Building HVAC Science

Bill Spohn
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Exploring the science, people, and practices shaping better buildings. The Building HVAC Science Podcast dives into both the technical and human sides of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and building performance. Hosted by industry veteran Bill Spohn, CEO and co-owner of TruTech Tools, the show reflects Bill's passion for advancing the HVAC craft through practical knowledge, curiosity, and conversation. With more than 250 episodes and counting, the podcast features discussions with contractors, distributors, manufacturers, educators, and thought leaders from across the HVAC and building science communities. Each episode blends field experience with broader industry perspective, helping professionals stay ahead of trends, sharpen their skills, and build stronger businesses. Topics include: New tools, technologies, and field practices Real-world case studies and lessons learned Building performance, comfort, and indoor air quality Industry innovation, workforce development, and the human side of the trades Whether you're a technician in the field, a business owner, a manufacturer, or simply curious about how buildings breathe and perform, Building HVAC Science connects you with the ideas and voices moving the industry forward. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. This show is a production of TruTech Tools®, LTD.

  1. hace 13 h

    EP277 Dirty Little Secret: Why Heat Pumps Need Deep Cleaning with Gabriel Erde-Cohen (June 2026)

    Quotes from the episode: "Heat pumps can't meet their promise if they're not properly maintained." "Vacuuming the filter matters, but it is not the same thing as deep cleaning the system." "If it has a coil and a fan, we can clean it." "Electrification only works as intended when the equipment keeps working as intended." In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill talks with Gabriel Erde-Cohen, founder of We Clean Heat Pumps, about an often-overlooked part of electrification: what happens to heat pumps after installation. Gabriel shares how his Vermont-based business grew from cleaning mini-splits for a family installation company into a specialized maintenance company operating across New England and in markets around the country. His core point is simple: heat pumps cannot deliver on their promise of efficiency, comfort, durability, and healthier indoor air if they are not properly cleaned and maintained. Gabriel explains the difference between basic homeowner filter care and true deep cleaning. His team removes covers, protects the home, uses low-pressure washing, alkaline soap, enzyme treatments, and active condensate-line vacuuming to remove biological buildup, dust, debris, and biofilm from coils, fans, pans, and outdoor units. He is careful to distinguish maintenance from repair, noting that his company refers service issues back to installer partners rather than competing with them. The discussion also covers ducted and ductless systems, PTACs, ERVs, HRVs, outdoor units, heat pump water heaters, and the importance of not simply killing biological material but actually removing it from the building. The conversation broadens into the future of the industry: annual cleaning, monitoring devices, commissioning, efficiency data, installer partnerships, and the potential for maintenance standards or even a trade association. Gabriel argues that annual deep cleaning is usually the right starting point, though real-world conditions can vary widely. He also shares early observations of efficiency improvements after cleaning and emphasizes that better data will be needed to help utilities, manufacturers, and programs recognize heat pump cleaning as part of the larger electrification and indoor air quality picture Email: Gariel@WeCleanHeatPumps.com Website: www.WeCleanHeatPumps.com Installer Page: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-erde-cohen-591146226/   This episode was recorded in June 2026.

    34 min

  2. 26 jun

    EP276 When "Passed Inspection" Isn't Good Enough with Cy Porter (May 2026)

    Quotes from the episode: "Passed inspection is not the same as built correctly." "The best inspectors keep learning, because no one person masters every trade, every code, and every overlap." "Small defects do not stay small when they are hidden behind walls, ceilings, and warranty paperwork." In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn talks with Cy Porter of CYFY Home Inspections, an Arizona-based home inspector known for his blunt, high-energy social media videos that expose defects in new-construction homes. Cy specializes in one-year and two-year warranty inspections, helping homeowners identify issues missed at closing, including gas leaks, broken trusses, shower pan failures, air-sealing problems, roof defects, and code violations. His work sits at the intersection of construction quality, homeowner advocacy, and the sometimes uncomfortable gap between "passed inspection" and "actually built right." Cy explains how Arizona's implied warranty process gives homeowners a path to challenge legitimate construction defects, and how state investigators can issue written directives or citations when builders fail to correct violations. He also explains why patience, proper tool use, and cross-trade humility matter, especially when diagnosing small gas leaks, blower-door failures, and hidden installation mistakes. His stories reveal how small defects can become larger problems with safety, durability, comfort, and performance when no one catches them early. For HVAC, building performance, HERS©, and home inspection professionals, this conversation is a reminder that quality construction requires more than a signed-off checklist. It takes curiosity, documentation, collaboration, and the willingness to be corrected. Cy's approach may ruffle feathers, but his larger message is hard to ignore: homeowners deserve homes that meet the standards they were promised. Cy's website: https://www.cyfyhi.com/   Cy's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cyfyhomeinspections   Affiliate Links: beacons.ai/cyfy Facebook: facebook.com/cyfyhomeinspections TikTok: tiktok.com/@cyfyhomeinspections Instagram: instagram.com/cyfyhomeinspections   This episode was recorded in May 2026.

