Building HVAC Science

Quotes from the episode:

"A lot of it is design related." Daniel's reminder that piping material alone does not determine performance.

"It's all about appropriately scaling it. It's not biting off more than you can chew." On how contractors can begin using prefabrication without making a massive investment.

"Even just little incremental improvements like that have really strong downstream effects." Daniel on the impact prefab and modular thinking can have on quality and productivity

What can HVAC professionals learn from plumbing, hydronics, and the growing use of prefabrication?

In this episode, Bill talks with Daniel Worm, CPD, whose career began in carpentry before moving into plumbing design, hydronic systems, and prefabrication. That construction background still shapes how Daniel approaches mechanical systems, not simply as collections of components, but as systems that have to fit into the larger building and construction process.

The conversation starts with PEX piping and an important distinction between installing a material and actually designing a system around it. Pipe sizing, flow velocity, fittings, hot-water delivery time, energy efficiency, and occupant experience all depend heavily on good system design.

Daniel and Bill also explore hydronic heating and cooling, including why low-temperature radiant systems can pair well with heat pumps and why radiant cooling brings another major variable into the picture: dew point and condensation control.

The discussion then shifts toward one of Daniel's current areas of focus, prefabrication and kitting. With skilled labor remaining difficult to find, moving selected assembly work from the field into a controlled shop environment can reduce installation time, improve consistency, reduce missed connections, help manage inventory, and create opportunities for experienced tradespeople who may no longer want to spend every day in the field.

Importantly, contractors do not need a giant fabrication facility to begin. Daniel recommends starting small with repeatable assemblies, learning what works, and scaling gradually.

The broader lesson applies equally well to plumbing and HVAC: stop doing something simply because "we've always done it that way." Understand the math, right-size the system, and look for small process improvements that produce better quality, productivity, and profitability.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-worm-cpd-ab98202b/

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.uponor.com/

This episode was recorded in September 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"A fan's only as good as the ducting that's behind it."

"Condensation is really what we're after when we're talking bathroom fans."

"Design it right, make the right connections and terminations, install it properly using good process."

Ventilation is the "V" in HVAC, but it is often the part of the system that gets the least attention. In this episode, Bill Spohn talks with Bill Meyers of Panasonic about why good ventilation requires more than simply installing a fan and flipping a switch.

Meyers brings roughly 30 years of HVAC experience, beginning with mechanical and electrical technology training and progressing through wholesale distribution, manufacturers' representation, and eventually Panasonic's indoor air quality and ventilation business. He explains how Panasonic helped push the industry toward quieter bathroom ventilation and why quiet operation matters: a fan that annoys occupants, or appears ineffective, is less likely to be used.

The conversation digs into ECM fan technology and selectable airflow settings, as well as the importance of designing duct systems that allow the fan to actually deliver its rated airflow. Even a capable fan can struggle against excessive static pressure created by restrictive ductwork, sharp bends, poor routing, or badly planned terminations.

Bill and Bill then move beyond exhaust ventilation into supply and balanced ventilation. Meyers explains how ERVs bring filtered outdoor air into a home while exhausting stale indoor air, transferring heat and moisture between the two airstreams without mixing them. They discuss applications in both new construction and retrofit projects, along with the growing importance of mechanical ventilation as homes become tighter.

The episode also explores automated bathroom ventilation using condensation and motion sensing. Rather than relying entirely on occupants, properly configured controls can respond to moisture and continue operating until the bathroom dries.

Meyers closes with practical advice that applies well beyond bath fans: locate equipment thoughtfully, minimize duct restrictions, plan terminations before installation, and use quality materials. As Bill summarizes, good performance ultimately comes back to the fundamentals: design it right, connect it right, and install it using a good process.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-meyers-b91170a9/

Website: https://na.panasonic.com/about/businesses/eco-systems

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"What we think is an HVAC problem is more so a building problem."

"My sales have never felt more ethical."

