Building HVAC Science

Quotes from the Episode: “If it helps one person, then it’s worth its weight in gold.” —Roman “Stop asking ‘What if I fail?’—ask ‘What if I’m amazing at this?’” —Roman “I ran into the fire and rescued my future self.” —Roman (riffing with Bill)   Roman Baugh—third-generation tradesman, educator at Kalos Services, and prolific HVAC content creator—joins Bill and Eric for a lively conversation that starts with mustache banter and lands on the deeper stuff: curiosity, service, parenting, and learning in public. Roman traces his path from riding along on service calls with his dad to getting humbled by his first big VRF job—then running into the fire to master the technology instead of avoiding it. That mindset led him to teaching, factory-level troubleshooting, and community building.   He discusses homeschooling four boys and how nurturing their curiosity reshaped his own teaching style. Roman shares why he makes no-frills videos and answers techs’ questions at all hours: if one person benefits, it’s worth it. The crew dives into oscilloscopes for diagnosing modern communicating systems, the VRF Tech Talk podcast and Facebook group, and technician-born tools like the EEVmate. Threaded through it all is a simple thesis: chase passion over titles, be okay with failing forward, and find (and become) the helpers.   The episode closes with practical encouragement: stop asking, “What if I fail?” and start asking, “What if I’m amazing at this?” Curiosity compounds; the work finds you; the money follows the value you provide.   EEV Mate products: https://trutechtools.com/eevmate   Roman’s podcast, VFR Talk: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zVYrStAhjzRzCn3oEHE6M https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/vrf-tech-talk/id1796450302 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWMzg9BGLvtXJXDO6Yb2BA   Roman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-baugh-311b21b3/   The Three Pillars Video #!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxhqW7quyUs   Kalos Services: https://www.kalosflorida.com/     This episode was recorded in October 2025.  

Stephen Roth—founder of Carmel Software and current owner of Hands Down Software—joins Bill and Eric to trace a multigenerational journey from a 1920s Ohio roofing firm to modern HVAC software that powers everyday field work. Stephen shares how family roots in commercial roofing and energy management shaped his path as a mechanical engineer and coder, eventually leading to Autodesk acquiring his early load-calc assets and, later, to relaunching Carmel with one of the industry’s first mobile HVAC app suites. Today CarmelSoft offers field-friendly tools from PT charts and duct/pipe sizers to an ACCA-approved Manual J (HVAC ResLoad J) iPad app. Stephen also discusses custom projects for Carrier, Mitsubishi, SMACNA, and ASHRAE (including Building EQ), plus the acquisition and revitalization of the ubiquitous Hands Down psychrometric chart software. Looking ahead, he sees AI accelerating data entry, plotting psychrometric processes by prompt, and facilitating web-based collaboration—always in service of the core mission: helping technicians and engineers accurately size systems and design energy-efficient buildings. Notable quotes: “Our mission is to help technicians and engineers easily and accurately design energy-efficient buildings.” — Stephen Roth “The city of Phoenix wouldn’t exist without our industry.” — Stephen Roth     Stephen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbroth/ Camelsoft website: https://carmelsoft.com/ HandsDown website: https://www.handsdownsoftware.com/ Upcoming webinars: https://carmelsoft.com/Carmel-Software-Mobile-Training-Webinars Past recorded webinars: https://carmelsoft.com/Carmel-Software-Video-List Contact form: https://carmelsoft.com/Carmel_Software_ContactUs.aspx   This episode was recorded in September 2025.  

