Building HVAC Science

EP228 GRIT Camps: Where Trades Meet Transformation with Leilani Orr and Ty Branaman (July 2025)

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with two passionate leaders from the GRIT Foundation—Executive Director Leilani Orr and Head of Training Ty Branaman. Together, they unpack the origin story, purpose, and transformative impact of GRIT Camps, which introduce youth to the skilled trades in immersive, hands-on ways. The conversation explores how GRIT—which stands for Growth and Resilience in the Trades—isn't just a clever acronym but a mindset. Through personal stories, Leilani and Ty reflect on the deeper "why" behind the camps: fostering curiosity, building confidence, and instilling pride in practical skills that often go unrecognized. They discuss how using tools like the Socratic method not only helps students learn but transforms mentors as well—often reigniting their passion for the trades. You’ll hear about real-life transformations: timid students who become torch-wielding creators, mentors discovering new ways to engage, and parents witnessing their children light up with newfound purpose. As a pending nonprofit, the GRIT Foundation is fueled by heart, vision, and a small but mighty network of supporters—with hopes of expanding nationwide through thoughtful partnerships. “If I can do this, anybody can do this. I don’t want to be the guy—I want to be the guy helping other people become the guy.” – Ty Branaman “We’re not recruiting kids into the trades—we’re fostering curiosity and confidence in whoever they want to become.” – Leilani Orr “What you’re doing is important because it touches your heart—or brings a tear to your eye.” – Bill Spohn The Grit Foundation: https://www.thegritfoundation.com/ Leilani’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilani-orr-5a0948343/ Ty’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ty-branaman-cmhe-07604a33/ Bryan Orr’s book, Unconfomed: An Unbound and Unbridled Path to Unstuck Growth: https://a.co/d/9zMmSmQ     This episode was recorded in July 2025.  

EP227 From Toolbelt to Trainer: Adam Mufich’s HVAC Journey (June 2025)

In this wide-ranging episode, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome longtime HVAC pro and educator Adam Mufich to the podcast. Adam shares his unique path through the industry—from growing up in a third-generation HVAC family and starting his own company, to becoming a trainer at the National Comfort Institute (NCI). The trio dives into how social media unexpectedly played a pivotal role in Adam’s professional growth, helping him connect with future collaborators through YouTube live streams and online forums. They explore Adam’s evolution into technical writing and training, his thoughts on public speaking, and what it’s like to work alongside industry veterans like David Richardson and Jim Davis. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to NCI’s new initiatives, including the upcoming High-Performance Heat Pump Retrofit class and the ComfortMax workflow integration with MeasureQuick, which aims to automate performance diagnostics for greater accuracy and efficiency. They also discuss: Why real-world hands-on training matters The importance of airflow and static pressure measurement The philosophy behind “If you’re not measuring, you’re just guessing” How modern tools like MeasureQuick elevate technician performance Upcoming NCI Summit (Sept. 9–12 in Texas) and member benefits Whether you’re a seasoned tech, a contractor, or someone just entering the trade, this episode underscores the importance of staying curious, embracing new technology, and building community within the HVAC industry. “If you’re not measuring, you’re just guessing.” – NCI Philosophy “Better precision tools won’t replace you—they’ll help you up your game.” – Adam Mufich “I’ll never know everything about HVAC. That’s why I keep learning every day.” – Adam Mufich   Adam’sLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-mufich-5225055a/ NCI website: www.NCIhvac.com or https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/pro/ The NCI Store on TruTechTools: https://trutechtools.com/nci-store.html Find an NCI contractor: https://www.myhomecomfort.org/find-a-contractor/ NCI Consumer site: https://www.myhomecomfort.org/ NCI Summit Link: https://www.gotosummit.com/ NCI Membership details: https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/membership/ Adams’s first episode with us, EP112: https://www.buildinghvacscience.com/ep112-being-humble-persistent-and-curious-in-the-trades-with-adam-mufich-march-2023/     This episode was recorded in June 2025.  

EP226 Three Miracles and a Heat Pump: Fixing Retrofit Policy from the Ground Up with Abhi Katamneni & Nate Adams (June 2025)

In this insightful episode, Bill and Eric are joined by Abhi Katamneni from Efficiency Canada and Nate Adams, also known as the House Whisperer, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of home performance, policy, and how HVAC contractors can play a central role in the electrification and decarbonization of housing. Abhi shares lessons from his ride-alongs with contractors across North America, emphasizing how real-world experience shapes policy that actually works. Nate dives into his shift toward consumer education and the systemic problems he’s observed in program design and incentives. Together, they unpack how well-meaning policies can backfire when they disrupt the natural rhythm of contracting businesses—highlighting the urgent need for smarter, more contractor-centric approaches. They discuss “boundary spanners,” the unintended consequences of top-down mandates, and why the HVAC service truck is ground zero for climate solutions. Both guests call for immersion, experimentation, and communities of practice to move from boutique success stories to scalable change. Some quotes from the Episode: “The brain can’t absorb what your butt can’t endure.” – Abhi “If you’re not building something shovel-ready for contractors, what are you even doing?” – Abhi “A heat pump isn’t just green—it’s better. More comfort, less noise, fewer regrets.” – Nate Nate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natethehousewhisperer/ Abhi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akantamn/ Boundary Spanners podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OunercMNOjZ3poROcI5Z4 Nate’s website where  you get free downloads or the book: https://www.natethehousewhisperer.com/ ACEEE: https://www.aceee.org/ Efficiency Canada: https://www.efficiencycanada.org/   This episode was recorded in June 2025.  

