Building HVAC Science

Let me take you back to a time, long, long ago, when Jim Bergmann did not understand everything in HVAC. Listen in as we delve into the story of Jim Bergmann and how the communities of HVAC, and more recently building science, helped to encourage and challenge Jim to become the HVAC guru that we know today. From his self-described times of annoying the crap out of Bill Spohn, to his overlapping experiences as a contractor, educator, product specialist, TruTech Tools founder, iManifold designer, and mQ master…Jim has had, no he has created, a unique career ladder to find his reason for being. We get into a couple of mQ topics including the new guided workflows (coming shortly) to the topic of data quality and data integrity that drove the need for paid tests. Here is a cool quote from this Episode: "Don't service the mistakes you sell." We finish up with some forward-looking advice Jim gives to contractors and equipment and tool manufacturers. Links mentioned in the podcast: mQ website https://www.MeasureQuick.com Jim's Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bergmann-2968178/ The Building Science Boogie Band: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkwlJZKQY0aFU6nmE5BL6Xw Waffles Twitter account: https://twitter.com/mqwaffles This episode was recorded in July 2023.

Connect and support: a kind and noble mission that can span all elements of humanity. Connect in one way to understand. Connect in a second way to bring information streams together. Conduit Tech is developing a means of rapidly connecting technical information to help HVAC contractors excel - what a cool basis for the name of a new company! In this episode, I am joined by Shelby Breger cofounder of Conduit Tech who explains the motivations and synergies that brought she and Marisa Reddy together to form a company that is creating a technology solution to save time on load calculations. The software uses LIDR enabled iPhone and iPads to collect spatial details that are rapidly turned into a load calculation (think 15 minutes to a load calc for 2400 sq ft). The speed and accuracy should impress customers with targeted comfort and sizing insights, 3D models, and detailed project planning. They are in the early stages of product launch (a paid beta) with 50 users. Links mentioned in the podcast: Conduit Tech's website https://getconduit.com/ Shelby's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-ann-breger/ Mariss's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisareddy/ Shelby's email: Shelby@getconduit.com This episode was recorded in July 2023.

A simple episode where Eric Kaiser (ELK) and Bill Spohn (OverKill Bill) riff on TruTech's business philosophies: Core Values, Purpose and Niche and what kind of actions we take to put these words into action in the world. Also what we feel it means to be a good steward to the industry. OH and cheer on #HVACLIFE team in the Maine 70.3 Ironman on July 30, 2023 featuring Chris Hughes (TEC-13.2 miles running), Chad Simpson (Simpson Salute – 56 miles bicycling) and our own Eric Kaiser – 1.2 miles swimming). https://www.ironman.com/im703-maine Links mentioned in the podcast: Alabama Power training center: https://www.alabamapower.com/business/business-customers-and-services/hvac/hvac-training.html RESNET 2023 Proposals: https://www.resnet.us/wp-content/uploads/RESNET_Session-Topics_TOC_06-27.pdf RESNET 2023 Session Voting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YQ0ezGAXFrmdwdaRht8K1Ga9YdGZQ7OhP9yWQDoxMGU/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1 RESNET Conference: https://www.resnet.us/conference-2023/ Magazine article on Building Science Summer Camp: https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/insulation/highlights-from-building-science-summer-camp_o Article on the 2022 United Association Event: https://www.pmmag.com/articles/104405-ua-builds-toward-the-future-with-68th-annual-instructor-training-program TEC Train the Trainer Event: https://energyconservatory.com/september-2023-hvac-system-performance-train-the-trainer/ HPC New England: https://building-performance.org/events/regional/new-england/ This episode was recorded in July 2023.

This episode should be helpful to business owners. However, anyone working IN a business should find it interesting to know more about one of the topics on the mind of many business owners: business succession planning. After walking the walk of leading a $100M family-owned business through their transition, Laurie is now a guide to business owners providing a structured process to plan successful transitions of their companies. Laurie hosts a podcast, Succession Stories (link below), has written a book: The Business Transition Handbook (link below) and is an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. I have both been a guest on her podcast and read her book. Laurie has a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience and easily understood way of speaking and teaching on a topic so near and dear to her heart. Laurie's links: Website: https://smalldotbig.com/ Podcast: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/succession-stories-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrCRoEBQhh-SP1BDwnhMZA/videos The Business Transition Handbook: https://a.co/d/6HEY3Ap Email: lbarkman@smalldotbig.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ This episode was recorded in June 2023.