“Use AI to augment people, not replace them.” “Windshield time is 30% of a tech’s day—let’s turn it into sales prep.” “Proposals should translate specs into homeowner value—comfort, savings, and choices.” In this episode, recorded live from the NCI Summit 2025 in Round Rock, TX, Bill and Eric sit down with Winston Chi, co-founder of NOSO Labs, to explore how AI can augment (not replace) HVAC technicians. Winston shares his path from a Google-backed, AI-driven startup in food wholesale to building tools for the trades, inspired by ride-alongs and family ties to hands-on work. His core thesis: most techs aren’t well trained in sales or structured communication, yet that’s precisely what turns field data into homeowner decisions. The goal is to streamline processes and eliminate friction, allowing techs to communicate clearly, follow up reliably, and close deals ethically. NOSO’s mobile-first app tackles three pain points:  (1) windshield time becomes prep time via short audio job briefs (history, likely issues, “don’t forget the maintenance plan” cues);  (2) on-site conversations (or quick self-notes) are recorded and auto-structured into clear summaries and proposals—with visuals instead of math walls—plus rebate and tax credit logic that stays current as programs change; and  (3) follow-ups are auto-scheduled and teed up as texts or calls so opportunities don’t leak.  A service manager dashboard displays follow-up activity, and there are native integrations (e.g., ServiceTitan and Housecall Pro).  Winston also previews their massive manuals brain—~15 million HVAC/water-heater manuals searchable by photo/nameplate—so techs can look up specs fast. Early users span from San Diego to New Jersey; NOSO offers a short trial, then annual contracts. LINKS: Winston Chi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwchi NoSo Labs:https://noso.so/   This episode was recorded in September 2025.  

Some quotes: “When we treat the house as the biggest duct, comfort and performance finally line up.” “Field data becomes financial data the moment a homeowner decides—so it has to be right.” “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” — often attributed to Lord Kelvin Fresh back from the early-September NCI Summit in Austin, Bill and Eric recap three big themes: whole-home thinking, data you can trust, and tools that make better work faster. The “high-performance HVAC” mindset came through in a lively contractor panel moderated by Ben Lipscomb, where folks like Mitch Bailey, Dustin Cole, Ty Branaman, Jeremy Begley, MIcahel Cianfrocco, and others talked about uniting HVAC and building science to solve real problems, improve installs, and reduce callbacks. NCI’s training depth—airflow, combustion, diagnostics—was front and center, and the format (several sessions presented twice) helped attendees catch more of what mattered. Eric highlighted his session on using recorded field data for smarter troubleshooting and clearer homeowner communication, calling out platforms like MeasureQuick to aggregate, analyze, and report. On the show floor, you two dug into standout tools: the Shaeco fin-restoration attachment for oscillating tools (a genuine hail-damage time saver), the EEV-Mate for driving unipolar electronic expansion valves (with a demo Ty Branaman filmed), and Testo’s 860i wireless thermal imager that streams to a phone or tablet—great for homeowner show-and-tell. Startups NOSO Labs (AI for windshield-time prep and voice-note capture) and Thalo Labs (multi-point system sensors) hinted at where the trade is headed. With ~210 attendees and ~20 exhibitors—Fieldpiece, TEC, Daikin, Energy Circle, TSI, Sauermann, and more—the vibe was busy, practical, and optimistic. They also shouted out the Canadian contingent (including Anthony Woo, Contractor of the Year-Small) and noted EOS adoption gains. Bill also notes that BetterHVAC.org sign-ups ticked up to ~250 contractors, and he previewed a heavy fall travel calendar (Nexstar Super Meeting, Women in HVACR, BPA New England, Heat Pump Summit, ASHRAE Buildings XVI, etc.). NCI’s next Summit is slated for September 2026 the Great Smoky Mountains—contractors should keep an eye out. LINKS: Bill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/ Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/ NCI site: https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/ NCI Homeowner site: https://www.myhomecomfort.org/ NCI Summit Site: https://www.gotosummit.com/ The GRIT Foundation: https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ The Joe Groh Foundation: https://www.josephgrohfoundation.org/ Shaeco Coil Straightener: https://trutechtools.com/condenser-coil-connection/ EEV Mate: https://trutechtools.com/eevmate Testo 860i: https://trutechtools.com/testo-860i-wireless-thermal-imaging-camera/ BetterHVAC: www.BetterHVAC.org This episode was recorded in September 2025.  

