hobby-farm life on a 40-acre "family compound" outside Dallas with cows, donkeys, mini horses, and a long-running plan by Brad's dad to eventually acquire a camel. The banter was fun, but it also set the tone for who Brad is: practical, observant, and very people-focused.

Brad's HVAC background runs deep and wide. He grew up around wholesale, started at Winsupply in the warehouse and as a delivery driver, then moved through outside sales and even a stint selling and building Cisco server infrastructure. He eventually joined SUPCO, helped scale territory coverage and rep networks, and was part of launching TradeFox, the influencer-inventor program that surfaced a pile of real-world products, including the magnetic umbrella that Bill notes TruTech sold in big numbers. Brad later spent time at NAVAC teaching fundamentals like pulling a proper vacuum, and today he's in a "free agent" phase, running consultant-style sales and service training for contractors in the DFW area.

The core of Brad's message is fundamentals, especially customer service and relationship transfer. He's worried the industry is headed for a knowledge cliff as experienced wholesalers, reps, and counter people retire without passing down relationships or practical know-how. He also sees a drift toward "parts changers" and automated, text-only customer interactions that reduce real human connection. In his local classes, he pushes techs to slow down just enough to add value: communicate like a neighbor, do a fuller system check while you're already there, explain what you looked at, and offer small, memorable extras. He's also blunt about wholesale basics: greet people when they walk in, be willing to say "I don't know, but I'll find out," and stop hiding behind "that's just Facebook" when customer sentiment is being broadcast publicly.

Brad's: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-adcox-1a070467/

This episode was recorded in January 2026.

"AHR isn't just a product show, it's where you see the future of the trade taking shape in real time."

"Training, technology, and community are finally moving at the same speed."

"Exhausting in the best possible way, that's how you know it was a great show."

Fresh off the floor of AHR Expo 2026 in Las Vegas, the TruTech Tools team jumps on the mic to share firsthand impressions from one of the HVAC industry's biggest gatherings. From Ginny's perspective as a first-time attendee navigating miles of booths and crowds, to seasoned takes from Eric, Sue, Billy, and you, the conversation blends product insights with the human side of the event. AHR once again proved to be equal parts technology showcase, relationship builder, and industry pulse check.

The team highlights standout innovations across tools and test instruments. Knipex impressed with precision German-engineered hand tools, while NAVAC, CPS, and other manufacturers expanded digital manifold and smart probe ecosystems. Uni­weld's move into smart tools, new battery-platform flexibility, and firmware-driven analyzers signaled the continued shift toward connected diagnostics. Thermal imaging advances by testo, high-accuracy electrical measurement from UEi, and training simulators also reinforced how fast field technology is evolving.

Beyond products, the episode underscores the culture of the trade. From Tactical Awards recognition to High-Performance Hangout networking and young entrepreneurs launching companies at 18, the future of HVAC felt energized. The conversation closes with reflections on industry momentum, BetterHVAC's growing traction, and a shared sense that innovation, education, and community are accelerating together.

This episode was recorded in February 2026.

Pithy quotes

1. "We do our job well if the homeowner forgets about us, because the system just works."

2. "The bar is so low in some homes that doing a quality install can genuinely change someone's life."

3. "The best way to learn is crawling in the crawl space behind a great technician and handing them tools."

4. Semi-famous quote that fits our theme "Stay hungry, stay foolish." © Steve Jobs

Shreyas Sudhakar joined the Building HVAC Science podcast to talk about his path from rocket propulsion engineering to building high-quality heat pump installs in California. Bill and Eric found him through his thoughtful LinkedIn posts, and Shreyas shared that a friend's relentless heat-pump evangelism finally pushed him to look deeper. Once he did, the tech clicked. He realized HVAC and rockets share the same core idea: moving energy through systems, and the math is not as far apart as it sounds.