    27 min

  3. 19 jun

    EP275 The Sound of Better Buildings with Kieren McCord (May 2026)

    Quotes from the episode: "The tighter your envelope, the more attention you have to pay to ventilation and indoor air quality." "The acoustics of the ordinary rarely gets attention." "There's so much good work being done, so much data being collected, and oftentimes it doesn't leave the hard drive." "Noise annoyance may be one of the things people are most passionate about." In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn welcomes Kieren McCord, a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, for a conversation about indoor environmental quality, acoustic comfort, and the often-overlooked benefits of building performance upgrades. Kieren shares her path from music and acoustics to building science, explaining how sound, comfort, air quality, thermal resilience, and human perception intersect in homes. The conversation explores how energy upgrades such as better windows, tighter envelopes, and improved insulation can create benefits beyond lower utility bills. Kieren explains how acoustic performance is measured, why low-frequency sound is difficult to block, how decibel weightings like dBA and dBZ work, and why human response to noise can be highly personal. She also discusses the promise and limitations of smartphone-based sound measurements, including the potential for making acoustic data collection more accessible to HERS© raters and home performance professionals. Kieren also shares details from recent field research on a Chicago window retrofit, in which triple-pane acoustic windows and careful installation resulted in a 35% reduction in whole-home air leakage. While the noise data is still being processed, the study aims to link measurable building improvements to homeowners' perceptions of comfort, quiet, smell, temperature, and overall livability. Her closing message is a call for more shared field data, more collaboration, and a stronger connection between academic research and the practical work being done every day by contractors, raters, and building performance professionals. Kieren's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieren-m/   US DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information; osti.gov   Physical Phone Experiments: https://phyphox.org/       This episode was recorded in May 2026.

    30 min

  4. 12 jun

    EP274 The Heat Pump Summit Is Building More Than Better Systems with Brent Davidson (May 2026)

    Quotes from the episode: "Stop trying to HVAC your way out of bad buildings, and your results will market themselves." "The quality work and word of mouth are real when you're doing building science-backed work with quality staff." "Come with problems you're actively trying to work on and meet others who can help you work on them." In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill welcomes back Brent Davidson of the U.S. Heat Pump Summit for his third appearance. Brent shares what emerged from the first full-scale national Heat Pump Summit held in Massachusetts in November 2025, including the strong appetite among contractors for practical, business-focused heat pump education. The event is designed not as a policy forum or sales-heavy conference, but as a contractor-facing gathering where HVAC and plumbing professionals can learn how to build stronger, more profitable businesses around heat pumps, building science, and quality installation practices. Brent also discusses the launch of The Heat Pump Edge, a twice-weekly newsletter that extends the Summit's mission year-round by profiling successful contractors and sharing practical takeaways that others can apply in their own businesses. The conversation highlights contractors who are growing through training, word of mouth, building science, and better customer outcomes, not just bigger marketing budgets. Brent emphasizes that the best heat pump businesses are often led by people willing to share openly, train deeply, and professionalize the trades from the inside out. The episode closes with a look ahead to the next U.S. Heat Pump Summit, scheduled for September 15–16, 2026, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Brent describes the event as a place for motivated contractors to bring real business challenges, meet peers, learn from successful operators, and connect with exhibitors focused on the future of residential heat pumps. Bill sums it up with a very Pittsburgh-flavored thought: if your business needs help, look for the helpers at the Heat Pump Summit. Link to the Summit and free Tickets offer for contractors (as available): https://www.usheatpumpsummit.com/ Brent'sLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentdavidson/   Brent's email: Brent@USHeeatPumpSummit.com   The newsletter: www.TheTheHeatPumpEdge.com     This episode was recorded in May 2026.