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Lisa White, Associate Director of PHIUS, to explore the evolving world of passive building. Lisa shares her journey into building science, her role at PHIUS, and how the organization has grown from a niche movement into a force shaping multifamily and affordable housing projects across North America. She explains the core principles of passive building — thermal, air, and solar/radiation control — and how they translate into healthier, more comfortable, and more resilient spaces. Lisa also discusses PHIUS’s training and certification programs, the importance of third-party verification, and how tools like WUFI Passive and PHPP guide design decisions. The conversation touches on the challenges of balancing technical rigor with real-world implementation, the role of embodied carbon in standards development, and how passive building benefits not only owners and occupants, but also the broader environment. Lisa closes with reflections on persistence, growth, and optimism for the future of better buildings.   “The details matter, but it’s the greater goal and intent behind them that truly counts.” — Lisa White   “Passive building isn’t about eliminating systems; it’s about reducing the dependency on them.” — Lisa White   Design Around People, A Good Building Follows” — Robert Bean (quoted by Eric Kaiser)   Lisa shared a follow up thought after recording- her advice to younger self is "don't let perfect be the enemy of good -- while it's easy to get caught up in minor details, it's better to start by doing better and improve on that over time than to be held up by trying to be perfect at the onset.”   As well as-- “never pass up an opportunity to educate yourself or to collaborate with others.” She has learned that the best things come out of collaborative and open-minded conversations.  Lisa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-white-7770226b/ PHIUS Website: www.PHIUS.org The High Performance Staircase: https://www.phius.org/sites/default/files/styles/1308xy/public/2024-05/staircase-to-success_v2_apr2024.png.webp?itok=veFnEiyu       This episode was recorded in August 2025.  

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric and Bill welcome Nathan Orr, Sales Director at Kalos and co-founder of Blue Rabbit. Nathan is candid, reflective, and unfiltered, sharing how his creative process—whether through writing late-night reflections or even experimenting with unconventional podcast settings—helps him process emotion and sharpen perspective. His insights reveal a person who values authenticity and believes in using catharsis constructively, rather than destructively. Nathan also dives into Kalos’ growth story and culture. He attributes much of their success to embracing counter-culture thinking, focusing on training, and never being satisfied with the status quo. Kalos has become known as one of the best places to work because of its emphasis on excellence in the “little things,” respect for tradespeople, and willingness to challenge industry norms. Nathan also shares how HVAC School and other training ventures grew organically from the company’s internal needs to develop people into professionals. The conversation then shifts to Blue Rabbit, a consulting and problem-solving firm Nathan co-founded. He explains its mission: bridging the gap between engineers, tradespeople, and customers to improve project outcomes before mistakes become costly. Along the way, Nathan sprinkles in his signature humor and life lessons—from practical roadside survival tips to reflections on regret, pride, and authenticity. It’s an episode that blends industry insights, cultural philosophy, and personal stories in a way only Nathan could deliver.   Nathan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-orr-b525aa65/ Kalos Florida: https://www.kalosflorida.com/ BlueRabbit Consulting: https://bluerabbitconsult.com/   This episode was recorded in August 2025.  

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome longtime HVAC instructor Michael Uselof, who shares his remarkable journey from answering a humble job ad in 1983 to becoming a passionate educator with the United Association (UA). Michael reflects on the value of learning through hands-on experience, the evolution of HVAC technology, and the crucial role training plays in creating resilient, adaptable tradespeople. Michael shares stories from his early days wiring supermarkets and living above the shop, to teaching thousands of apprentices over two decades. He also dives into the shifting landscape of the HVAC world—from electrification efforts in New York to new refrigerants and the importance of teaching logic, not just facts. The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Michael speaks to the emotional and mental demands of the service trade, encouraging listeners to seek help when needed and sharing the significance of community and ongoing education in staying strong and skilled. We don’t just teach a trade—we teach a career that changes lives." – Michael Useloff "Facts become data, data becomes knowledge, and wisdom is knowing what to fix." "If it doesn’t make you tick, you might want to pick a different field."   Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-useloff-9a980a90/ UANJ: www.UANJ.org UA - national: www.UA.org     This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

