Building HVAC Science

EP235 Counter-Culture, Catharsis, and Craft: Nathan Orr on Kalos, Blue Rabbit, and Beyond (August 2025)

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric and Bill welcome Nathan Orr, Sales Director at Kalos and co-founder of Blue Rabbit. Nathan is candid, reflective, and unfiltered, sharing how his creative process—whether through writing late-night reflections or even experimenting with unconventional podcast settings—helps him process emotion and sharpen perspective. His insights reveal a person who values authenticity and believes in using catharsis constructively, rather than destructively. Nathan also dives into Kalos’ growth story and culture. He attributes much of their success to embracing counter-culture thinking, focusing on training, and never being satisfied with the status quo. Kalos has become known as one of the best places to work because of its emphasis on excellence in the “little things,” respect for tradespeople, and willingness to challenge industry norms. Nathan also shares how HVAC School and other training ventures grew organically from the company’s internal needs to develop people into professionals. The conversation then shifts to Blue Rabbit, a consulting and problem-solving firm Nathan co-founded. He explains its mission: bridging the gap between engineers, tradespeople, and customers to improve project outcomes before mistakes become costly. Along the way, Nathan sprinkles in his signature humor and life lessons—from practical roadside survival tips to reflections on regret, pride, and authenticity. It’s an episode that blends industry insights, cultural philosophy, and personal stories in a way only Nathan could deliver.   Nathan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-orr-b525aa65/ Kalos Florida: https://www.kalosflorida.com/ BlueRabbit Consulting: https://bluerabbitconsult.com/   This episode was recorded in August 2025.  

EP234 Heat Transfer and Heart: What 40 Years in HVAC Can Teach Us All With Mike Uselof (July 2025)

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome longtime HVAC instructor Michael Uselof, who shares his remarkable journey from answering a humble job ad in 1983 to becoming a passionate educator with the United Association (UA). Michael reflects on the value of learning through hands-on experience, the evolution of HVAC technology, and the crucial role training plays in creating resilient, adaptable tradespeople. Michael shares stories from his early days wiring supermarkets and living above the shop, to teaching thousands of apprentices over two decades. He also dives into the shifting landscape of the HVAC world—from electrification efforts in New York to new refrigerants and the importance of teaching logic, not just facts. The conversation takes a heartfelt turn as Michael speaks to the emotional and mental demands of the service trade, encouraging listeners to seek help when needed and sharing the significance of community and ongoing education in staying strong and skilled. We don’t just teach a trade—we teach a career that changes lives." – Michael Useloff "Facts become data, data becomes knowledge, and wisdom is knowing what to fix." "If it doesn’t make you tick, you might want to pick a different field."   Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-useloff-9a980a90/ UANJ: www.UANJ.org UA - national: www.UA.org     This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

EP233 Thermal Cameras, AI, and Comfort: HomeBoost’s Big Idea with Selina Tobaccowala (July 2025)

On this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser are joined by seasoned tech entrepreneur Selina Tobaccowala, founder of HomeBoost.com, to discuss a new consumer-driven solution that brings energy comfort diagnostics into the modern era. Selina, whose background includes co-founding Evite and serving as President/CTO at SurveyMonkey, now applies her tech and behavioral insights to a space closer to home: energy efficiency and comfort. Selina shares the inspiration behind HomeBoost, a unique platform that empowers homeowners to scan and diagnose thermal and energy issues in their home using a FLIR thermal camera and guided app. The HomeBoost experience pairs smart tools, a mobile app, and AI plus human auditing to generate actionable home energy assessments — all while remaining accessible and affordable for the average homeowner. The conversation dives into product design, user testing, partnerships with utilities and contractors, and the launch of a pro version that streamlines report generation for BPI-certified energy assessors. The team also explores broader themes, including the cultural value of skilled trades and how education models from Europe could inspire new respect and opportunity for trade careers in the U.S. The episode closes with a hopeful vision of HomeBoost expanding nationally and scaling its impact — one home, one assessment, and one contractor at a time. “It’s not about selling energy — it’s about helping people use less of it.” – Selina Tobaccowalla “We had scientific accuracy, but we hadn’t built a product consumers liked — that took iteration.” – Selina “AI won’t replace a tradesperson. That’s why we need to value skilled trades more — like they do in Germany.” – Selina HomeBoost: https://www.homeboost.com/ Selina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinat/   This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

EP232 Dry Air Done Right: The Art and Science of Dehumidification With Nikki Krueger (July 2025)

In this engaging episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser chats with Nikki Krueger, National Sales Manager and building science advocate at Santa Fe (a Thermastor brand), often dubbed the “Queen of Dehumidification.” They explore the science and application of dedicated dehumidification in homes and buildings across various climates—especially in today’s increasingly humid and energy-efficient housing stock. Nikki shares insights from her 20+ years in the indoor air quality (IAQ) space, detailing her journey from AprilAire to launching her own consultancy, and ultimately joining Santa Fe. She explains how tighter building envelopes, increased ventilation needs, and changes in HVAC coil design have all contributed to the growing demand for standalone dehumidifiers—especially as homes become more efficient, but less capable of latent load removal. The discussion ranges from dew point awareness and crawlspace strategy to the nuanced interaction between comfort, humidity, and occupant behavior. Nikki emphasizes the importance of diagnostics and whole-house thinking when sizing and applying dehumidifiers. The episode closes with tips on where to find resources (including www.SantaFeProducts.com), and an open invite to meet at training events like the HVACR School Symposium.   Notable Quotes: "If we change one thing in the house, it’s going to change a series of other things." "Relative humidity is like the horoscope of moisture—it’s vague until you understand the temperature context." "Once you live in a home with proper dehumidification, you’ll never go back." The Products: www.SantaFeProducts.com The Person: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkikrueger/ The Symposium: https://www.hvacrschool.com/events/7th-annual-hvac-r-training-symposium/     This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

EP231 Reimagining HVAC Sales: How Eden Is Modernizing the Home Upgrade Journey with Josh Koplin (July 2025)

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Bill Spohn welcomes Josh Koplin, co-founder of Eden (https://e-denhomes.com), to talk about how digital tools are reshaping the HVAC sales experience. Josh shares his unique journey from building power plants in Japan—where he was immersed in a heat pump-centric culture—to co-founding Eden, a company aimed at bringing transparency and ease to HVAC sales through technology. Eden offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for HVAC contractors that acts as a 24/7 digital salesperson. It allows homeowners to get instant, customized equipment quotes based on a simplified online load calculation, local weather data, and rebate matching. Contractors retain full pricing control, and the tool is deployed on their websites, helping them capture highly qualified leads. Josh and Bill explore broader trends in consumer behavior, including how 80% of purchasing decisions are made before contacting a salesperson. They also discuss the rapid emergence of AI-driven search and its implications for contractor visibility online. The conversation closes with Josh’s advice on how contractors can embrace the digital shift and stay competitive by offering the kind of online experience today’s homeowners expect. “It's like a digital salesperson that never sleeps.” – Josh Koplin “Consumers are doing the research with or without you—why not be part of their process from the beginning?” – Josh Koplin “If it’s useful to a human, it’s useful to AI—that’s the content that will get found.” – Josh Koplin Eden Home: https://www.e-denhomes.com/ Josh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-koplin-57654230/       This episode was recorded in July 2025.