"Rebates are the byproduct of doing a very good design from the front end."

What happens when learning building science changes not only how you design HVAC systems, but how you feel about selling them?

In this episode, Bill talks with Cameron Ferguson, a third-generation HVAC professional working in Colorado's Front Range. Cameron started out running flex duct as a teenager, moved through maintenance and service, and eventually found his way into HVAC sales and system design. Along the way, Manual J, NCI training, BPI Building Science Principles, and a deeper understanding of comfort fundamentally changed his approach to homeowners.

Cameron explains why many apparent HVAC problems are actually building problems, and why his first conversation with a homeowner occurs before he heads to the mechanical room. Instead of immediately talking equipment, he asks about comfort, noise, how the home is used, and what the homeowner actually wants to accomplish.

The conversation gets into airflow and static pressure, duct capacity, load calculations, heat pumps, electrification, mean radiant temperature, and the value of showing homeowners the measurements behind a recommendation. Cameron also shares why better design has made his sales process feel more ethical and, perhaps counterintuitively, improved his ability to close the right customers.

Bill and Cameron also explore the idea of knowing when enough testing is enough, avoiding the temptation to turn every project into a science experiment, and learning to "lose fast" when a homeowner and contractor simply aren't a good fit.

Finally, Cameron explains his "Thermal Stoic" philosophy, how Stoicism and Brazilian jiu-jitsu influence his approach to work, and why he created Who Owns Your HVAC?, a growing database intended to help homeowners understand who actually owns the HVAC companies they're considering.

It's a conversation about becoming a better HVAC professional by looking beyond the box, measuring what matters, and never stopping at what you already know.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thethermalstoic/

Website: www.WhoOwnsYourHVAC.org

The Thermal Stoic Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4zN46LMijRLIQDBAbMvUaC?si=2b8c9de865dc4366

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"Are you still learning, or did you stop learning in your career?"

"I would spend more time chasing the wrong problem in an analog format because I'm not measuring everything."

"Some of your best growth could come from that new employee that you just brought in that's bringing in a different perspective."

Buying new technology is easy. Getting people to actually use it well is another matter.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill talks with Brian Feenie, founder of ShiftLogic, about the gap between adopting technology and successfully implementing it in an HVAC business. Brian brings a broad industry perspective from 30 years spent in contracting, manufacturing, controls, software, sales, and training. Today, much of his work centers on helping contractors implement MeasureQuick® and build the processes and culture needed to make new technology stick.

Brian explains why implementation often fails before the technology ever gets a fair chance. Owners and managers may see the value, but technicians, office staff, and sales teams aren't necessarily aligned around the change. His approach starts with listening to technicians, understanding their concerns, and connecting new processes to something most good technicians already care deeply about: serving the customer well.

The conversation also explores the evolution of MeasureQuick® from a highly technical diagnostic platform into a tool designed to help technicians at different experience levels understand what system data is telling them. Brian discusses how better measurements, guided processes, and clearer interpretation can improve diagnostic confidence while reducing the assumption that comprehensive testing automatically means slower service.

Bill and Brian also dig into the business case for better diagnostics, including callbacks, conversion rates, average tickets, and consistency across an organization. But the conversation ultimately lands somewhere deeper than software or smart tools: culture. If a company's culture doesn't support learning, measurement, transparency, and change, even the best technology can struggle to gain traction.

For owners, managers, and technicians alike, this episode is a reminder that technology doesn't change a company by itself. People do.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-feenie-72a27225/

Website: https://shiftlogicsales.com/

mQ case study with Greg Kula @Sila: https://measurequick.com/case-studies/sila-services/

Brian tests his own house (video): https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brian-feenie-72a27225_hvac-ugcPost-7450727542287773696-staV/

This episode was recorded in September 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"Business doesn't care about your emotions. You just have to solve the problem."

"The person that's best doing the plumbing is usually not the best person selling the plumbing."

"The biggest thing is: know where your shutoff valve is to your home."

