“How much pain they have cost us, the evils which never happened.”

—Thomas Jefferson

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Anthony Woo, an HVAC contractor from Quebec, Canada. Anthony shares his journey from dropping out of college to becoming a successful business owner specializing in heat pump installations in one of North America's coldest climates. He discusses his personal and professional evolution, from gaining confidence through a Tony Robbins seminar to implementing systems like EOS in his rapidly growing business. Anthony also highlights the power of data-driven decisions, the importance of networking through NCI, and his passion for educating homeowners about indoor air quality and comfort.

Throughout the conversation, Anthony gives us a peek into his strategic approach to business growth, emphasizing sustainable scaling, reinvesting in his team, and leveraging modern tools like the TrueFlow Grid for diagnostics. He also talks about creating a strong personal brand and reputation that fueled his success primarily through word-of-mouth marketing. This episode offers actionable insights for HVAC professionals looking to elevate their craft, implement smart business practices, and lead with purpose.

Some thought nuggets from Anthony:
“Podcasts are like a university on wheels for learning.”
“As I learn new things, I’m conscious of making sure my colleagues have the framework to understand what I am talking about.”
“I apply filtration to ideas to decide what to implement.”

Finally, Anthony offers a simple yet powerful piece of advice: set your goals, make a plan, and go after what you want—without fear.

After we finished recording, ELK helped summarize:
“You’ve said you don't know how to run a business. What you are really saying is you are not running a business the way others do or advise you to do, you are running your business on your own terms.”

Anthony’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-woo-88a77466/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClimatisationACG

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/anthonywoohvac/reels/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatisationacg/

This episode was recorded in March 2025.

“You can be high quality and effective, but also efficient at the same time.”

— Furman Haynes, Founder of WorkHero

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Furman Haynes, co-founder of WorkHero, to explore a critical challenge facing small HVAC business owners: the administrative burden that stifles growth. Furman shares his journey into the HVAC industry, inspired by a passion for building organizations that support small business success. He recounts his eye-opening experiences at industry events and his realization that paperwork and administrative tasks often overwhelm small operators.

Furman explains how WorkHero was designed to provide expert office management for companies with under ten employees—helping them streamline operations without adding complex software. Through a combination of dedicated virtual office managers and AI-powered tools, WorkHero tackles the paperwork bottlenecks that can prevent growth. Furman also discusses insights from their recent industry survey, revealing that small businesses spend over 15 hours a week on admin work and often get stuck at the $1-2 million revenue mark without making strategic investments in people or systems.

The conversation wraps up with Furman’s take on the importance of mindset shifts for owner-operators, the role of data in improving pricing strategies, and the need for a supportive community like www.BetterHVAC.org to ensure quality-focused businesses can remain profitable and thrive.

Furman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/

His email: furman@workhero.pro

Work Hero Website: https://www.workhero.pro/

Link to the Survey Results: https://www.workhero.pro/blog/report

There are many reports out there, but none of them look specifically at the day-to-day realities of running your own small business. ‍

That's why WorkHero partnered with HVAC School to survey over 1,300 industry professionals.

This Industry Pulse report examines:

The state of the industry - from company sizes to revenue patterns

How contractors balance technical work with business operations

Why owners often hit a growth ceiling around $1-2M in revenue

Which tools and technologies companies are adopting

What successful companies are doing differently

Drawing from real data across the country, we provide insights about managing growth, freeing up owner time, and dealing with the technician shortage. The findings reveal both challenges and opportunities for contractors of all sizes.

This episode was recorded in March 2025.

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser interview Jake Yurek, the co-founder of Pearl Edison, a platform designed to simplify the installation of energy-efficient systems for homeowners and contractors. Jake shares the origins of the company’s name, inspired by Thomas Edison’s first power station on Pearl Street, and explains how Pearl Edison partners with trusted entities like utilities and city governments to facilitate HVAC installations. Their approach aims to reduce customer acquisition costs for contractors while improving the decision-making process for homeowners.

Jake delves into the unique value proposition of Pearl Edison: acting as an intermediary that guides homeowners to the right system design before involving contractors. This approach saves contractors time and increases profitability by ensuring they engage with highly qualified leads. Pearl Edison focuses on maintaining high-quality standards by utilizing BPI-certified experts for home assessments, conducting blower door tests, and leveraging robust data analytics to provide personalized system recommendations.

The conversation also explores Pearl Edison’s business model of partnering with utilities and local governments, its strategic expansion plans, and the commitment to building trust and comfort with homeowners. Jake highlights the company’s continuous messaging and technology evolution to serve contractors and enterprise partners better. He invites interested contractors to connect with Pearl Edison, emphasizing the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships as the company grows into new markets.

Learn more at: https://www.pearledison.com/

Jake’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeyurek/

This episode was recorded in February 2025.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Eric George, founder of Home Comfort Advisor, to discuss his journey from insulation and energy audits to content creation and education. Eric shares how his background in home performance shaped his passion for providing homeowners and tradespeople with reliable, science-based information.

He details his soon-to-launch online course, which simplifies building science principles for homeowners and professionals alike, helping them ask the right questions and make informed decisions about home comfort, insulation, and energy efficiency. Eric also dives into the importance of proper diagnostics, virtual inspections, and the role of high-quality content in debunking myths and misinformation in the industry.

