Building HVAC Science

DEFINITION of Culture Learned patterns of perception, values, and behaviors, SHARED by a group of people that are dynamic and heterogeneous. (diverse in character or content.) I like having guests on the podcast share their journeys and important lessons learned along the way. We explore these topics and more with Tim Destasio as he explains how he learned what he knows today. From his start in industrial, ending up in residential and now combining building science, Tim shares with us his lessons learned and his perspectives on #betterHVAC Tim is very active on LinkedIn, so follow him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-de-stasio-0618824a/ We spoke of "Corbett's list", well here it is: https://homediagnosis.tv/hvac-installers Look for his HVAC course on Udemy: https://www.udemy.com/user/tim-r-de-stasio/ His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6U4wQe3DPYFFp4kiy_z0w This episode was recorded in August 2023.

We had a great time interviewing the man behind the brand "Love2HVAC". Ty Branaman's passion for all things HVAC education certainly comes through in every conversation and interaction we've had. Ty has a lot of patience (and a small pointer finger thing) that help explain and highlight whatever topic is teaching at the moment. He stresses the use of tools, measurements and your brain to help teach the invisible. He encourages new instructors to "go for it" and be willing to make mistakes, but observant to learn from them. He firmly believes teaching helps you be a better person, a better manager. You will learn more when you teach. (I whole heartedly agree, there!) You will often find Ty on other podcasts, live streams, in conferences and at the HVACR School Symposium. This year he gave a great session on Educating and Training Gen Z https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHs9AD6wRz8 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@love2hvac His website: https://www.love2hvac.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ty.branaman/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/love2hvac Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/love2hvac/?hl=en Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-branaman-cmhe-07604a33/ This episode was recorded in August 2023.

I'm not exactly sure when I got introduced to the concepts of EOS, the Entrepreneurial Operating System. It was likely during my 12 week "crash course" in business with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program or 10kSB (https://www.goldmansachs.com/citizenship/10000-small-businesses/US/ ) – probably one of the 145 people in my National Cohort #6 mentioned it. I read the book Traction by Geno Wickman in 2017 and slowly started integrating the ideas into the way we run TruTech Tools. In the spring of 2022, I re-read it and presented to our leadership team. We decided to go full bore and started the process of adopting EOS company wide in the summer of 2022. On today's podcast I chat with our EOS implementer, Derek Pittak. Derek shares the key components of EOS with us including dissecting issues, following processes and traction, the execution piece. EOS has a lot of quick tidbits you can pick up. However, if this interest you, I suggest you get the book Traction and read it cover to cover or reach out to someone like Derek. Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-pittak-4b2ba86a/ Derek's microsite: https://www.eosworldwide.com/derek-pittak EOS Worldwide: https://www.eosworldwide.com/ This episode was recorded in September 2023.

Josh Teekell, founder of SmartAC.com, discusses how their tech product helps HVAC and plumbing companies increase membership, reduce attrition, and eliminate zero-fee truck rolls. The air conditioning and heating health monitoring platform saves homeowners money with proactive notice of maintenance needs, and includes lifetime warranty, real-time chat with experts, and monthly system health reports.

Meet Robby Schwartz, founder of the BuildTank and the BuildTank Podcast who aims Robby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robby-schwarz-b17b956/ I have been engaged in Applied Building Science, Resiliency and Sustainability, energy efficiency, Codes etc. since the early 1990's. My experience is varied, including several years working as a commercial fisherman in Alaska, traveling the world, working in the construction trades, and then as a consultant with production and custom builders, code jurisdictions, private clients, and the Colorado Energy Office, amongst others. I started BUILDTank, inc. to be a practical building think tank whose mission is to use what we learn by applying building science in the field to affect meaningful change in the construction industry. To chase issues that hold the industry back and generate ideas and innovations that move sustainable building into mainstream building. Podcast details: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/buildtank-buildcast/id1554383191 At BuildTank, a pragmatic building think tank, our mission is to use what we learn applying building science to affect meaningful change in the construction industry. The BUILDCast is the next step. Through conversations, we will learn something new from our guests' story that could be the catalyst to take sustainable buildings to mainstream building. We will concentrate on the "story". No two second intro, instead a deep dive into life experiences that create interesting lives and ultimately move our industry forward. Join me and learn something new from each conversation. This episode was recorded in August 2023.