    30 min

  5. 8 jun

    EP273 Think Like an Air Molecule with Dan Stradford (May 2026)

    Quotes from the episode: "Ducts matter. Nobody cares much about them until something goes wrong." "HVAC systems are designed assuming clean, bare sheet metal." "Even a small layer of dust can become a mountain range to an air molecule." "Think like an air molecule." In this episode, Bill speaks with Dan Stradford of Action Duct Cleaning about what really happens inside HVAC duct systems over time and why cleaning can matter more than many people realize. Dan shares how the duct cleaning industry evolved from its "wild west" early days into a more standardized field through NADCA, with better equipment, training, and certification practices. Dan explains that even a thin layer of dust can disrupt airflow, increase turbulence, raise static pressure, and reduce system efficiency. Drawing from NADCA energy studies, he describes how cleaning returns, supplies, fans, coils, and air handlers each contributed measurable performance improvements, including major reductions in fan and compressor energy use. The conversation also covers how HVAC professionals can evaluate duct-cleaning contractors, when homeowners or building owners should consider cleaning, and why ductwork deserves more attention as a hidden yet critical part of indoor air quality, comfort, and system performance. Dan'sLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-stradford-b7509123/ The research paper we reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778824012635 Another research paper on: Effects of HVAC Cleaning on Indoor Air Quality: A Multi-Season Demonstration of Exposure Assessment in Occupied Public School https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2026/34/e3sconf_iaqvec2026_02030.pdf Dan's company: https://actionduct.com/ The video Dan referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkGl7zljqN8 The National Air Duct Cleaners Association: https://nadca.com/ This episode was recorded in May 2026.

    30 min

  6. 29 may

    EP272 Live from NHPC 2026: Where HVAC, Buildings, and People Intersect With Brynn Cooksey from HVAC-U PART 2 (April 2026)

    Quotes from the episode:   "High-performance homes are not about the equipment. They are about the outcomes for the people inside."   "The gap is not in technology. It is in execution and understanding."   "The contractors who win are the ones who connect building science to real human experience."   Recorded live at the 2026 National Home Performance Conference in Columbus, this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast brings together Bill Spohn, Eric Kaiser, and guest Brynn Cooksey for a conversation at the intersection of buildings, HVAC systems, and the people who live in them. This is PART 2, PART 1 was published last week   The discussion opens with a reminder that high-performance homes are not just about equipment or design. They are about outcomes for occupants. Comfort, health, and real-world performance depend on how well systems are installed, commissioned, and understood. The group explores how contractors and practitioners can move beyond simply delivering equipment to truly delivering results.   From the conference floor, the conversation highlights a broader industry shift toward accountability, better data, and a more holistic approach to home performance. The takeaway is clear: the future belongs to professionals who can connect building science, HVAC expertise, and occupant experience into one cohesive offering.   This is a special one with interaction from the participants in the room who asked questions and shared experiences.   Brynn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theairdoctor/ HVAC-U website: https://www.hvactrain.com/ Amply Energy: https://www.amply.energy/ Conuit Tech: https://getconduit.com/ Kwik Model: https://kwikmodel.com/ CoolCalc: https://www.coolcalc.com/ Grit Foundation: https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ The Socratic Method: https://tilt.colostate.edu/the-socratic-method/ CEDA Internships: https://www.weareceda.org/en/internships This episode was recorded in April 2026

    38 min

  7. 22 may

    EP271 Live from NHPC 2026: Where HVAC, Buildings, and People Intersect With Brynn Cooksey from HVAC-U PART 1 (April 2026)

