Building HVAC Science

In March 2022, I was invited to be a guest on the Conscious Builder Show with Casey Grey. I guess all the conversations I have been having about my modular NetZero house had reached north of the border to Ottawa, the capital city of Canada, where Casey is based. Casey's podcast with me is available here: EP181: https://theconsciousbuilder.libsyn.com/181-indoor-air-quality-and-net-zero-custom-build-with-bill-spohn_the-conscious-builder-show_05-05-2022 With a 10-minute video excerpt of the podcast interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXyN3adkY0 We had such a great conversation, I wanted to pick his brain, hence this podcast! We talk about some of the differences in the Canadian market, as well as how he runs his business (great advice here!!) and the Conscious Builder Academy. Some Knuggets (knowledge nuggets) that emerge include: Don't believe everything you think – there can be better ways Avoid tunnel vision Website: https://www.theconsciousbuilder.com/casey-grey.html#/ Email: casey@theconsciousbuilder.com This episode was recorded in May 2022.

I came to know of Ellis Prach back in the late 1990's through his traveling classes when I was design engineering manager at Bacharach. Later in 2000, when I was with Testo, I contacted him as we had just started to market a new visual inspection scope, based on plastic fiber optics. You see, I have been obsessed for years with trying to solve the problem of more thorough inspections of heat exchangers and who better to talk to than the Heat Exchanger Expert! His first reaction was, well, less than warm to the concept. However, our relationship blossomed into a true friendship as our families got to know each other. In the last few years, Ellis has handed over the reins of his HVAC and Heat Exchanger Class businesses to his very capable sons, Chris and Russell. Listen is as we discuss the important processes they use for their customers including the discussions around this important phrases: NO GUESSING We try to make the equipment last longer than us. The #1 cause of heat exchanger failure. The class reveals all in the book. Website to learn more or buy their book: https://www.heatexchangerexperts.com/ Book is also available at TruTech Tools: https://www.trutechtools.com/HXBOOK Contact form to find about classes: https://www.heatexchangerexperts.com/contact-us Their class is like NOTHING else you have seen. If you attend, you will never forget it. This episode was recorded in May 2022.

Learn about Andrew Greaves non-traditional career journey that took him from building maintenance to Director of Education and Customer Experience for NAVAC Global: www.NavacGlobal.com He received his HVAC training via Community College Night school but has self-taught in video and audio production. Andrew suggests if you are looking for a mentor, perhaps you first start with a collection of virtual mentors sourced from social media: Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn In our discussion he emphasizes there is no excuse for not learning in this trade- there are so many ways. He also notes key traits he has identified that helped in his career: integrity, authenticity, and communication. Andrew suggests you be bold, put yourself out there, you may need to discover what you can do though trying out various aspects, perhaps learning or honing a skill. He admits never saw himself in this role 5 years ago. He also notes you may learn from some what you should do and from others what you should NEVER do. Andrew suggests you leverage your experiences no matter how basic, by trying to perform the best at everything you do, never strop learning. And that you may need to ask for help, so have the humility to do so. And we close with his statement to keep your options open. YouTube Channel: Search for Andrew Greaves (formerly AK HVAC) Email: AndrewKGreaves@gmail.com This episode was recorded in May 2022.

"Don't let fear hold you back." "If you want something in life, go ask for it." These are just two of the many takeaways you will get when you listen to this Episode. Chris Hughes, now the HVAC Business Development Manager for the Energy Conservatory, is a long time HVAC/Mechanical contractor that is now tuned in to Building Performance – a technical area he was never aware of until the last couple of years. He continues to bring you along on his Building Performance learning journey through webinars and in person trainings acting as a two-way translator between these two worlds for example in his "10 methods of Air Flow training." Chris details out his career path and some of the crucial decision points he encountered along the way: including the time he walked out of class and his exposure to the purity embodied in the "chamber of truth." Chris is a great story teller, I am pretty sure you will enjoy this.,,, Learn more about Chris' background via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hughes-56550214b/ You can also email Chris at: chughes@energyconservatory.com This episode was recorded in May 2022.

