In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie chats with John Zimmerman, Founder & CEO of Harvest Integrated, to kick off a two-part conversation about the unique challenges of HVAC systems in the cannabis industry. John, who has a strong background in data center cooling, brings valuable expertise to the table, now applied to creating optimal environments for indoor grow operations. At Harvest Integrated, John and his team provide “climate as a service,” helping cannabis growers with reliable and efficient HVAC systems, tailored to their specific needs.

The discussion in part one focuses on the complexities of maintaining the perfect environment for plant growth. John explains how HVAC requirements for grow rooms are similar to those in data centers but with added challenges, like the high humidity produced by the plants. He walks Gary through the different stages of plant growth, including vegetative, flowering, and drying, and how each requires specific adjustments to temperature and humidity control. He also highlights the importance of redundancy in these systems to prevent costly downtime and potential crop loss.

John shares how Harvest Integrated’s business model offers a comprehensive service to growers, from designing and installing systems to maintaining and repairing them over time. The company’s unique approach ensures that growers have the support they need without the typical issues of system failures and lack of proper service. Tune in for part one of this insightful conversation, and stay tuned for the second part where John talks about the real-world applications and challenges in the cannabis HVAC space.

Expect to Learn:

• The unique HVAC challenges of cannabis grow rooms and how they differ from other industries.
• Why humidity control is key in maintaining a healthy environment for plants.
• How each stage of plant growth requires specific temperature and humidity adjustments.
• Why redundancy in HVAC systems is critical to prevent costly downtime.
• How Harvest Integrated’s "climate as a service" model supports growers with ongoing system management.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Introduction to John Zimmerman and Harvest Integrated

[03:35] - HVAC Challenges in Cannabis Grow Rooms

[04:09] - Comparing Grow Room HVAC to Data Centers

[05:32] - The Importance of Humidity Control in Growing Plants

[08:33] - The Role of Redundancy in HVAC Systems

[11:37] - Different Stages of Plant Growth and HVAC Needs

[16:57] - How Harvest Integrated’s "Climate as a Service" Model Works

[19:17] - The Process of Designing and Maintaining Grow Room HVAC Systems

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Master: https://www.master.ca/

Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/

SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/

Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/

property.com: https://mccreadie.property.com 

Follow the Guest John Zimmerman on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-zimmerman-p-e-3161216/

Harvest Integrated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvestintegrated/ 

Follow the Host:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/