    Quotes from the episode:   "High-performance homes are not about the equipment. They are about the outcomes for the people inside."   "The gap is not in technology. It is in execution and understanding."   "The contractors who win are the ones who connect building science to real human experience."   Recorded live at the 2026 National Home Performance Conference in Columbus, this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast brings together Bill Spohn, Eric Kaiser, and guest Brynn Cooksey for a conversation at the intersection of buildings, HVAC systems, and the people who live in them. This is PART 1, PART 2 will drop next week!   The discussion opens with a reminder that high-performance homes are not just about equipment or design. They are about outcomes for occupants. Comfort, health, and real-world performance depend on how well systems are installed, commissioned, and understood. The group explores how contractors and practitioners can move beyond simply delivering equipment to truly delivering results.   From the conference floor, the conversation highlights a broader industry shift toward accountability, better data, and a more holistic approach to home performance. The takeaway is clear: the future belongs to professionals who can connect building science, HVAC expertise, and occupant experience into one cohesive offering.   This is a special one with interaction from the participants in the room who asked questions and shared experiences.   Brynn's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theairdoctor/ HVAC-U website: https://www.hvactrain.com/ Amply Energy: https://www.amply.energy/ Conuit Tech: https://getconduit.com/ Kwik Model: https://kwikmodel.com/ CoolCalc: https://www.coolcalc.com/ Grit Foundation: https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ The Socratic Method: https://tilt.colostate.edu/the-socratic-method/ CEDA Internships: https://www.weareceda.org/en/internships This episode was recorded in April 2026.

    42 min

  8. 15 may

    EP270 Scaling with Simplicity: EOS, Growth, and the Malco Evolution With Rich Benninghoff (May 2026)

    Quotes from the episode:   "We're not just selling tools anymore — we're building solutions that make the trade pro's life easier."   "EOS gave us the discipline to focus on what really matters when everything is pulling at you."   "(In golf,) you can't hit everything with a driver — great businesses know which tool to use and when."   In this episode, Bill talks with Rich Benninghoff about Malco's evolution into the broader Malco Group and what it means to shift from a product company to a solutions platform. Rich shares how his 30-year journey across different business models shaped his approach to growth, ultimately leading to the strategic alignment and acquisition by Aspen Pumps. The result is a multi-brand platform designed to serve HVACR professionals more holistically, built around the "back of the van" concept — delivering a full suite of tools and solutions that make technicians' lives easier. A major enabler of this growth has been EOS, which Rich credits with bringing clarity, accountability, and alignment across a complex, multi-brand organization. Rather than reinventing systems, the team has stayed true to EOS fundamentals, embedding them into tools like Microsoft Teams to scale effectively. The conversation highlights how discipline, focus, and simplicity are critical when managing rapid expansion without losing operational integrity. Rich also emphasizes the importance of respecting the legacy of acquired brands while enhancing the customer experience through better access, service, and integration. Drawing inspiration from leaders like Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, he reinforces a core principle: do a few things exceptionally well. The episode closes with a reminder that while strategy and systems matter, success ultimately comes down to people — both inside the organization and out in the field.   Rich's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-benninghoff/   The Malco Group website: https://malcogrp.com/   What is EOS: https://www.eosworldwide.com/what-is-eos   This episode was recorded in May 2026.

    29 min
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Exploring the science, people, and practices shaping better buildings. The Building HVAC Science Podcast dives into both the technical and human sides of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and building performance. Hosted by industry veteran Bill Spohn, CEO and co-owner of TruTech Tools, the show reflects Bill's passion for advancing the HVAC craft through practical knowledge, curiosity, and conversation. With more than 250 episodes and counting, the podcast features discussions with contractors, distributors, manufacturers, educators, and thought leaders from across the HVAC and building science communities. Each episode blends field experience with broader industry perspective, helping professionals stay ahead of trends, sharpen their skills, and build stronger businesses. Topics include: New tools, technologies, and field practices Real-world case studies and lessons learned Building performance, comfort, and indoor air quality Industry innovation, workforce development, and the human side of the trades Whether you're a technician in the field, a business owner, a manufacturer, or simply curious about how buildings breathe and perform, Building HVAC Science connects you with the ideas and voices moving the industry forward. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. This show is a production of TruTech Tools®, LTD.

Información

  • Creador
    Bill Spohn
  • Años de actividad
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodios
    277
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2026 TruTechTools, LTD 057074
  • Mostrar sitio web
    Building HVAC Science

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