What really pulled him in was the homeowner experience. After talking with homeowners on Nextdoor and Reddit, and even calling contractors for quotes himself, he kept hearing the same frustrations: heat pumps feel expensive, contractor advice is inconsistent, trust is low, and myths like "heat pumps don't work in the cold" still show up, even in mild California climates. Shreyas' view is simple: most homeowners do not care what the equipment is called. They care about comfort, noise, bills, and safety, and the best outcome is when the system is so reliable they barely think about it.

Shreyas now runs Vayu, a lean heat pump installation company operating with vetted subcontractor partners, while his Heat Pumped newsletter and podcast focus on education for homeowners, technicians, and policy folks. Vayu handles the end-to-end process, from load sizing and equipment selection to permits and rebates, while partner shops focus on the craft of installation. His definition of success is not just a happy install day, but a customer still loving the system a decade later, and technicians thriving because the model removes desk work and supports quality work at scale.

Shreyas' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreyassudhakar/

His websites: https://www.vayu.pro/about & https://www.heatpumped.org/

HeatPumped Newsletter sign up: https://www.heatpumped.org/subscribe

Heat Pumped Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/heat-pumped/

This episode was recorded in January 2026

Episode quotes:

"What you put into this, you get out of this in multiples."

"It's not about sales. It's about learning, relationships, and leaving your ego at the door."

"Use AI responsibly, but keep the humans involved. The humans are what keep it honest."

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser, Bill, and the TruTech Tools crew (Billy Spohn, Ginny Hebert, and Josh Crawley) recap their trip to the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium in Ocoee, Florida. Josh and Ginny share first-timer impressions: early-morning booth setup, instant attendee engagement, a surprisingly family-friendly outdoor vibe (kids and dogs everywhere), and the general "people are here to learn, not to get sold to" energy. The group talks about how rare it is to see a community where respect and curiosity are the default.

They also dig into the most memorable moments and crowd magnets: the GRIT Foundation dunk tank fundraiser, Jim Bergmann's talk on using AI responsibly (in conjunction with real measurements), and hands-on booth favorites like the Shaeco fin straightener demo, the RETROTEC"air tracer," and continued interest in specialized tools like the TrueFlow grid and torque screwdrivers. Billy highlights a renewed surge of questions around combustion analyzers and why the industry seems to cycle back to them, while Eric frames it simply: you cannot fix what you cannot see.

To close, everyone answers the question of why the symposium matters, in person or virtually. The consistent theme is relationships, peer learning, and a network that lasts long after the event. Bill caps it with a challenge: what you put into this community, you get back in multiples, and it can genuinely be career-changing.

Symposium link: https://www.hvacrschool.com/events/7th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/

ELK's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/

Josh's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crawley-20b41550/

Ginny's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginny-hebert/

Billy's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-spohn-jr-a06201a3/

Bill's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/

This episode was recorded in January 2026.

Notable quote from the episode: Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler.

In this episode, Eric Kaiser sits down with mechanical engineer Tony Amadio, the founder of True Loads, to talk about what actually makes residential load calculations succeed or fail in the real world. Tony shares how his work is split between builders, architects, project managers, and HVAC contractors, and why the biggest early battle was simply getting people to trust results that pointed to smaller equipment. He explains how he quickly learned from feedback loops in production housing, including what happens when people "over-vent" tiny spaces like closets and bathrooms, accidentally stealing airflow from bedrooms where it matters.

Tony walks through his approach to receiving plans, emphasizing the importance of nailing down the building envelope inputs (windows, insulation, attic conditions) and getting key assumptions in writing. On renovations, he emphasizes that uncertainty is normal, so you lean on photos, field verification, and practical guidance to keep the model honest. They dig into infiltration and leakage, where Tony argues the models are still imperfect even with blower door data, and the real win is setting expectations: the HVAC design works under specific building conditions, and if the building does not match those conditions, performance issues are not automatically "bad calcs."

