“We’re not guessing what’s inside the walls—we’re measuring how homes really use energy.”

Max Reichlin

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn sit down with Max Reichlin from Clean Power Research to explore a groundbreaking HVAC tool: Thermentor. Designed to bridge the gap between estimated and actual residential energy loads, Thermentor leverages real energy usage data to perform virtual energy audits. The goal? More accurate, faster, and accessible load calculations that empower contractors and homeowners alike—particularly when considering heat pumps, dual fuel systems, or just right-sizing equipment.

Max shares the origin story of Thermentor, explains how the tool works, and discusses its current deployment across a handful of U.S. states, with more to come. He also outlines future plans, including better integration with real-time thermostat data and improved incentive visibility. Listeners will gain insight into how traditional Manual J calculations may overshoot actual needs, and why tools like Thermentor could reshape how we approach home comfort and efficiency.

Whether you're an HVAC pro or a curious homeowner, this episode delivers valuable context on where HVAC technology is headed—and how data-driven tools are making that future a little smarter.

Max’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxreichlin/

Thermentor website: https://www.thermentor.com/

Thermentor White Papers: https://www.thermentor.com/how-does-it-work/#white-papers

This episode was recorded in May 2025.

In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn welcome Ben Hildebrandt, a passionate advocate for building science and green technology education at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). Ben shares his winding career path—from automotive mechanics to aircraft maintenance to architectural technology—and how that journey has shaped his deep commitment to sustainable building practices.

Ben discusses the role of applied research at SAIT, highlighting its focus on real-world implementation of green technologies in residential and commercial buildings. He covers the challenges of deep energy retrofits, labor shortages, and siloed efforts within the industry, and offers insights into training programs aimed at bridging those gaps. The conversation also explores comfort, thermal resilience, and the importance of integrating mechanical systems with building envelopes to avoid costly failures.

Whether you’re a contractor, designer, educator, or just curious about the future of high-performance buildings, this episode delivers a comprehensive look at what’s working—and what still needs work—in the green building movement.

Some great quotes from the episode:

You can’t have a green building if you ignore building science—it’s the foundation for comfort, health, and durability."

"The real challenge isn’t technology—it’s training enough people to use it right."

"We don’t need more silos in this industry. We need bridges."

Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brhildebrandt/

Residential Deep Energy Retrofit Guide (Free PDF Download): https://www.enbix.ca/document/a-guide-to-deep-energy-retrofits/

SAIT Applied Research and Innovation Services Hub: https://www.sait.ca/research-and-innovation-services

Retrofit Canada (some great completed Canadian Retrofit Case studies here): https://retrofitcanada.com/

This episode was recorded in May 2025.

In this episode of Building HVAC Science, Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn are joined by a special guest who’s carrying on the Spohn legacy—Billy Spohn. The trio recaps their experience at the 2025 National Home Performance Conference in New Orleans, the largest in the event’s history, with over 2,800 attendees. They reflect on the continued convergence of HVAC and building performance disciplines, and how this cross-pollination is finally taking root at scale.

From highlights in the expo hall, including interest in the new RetroTec Air Tracer and the Testo 860i thermal imager, to insightful sessions on whole-home solutions and ventilation maintenance, the conversation underscores the critical value of collaboration and continuing education. Bill shares a touching moment from his “Faces of Energy Efficiency” interview, revealing how this conference shaped his path and even inspired the founding of TruTech Tools. The episode closes with admiration for industry legends like John Tooley and rising influencers like Genry Garcia, who exemplify the power of blending theory, tools, and field application.

Whether you're a veteran or a first-time attendee, this recap will inspire you to think holistically about comfort, health, and energy use in buildings—and maybe even join the community at the next show in Columbus, OH, in 2026.

The next NHPC in 2026: https://building-performance.org/events/national/

Our lineup of Building Performance and HVAC tools:

https://trutechtools.com/all-categories

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-spohn-jr-a06201a3/

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

This episode was recorded in April 2025.