Listen in as we chat with Cheryl Cieko, a professional with a mission to dispel myths, create awareness, and empower both professionals and building owners, Cheryl is a one-stop source of knowledge, education, and support having been through mold exposure and illness with her own family. Cheryl describes how, as a licensed architect and industry educator, she provides strategies for professionals, building owners and individuals to better deal with water damage, mold and toxins in buildings. Her past responsibilities include 5 years as Midwest Regional Director and Senior Technical Director for the wood industry in North America. She brings tenacious research abilities, analytical thinking and experience to the topic of environmental health, while sharing design and construction solutions that make a difference. Lean more about Cheryl and her work at: https://cherylciecko.com/ or at https://www.avoidingmold.com/ - Science-Based And Expert-Guided BUILDING EDUCATION For Homeowners And Professionals You can also email Cheryl at Cheryl@AvoidingMold.com This episode was recorded in December 2020.

SCIENCE - In pursuit of understanding in the moment. Join us as Rachel and Eric Kaiser, a wife and husband team from Indianapolis, share with us their perspectives on HVAC Chemistry. If you've attended or watched Bryan Orr's HVACR School Symposium over the last 3 years you may have seen them present. We discuss the relative scales of time and size as well as the properties and impact of water on HVAC designs and decisions and so many other topics! We learn more about the scientific/chemical aspects of dirt on surfaces, coatings and filtration Some notable thoughts: Chemistry is like baking, only you shouldn't lick the spoon. Cooking is like jazz music- in its improvisational aspect. Watch Ty Branaman interview Rachel at the latest symposium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPqN5yUNChw And here are some links to many other podcasts that Eric has done on a wide range of topics from careers to tools to HVAC charging and more. https://ivy.fm/tag/eric-kaiser And we are proud to announce that Eric will be sharing his knowledge and skills and working with TruTech Tools on a regular basis beginning in June 2022. This episode was recorded in April 2022.

We're joined on today's podcast by Scott Ringlein, a Clean Energy & Sustainability Specialist & Consultant. Scott was raised as a farmer and educated as an engineer with a first career path in the auto industry. He ventured out on his own creating a second career in sustainability with a focus on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy measures. Listen in as Scott shares his journey and achievements which include work for the U.S. Department of Energy and the founding of The Energy Alliance Group of North America in 2012. Scott helps us to understand PACE: Property Assessed Clean Energy. There are a lot of great resources on his website where EAG has a "four cores" approach to green and renewable solutions: Technology, Financing, Incentives and Services. Learn more about the EAG here: energyalliancegroup.org And contact Scott via: sringlein@energyalliancegroup.org Follow Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sringlein/ This episode was recorded in March 2020.

If you're in the HVAC field and you listen to podcasts, it's likely you've heard of Gary MacCreadie. If not, here's your chance to get an inside perspective on how and why Gary got into the HVAC Field and later started a podcast audaciously named HVAC Know-It-All. Throughout the episode, we flip flop as interviewer and guest. Gary has recently started his own business, as he, like many others including me, do not like taking direction from others. Follow all content of the HVAC Know It All here: https://www.hvacknowitall.com/ Gary is one of the growing list of TruFriends, talented people in the trade that we list on this page on our website: https://www.trutechtools.com/friends-of-trutech-tools.html Follow Gary and Bill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/ This episode was recorded in May 2022.

On today's podcast we are joined by Bryan Cordill, the Director of Residential and Commercial Business Development at the Propane Education and Research Council. Bryan has decades of experience in the world of propane and in the energy industry in general. We cover topics ranging from propane as a source of space & water heating, cooking, mobile energy including school buses, to combined heat and power systems. We also touch on propane as a refrigerant (R-290). You might be surprised at the size of some of the systems we discuss. You can learn more about the mission and work of the Propane Education Research Council by going to: www.propane.com/ Follow Bryan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-cordill-438557a/ This episode was recorded in June 2020.

Matt Golden is Founder and CEO of Recurve a company that connects the dots between efficiency, electrification, renewable energy, and DERS (distributed energy resources). Recurve's mission is to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy by integrating behind the meter demand flexibility resources into the emerging carbon-free energy grid. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) can be described as small-scale electricity generation and storage devices that are generally connect to the grid. These sources can be Solar, Wind, and battery storage, and others. Matt's focus is on energy and the climate while looking for the customer benefit. He's got an impressive career path, including the founding of Sustainable Spaces (AKA Recurve at the time) in 2004, which over 7 years grew to be the largest home performance contractor on the West coast. You can find Matt and follow his work on his website: www.recurve.com And on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/goldenmatt/ Matt's most recent TEDx talk was in Sonoma in March 2022 discussing VPPs Virtual Power Plants: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knDsACZaaQc This episode was recorded in October 2019, but check the links above for more up to date info as things change quickly in this field.