On this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser are joined by seasoned tech entrepreneur Selina Tobaccowala, founder of HomeBoost.com, to discuss a new consumer-driven solution that brings energy comfort diagnostics into the modern era. Selina, whose background includes co-founding Evite and serving as President/CTO at SurveyMonkey, now applies her tech and behavioral insights to a space closer to home: energy efficiency and comfort. Selina shares the inspiration behind HomeBoost, a unique platform that empowers homeowners to scan and diagnose thermal and energy issues in their home using a FLIR thermal camera and guided app. The HomeBoost experience pairs smart tools, a mobile app, and AI plus human auditing to generate actionable home energy assessments — all while remaining accessible and affordable for the average homeowner. NEWSFLASH: HomeBoost Pro Launched on Oct 8, 2025! https://www.homeboost.com/pro/ Learn more at this link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/homeboost_homeenergy-buildingperformance-bpi-activity-7381730191758438400-xW19 The conversation dives into product design, user testing, partnerships with utilities and contractors, and the launch of a pro version that streamlines report generation for BPI-certified energy assessors. The team also explores broader themes, including the cultural value of skilled trades and how education models from Europe could inspire new respect and opportunity for trade careers in the U.S. The episode closes with a hopeful vision of HomeBoost expanding nationally and scaling its impact — one home, one assessment, and one contractor at a time. “It’s not about selling energy — it’s about helping people use less of it.” – Selina Tobaccowalla “We had scientific accuracy, but we hadn’t built a product consumers liked — that took iteration.” – Selina “AI won’t replace a tradesperson. That’s why we need to value skilled trades more — like they do in Germany.” – Selina HomeBoost: https://www.homeboost.com/ Selina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinat/   This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

In this engaging episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser chats with Nikki Krueger, National Sales Manager and building science advocate at Santa Fe (a Thermastor brand), often dubbed the “Queen of Dehumidification.” They explore the science and application of dedicated dehumidification in homes and buildings across various climates—especially in today’s increasingly humid and energy-efficient housing stock. Nikki shares insights from her 20+ years in the indoor air quality (IAQ) space, detailing her journey from AprilAire to launching her own consultancy, and ultimately joining Santa Fe. She explains how tighter building envelopes, increased ventilation needs, and changes in HVAC coil design have all contributed to the growing demand for standalone dehumidifiers—especially as homes become more efficient, but less capable of latent load removal. The discussion ranges from dew point awareness and crawlspace strategy to the nuanced interaction between comfort, humidity, and occupant behavior. Nikki emphasizes the importance of diagnostics and whole-house thinking when sizing and applying dehumidifiers. The episode closes with tips on where to find resources (including www.SantaFeProducts.com), and an open invite to meet at training events like the HVACR School Symposium.   Notable Quotes: "If we change one thing in the house, it’s going to change a series of other things." "Relative humidity is like the horoscope of moisture—it’s vague until you understand the temperature context." "Once you live in a home with proper dehumidification, you’ll never go back." The Products: www.SantaFeProducts.com The Person: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkikrueger/ The Symposium: https://www.hvacrschool.com/events/7th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/     This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn welcomes Josh Koplin, co-founder of Eden (https://e-denhomes.com), to talk about how digital tools are reshaping the HVAC sales experience. Josh shares his unique journey from building power plants in Japan—where he was immersed in a heat pump-centric culture—to co-founding Eden, a company aimed at bringing transparency and ease to HVAC sales through technology. Eden offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for HVAC contractors that acts as a 24/7 digital salesperson. It allows homeowners to get instant, customized equipment quotes based on a simplified online load calculation, local weather data, and rebate matching. Contractors retain full pricing control, and the tool is deployed on their websites, helping them capture highly qualified leads. Josh and Bill explore broader trends in consumer behavior, including how 80% of purchasing decisions are made before contacting a salesperson. They also discuss the rapid emergence of AI-driven search and its implications for contractor visibility online. The conversation closes with Josh’s advice on how contractors can embrace the digital shift and stay competitive by offering the kind of online experience today’s homeowners expect. “It's like a digital salesperson that never sleeps.” – Josh Koplin “Consumers are doing the research with or without you—why not be part of their process from the beginning?” – Josh Koplin “If it’s useful to a human, it’s useful to AI—that’s the content that will get found.” – Josh Koplin Eden Home: https://www.e-denhomes.com/ Josh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-koplin-57654230/       This episode was recorded in July 2025.