The Heat Pump Podcast

What does it actually take to transform a regional HVAC market — not just by offering heat pump rebates, but by building the workforce, contractor ecosystem, policies, and consumer demand needed to make heat pumps mainstream? In this episode, hosts Ed Smith and Eric Fitz sit down with Robert Spotts and Clay McCombe of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) to unpack Power Ahead Colorado, an ambitious $200 million EPA-funded program focused on accelerating heat pump adoption across the Denver region. 

The conversation explores the realities behind market transformation: Colorado's cheap natural gas, cold winters, contractor skepticism, complicated rebate programs, permitting and licensing barriers, and the need for high-quality installations. Robert and Clay also explain how they're working directly with contractors and local governments to remove friction and build a market that can ultimately thrive without depending on rebates.  

Expect to Learn

• Why DRCOG received $200 million in federal funding and how Power Ahead Colorado is approaching heat pump market transformation.
• How Colorado's cold climate and inexpensive natural gas affect the economics of electrification — and where weatherization, specialized electric rates, and dual-fuel systems fit in.
• Why some HVAC contractors have historically resisted heat pump and rebate programs, from skepticism about cold-climate performance to administrative burdens and slow rebate payments.
• How Power Ahead Colorado is addressing installation quality, contractor licensing, rebate stacking, permitting, and contractor support without making participation unnecessarily difficult.
• Why workforce development and local building policy could prove just as important as rebates in creating a sustainable heat pump market.

Timestamps

[00:00] - Episode Teaser

[03:02] - Meet Robert Spotts and Clay McCombe

[05:42] - How a $200 Million Heat Pump Program Came Together

[12:26] - What “Market Transformation” Actually Means

[14:12] - Making Heat Pumps Work Economically in Colorado

[18:08] - Dual-Fuel vs. All-Electric Systems

[21:34] - Why Contractors Get Frustrated With Rebate Programs

[24:48] - How Contractor Attitudes Toward Heat Pumps Are Changing

[28:25] - Balancing Installation Quality With Contractor Friction

[34:56] - Building a Better Contractor Marketplace

[39:53] - What Success Looks Like by 2029

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Denver contractors — join us November 5.

Power Ahead Colorado is sponsoring a one-day Amply training at the Edgewater Civic Center in Edgewater, CO. 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, taught by Amply co-founders Ed Smith and Eric Fitz.

Ed covers how to build a full-stack marketing and sales funnel that makes you stand out as a high-performance heat pump contractor. Eric covers Manual J, Manual S, and designing a system that won't come back to haunt you — then walks the entire Amply workflow with an iPad in your hands.

You'll leave with a year of Amply and a new 11" iPad Pro.

$4,000 at registration, reimbursed in full by Power Ahead Colorado after you attend, as long as you're registered with the Colorado Contractor Hub. Net cost: $0.

50 seats, maximum 2 per company. Registration closes October 14.

Register: https://hubs.ly/Q04yd3Bs0

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Follow the Guests:

• Robert Spotts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-spotts-b8b06776/
• Clay McCombe:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/claymccombe/
• Website (Company): https://poweraheadcolorado.org/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/power-ahead-colorado/home/
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/people/Power-Ahead-Colorado/61585441558934/
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/poweraheadcolorado

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

Running a successful HVAC business takes far more than technical expertise. As companies grow, owners often find themselves buried in paperwork, invoicing, rebates, permits, warranties, and back-office operations that consume 20+ hours every week. In this episode, hosts Ed Smith and Eric Fitz sit down with Furman Haynes, Co-Founder and CEO of WorkHero, to discuss why administration — not installation — is often the biggest barrier to growth for small HVAC businesses.

The conversation explores how AI, automation, and experienced office management can help contractors reclaim their time, improve customer experience, and build systems that allow their businesses to scale without sacrificing quality or family life.

Furman Haynes is the Co-Founder and CEO of WorkHero, an AI-powered back-office operations platform built specifically for small HVAC contractors. After spending years visiting contractors, riding along on service calls, and learning firsthand how small businesses operate, Furman and his team built WorkHero to eliminate administrative bottlenecks through a combination of experienced HVAC office managers and AI-driven automation. 

