"There are people who teach for income, and people who teach for outcome."

"You want to grow an industry, you can't ignore half America."

"Become an unsung hero, mentor someone, and give back to the industry you love."

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill and Eric are joined by Renee Tomlinson and Howard Weiss from ESCO Institute (and HVAC Excellence) to talk about a theme that does not get nearly enough airtime: the "quiet" people in HVAC who shape careers and raise standards without chasing attention. Howard explains ESCO's role in the industry, from accrediting HVAC educational programs and credentialing instructors to administering a huge number of certifications and developing curriculum, all aimed at improving HVAC education overall. Renee adds the bigger why behind the work, pointing to education as the lever that improves lives, strengthens communities, and leaves the trade better than we found it.

The conversation turns into a celebration of "unsung heroes" such as instructors, trainers, mentors, and program leaders who quietly change the trajectory of students, apprentices, and working techs. Howard and Renee share examples of people who built exceptional programs through sheer effort and care, and they frame recognition as something deeper than popularity. It is about honoring outcomes, the ripple effects of mentorship, and the real human impact that happens behind the scenes. They also highlight how the industry is getting younger, how newer instructors blend legacy fundamentals with modern tools, and how podcasts and social platforms can be powerful teaching aids at scale.

The episode closes with a challenge to listeners: become one of the unsung heroes. Thank the people who trained you. Mentor someone coming up behind you. Join an advisory board. Give back because you "get to," not because you have to. Renee also recognizes the behind-the-scenes ESCO team whose daily work keeps training, testing, and education moving forward, and Bill wraps with a promise to share links in the show notes so listeners can connect and learn more.

Regarding the National Home Performance Conference:

New Contractor Discount - $825 - HVACSCIENCE

Unique URL for your Show: http://nhpc26.org/building-hvac-sci

Renee's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneemtomlinson/

Howard's LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardsweiss/

ESCO Institute: https://www.escogroup.org/

The National HVAC Educators Conference: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/EVEPCOXJHXNUZ/home/

The 2025 List of Most Influential Instructors: https://www.achrnews.com/articles/163726-25-for-25-most-influential-instructors-named

This episode was recorded in February 2026

"The more you know, the more you're worth and the harder you are to replace."

"Just because you're a great technician doesn't mean you're ready to run a business."

"You can't buy the satisfaction of helping someone you may never meet."

Bill sits down with Rick Diermeyer, better known to many in the trade as the face behind the HVACR Survival YouTube channel. Rick shares the origin story of his channel, which now boasts tens of thousands of subscribers and hundreds of field-based videos. What began as a simple way to document and share service technician experiences evolved into a platform focused on helping others "survive" and succeed in the HVACR trade through practical, experience-driven education.

Rick walks through his professional journey, from early service roles to leadership positions and eventually into highly diversified technical work spanning refrigeration, geothermal, chillers, generators, and more. He reflects on the culture of the company he works for, emphasizing how strong leadership, training, and employee investment create long-term loyalty and performance. The conversation also highlights the realities of business operations, reminding listeners that technical skill alone does not automatically translate into business success.

The discussion expands into content creation, covering how Rick chooses video topics, balances liability concerns, and adapts content based on audience engagement. He also shares how his background as a mobile DJ shaped his communication style, marketing instincts, and comfort with public speaking. The episode closes with advice for both technicians and employers: invest in your skills, build relationships, create value, and recognize that personal growth and trade mastery go hand in hand.

Rick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickdirmeyer/

His Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacrsurvival

His YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACRSurvival

Regarding the National Home Performance Conference:

This episode was recorded in February 2026

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Episode Quotes:
"Airflow isn't good. It's measured."

"Most pushback isn't 'I won't.' It's 'I'm afraid I'll mess it up.'"

"This is a people industry, by people, for people."

JT Stewart joins Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser to talk about how he went from long-term care nursing to HVAC, thanks to a red Chevy Ventura van, a ladder on top, and a "let's go fix some stuff" invitation. Today JT is an HVAC consultant at Slipstream, working with utilities and state programs to build real-world training that goes beyond "heat pumps are hot" and into the building-science fundamentals that actually make systems work.

JT shares what his trainings look like in the wild, from half-day sessions to multi-day workshops, and how he designs them around the human side of HVAC. Homeowners are already uncomfortable when the system breaks, and techs can feel the same pressure when equipment and software change constantly. JT's take is that most resistance isn't stubbornness; it's uncertainty and fear of getting it wrong. He argues that confidence comes from structure: give techs time to learn, reduce guesswork, and use tools and processes that help them make good decisions when support is not available.

The crew also gets into handling skeptical attendees and misinformation. JT's approach is to challenge people respectfully and bring it back to the homeowner, the contractor's long-term reputation, and the reality that this is a people industry. He encourages contractors to lean on manufacturer and distributor training, and he makes a strong case that homeowners also need better education on what questions to ask so "slick sales" do not replace proper design and commissioning. Bottom line: HVAC is getting cooler as a career because the knowledge, community, and training ecosystem are leveling up, and JT hopes that part isn't a fad.

JT's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-t-stewart/

His company: https://slipstreaminc.org/

This episode was recorded in February 2026.