What does a modern plumbing company look like, and what can HVAC and building-performance professionals learn from one?

In this episode, Bill talks with Max Hicks, founder of Reliant Plumbing, about Max's path from entering the trades at 16 to building a plumbing service company with roughly 55 trucks across four Texas markets. Max shares lessons from more than two decades in the trade, including residential new construction, commercial work, union experience, and eventually business ownership.

The conversation explores how technology has changed both plumbing and the business of running a service company. Max discusses the importance of CRM data, knowing your numbers, documenting processes, separating sales from installation when appropriate, and building systems that allow a growing company to scale. He also talks candidly about one of the industry's toughest challenges: recruiting and retaining skilled tradespeople.

On the technical side, Bill and Max discuss the evolution of plumbing tools, from modern leak-detection equipment to the widespread adoption of press fittings. Max explains how press technology has changed the skills plumbers need in the field and why his own skepticism about pressed connections faded after years of seeing them perform reliably.

They also venture into heat pump water heaters, homeowner plumbing knowledge, pinhole leaks, and the very different seasonal patterns of plumbing and HVAC. One simple homeowner lesson stands out: know where your main water shutoff is before you need it.

The episode closes where plumbing and HVAC literally meet: the condensate drain. Max explains why HVAC condensate lines can contribute to drain problems and why understanding that crossover can help both trades diagnose problems more effectively.

Website: https://reliantplumbing.com/

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"The HVAC system is just designed to match the rate at which that home is gaining or losing heat." — Spencer Rosen

"It's part of their job…making sure that the piece of equipment they put in the house matches what the house needs." — Russ King

"Don't split hairs when your job is to shave heads." — Connor King, quoting Russ

What if better HVAC design started not with the equipment, but with a clearer picture of the house?

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn talks with Russ King, Connor King, and Spencer Rosen about the evolution of KwikModel, the growing connection between HVAC design and energy modeling, and why making buildings visual can make good design more accessible.

Russ explains why accurate load calculations remain fundamental, especially as homes transition from furnaces to heat pumps. Replacing equipment based on what was there before can perpetuate oversizing or create entirely new problems. Today, tools such as LiDAR scanning and 3D modeling make gathering building geometry dramatically easier than the tape-measure-and-sketch methods of the past.

The conversation also explores the relationship between the building envelope and HVAC. Spencer describes heating and cooling equipment as responding to the rate at which the house gains or loses heat. Change the envelope, and you change what the HVAC system needs to do. That makes load calculations, air leakage, insulation, duct design, and equipment selection parts of the same problem rather than separate disciplines.

For contractors who find all of this intimidating, the message is practical: start somewhere. Partner with a designer to perform load calculations on a few projects, compare the results with your existing rules of thumb, pursue building-science education, and build your knowledge incrementally.

The team also shares where KwikModel is headed. With Coded Energy taking over the EnergyGauge license from the University of Central Florida, development is underway on a cloud-based version of KwikModel that should remove installation barriers and create opportunities for better guidance, training, error checking, and user-driven improvements.

Ultimately, better software isn't just about faster calculations. It's about helping contractors understand the building, make better decisions, and, as Russ puts it, build confidence.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-king-m-e-70342913/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-connor-king-0b6152111/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-rosen/

Website: https://kwikmodel.com/ Contact form: https://kwikmodel.com/contact/

BPI Building Science Principles

https://www.bpi.org/resources/certificates/building-science-principles/

This episode was recorded in September 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"You can't really separate good air quality from good HVAC performance."

"I wouldn't recommend to someone something I wouldn't recommend to my grandma."

"Once you've seen them both, they can't be separated."

What does professional duct cleaning look like when you approach it through the lens of HVAC performance and building science?

In this episode, Bill talks with Zach Ortwine of Southeast Clean Air, a duct-cleaning contractor who has deliberately expanded his understanding beyond cleanliness and indoor air quality into airflow, static pressure, duct leakage, system performance, and building pressure.