Expect to Learn

• Why administrative work is often the biggest growth bottleneck for HVAC companies.
• The surprising truth about how tech-savvy today's HVAC contractors really are.
• How AI can automate permits, rebates, warranties, invoicing, and other back-office tasks.
• Why strong office systems and SOPs determine whether a business scales or stalls.
• Furman's perspective on private equity, industry consolidation, and keeping HVAC businesses local.

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction

[02:07] – Meet Furman Haynes and the mission behind WorkHero

[04:02] – What Furman learned from spending years alongside HVAC contractors

[08:22] – The 20-hour admin problem and why most contractors hit a growth ceiling

[11:26] – Why systems, price books, and job closeout processes matter

[15:37] – Common misconceptions about HVAC business owners and technology adoption

[17:43] – Private equity, industry consolidation, and keeping HVAC local

[21:53] – Why traditional field service software still leaves major gaps

[26:45] – Inside WorkHero: combining AI with experienced HVAC office managers

[37:18] – Where AI genuinely delivers value today and where the hype exceeds reality

[40:33] – Advice for contractors overwhelmed by paperwork and trying to do everything themselves

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Interested in learning more about Furman’s approach to helping HVAC companies grow? Visit https://lab.workhero.pro/hvac-admin to see how their administrative support can help independent HVAC contractors overcome the operational bottlenecks that hold their businesses back.

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Follow Farman Haynes:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/
• Website (Company): https://www.workhero.pro/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/people/WorkHero/61562122449748/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
• YouTube (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@workheropro

Industry Pulse Report: https://www.workhero.pro/blog/report

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/

In a crowded HVAC market, differentiation doesn’t necessarily come from adding more trucks, spending more on advertising, or racing through more sales calls. For Derek Aarstad, owner of DNA Heating and Cooling in Richmond, Virginia, it has come from doing almost the opposite: staying intentionally small, testing before guessing, and building a customer experience around evidence and education. 

Five years into the business, Derek is the only technician his customers see. His approach centers on measuring airflow, static pressure, duct leakage, and overall system performance before recommending solutions. After attending his first National Comfort Institute Summit, Derek realized there was a name for the work he had already been doing: high-performance HVAC. That realization helped him sharpen DNA’s positioning and communicate why his company operates differently. In this episode, Derek joins Ed Smith to unpack how that philosophy translates into a real HVAC business — from setting boundaries around free estimates and educating homeowners with simple visual evidence, to building a website that actually reflects his personality and generating business without paid advertising. 

The results challenge the idea that a testing-first approach has to come at the expense of growth. Derek says DNA has blown past its installation goals this year, while Reddit and word-of-mouth increasingly bring in homeowners who already understand why they want to work with him.  

Expect to Learn

• How Derek discovered his identity as a high performance HVAC contractor and used it to better position DNA Heating and Cooling.
• How testing before guessing helps Derek differentiate his business while making complex HVAC measurements easy for homeowners to understand.
• How pulling a random floor register helps Derek quickly show homeowners problems with airflow, installation quality, and ductwork.
• Why Reddit has become DNA Heating and Cooling’s biggest source of business and why those customers often arrive informed and ready to trust Derek.
• Why Derek chooses to keep DNA Heating and Cooling intentionally small while still exceeding the installation goals he set for the year.

Timestamps

[00:00] - Episode Teaser

[04:12] - Intentionally Small: The DNA Heating and Cooling Model

[07:04] - From the Trades to HVAC Business Ownership

[30:49] - Finding the Right Customers and Building a Brand That Feels Like Derek

[37:23] - “I Am a High-Performance HVAC Contractor”

[41:13] - Making Testing-First HVAC Work Economically

[45:55] - Pull a Register: The 30-Second Move That Changes the Conversation

[48:01] - Why Reddit Became DNA’s Biggest Lead Source

[49:09] - The Real Reward of Building DNA

[52:10] - Closing Thoughts: Building a Business That Feels Like You

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US Heat Pump Summit

Sign up for the US Heat Pump Summit. Join us on September 15–16 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and connect with contractors, manufacturers, and industry leaders shaping the future of HVAC. Register at www.usheatpumpsummit.com and use code AMPLY to save on your ticket. 