EP225 Beyond the Image: Lessons in Humility and Heat Transfer with Matt Schwoegler (June 2025)

In this engaging and insightful episode of the Building HVAC Science podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Matt Schwoegler, founder of Blaze Infrared and longtime thermography educator. Matt shares his unexpected journey into the world of infrared—from a marketing career in the ski industry to teaching thousands about heat transfer and thermal imaging. With deep humility and clarity, he walks us through critical lessons from his 20+ year career, including some humorous—and humbling—stories from the field. Matt discusses how interpreting thermal images isn't as straightforward as it seems. From false positives caused by built-in heaters to paint that doesn’t behave as expected, we hear real-world examples that underscore the importance of formal training and mentorship in thermography. He emphasizes that while technology has become more affordable, the need for skill and knowledge has only grown. The conversation closes with a compelling call to approach thermography with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning. Matt pays tribute to the mentors who shaped his path and encourages listeners to seek guidance, invest in training, and pay it forward. Matt’s quotes from the episode: “The price of the camera has nothing to do with your ability to use it well.”  “Humility is one of the most important qualities of a great trainer.”  “Infrared is like a hammer—easy to pick up, but only a skilled builder knows what to do with it.”   Here are a few standards Matt references: ASTM C1060- Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings (https://www.astm.org/c1060-11ar15.html) states your need a 10 C / 18 F delta T to check for missing or poorly performing insulation solar loading is referenced, that's where the 3 hr wait for wood frame buildings and up to 8 hrs for masonry structures comes from - That's how long the surface needs to be devoid of direct sunshine before inspecting with IR.   ASTM E1186 - Standard Practices for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems (https://www.astm.org/e1186-22.html) NOTE IR Mentioned in 1186 as one of the pressure test methods.  states 5 C / 9 F delta T to see air leakage sites with IR   ASTM E779 Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization (https://www.astm.org/e0779-19.html)   Blaze Infrared: https://blazeinfrared.com/ Infrared Training Center (ITC): https://www.infraredtraining.com/ Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schwoegler/   1 hour Video on Thermography basics from The TruTech Tools Library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qgCZCY6JCs     This episode was recorded in June 2025.  

EP224 Beyond Vapor Compression: Smarter DOAS with Liquid Desiccants with Phil Farese (June 2025)

In this in-depth episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Phil Farese, CEO of Mojave HVAC, to explore the cutting edge of desiccant dehumidification technology. Phil, whose career began in physics at Cornell and research at Princeton before moving into consulting at McKinsey and leadership roles at NREL, Enphase, and now Mojave, brings a rare mix of scientific rigor and market savvy to the HVAC space.   The conversation traces the evolution of liquid desiccant systems and Mojave’s unique approach that combines vapor compression and liquid desiccant in a single DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) unit. The result? Enhanced dehumidification, reduced energy use, and precision control of sensible and latent loads—at market-competitive prices. Phil outlines how Mojave’s patented media bed and regeneration systems avoid many of the pitfalls that plagued earlier desiccant systems, while also maintaining ease of installation, low maintenance, and strong reliability.   Listeners also hear about Mojave’s service philosophy, tech training programs, and broad rep network, plus a discussion of ideal use cases, efficiency standards like ISMRE (Integrated Seasonal Moisture Removal Efficiency), and how the system outperforms traditional DOAS units. Whether you’re an engineer, contractor, or building owner looking to optimize HVAC performance while cutting energy bills, this episode delivers clear, science-backed insight into where dehumidification is headed.   Quotes from the episode: “We’re not undoing cooling with reheat—we’re using that energy to do something useful: regenerate the desiccant.”   “Liquid desiccants are like the honey of HVAC—safe, natural, and surprisingly powerful.”   “It looks like an air conditioner. That’s what contractors tell us—and that’s the point.”     Phil’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-farese-49a81b1/   Mojave Energy Systems: https://mojavehvac.com/   Tony Mormino, our friend at HVAC-TV did a recent interview with Mojave: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/hvac-tv/episodes/Liquid-Desiccant-Dehumidification-Explained-e33elio/a-abvfahu   Eutectic system defined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutectic_system   AHRI Standard 920,Performance Rating of Direct Expansion-dedicated Outdoor Air System Units:  https://www.ahrinet.org/search-standards/ahri-920-i-p-and-921-si-performance-rating-direct-expansion-dedicated-outdoor-air-system-units   Papers and reports by Phil: Tool to Prioritize Energy Efficiency Investments (NREL 2012):  https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54799.pdf   How to build a low-energy future (2012): https://www.nature.com/articles/488275a ASHRAE paper on Liquid Desiccants: https://mojavehvac.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Liquid-Desiccant-Field-Campaign-Final-2.pdf   McKinsey paper:Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the US Economy (2009):  https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/dotcom/client_service/Sustainability/PDFs/US_energy_efficiency_full_report.pdf     This episode was recorded in June 2025.