Eric's insights and resources provide a fresh, practical approach to improving indoor environments if you’re a contractor, homeowner, or just someone interested in the science behind home comfort. Tune in to learn more about his course, YouTube channel, and how he’s making building science accessible to all.

Eric’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericngeorge/

Learn Home Comfort Resources: https://learnhomecomfort.com/

His YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeComfortAdvisors

His course: https://myhomecomfortadvisor.com/

This episode was recorded in February 2025.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill and Eric welcome Rachel Kaiser to discuss an often-overlooked yet critical topic: data integrity in HVAC and building performance. Rachel, who has a background in scientific research and data quality, shares insights into how the HVAC industry generates and manages data, why data integrity matters, and the risks of poor data management.

They explore real-world examples—from technicians misreporting measurements to the challenges of maintaining reliable combustion data—and discuss how digital tools can both help and hinder data integrity. Rachel breaks down key principles of data integrity using the ALCOA+ framework, which ensures data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, and accurate, along with being complete, consistent, enduring, and available.

The conversation touches on how connected tools, data logging, and digital advancements are reshaping HVAC, making accurate data more accessible while also increasing the need for awareness and best practices. If you've ever questioned how reliable your measurements are—or how much you can trust the data you work with—this episode is a must-listen!

Rachel on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-kaiser-416020288/

This episode was recorded in February 2025.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser welcome Sophie Ashley of Energy Vanguard, an HVAC designer with a background in carpentry and building science. Sophie shares her journey from hands-on construction work to HVAC design, emphasizing the critical integration of mechanical systems and building structures. She discusses the importance of feedback loops with installers and her experience performing HERS ratings in the field.

Sophie also highlights the shift toward high-performance homes, the growing adoption of heat pumps, and the evolving role of ventilation strategies like ERVs. She provides insights on overcoming industry challenges, the need for better collaboration between trades, and the importance of attracting more women to the field. Wrapping up, she encourages continuous learning and engagement in the HVAC community, emphasizing the rewarding nature of the industry.

Energy Vanguard website: https://www.energyvanguard.com/

Sophie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-ashley-6b531119a/

This episode was recorded in February 2025.

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, host Eric Kaiser is joined by Keith Gifford, Senior Global Product Manager at Penn Controls, for an in-depth discussion about the emerging use of A2L refrigerants in the HVACR industry. A2Ls are a new class of refrigerants classified by ASHRAE as mildly flammable and boast a significantly lower global warming potential (GWP) compared to traditional refrigerants. Keith shares his unique perspective, shaped by extensive experience across all major refrigeration components, to explain the challenges, opportunities, and safety considerations surrounding A2Ls.

Key topics include the design and engineering hurdles posed by A2Ls, such as material compatibility, flammability mitigation, and the development of leak sensors calibrated to specific refrigerants. Keith also addresses the impact on service technicians, building codes, and system designs, emphasizing the importance of industry-wide education to ensure safe and effective adoption. Finally, Keith reflects on the future of refrigerants, including the potential for CO2 and other environmentally friendly solutions, signaling that innovation in HVACR is far from over.

PENN Controls: https://www.penncontrols.com/

AHRI A2L Building Code map: https://www.ahrinet.org/a2l-refrigerant-building-code-map-us

SNAP Rule 26: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-05/snap-final-rule-26-factsheet.pdf

ASHRAE New Refrigerant Safety Designations and Classifications: https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/bookstore/factsheet_ashrae_english_november2022.pdf

Keith on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-gifford-519bb73/

This episode was recorded in January 2025.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser, along with the TruTech Tools team, recap their experiences at the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium and AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. They share insights from meeting industry professionals, attending educational sessions, and exploring the latest HVAC tools and technology. The team discusses key highlights, including the impact of Second Chance University, the HVAC Tactical Awards, and the High-Performance Hangout, emphasizing the strong sense of community within the industry.

The team also dives into standout products showcased at AHR, such as Testo’s new thermal imaging cameras, Inficon’s D-TEK Pro leak detector, and NAVAC’s latest digital manifold. They touch on the increasing role of technology in HVAC, including EEV Mate’s electronic expansion valve tool and advancements in vacuum pumps and refrigerant scales. Finally, they reflect on the growing educational initiatives in HVAC, such as the Grit Foundation’s efforts to introduce young people to the trades and the launch of Better HVAC, a nonprofit that fosters ethical practices and knowledge-sharing.

Whether you attended the events or missed out, this episode provides an engaging recap of what’s shaping the HVAC industry in 2024. Tune in to hear firsthand experiences and takeaways from some of the most significant gatherings in the field!

Two things we missed:
The Third US HeatPumpSummit is on tap for this November in Massachusetts.

https://www.usheatpumpsummit.com/

Our friends at www.WorkHero.pro ran a survey in conjunction with the www.HVACRSchool.com to look at the day-to-day realities of running a small HVAC business. See the survey results here: https://www.workhero.pro/blog/report

Sue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-bertsch-962496174/

Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-crawley-20b41550/

Bill, Jr. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-spohn-jr-a06201a3/

Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/

Bill, Sr. on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/

2nd Chance University: https://2ndchanceuniversity.org/

www.BetterHVAC.org

HVAC Tactical: https://hvactactical.com/

www.TheGritFoundation.com

https://hvacrschool.com/events/6th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/

The NCI Summit: https://www.gotosummit.com/

This episode was recorded in February 2025.