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In this episode of The Heat Pump Podcast, Amply co-founder Ed Smith talks with Brent Davidson, founder of the US Heat Pump Summit. Brent’s journey from building climate-tech software to starting one of the most compelling HVAC events in the country is a case study in how community, business strategy, and technical know-how can come together to drive real change.

And the Summit? It’s not just another trade show. It’s two days of contractor-focused training, business insights, and peer-to-peer learning—all built around the future of HVAC.

What you’ll learn

• Why Brent Davidson started a contractor-first summit—and how it grew
• How heat pump conversations differ from solar, and why that matters
• What makes a good installation—and why business structure is key
• How community and peer learning can drive quality at scale
• What to expect from the next Summit in Worcester, MA

What Makes the US Heat Pump Summit Different? 

Brent’s focus is simple: put the right people in the room and spark the right conversation. That means:

• Business and technical content side by side
• Contractor-first agenda—not just utility program talk
• Peer-driven roundtables, not just sales booths
• National trends + regional relevance (hello, cold climate heat pumps)

It’s the only event where the people in the room actually want to talk about Manual J, coefficients of performance, electric strip backups vs. supplemental dehumidification, and customer acquisition in the same breath.

Why This Matters

Heat pumps are gaining ground—but success doesn’t come from equipment alone. It comes from design, training, and business models that reward quality. That’s what the Summit is about.

And Brent? He’s not trying to run yet another conference. He’s trying to help build an industry.

Timestamps 

[00:00] - Introduction

[03:13] - Brent’s background and his career.

[05:11] - Importance of community and storytelling in climate work

[08:01] - Lessons from past events and expectations for the Worcester event.

[14:51] - What does a good heat pump installation look like?

[21:06] - Why were heat pumps chosen as the starting point for the US Electric Home Summit?

[23:26] - Heat pumps prioritized for energy savings, design complexity, and contractor demand.

[27:48] - Recommended resources for learning about building science, electrification, heat pumps, and HVAC

Connect with Brent Davidson: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentdavidson/ 
• Website: https://www.usheatpumpsummit.com/ 
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-heat-pump-summit/ 

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/