Building HVAC Science

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.

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.

Quotes from the episode: "Great equipment doesn't build a reputation. Great technicians do." "Use AI like a tool, not a crutch. The work still belongs to the person in the attic." "We're missing mentorship across generations, and that gap is costing the trades more than we realize." In this episode, Bill sits down with Rhydon Atzenhoffer, host of the HVAC R&D Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond tools and equipment. Rhydon shares how his show evolved from casual, relationship-driven conversations during COVID into a platform focused on learning, perspective, and the advancement of the trades. At the core of it all is a simple idea: HVAC is a people business first. The discussion digs into real points of tension in the industry, from the disconnect between engineers and field technicians to the way regulation is now driving much of the innovation cycle. Rhydon offers a candid take: great equipment is only as good as the people who install and service it, and too often those voices are underrepresented. He also highlights the growing role of AI and structured knowledge systems, not as replacements for technicians, but as tools to sharpen skills and preserve best practices. The episode closes with a strong call to action for contractors and business owners alike. Rhydon emphasizes collaboration over competition, investing in people, and rebuilding mentorship pipelines that once defined the trades. It's a forward-looking conversation grounded in experience, with a clear message: the future of HVAC depends on how well we develop people, not just products. Rhydon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasrhydonatzenhoffer/ His podcast website: https://www.hvacrnd.com/ Grit Foundation: https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ Quinn AI training, with your company's materials: https://meetquinn.ai/ This episode was recorded in April 2026.

Quotes from the episode: "If you're building something new, it has to be better in almost every way or it won't catch on." "The stuff that's bad inside your home doesn't filter out, you have to move it out." "We stopped over-modeling and just started testing in the real world as fast as possible." This episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast features Austin Riesenberger, founder of Swerv Air, a young entrepreneur tackling a surprisingly overlooked problem: how to bring fresh air into homes without sacrificing comfort, energy efficiency, or simplicity. Drawing from his background in HVAC engineering, physics, and personal struggles with asthma and poor indoor air quality, Austin set out to rethink ventilation from first principles. Swerv's solution is a compact, window-mounted fresh air system that filters incoming air while recovering heat and moisture through a regenerative cycling core. Unlike traditional ERVs that are bulky and contractor-installed, this unit is designed for easy, consumer-level installation with strong performance. The conversation dives into the technical trade-offs, including airflow, efficiency, noise, and form factor, as well as the importance of real-world testing over theoretical modeling in product development. Beyond the product itself, the episode highlights Austin's startup journey. From rapid prototyping and supply chain challenges to early beta deployments across multiple climates, the discussion offers insight into how modern hardware companies iterate quickly and build demand. It wraps with a call for beta testers and collaborators, positioning Swerv as a potential bridge between consumer IAQ needs and traditional HVAC solutions. Austin's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-riesenberger-73502a1b6/ Swerv website: https://swervair.com/ Beta Tester SignUp: https://swervair.com/#beta This episode was recorded in April 2026.

Quotes from the episode: "It's a solution to a problem people don't even know they have." "Compliance is no longer just paperwork. It's becoming part of how smart contractors protect margin and keep access to refrigerant." "What GPS did for traffic, shared HVAC documentation could do for equipment history, refrigerant tracking, and accountability." In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, Bill Spohn talks with Adam Dykstra of FM Hero about a part of the HVAC industry that often gets overlooked until it becomes a serious problem: refrigerant compliance, documentation, and tracking. Adam explains how FM Hero was built to help technicians, contractors, equipment owners, manufacturers, and eventually wholesalers manage the growing web of regulations tied to refrigerants, including Section 608, the AIM Act, and a patchwork of state-level rules. What sounds at first like a compliance tool turns out to be something bigger: a shared documentation platform that follows equipment, cylinders, and service history across the whole ecosystem. Adam introduces the idea of the "Heroverse," a connected data environment where technicians can scan a unit nameplate, log service actions, track refrigerant movement, and build a portable service history over the course of their careers. Contractors gain visibility into field activity, equipment owners gain documentation they may now be legally required to have, and even manufacturers can see anonymized service history on their equipment in the field. The system is designed to fit real technician workflow rather than add paperwork, and the technician version is free to use. The big takeaway is that refrigerant tracking is no longer just a back-office nuisance or an abstract EPA concern. With lower charge thresholds, more aggressive state rules, and likely future refrigerant supply constraints, documentation and recovery practices are becoming both a compliance issue and a business opportunity. Adam makes the case that contractors who get ahead of this can protect customers, strengthen retention, and even create a new profit center, all while helping reduce waste and preserve refrigerant supply for the future. Adam's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-dykstra/ FM Hero website: https://www.fmhero.com/FM Hero resource CenterL https://www.fmhero.com/resource-center/ Android app:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fmhero.mobile&hl=en iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fmhero/id1570918942 This episode was recorded in March 2026.