Bryan Uhler calls himself a naturally observant builder. This personal characteristic has served him well as understands the residential construction market with some keen observations. Join as Bryan explains how he came to learn about building science, later building it into all projects. Also, hear about how he found this podcast by mistake! Here's cool description from of his brother's YouTube that shows these traits run in the family: The purpose of this channel is promote knowledge and education in construction. Here in the US, many of us don't have any formal training or education in construction, but we learn through experience. My goal with this page is to promote learning and to that end I will show what I've learned over the years. I want to be very clear, what I show here is just a starting point. I am not claiming the tricks and methods I use are the best way to do any one thing, but rather are the end result of 20+ years of refinement with many more years to go. What I hope is that you as the reader/viewer will have an open mind and be willing to share your suggestions. Let's all view ourselves as learners first, teachers second. Then all of us will progress together. Bryan's links: Website: https://pioneerbuildersonline.com/ Contact: https://pioneerbuildersonline.com/contact/ Bryan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/pioneerbuildersinc His brother's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDg_Mo6aJAOEnlGI4iilQw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-uhler-48537577/ This episode was recorded in June 2023.

Listen in as Bill chats with… himself! Again! He shares some recent, personal and business encounters and discussions that left an impression on him. We hope you find them interesting. This episode was recorded in June 2023.

Trevor Matthews shares with us his fascinating life story: from the moment he shifted his life interests from travel and surfing into the trades and as it led to forming the Refrigeration Mentor a training, education and mentorship program for the refrigeration trade. Some notable thoughts from this episode: "You can get a handle on anything with your mindset." "Be prepared to pay the price in time and effort to get what you want." "Important small experiences you have become your own." "You need to put in the reps: reading and studying to reach your goal." "Stay Focused. Don't drift." Trevor's links: Website: www.refrigerationmentor.com Contact: https://refrigerationmentor.com/contact-us/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RefrigerationMentor Trevor's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejmatthews/ This episode was recorded in June 2023.

The 349 common connections Eric Kaiser and I share in LinkedIn speak a lot to the common perspectives we share. Yet, it's in the differences, in the weeds, where the conversation gets interesting. Please welcome Eric Kaiser as TruTech Tool's new Industry Engagement manager. And new co-host of this podcast. We call Eric the ELK, his initials, to differentiate him from my Co-Owner, Eric Preston. Let's get to know him a little better in this episode. Eric's links: Email: EKaiser@TruTechTools.com Eric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/grapevinetv/ YouTube video on Entering the trades: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqsSiT5dnRk The National Comfort Institute www.NCIhvac.com HVAC School Symposium: https://hvacrschool.com/events/4th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/ The Energy Vanguard blog: Allison Bailes: www.energyvanguard.com Building Science Corp seminars: https://buildingscience.com/upcoming-events-and-training This episode was recorded in June 2023.

Jeremy's been studying the details for many years. Details like: Building and energy codes are becoming more and more stringent. Green building programs are driving more and more high-end construction. Products and construction techniques are rapidly evolving. He's also paid attention to what is sorely needed and missing. That's why he's helped to define the full HVAC use-case: requirements, performance, technology, architectural integrity, installation, and maintenance. Listen in as Jeremy give clues and hints on how we can all do better in HVAC design. Jeremy's business: https://www.hvacdesignpartners.com/ Jeremy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdbegley/ Links to the "order of Operations for Heat Pumps" blog posts https://information.insulationinstitute.org/blog/order-of-operations-matters-with-heat-pumps https://information.insulationinstitute.org/blog/its-the-order-of-operations-with-heat-pumps-part-2 A couple of Jeremy's favorite resources: The National Comfort Institute www.NCIhvac.com The Energy Vanguard blog: Allison Bailes: www.energyvanguard.com Bryan Orr's HVAC School: www.HVACRSchool.com The Comfort Institute: www.comfortinstitute.org/ ACCA: https://www.acca.org/certification This episode was recorded in May 2023.

Zac Reed, Product manager at Aeroseal, joins us today to share the technology, history and applications for Aeroseal products. Aeroseal was developed in Dr. Mark Modera's California garage in 1993. For the first time ever, it was possible to seal leaks and holes in air ducts from the inside out. Up until that time, the only way to seal ductwork was messy, labor intensive, and not an option for most homeowners. The simplest explanation for the Aeroseal process is fix-a-flat for homes: both ducts and the home structure. Aeroseal's mission is to help homeowners retain their "expensive air": which delivers comfort, healthy air, and substantial energy savings. Contractor's interested in getting trained and becoming Aeroseal dealers can learn more about this and the products at www.Aeroseal.com Learn more on Aeroseal's YouTube channel: YouTube Zac's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zac-reed-060a46225/ This episode was recorded in May 2023.