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Sign up for our training Be the Only Fish in Your Pond: High Performance Sales for High Performance HVAC Contractors. It’s October 22nd at 3pm eastern. In this session, you'll discover the proven sales process top HVAC contractors use to win on trust, value, and expertise, instead of price. https://info.amply.energy/be-the-only-fish-in-your-pond 

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Follow Derek Aarstad:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-aarstad-91a328247/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.aarstad/
• Website (Company): https://dnarva.com/

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

Bill Spohn is the owner and CEO of TruTech Tools, the host of the Building HVAC Science podcast, and one of the most respected entrepreneurs in HVAC. He's also a board member and advisor for Amply — and someone we've admired for a very long time.

Taking TruTech Tools to the brink of a sale. Bill went most of the way through the process — an investment banker, a 50-page confidential information memorandum, a teaser sent to 1,500 firms, a list narrowed to four, full due diligence, a closing date on the calendar. Then, weeks from close, the buyer changed the terms. Bill waited 24 hours and called it off.

He walks through what he learned: the difference between financial and strategic buyers, why he kept his team in the dark until due diligence forced the issue, and what it actually cost him. 

EOS — the Entrepreneurial Operating System. Bill is the reason Ed read Traction cover to cover. He traces the whole arc: finding the idea of a two-page business plan in 2015, sitting on it for two years, and eventually bringing in an implementer for a full two-year rollout. He explains GWC — gets it, wants it, has the capacity to do it — and how TruTech uses it to hire, evaluate, and coach.

Expect to Learn

• Why measurement and building science are the foundation of better HVAC work.
• How Bill designed and now lives in a high-performance, net-zero electric home.
• Lessons learned from almost selling TruTech Tools—and why he ultimately chose a family succession plan.
• How EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) helped create stronger leadership and company culture.

Timestamps

[00:00] – Teaser

[03:41] – Introducing Bill Spohn

[08:41] – Bill's engineering background and career journey

[11:35] – Discovering building science and the path toward electrification

[17:00] – Living inside a net-zero home and lessons learned

[23:37] – Heat pump design, commissioning mistakes, and why proper installation matters

[27:51] – The inside story of almost selling TruTech Tools

[42:18] – How EOS transformed TruTech Tools' leadership, culture, and operations

[49:27] – Building strong teams through core values and the GWC hiring framework

[55:25] – Better HVAC: creating a community dedicated to continuous learning and better craftsmanship

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National Comfort Institute High Performance HVAC Summit

We're proud to partner with the National Comfort Institute for the High Performance HVAC Summit, taking place September 1–3 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. If you're serious about improving your technical expertise and growing your business, this is an event you won't want to miss. Register at www.gotosummit.com and save with code AMPLY2026. 

US Heat Pump Summit

Building a successful heat pump business starts with learning from the best. Join us at the US Heat Pump Summit on September 15–16 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and connect with contractors, manufacturers, and industry leaders shaping the future of HVAC. Register at www.usheatpumpsummit.com and use code AMPLY to save on your ticket. 

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Follow Bill Spohn:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/
• Website (Company): https://trutechtools.com/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/trutech-tools-ltd/ 
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/TruTechTools
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/trutechtools

Join The Better HVAC Alliance:

• Website: https://betterhvac.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterhvac/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/betterhvac

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

National Comfort Institute High Performance HVAC Summit

We're proud to partner with the National Comfort Institute for the High Performance HVAC Summit, taking place September 1–3 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. If you're serious about improving your technical expertise and growing your business, this is an event you won't want to miss. Register at www.gotosummit.com and save with code AMPLY2026. 

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US Heat Pump Summit

Building a successful heat pump business starts with learning from the best. Join us at the US Heat Pump Summit on September 15–16 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and connect with contractors, manufacturers, and industry leaders shaping the future of HVAC. Register at www.usheatpumpsummit.com and use code AMPLY to save on your ticket. 

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As heat pump adoption accelerates across North America, contractors have an unprecedented opportunity to grow their businesses — but success depends on more than simply replacing HVAC equipment. In this episode, Ed Smith sits down with Brynn Cooksey, founder of Air Doctors Heating and Cooling and HVAC U, to discuss why building science is the missing piece of successful heat pump installations.

Brynn shares how his company transformed into a heat pump-focused business, expanded into multiple states, and why proper design, ductwork evaluation, and homeowner education are essential to delivering outstanding results. They also preview the upcoming U.S. Heat Pump Summit, where Brynn will deliver the keynote and present his session, Navigating the Heat Pump Jungle.

