The Beer Can Cold Podcast

The Beer Can Cold Podcast

By JG van Graan and Will MerrittBusinessEntrepreneurshipEducation
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The Beer Can Cold Podcast episodes

  • Freon Freaks and Lyft Weirdos. R454 update

    New Episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast! This week, we sit down with Chris 4th, Vice President of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs at Johnson Controls, to get the inside scoop on the R-454B shortage that’s shaking up the HVAC industry. We dig into: What’s really causing the refrigerant delays What techs and business owners should expect this summer The future of regulatory changes in refrigerants How to prepare and protect your inventory and margins If you’ve been scratching your head over why you can’t get your hands on R-454B—or wondering what’s next—this is the episode for you. #hvaclife #beercancoldpodcast #refrigerantshortage #r454b #hvactech #hvaccontractor #hvacbusiness #johnsoncontrols #hvacindustry #cleanenergy #hvacnews #hvacregulations #hvacpodcast #willmerritt #jgvangraan

    1 hr 3 min
  • "Sellin’ Ain’t Easy (But It Can Be!)"How to Get Top Dollar for Your HVAC Business

    Thinking about selling your HVAC, Plumbing, or Electrical business? In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Patrick and Josh Lange from Business Modification Group — the go-to team for buying and selling trades businesses. We talk about: What your business needs to look like before you list it Common mistakes owners make when preparing to sell What buyers are really looking for How to increase the value of your company Why starting the process early matters Whether you're 5 years out or just kicking around the idea, this episode is a goldmine for any business owner thinking about their exit strategy. #HVACBusiness #PlumbingBusiness #ElectricalContractor #SellYourBusiness #HVACPodcast #BeerCanCold #BusinessExitStrategy #TradesBusiness #BusinessValuation #PatrickLange #BusinessModificationGroup #HVACLife #MergersAndAcquisitions #HomeServices #willmerritt #beercancoldpodcast #jgvangraan

    1 hr 7 min
  • “The Truth About AI in HVAC: Overflow, Culture & What’s Coming Next”

    This week on the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG and Will break down the truth about AI in the HVAC world — what works, what’s hype, and what business owners REALLY need to know.


    We dive into:

    • How AI overflow agents (Podium, BirdEye, etc.) actually behave

    • Why AI won’t fully replace CSRs anytime soon

    • Leadership and culture shifts going into 2026

    • Generative AI search + how it’s changing marketing

    • TikTok HVAC growth and short-form strategy

    • Music nostalgia: LPs, CDs, blues & why everything old is new again

    • Thanksgiving cooking on the Big Green Egg + fried turkey traditions


    If you're an HVAC owner, ops manager, or marketer trying to stay ahead of the curve — this episode delivers real, honest, boots-on-the-ground insight.


    Don’t forget to like, follow & subscribe on TikTok, YouTube, Spotify and everywhere else you get your HVAC fix.


    #HVAC #HVACTech #HVACLife #HVACBusiness #HVACMarketing #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Podium #BirdEye #HomeServices #TradesPodcast #BeerCanColdPodcast #CallCenterLife #ServiceTitan #ContractorLife #Leadership #CompanyCulture #TikTokHVAC

    40 min
  • “PPC for HVAC: What Contractors NEED to Know Before Wasting $$$”

    In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG van Graan (Boer Brothers Heating & Cooling) and Will Merritt (Effective Media Solutions) take a deep dive into pay-per-click (PPC) advertising for HVAC companies.


    Whether you're a startup contractor or running a multi-million dollar service department, this conversation breaks down what works, what wastes money, and what’s changing in the world of digital marketing.


    Topics covered:


    How PPC actually works (Google Ads, LSAs, and Performance Max explained)


    Why “set it and forget it” campaigns drain your budget


    How to choose the right keywords (and avoid expensive bad clicks)


    The hidden power of negative keywords


    How AI is transforming search results and PPC strategy


    Website and landing page MUST-HAVES before running ads


    Community involvement vs. digital ads: what drives real growth?


    Smart budgeting: where to start if you’ve only got $5,000 to spend


    Learn how to make PPC part of a balanced marketing mix—including SEO, social media, community sponsorships, and more. Plus, JG shares how Boer Brothers is using AI texting to manage overflow calls and plan their 2026 growth strategy.


    Bonus shout-outs: Mountain Valley Heating & Cooling, Anderson Heating & Air, Purple Heart Homes, and the power of grassroots brand building.


    Subscribe and follow us for more real-talk HVAC marketing advice:


    Spotify


    Apple Podcasts


    YouTube


    LinkedIn


    Instagram


    Want help building a real marketing strategy? Reach out to Will at Effective Media Solutions.


    #PPCforHVAC #GoogleAds #HVACMarketing #ContractorMarketing #PayPerClick #HVACGrowth #BeerCanColdPodcast #JGVanGraan #BoerBrothers #HVACLife #HVACTech #MarketingTips #HVACContractor #ServiceTitan #GoogleLSA #HVACSales #EffectiveMediaSolutions

    49 min
  • Breathing New Life into HVAC: Todd Smith on Air Quality & HealthWay

    In Episode 20 of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, hosts Will Merritt and JG van Graan sit down with longtime HVAC industry veteran Todd Smith. With 35+ years of experience in distribution, sales, and service, Todd now brings his expertise to the world of indoor air quality (IAQ) with HealthWay.


