Building HVAC Science – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser discuss their recent experiences at industry events, particularly the Westford Symposium on Building Science, also known as Building Science Summer Camp. They reflect on the event's unique blend of technical presentations and social interactions, highlighting the presentation by Keith Simon on the longevity of building designs and the importance of balancing aesthetics with functionality. The discussion emphasizes how architecture should prioritize craft and function to ensure the longevity and sustainability of buildings.

Eric also shares his insights on another compelling presentation by Steve Baczek, who stressed the importance of clear communication in architectural drawings. Baczek's approach underlines the necessity for architects to convey their intentions precisely to ensure that contractors can execute designs effectively. This conversation leads to a broader discussion on how crucial it is for the HVAC industry to embrace detailed and thoughtful design practices to improve system performance and occupant comfort.

The episode concludes with a look at the social side of these events, where industry professionals from around the world gather to exchange ideas and experiences. The hosts emphasize the value of continuous learning and engagement within the industry, encouraging listeners to seek out educational opportunities and resources to stay informed and improve their professional practice.

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

Bill’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/

Building Science Corporation link to Summer Camp Slides: https://buildingscience.com/past-events

This episode was recorded in August 2024.

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser engage in a lively "duo cast" discussing the various measurements they take in their homes and the reasons behind them. They start the conversation by reflecting on their recent episode with Gary Klein, which inspired Eric to set up a data logging system to monitor hot water temperatures in his home. This leads to a broader discussion about the different tools and devices they use to track energy consumption and efficiency, such as the Emporia Vue energy monitor, which helped Bill identify a faulty installation in his heat pump system.

The hosts delve into their personal experiences with various smart home devices, including air quality monitors from Airthings, radon monitors, and even an innovative weather station called Tempest. They share insights on how these devices have provided valuable data, helping them make informed decisions about their home's energy use and indoor air quality. Bill highlights his use of an ERV system that runs based on CO2 levels. At the same time, Eric discusses his plans to upgrade his home's ventilation and dehumidification systems using the Haven air quality monitor.

Toward the end of the episode, Bill and Eric discuss their use of fitness trackers, discussing the metrics they monitor for personal health. Bill also mentions his latest acquisition, a Bluetooth meat probe, which he plans to use to perfect his grilling techniques. The episode wraps up with the hosts emphasizing the importance of integrating monitoring tools into everyday life to enhance comfort, efficiency, and well-being and inviting listeners to reach out for more information on the products discussed.

Contact us at

[email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billspohn/

[email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/

Take a look at what ROCIS (https://rocis.org/low-cost-monitoring-project/)  is doing, especially concerning RADON: https://rocis.org/radon-resources/

EPA Radon map: https://www.epa.gov/radon/epa-map-radon-zones

The spray foam attic ping pong effect: https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/high-humidity-in-a-spray-foam-attic-part-2/

Products we mention in this podcast:

HAVEN IAQ monitors: https://trutechtools.com/haven

Airthings Radon CO2 and more: https://trutechtools.com/Airthings

Emporia Circuit Power Monitors and EV Chargers: https://www.emporiaenergy.com/

CERV2: Bill’s Conditioning ERV that uses a CO2 sensor to decide when to run: https://buildequinox.com/

Home weather station: https://shop.tempest.earth/products/tempest

Security cameras:
Eric’s:  https://www.eufy.com/eufycam#navimenu_4_copy

Bill’s: https://www.wyze.com/products/wyze-cam

EcoQube Radon: https://ecosense.io/products/ecoqube

Aranet COs monitor: https://aranet.com/products/aranet4-home

Meater Bluetooth cooking thermometer: https://store-us.meater.com/products/meater-plus

Kardia portable 6 lead EKG: https://store.kardia.com/products/kardiamobile

Apple watch for fitness: https://www.apple.com/watch/

Home Automation: https://www.home-assistant.io/

This episode was recorded in July 2024.

In this short episode, Bill Spohn provides updates on new products, presentations, resources, and interesting travel he and Eric Kaiser have been engaged with during the last few months.

LINKS
https://www.youtube.com/@TruTechTools/videos

https://trutechtools.com/yellow-jacket/

https://trutechtools.com/jb-industries.html

https://hvacrschool.com/

www.betterhvac.org

www.building-performane.org

www.getduckling.com

https://www.zerohomes.io/

www.sealed.com

https://getconduit.com/

www.amply.energy

www.kwikmodel.com

www.diyloadcalcs.com

This episode was recorded in June 2024.

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: [email protected]

Follow Scott on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sringlein/

This episode was recorded in March 2020.

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.

Max Rohr (formerly with Rehau as the Marketing and Academy Manager for Building Solutions) spends some time explaining for us the process of creating and marketing products to move energy in water, that is radiant heating and cooling systems, as well as plumbing applications with Pex.

We learn about both Max’s background and the background of the Rehau company which has 20,000 employees in 55 countries and operates in 5 distinct market areas globally.

This episode was recorded in February 2020.

I was impressed with Austin Klokus when I first met him on a trip to Kalos Services (The Orr Family HVAC/Mechanical business in Clermont FL) a few years ago.

He was working as a senior videographer at the time where he had soaked up knowledge from Bryan Orr and others and taught himself the skills necessary to do fulfill this role.

I loved it when he used the phrase “air is stuff” in one of his videos to convey the message that air has mass.

I saw him again in person recently at the 3rd Annual HVAC School Symposium and he continues to mature and grow as a person.

I appreciate his “young wisdom” and I hope that you do, too.

This episode was recorded in November 2019.