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In this episode of The Heat Pump Podcast, we sit down with Brynn Cooksey—founder of Air Doctors Heating and Cooling, HVAC U, and a longtime leader in whole-home performance. Brynn’s journey takes us from his early days as a tech working alongside his father to running one of the most forward-thinking HVAC businesses in the Midwest.

His secret? Don’t play the price game. Play the diagnostics game.

The Power of Building Science

Brynn explains how embracing building science helped his company escape the “race to the bottom”—the box-swapping, lowest-bid dynamic that plagues much of the industry. Instead, his team leads with comfort, efficiency, and trust—delivering measurable, science-backed improvements that customers can see and feel.

At the heart of his process is in-home diagnostics. Think thermal imaging, pressure tests, and duct sizing analysis—not just glossy proposals. Brynn’s philosophy is simple: let the customer “buy” instead of getting sold. Show them what’s wrong, explain why it matters, and guide them to the best solution.

Lessons from the Field

Brynn also shares insights from a heat pump pilot program in Michigan, built in collaboration with Pearl Edison. From dual fuel designs to system sizing and load calculations, he offers a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to electrify the right way.

Key takeaways include:

• 🔬 Diagnostics build trust. Homeowners can’t “unsee” thermal leaks or undersized ducts.
• 🧠 Customer education wins. Teaching homeowners what’s really going on in their homes leads to higher-quality installs—and less price shopping.
• 🌡️ Dual fuel isn’t a compromise. In cold climates, it’s often the smartest step toward electrification.
• 🚫 Bad installs hurt everyone. Oversized or poorly designed systems can lead to $1,500+ utility bills and shattered trust.

Why It Matters

Brynn isn’t just running a profitable business—he’s helping chart a path for HVAC’s future. As incentives expand and heat pump adoption accelerates, we need more contractors who know how to design and install systems that actually deliver.

Timestamps: 

[02:26] - Brynn’s background: Air Doctors, HVAC U, and Pearl Edison

[05:26] - Using building science to escape the race to the bottom

[09:45] - What Pearl Edison does and how it benefits contractors

[13:43] - Why electrification isn’t always the first step

[16:51] - Dual fuel systems as a practical solution in cold climates

[19:14] - The danger of “Heat Pump Cowboys” and bad installs

[23:56] - Making heat pumps profitable for quality contractors

[35:57] - Final thoughts on solving the trust gap and winning customers

Connect with Brynn Cooksey: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theairdoctor/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surgeonofcomfort/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theairdoctor313/ 
• Article: What we learned running a Home Energy Rebate pilot in Detroit: https://pearledison.substack.com/p/home-energy-rebates 
• Website: https://www.airdoctorshvacservice.com/ 
• Company’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdoctorshvac 
• Company’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airdoctorshvac/ 
• Company’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airdoctorshvac/# 
• Company’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdoctorshvacservice/ 

Follow the Hosts:

• Ed Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716
• Eric Fitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/
• Amply Energy Website: https://www.amply.energy/
• Amply Energy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amply_energy