Expect to Learn

• Why poor installation — not heat pump technology — is responsible for many failed projects.
• How building science transforms heat pump performance and customer satisfaction.
• The business strategies that helped Air Doctors become a nearly 100% heat pump company.
• What contractors can expect from the U.S. Heat Pump Summit and why it's different from traditional HVAC conferences.
• How proper system design, duct evaluation, and customer education create better comfort, lower energy bills, and business growth.

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction

[03:09] – Meet Brynn Cooksey

[05:34] – Why the U.S. Heat Pump Summit Matters

[08:02] – Navigating the Heat Pump Jungle

[09:17] – Growing a Multi-State Heat Pump Business

[12:23] – Who Should Attend the Summit?

[14:30] – Why Brynn Accepted the Keynote Invitation

[17:08] – Why Contractors Should Make the Trip

[19:08] – Closing Remarks

Follow Brynn Cooksey:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theairdoctor/
• Website (Company): https://www.airdoctorshvacservice.com/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdoctorshvacservice/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-ubuildingscientists/

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/

If you're looking for a better way to size and design HVAC systems, Amply can help. Book a demo with me and I'll walk you through it, or watch a demo online at your own pace. Explore our pricing and get started today. The links are below. 

• Book a demo with Ed: https://www.amply.energy/talk-to-sales
• Watch the demo online: https://www.amply.energy/watch-a-demo
• View Pricing & Buy Now: https://www.amply.energy/pricing

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Thinking about using Amply? Before booking a demo, this episode answers the 13 questions contractors ask most often. Ed Smith, co-founder of Amply, explains who the software is built for, what makes it different from traditional Manual J tools, pricing, onboarding, hardware requirements, Manual S support, duct design workflows, offline functionality, integrations, and more. 

The goal is to eliminate common questions ahead of time so demo conversations can focus on how contractors can use Amply to improve system design, build homeowner trust, and win more profitable jobs. If you're looking to differentiate your HVAC business through better design, measurement, and homeowner trust — not lower prices — this episode will help you decide whether Amply is the right fit.

Expect to Learn

• Why Amply was created and who it's designed for
• What makes Amply different from traditional Manual J software
• Pricing, onboarding, and hardware requirements
• How Amply handles Manual J, Manual S, and duct design workflows
• Whether Amply integrates with existing HVAC software and works offline

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction

[01:31] – Why does Amply exist?

[03:47] - Question 1: Who Is Amply For?

[04:39] - Question 2: What Makes Amply Different?

[05:25] - Question 3: Is Amply Only for Heat Pumps?

[05:58] - Question 4: What iPad Do I Need?

[06:35] - Question 5: What Does Amply Cost?

[07:44] - Question 6: What Does Onboarding Look Like?

[08:45] - Question 7: Will My Manual J Be Accepted by Utilities, Cities, and Rebate Programs?

[09:13] - Question 8: Does Amply Do Manual S?

[09:46] - Question 9: What About Manual D Duct Design?

[10:31] - Question 10: Does Amply Integrate with My Field Service Software?

[11:11] - Question 11: Does Amply Work Without an Internet Connection?

[11:14] - Question 12: Can I Use Amply for Commercial Projects?

[11:46] - Question 13: How Do I Sign Up?

[12:15] - Closing 

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/

National Comfort Institute High Performance HVAC Summit

We're proud to partner with the National Comfort Institute for the High Performance HVAC Summit, taking place September 1–3 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. If you're serious about improving your technical expertise and growing your business, this is an event you won't want to miss. Register at www.gotosummit.com and save with code AMPLY2026. 

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US Heat Pump Summit

Building a successful heat pump business starts with learning from the best. Join us at the US Heat Pump Summit on September 15–16 in Worcester, Massachusetts, and connect with contractors, manufacturers, and industry leaders shaping the future of HVAC. Register at www.usheatpumpsummit.com and use code AMPLY to save on your ticket. 

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Support the Podcast

If this episode brought you value, the best way to support the podcast is simple: subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, and write a review. It helps more HVAC professionals discover the show and keeps these conversations going.

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The transition to electrification is accelerating, and heat pumps are at the center of that change. But while technology and policy often dominate the conversation, Panama Bartholomy argues that the real success of building decarbonization depends on one group: HVAC contractors. 

As Founder and Executive Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC), Panama discusses why contractors are now the critical link between policy, manufacturers, and homeowners. He explains how incentives, consumer education, contractor training, and smarter policy can make heat pump adoption easier, more profitable, and ultimately more affordable for everyone. 

