Explore every episode of the podcast Cool Air, Hot Takes

How is air conditioner compressor and bearing technology evolving? And is the HVAC industry ready for what’s next?

In this episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Joe Heger, Centrifugal Mechanical Engineering Leader at Trane, to break down the past, present and future of AC compressor and bearing technology. They discuss how these advancements are improving performance, reliability, and efficiency, and what HVAC pros need to know as the industry shifts toward electrification and decarbonization.

Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.

In this episode we cover:

• HVAC Headlines - The latest grid emissions data reveals the cleanest and dirtiest U.S. power grids, and the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant has been announced - what does it mean for the future of energy and HVAC?
• Why centrifugal compressors are pushing into new capacity ranges
• The real difference between magnetic, roller, and gas bearings
• How electrification is changing compressor design

Plus, Charlie and Dan discuss Project Stargate, heat recovery from data centers, and why the U.S. dominates the global data center market.

Got a rant, hot take, or HVAC job site story? Send it to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Check out our show page here for more info!

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Welcome to the very first episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that keeps HVAC pros ahead of the curve with the latest industry insights, trends, and of course a hot take or two. 

Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry - HVAC experts with over 30 years of experience between them and a friendship dating back to middle school - kick things off with their hottest takes on where the industry is heading. Geothermal? Getting big. CO₂ refrigerants? Gaining traction. Residential cold climate heat pumps? A game-changer.

In this episode, we cover:

• HVAC industry headlines – A startup tackling building electrification, and the most (and least) lucrative states for HVAC techs.
•  Venture Capital in HVAC – We sit down with Jon Horne, Managing Director at Idea Fund, to break down how venture capital money is shaping the industry. Where do the best HVAC startup ideas come from? How do investors decide what’s worth betting on? And why is now the most disruptive time HVAC has seen in decades?
• Hot or Cold? – AHR Expo Innovation Awards edition! Are stainless steel boilers really that innovative? Is CO₂ the refrigerant of the future? And what’s the deal with LG’s cold climate heat pump?

Got a hot take? A funny job site story? A new tool saving you time and money? We want to hear it! Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com for a chance to be featured. To learn more about the show, check us out here.

If you liked the show, hit follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, stay cool, and keep those takes hot. 

Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast where we break down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, expert insights, and lots of hot takes.

Join hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, two HVAC pros with over 30 years of combined experience, as they tackle the hottest trends, smartest tech, and boldest ideas shaping the future of heating, cooling, and ventilation. From AI-powered HVAC systems to the rise of heat pumps and refrigerant phase-outs, we’re diving into the conversations that matter to engineers and energy professionals across the biz. 

Brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. 

Hit follow and get ready for the hottest takes in HVAC.