Zach describes how his involvement with both NADCA and the National Comfort Institute (NCI) changed the way he evaluates homes. His early work focused primarily on indoor air quality concerns such as particles, odors, filtration, and ventilation. But as he learned more about HVAC performance, he realized that air quality and system performance are difficult to separate.

That realization led him to add tools such as thermal imaging, airflow measurement, static pressure testing, the TrueFlow grid, duct leakage testing, and video inspection to his process. Instead of automatically recommending duct cleaning, Zach now looks for the underlying conditions that may have contributed to the problem in the first place.

The conversation also explores what separates professional duct cleaning from poor-quality work, including NADCA certification, the ACR standard, technician experience, and knowing who will actually perform the work.

After the recording, Zach sent along one more thought that fits the conversation especially well: good collaboration also requires clear boundaries. When duct cleaners and high-performance HVAC contractors work together, both sides should agree in advance on what the duct-cleaning company can handle and when work should be referred back to the HVAC contractor. Zach shares examples from past partnerships where those limits were clearly defined, including how much duct replacement he could perform and when equipment or filtration recommendations were handed back to the HVAC company.

The larger lesson is that collaboration works best when it is built on measurement, trust, communication, and clearly defined roles. Done well, duct cleaners and HVAC contractors can make one another more valuable while giving customers a more complete solution.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyortwine/

Website: https://southeastducts.com/

EP273 with Dan Stradford:

https://www.buildinghvacscience.com/ep273-think-like-an-air-molecule-with-dan-stradford-may-2026/

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"You don't know what you don't know."

"That knowledge outside of energy efficiency is key for anyone working in the built environment."

"If you are engaged and want to keep learning, this is a great space to be in."

Eight years after her first appearance on the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Amanda Hatherly returns in a new role: CEO of the Building Performance Institute (BPI).

Amanda and Bill start by clearing up a common misconception. BPI is not a training organization. It is an ANSI-accredited standards and credentialing organization that brings industry experts together to develop standards and certifications for residential energy efficiency, home performance, weatherization, and healthy housing.

Amanda shares what has changed since taking the helm at BPI, including updating standards and certifications, simplifying technical language, expanding Spanish-language materials, refreshing the website, and making the organization and its staff more visible and approachable.

A major theme of the conversation is the continued convergence of HVAC, building performance, healthy homes, weatherization, and electrification. Amanda argues that understanding the house as a system shouldn't be limited to people working in traditional energy-efficiency programs. HVAC professionals can become much better problem solvers when they understand how mechanical systems interact with air sealing, insulation, moisture, ventilation, and occupant health.

They also explore BPI's Healthy Housing Principles and Building Science Principles programs, workforce development efforts, contractor resources, and the growing opportunity for HVAC and home performance professionals to learn from each other.

Amanda closes with a reminder that the building performance industry remains unusually collaborative and knowledge-rich. For people willing to stay curious, there is always something new to learn.

And one question finally gets answered from Amanda's original 2018 appearance: Is PowerPoint really dead? Apparently not. But terrible PowerPoint probably should be.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hatherly/

Website: https://www.bpi.org/

Contractor and Test Center Locator tool: https://www.bpi.org/pages/locator

https://www.bpi.org/resources/certificates/healthy-housing-principles/

www.BetterHVAC.org

https://www.bpi.org/bpi-news/newsletters/

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"The only way that change is going to occur is if I make it happen."

"What makes a high-performance building? It's just good building sense."

"It really is about: how do we get contractors to be confident in the assemblies?"

Eight years ago, James Childre joined Building HVAC Science (Episode 29) with a somewhat resigned view of change in the construction industry: maybe better building practices would have to wait for a new generation of contractors. Today, his perspective is very different. Instead of waiting for the world to change, James is working to create that change himself.