The conversation also explores the future of natural gas infrastructure, rising energy costs, and why preparing for the electrification transition today is essential for HVAC businesses.

Expect to Learn

• Why HVAC contractors are the most important players in the heat pump transition
• The biggest barriers preventing contractors from selling more heat pumps—and how to overcome them
• How the Building Decarbonization Coalition is helping contractors grow profitable electrification businesses
• Why natural gas is becoming increasingly expensive despite lower fuel usage
• The policy and market trends shaping the future of HVAC across the United States

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction

[03:35] – Introducing Panama Bartholomy and the Building Decarbonization Coalition

[04:16] – BDC's mission: accelerating heat pump adoption through collaboration

[06:22] – Panama's journey into energy policy and building decarbonization

[10:17] – How the Building Decarbonization Coalition was founded

[14:49] – The three pillars of BDC: policy, market transformation, and consumer education

[24:37] – The biggest challenges contractors face when adopting heat pumps

[30:39] – Why sales training is often the missing piece

[33:17] – Why contractors are the linchpin of the heat pump transition

[38:25] – The future of natural gas infrastructure and what's next for electrification

[50:25] – Where contractors can access BDC resources and stay informed

[52:01] – Final thoughts and closing remarks

Follow Panama Bartholomy:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/panamabartholomy/
• Website (Company): https://buildingdecarb.org/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildingdecarb/
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/buildingdecarb
• Bluesky (Company): https://bsky.app/profile/buildingdecarb.org

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/

If you're an HVAC contractor interested in growing your expertise in heat pumps, be sure to check out the High Performance HVAC Summit this September in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We've been given access to free conference tickets exclusively for our audience. Head to www.usheatpumpsummit.com/exclusive, and complete the short application. If approved, you'll receive a unique code that lets you claim up to two complimentary tickets to the full two-day conference for your company. Availability is limited, so don't wait to apply. Visit the link to apply today. We hope to see you there.

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Jay Stahlberg started Baystate Energy Services with almost no money, no business degree, and only a few years of HVAC experience — but an obsession with learning and a willingness to outwork everyone around him. In this episode, Jay shares how he built a fast-growing heat pump company from the ground up using social media, networking, building science, and relentless hustle, while navigating startup chaos, scaling challenges, and the realities of modern HVAC entrepreneurship.

Expect to Learn

• How Jay built an HVAC company from the ground up with minimal startup capital
• Why branding, social media, and LinkedIn can be powerful tools for contractors
• The importance of building science and treating every home like a unique puzzle
• Lessons learned from scaling too quickly and “biting off more than you can chew”
• How continuing education, networking, and software tools can accelerate business growth

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction

[03:17] – Introducing Jay Stahlberg

[04:17] – Jay’s journey into HVAC and heat pumps

[09:56] – Marketing, branding, and LinkedIn success stories

[15:36] – Why the company is called Baystate Energy Services

[17:58] – Building the business from scratch

[26:32] – Understanding Mass Save and home performance contractors

[28:40] – The vision for the showroom and future growth

[31:12] – The hunger for knowledge and professional development

[35:10] – The next phase: systems, service, and scaling

[39:21] – Advice for new contractors and entrepreneurs

[45:11] – What Jay hopes comes next

Follow Jason Stahlberg :

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-stahlberg-a4b5072b5/
• Website (Company): https://www.baystateenergyservices.com/
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/BaystateEnergyServices
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/baystate_energy_services/
• YouTube (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@BaystateEnergyServices
• X (Company): https://x.com/Call_Baystate
• TikTok (Company): https://www.tiktok.com/@baystate_energy_services

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/

Ready to design heat pump systems that really work? Grab our free manual S cold-climate heat pump selection tool.

👉 https://bit.ly/heatpump-manual-s-free-tool

If you’re enjoying the Heat Pump Podcast and getting value from conversations like this one, please take a few seconds to leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

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What separates an average HVAC installation from a truly high-performing system? In this episode, David Richardson joins the Heat Pump Podcast to explore the principles behind high-performance HVAC. The conversation covers everything from airflow and static pressure to building science, duct system performance, heat pump design, and homeowner communication. 