My guest today, Alex DeGagne', is one of those very interesting people I have met in my travels in the last few years. Alex is CEO & owner of MINOTAIR, a manufacturing company currently based in Gatineau in southwestern, Quebec, Canada. His main product is the Pentacare-V12, a compact, ultra efficient air exchanger that incorporates a HEPA filter, and uses a self-contained heat pump to control ventilation, temperature and humidity in a home. In his words: "Our PentaCare Series is a product using cutting-edge technology to care of 5 things: Heating + Ventilation + Air filtration + Cooling + Dehumidification. HVAC-D It's like 4-machines-in-1: 1- an Active Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilator with the highest SRE efficiency certified by the HVI for best comfort; 2-a Ducted Air Source Heat Pump; 3- a Dehumidifier; 4- a HEPA MERV 15 Medical-Grade Air Filtration device which can help greatly during wildfire smokes episodes." Alex speaks to us about science, especially building science, home construction and indoor air quality as well as the practical aspects of manufacturing and distributing such an innovative product. Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-de-gagne-minotair/ His email: alex.degagne@minotair.com Links mentioned in the podcast: Minotair home page: https://www.minotair.com/home_us/ Ventilation info: https://www.minotair.com/ventilation-2/ Show info: https://www.minotair.com/visitus_us/ Where to buy: https://www.minotair.com/resellers-us/ Pentacare-V12: https://www.minotair.com/minotair-pentacare-v12_us/ Brochure: https://www.minotair.com/wp-content/uploads/MINOTAIR_PENTACARE_V12_BROCHURE_032019_EN_WEBs.pdf Guide and Manual: https://www.minotair.com/wp-content/uploads/MINOTAIR%20-%20PENTACARE-V12%20-%20Manual%20-%20EN%20-%20Rev%20018B.pdf An overview of the ASHRAE 62.2 specification: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/ashrae-standard-622-ventilation-and-acceptable-indoor-air-quality-low-rise Alex's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-de-gagne-minotair/ This episode was recorded in August 2023.

Eric Kaiser and I had the pleasure of interviewing the man, the myth, the legend (and our friend) Jim Bergmann in this episode. As Jim's business has grown, there are a lot of new updates, activities and events happening and coming up soon. Go to the mQ site for more details, especially the resources page: https://measurequick.com/resources/ Some significant quotes and thoughts from the interview: Changing the culture in a company is hard to do; it must start from the top They don't make products like they used to, or is it you that hasn't kept up Manufacturers have refined their designs; installation instructions have serious details that they assume all techs will follow. NEWSFLASH: The measureQuick 2.5 Public Beta is available now with guided workflows! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqSN23giepQ Links mentioned in the interview: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bergmann-2968178/ www.MeasureQuick.com https://measurequick.com/electrification-an-open-letter/ https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/technicalnotes/nist.tn.1848.pdf Podcast with Kevin Hart of Haven: EP111 https://buildinghvacscience.libsyn.com/ep111-putting-the-v-back-in-hvac-and-why-you-should-care-with-kevin-hart-march-2023 UPCOMING podcast (EP136) with Josh Teekell of www.SmartAC.com https://www.heatpumpsummit.org/ This episode was recorded in August 2023.

I've been meeting a lot of interesting people from the tech world in in the last year or so. My new colleague at Duckling, John Hoehn, Shelby Breger at Conduit and most recently, Brent Davidson. Brent has created the first US Heat Pump Summit coming up this November in Berkeley, CA- links below for details. He defines success for the event as the attendees leaving with many new, meaningful connections. It is structured to have a contractor focus so attendees leave with tactical knowledge to begin using immediately. In his words: "Everyone admitted to this conference is on the same team. Whether you got into this work for decarbonizing buildings or a good way to make a living, we all are here with the same goal - sell and successfully install more heat pumps." The event is hosted in association with the Eneref Institute, and will feature expert-led training from a building science based approach, broad knowledge across topics including how heat pumps fit into a customer's home electrification journey, the future of the grid, and more. You should attend if you work primarily in heat pumps or building electrification. This summit's focus includes a few main areas: building science, smart tools, companies making heat pumps and building electrification hardware, software for sales and remote heat load estimation, companies connecting electrification customers with contractors, demand response tech, and HVAC pro's in the field. There's a great list of featured speakers including my pals, Joe Medosch and Eric Kaiser. I'll also be there broadening my network of connections. Head to the website, scroll to the bottom and join the Summit Community for: Discounted tickets Articles on new tech for contractors Invites to Heat Pump Happy Hours Summit updates Link to the Heat Pump Summit: https://www.heatpumpsummit.org/ Brent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentdavidson/ Email: Contact@heatpumpsummit.org Research Institute we mention: www.Eneref.org This episode was recorded in August 2023.