The conversation closes with a discussion of equipment selection, humidity, and where the industry is headed. Tony makes a clear point: most standard residential systems do not directly control humidity, and the code focuses on temperature performance, not a promised indoor RH target. They also touch on ACCA Manual S updates, oversizing rules for staged equipment, and Tony's upcoming True Loads software, which uses the ASHRAE Heat Balance method to represent modern construction and time-lag effects better, while aiming to require fewer inputs than traditional Manual J workflows.

TrueLoads website: https://1dtrueloads.com/

Tony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-amadio-pe-7360952a/

This episode was recorded in December 2025.

QUOTES from the episode:

"Most building failures aren't mysterious. They're just ignored fundamentals."

"If you demand museum-level humidity, you're no longer building a house. You're building a museum."

"Moisture meters don't solve problems. They show you patterns. The thinking solves the problem."

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser is joined by Kohta Ueno, principal and co-owner of Building Science Corporation, for a wide-ranging discussion on building failures, moisture, HVAC, and the practical realities of diagnosing real-world problems. Kohta shares his unconventional path into building science, from small remodeling jobs and a PBS NOVA episode to decades of forensic investigations alongside Joe Lstiburek, one of the field's most influential voices. The conversation quickly moves from origin stories into what really matters: how buildings fail, why those failures are often predictable, and how much cheaper it is to solve problems on paper than after construction.

A major theme is moisture management, especially in high-performance and multifamily buildings. Kohta explains how seemingly small details, like window sill slope, back dams, airflow settings, and interior air seals, routinely separate durable buildings from expensive failures. He also highlights a growing perfect storm in modern construction: oversized HVAC equipment, high ventilation rates, poor commissioning, and limited dehumidification, particularly in smaller units. The result is mold, humidity complaints, and systems that technically run but fail to control moisture.

The episode closes with a practical look at diagnostic tools and methods. Kohta emphasizes pattern recognition over single-point measurements, combining moisture meters, thermal imaging, pressure diagnostics, and blower door testing to understand how air, heat, and moisture actually move through buildings. He encourages listeners to use freely available Building Science Corporation research and Joe Lstiburek's Building Science Insights as foundational resources, reminding the audience that most building failures are not mysterious. They are repeatable, understandable, and avoidable if the fundamentals are respected.

Kohta's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kohta-ueno-472a4/

Links mentioned in the episode:

Our Current HVAC Mess

Experts discuss problems with residential HVAC systems as a first step toward defining solutions

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/our-current-hvac-mess

Proposed Solutions for Residential HVAC Problems

Experts suggest ways to improve the quality of residential heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment installations

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/proposed-solutions-for-the-residential-hvac-industry

A presentation on my investigations of multifamily humidity problems:

Multifamily Humidity Control Problems: Muggy Mayhem

https://buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/presentation-docs/2021-05-06_nesea_be21_muggy_mayhem_ueno_for_pdf_0.pdf

I have done a presentation on the diagnostic tools I use in my buildings forensic work; here's the slide deck:

NESEA BE19 Tools of the Trade for Building Diagnostics

March 14, 2019

https://www.buildingscience.com/sites/default/files/2019-03-14_nesea_be19_ueno_tools_trade_diagnostics_for_pdf.pdf

2019-03-14_NESEA_BE19_Ueno_Tools_Trade_Diagnostics.pdf

And here's a YouTube video:

Tools of the Trade for Building Diagnostics with Kohta Ueno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCZIJFXDl9Q&t=2978s&ab_channel=TheBSandBeerShow

The complete rundown of Joe Lstiburek's columns:

https://buildingscience.com/document-search?search_title=&search=&field_doc_topics=All&field_doc_document_type=3&items_per_page=10

And some of the research reports we did under Building America:

https://buildingscience.com/document-search?search_title=&search=&field_doc_topics=All&field_doc_document_type=8&items_per_page=10

This episode was recorded in January 2026.