David Richardson is Vice President of Training at the National Comfort Institute (NCI) and one of the most respected educators in the HVAC industry. With decades of field experience, David has helped thousands of contractors improve system performance through measurement, testing, and verification.

Expect to Learn:

• The equipment is not the system. David's central argument: the box is just one component. The system is what each contractor custom-manufactures on site with the ducts, airflow, and workmanship around it. Same equipment, two installs, two completely different results.
• The average system delivers about 57% of its capacity into the space where people actually live — not at the equipment, in the room. High-performance work can push that to ~88%. The 88% isn't better equipment; it's attention to detail.
• Duct location is the biggest lever. After that, duct leakage. David is blunt that leakage inside the conditioned space still counts — if the air isn't reaching the farthest room, those are BTUs you didn't deliver.
• Heat pumps cut your temperature rise roughly in half. An old furnace might run a 60-degree rise; a heat pump replacing it may run half that or less. Duct losses you got away with behind a furnace start eating real capacity behind a heat pump.
• Pressure and airflow can both check out while the system still underperforms. Temperature is the measurement that catches it — always verify delivered BTUs, not just readings at the equipment.
• Don't drown the homeowner in data. When people don't understand what you're telling them, they panic and grab the one thing they do understand: price. Great work loses to the cheap bid because of communication, not competence.

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction to the Episode

[01:57] – David Richardson's HVAC Journey

[07:42] – Leaving the Family Business for NCI

[10:39] – What Does "High-Performance HVAC" Really Mean?

[16:07] – The 57% Problem

[20:05] – The PATH Framework

[26:27] – Why Contractors Skip the Fundamentals

[28:57] – Data Discernment vs. Data Drowning

[33:23] – Applying High-Performance Principles to Heat Pumps

[41:12] – Having Difficult Sizing Conversations

[46:43] – Solving the Mystery of the Dusty House

[52:23] – Ductless Heat Pumps and High-Performance Contracting

[58:05] – Where to Learn More

Follow David Richardson:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-richardson-41502112/
• Website (Company): https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-comfort-institute/
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/NationalComfortInstitute
• X (Company): https://x.com/team_nci
• YouTube (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@NationalComfortInstituteIncNCI

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/

Ready to design heat pump systems that really work? Grab our free manual S cold-climate heat pump selection tool - the same systematic approach that helps contractors get sizing right the first time.

👉 https://bit.ly/heatpump-manual-s-free-tool

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Heat pumps fail homes for one reason more than any other: someone guessed instead of measured. In this episode, Amply co-founder and co-CEO Eric Fitz shares his complete heat pump sizing playbook in a talk recorded at the Building Performance Association's annual conference in Columbus.

Eric is a mechanical engineer and a self-described Manual J nerd, and he takes you through the whole chain of system design: how Manual J defines what the home needs, why duct capacity is its own separate check that can make or break a retrofit, and how Manual S picks the right equipment. Along the way he shares the quick field tricks that remove the guesswork — the ten-second flashlight test for low-E glass, the $3 tool for checking wall insulation, and why a thicker filter actually fixes high static pressure.

You'll also hear plenty of audience Q&A from the room.

Expect to Learn

• Why accurate Manual J load calculations are the foundation of successful heat pump system design.
• How infiltration, windows, insulation, and duct leakage dramatically affect heating and cooling loads.
• Methods for measuring duct capacity and identifying airflow restrictions before equipment selection.
• How to interpret heat pump performance data, including capacity, COP, latent cooling, and airflow requirements.
• The tradeoffs between oversized and undersized systems, and how proper sizing improves comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality.

Timestamps

[00:00:00] - Episode Teaser

[00:04:06] - Heat Pump Design Fundamentals and the ACCA Design Process

[00:07:27] - Understanding Load Drivers: Temperature, Windows, and Infiltration

[00:14:02] - Window Performance, Low-E Glass, and Shading Effects

[00:20:11] - Verifying Insulation and Building Envelope Conditions

[00:26:26] - Duct Leakage, Static Pressure, and Measuring Airflow

[00:44:48] - Heat Pump Performance Data Explained

[00:52:57] - Manual S Sizing Rules and Heat Pump Selection

[01:11:07] - Balancing Comfort, Efficiency, Auxiliary Heat, and Real-World Constraints

[01:17:05] - There Is No Perfect Heat Pump: Making the Best Choice

[01:19:37] - Closing Remarks

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/