This episode started in 2018. I have had the notion for quite a while (since 2018) of the need for a responsible contractor network or RCN. This came up when my widowed sister that lives many states away was having trouble with her HVAC system in her home. She asked who I might recommend. I had no immediate answer. I created a few basic principles of conduct, process, and integrity for RCN. I even bought a domain and mentioned the idea a few times (at the HVAC School Symposium) and received some decent response. Then I fell into other rabbit holes. Fast forward to 2023 and I came across a list put forth by Corbett Lunsford: https://homediagnosis.tv/hvac-installers "The List is a voluntary, un-vetted directory of HVAC Installers across North America who will trust and follow, or even perform in-house, design calculations (Manual J, S, and D). These companies have self-selected, by affirming the following questions: I understand that the first step in proper HVAC design is a Manual J (or equivalent) load calculation, targeting the 99% hottest and coldest design temperatures the home will be exposed to I understand that in more airtight, insulated, and ventilated homes the load may prove to be between 1000-2500 sq ft per ton of cooling If I follow the software-based design correctly, I understand that it is not my problem if the home is not as airtight as the builder or client told me it would be, and a simple blower door test can prove that any performance issues are the enclosure's fault rather than my HVAC installations" Dang, he did it! Then I scrolled through the list (now 51 strong) and saw someone in Pittsburgh where I live! And that's how this episode all started. Oh, and Mat has a very interesting backstory that I think you will enjoy. Mat Stone Mat@home-mechanix.comwww.Home-Mechanix.com This episode was recorded in August 2023. PS we referred to Episode 21 with Ed Kisiel Super tight houses using standard construction.

"Art and sweat built the tool bag." This statement summarizes my interview with Roger Brouard, the founder of VETO Pro Pac. Roger shares with us the full story of his work life which lead him from a Fine Arts degree in Sculpture to becoming a carpenter and building wooden lobster boats – which is not an easy task, "it's like making a zucchini out of wood." Roger describes frustrations in using various tool boxes and tool bags that became the impetus for him creating the VETO ProPac product line Roger opines on how to become a successful inventor: solve a real problem, have solid conversations, believe in your product, have conviction. "I wanted a name that would convey the quality and durability of our products. Veto is a strong word that means to forbid or to stop something. I wanted our customers to know that our tool bags were built to last and would never let them down. After working as a carpenter for over 25 years, I became fed-up with the various tool-carrying devices available on the market. In my view, they all fell short: from metal or plastic boxes to soft-sided mason bags that hold tools in a horizontal pile up. In these configurations, unnecessary tool hunts result in "D & D" (dig or dump) and challenge your patience as you search for the tool you need. Attempts at improving tool carrying and storing have been made over the years, such as pocketed fabric inserts that fit in and around a 5-gallon bucket. However, the "deep" pockets aren't deep enough, tools stored in the exterior pockets are exposed making transportation and storage awkward, and a pile up of interlocking tools on the inside hint at the handicaps of the other bags. Storing the loaded bucket in your truck requires a clear and secure area, and if not wedged or bungeed, "LFT" (Loose Flying Tools) occurs with sudden stops. It can be a real mess especially if the bucket bottom has become a catch all for left over nails and drywall screws. It is because of this long list of frustrations that I created VETO PRO PAC." Learn more about the company here: https://vetopropac.com/ Veto tool bags are available at a wide variety of wholesalers including: https://trutechtools.com/vetopropac This episode was recorded in August 2023.