    We dive deep into:


    Why IAQ is the next big differentiator for HVAC contractors


    The science behind HealthWay’s SuperV and Home Defender filtration systems


    How particle counters prove air quality improvements in real time


    Overcoming technician hesitation and educating customers on clean air solutions


    Opportunities for contractors to stand out in a price-driven HVAC market


    Todd also shares stories from his distribution days, his new perspective on the manufacturer side, and even whether he’s run into Bigfoot in the Virginia mountains 🐾.


    If you’re an HVAC contractor, service manager, or just care about the air you breathe, this episode is packed with insights that can help you grow your business while making homes healthier.


    👉 Learn more about HealthWay: healthway.com


    📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to keep up with future episodes of the Beer Can Cold Podcast!


    Hashtags:

    #BeerCanColdPodcast #HVAC #IndoorAirQuality #HVACTech #HVACContractor #AirQuality #IAQ #HVACBusiness #HealthWay #SuperV #HomeDefender #HVACLife #AirFiltration #CleanAir #HVACPodcast

    58 min
  • Wally Falke’s Legacy… and the World’s Most Persistent Car Thief

    In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Jesse Falke of Wally Falke’s Heating and Cooling—a third-generation HVAC pro keeping California comfortable and cool. We dig into the unique challenges of running heating and air in the Golden State, best practices that have stood the test of time, and what it's like carrying on a family legacy in the trades.


    Oh, and did we mention Jesse's car got stolen three times? Yep—same car, same gal. You can’t make this stuff up.


    Family business wisdom

    HVAC insights from the West Coast

    And a car thief who just couldn’t quit


    Tune in and laugh (and maybe lock your car) with us.

    1 hr 6 min
  • “Women in HVAC and the Hairiest Guest Yet”

    This Week on the Beer Can Cold Podcast: Bigfoot, Celebrity Cameos & Women in HVAC!


    On this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG van Graan and Will Merritt sit down with Jennifer Hall and Erin Watson from Effective Media Solutions — a powerhouse marketing firm that specializes in helping HVAC companies grow.


    We talk marketing strategy, women in the trades, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with being a female leader in the HVAC space. And yes... Bigfoot makes an appearance, along with a surprise celebrity guest you won’t want to miss.


    This episode brings laughs, insights, and inspiration for anyone in the home services world — especially those navigating marketing, leadership, and team building in HVAC.


    👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show with your team.


    🎧 Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube


    Keywords: HVAC marketing, women in HVAC, tradeswomen, HVAC business growth, Effective Media Solutions, HVAC podcast, HVAC branding, HVAC company marketing, home services business, HVAC careers, Beer Can Cold Podcast


    #BeerCanColdPodcast #WomenInHVAC #HVACMarketing #EffectiveMediaSolutions #WillMerritt #JGvanGraan #HomeServicesGrowth #BigfootInHVAC #HVACPodcast

    1 hr 4 min
  • Sheet Metal and Sasquatch: Building the Carolinas One Home at a Time

    In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Matt Walker, owner of Caryl Mechanicals—one of the largest new construction HVAC contractors in the Carolinas. With over 8,000 homes slated for HVAC installation this year alone, Matt shares what it takes to scale at that level while keeping quality and coordination intact.


    We dive into:


    The unique challenges of large-scale residential HVAC


    What the future of new construction HVAC looks like


    How labor shortages, technology, and supply chain impact operations


    Why Bigfoot might just be their next field manager


    It’s a conversation full of insights, laughs, and real talk about what it takes to build a heating and cooling empire from the ground up.


    Keywords: HVAC new construction, HVAC business podcast, residential HVAC, HVAC scalability, HVAC systems, Caryl Mechanicals, construction management, HVAC installation, beer can cold podcast, trades podcast, HVAC Carolina


    Hashtags:

    #beercancoldpodcast #willmerritt #jgvangraan #hvaclife #hvacbusiness #hvacnewconstruction #carylmechanicals #bigfootbuilds

    1 hr
  • “Bigfoot Tracks. Do You? Lead Tracking w/ Michael Cooney”

    In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Michael Cooney, the creator of What Converts — one of the best tools out there for tracking advertising ROI and managing leads. We dive into the world of lead tracking, advertising strategy, and how to make sure you know which marketing dollars are actually working for your business.


    Along the way, we throw in a little Afrikaans for fun (Afrikaans is one of the languages spoken in South Africa 🇿🇦 — host JG van Graan’s home language).


    Whether you run an HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or home services business, or you're just a marketing nerd, this episode will give you some great insights into maximizing your marketing spend.


    Don’t miss it — hit subscribe and follow us for more industry insights, laughs, and behind-the-scenes tips!


    #BeerCanColdPodcast #MichaelCooney #WhatConverts #LeadTracking #AdvertisingROI #HVACMarketing #PlumbingMarketing #HomeServicesMarketing #DigitalMarketing #JGvanGraan #WillMerritt #HVACBusiness #MarketingTips #Afrikaans #SmallBusinessGrowth #MarketingAnalytics

    1 hr 22 min

About The Beer Can Cold Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Beer Can Cold Podcast is a no-nonsense show for HVAC and home-service professionals who want real insight—not fluff. Hosted by industry veterans JG van Graan and Will Merritt, the podcast breaks down operations, marketing, leadership, customer experience, and the hard lessons learned in the field and the office.