James, founder of RedPoint Montana, spends his days inspecting, testing, and diagnosing buildings. After more than two decades of seeing the same failures recur, he began looking for ways to advance building science knowledge beyond the small group of professionals already committed to high-performance construction.

That effort began locally with a BS and Beer group in Bozeman and has now grown into the inaugural Cold Climate Conference, to be held October 12–14 at Montana State University. The event focuses on the real challenges of building in Climate Zones 5 through 8, including air sealing, exterior insulation, moisture control, ice dams, ventilation, HVAC distribution, and cold-climate heat pumps. James offers our listeners a 10% discount when using the code HVACBS

But James and Bill dig into something deeper: why do contractors resist practices that building science professionals already know work? James argues that the issue often isn't unwillingness. Changing assemblies, materials, and processes introduces real business and warranty risk. Education therefore needs to do more than explain what works. It needs to give contractors the confidence to actually implement it.

They also question whether calling something "high performance" unintentionally makes good construction sound optional, expensive, or specialized. What if airtightness, durability, proper HVAC design, water management, and commissioning simply became the baseline for good craftsmanship?

Perhaps the most compelling piece of James' vision is the connection to local high school trades programs. Proceeds from the conference will help expose students to building science tools and principles early, potentially putting the next generation of tradespeople on job sites already asking better questions.

The goal isn't another conference. It's lasting change in how buildings are built.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-childre-859a04202/

His business: https://www.redpointmontana.com/ James' first podcast with us: https://www.buildinghvacscience.com/ep29-stop-waiting-on-the-world-to-change-a-conversation-with-james-childre/

Conference Website: https://www.coldclimateconference.com/schedule

This episode was recorded in August 2026.

Quotes from the episode:

"I don't need the house to breathe. I need the people to."

"You can't control a system that's open."

"I would just go make them comfortable. And let them know the added benefit is that they're going to spend less on energy."

What happens when an HVAC contractor fixes the equipment, but the customer still isn't comfortable?

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn talks with Ken Allsion of Insulation Distributors (IDI) about why HVAC contractors are uniquely positioned to recognize—and potentially solve - problems with the building envelope. Ken argues that comfort complaints often blamed on heating and cooling equipment actually begin with uncontrolled air leakage, poorly installed insulation, and mechanical systems operating outside the thermal envelope.

Ken lays out a practical path for HVAC companies interested in adding envelope work without trying to turn every technician into a building scientist. It starts simply: train technicians to recognize obvious problems such as daylight, wind-washed insulation, unsealed attic hatches, and other signs of leakage. From there, contractors can progress to blower-door testing and infrared diagnostics, and eventually tackle more sophisticated envelope improvements.

A recurring theme is that insulation only performs as intended when air movement is controlled. Ken explains why nominal R-value can be misleading, how small areas of poorly performing insulation can dramatically reduce whole-assembly performance, and why he prioritizes air sealing at the top and bottom of the building before worrying about walls.

The conversation also explores an important business opportunity. Ken sees attic insulation removal, air sealing, and blow-back as relatively low-barrier services that complement HVAC work while allowing specialized crews - not highly trained HVAC technicians—to perform the labor.

Most importantly, Ken challenges contractors to rethink what they're really selling. Rather than leading with energy savings, start with what homeowners actually care about: comfort, healthier indoor conditions, and a house that works better. Reduced energy use becomes a valuable consequence of fixing the building—not necessarily the reason for doing it.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-allison-74528a14/

Website link: https://www.idi-insulation.com/industries/hvac

IDI's podcast: https://www.idi-insulation.com/podcast/

IDI's Training Calendar: https://www.idi-insulation.com/training/ The Matt Risinger video Ken mentioned: https://youtu.be/1BcqeQJqp08?si=jVwKLJQcULbcbYbM

Nate Adma's Home Comfort book mentioned: https://trutechtools.com/The-Home-Comfort-Book

The Attic Queen! : https://www.atticqueen.com/

Join their email list using the form at the bottom of every page on their website.

This episode was recorded in August 2026.