The High-Performance HVAC Podcast

Spray foam insulation promises improved energy efficiency, tighter building envelopes, and better thermal performance. But what happens when the installation doesn’t go as planned? In this episode of the High-Performance HVAC Podcast, Adam Mufich is joined by John Ellis, Anthony Lenard, and Barry Mankin for a revealing discussion about the potential downsides of spray foam insulation. From off-gas...

Recorded at NCI’s 2026 High Performance Summit, Adam talks with Alana, Dawn, and Misti about what it takes to run a high-performance HVAC company. They discuss hiring for the right fit, measuring airflow, giving homeowners meaningful options, and making room for the next generation to lead. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Alana Ward - Baggett Heating and Cooling Dawn Mroczek -...

Solving an IAQ problem takes more than installing the latest air-cleaning device. In this episode, Casey Contreras and Adam Mufich sit down with Tim DeStasio to discuss practical psychrometrics, humidity control, dew point, and the four pillars of indoor air quality: source control, filtration, ventilation, and humidity control. Tim explains why technicians should think beyond relative humidity, h...

What happens when fixing the air conditioner doesn’t fix the house? Michael Cianfrocco joins Adam to share some of the unusual investigations that have taken Detective Air far beyond the typical service call, including a recurring mold problem that required flying a blower door to the Bahamas. They discuss airflow, humidity, building leakage, equipment sizing, dehumidification, and how measuring t...

Jim Davis returns to share real carbon monoxide cases from across the country, many involving equipment that had already been inspected, serviced, or “repaired.” These stories reveal how incomplete diagnostics, improper installations, and assumptions about combustion safety can turn ordinary service calls into life-threatening situations. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Mar...

Why do heat exchangers, burners, and boilers fail from corrosion? More importantly, what’s really causing it? Jim Davis shares decades of field experience diagnosing corrosion failures that stumped contractors and even manufacturers. Learn how to identify the root cause instead of replacing equipment only to see the same failure happen again.

Jim, Mark, Adam, and Casey unpack the truth behind CO air-free and the common misconceptions and why combustion testing, not assumptions, is the key to real CO Safety. Featuring: Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute

The refrigerant transition isn't slowing down... but it isn't happening exactly as many expected either. Todd Titus joins us again to discuss the latest developments surrounding ultra-low GWP refrigerants, including lawsuits, regulatory updates, and the ongoing debate over implementation across the United States. Whether you're a technician, contractor, distributor, or simply trying to understand...

Explore why HVAC contractors should address succession planning long before retirement, burnout, or a buyer’s offer forces the issue. In this week’s podcast, High-Performance HVAC Today Editor Mike Weil sits down with Dawn Mroczek of GV’s Heating, Rob Basnett of Basnett Plumbing and Heating, and Adam Mufich to understand their very different experiences. You’ll learn about the importance of commun...

Airflow wasn't just a technical skill for Tom Noland. It became a business strategy for Lickety Split A/C, Plumbing, and Electric. In this episode, Tom shares how adopting airflow and combustion diagnostics reshaped the way his company operated, created better customer experiences, and opened the door to significant growth. If you've ever wondered whether testing and measuring really make a differ...

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Baugh and talk about the evolution of the HVAC industry, the shift in education, and the growing role technology plays in the trade. We discuss how technicians are learning differently today and how the balance between field experience and technical knowledge continues to shift. Roman also shares insights from working with contractors and technicians across...

In this episode, Jim shares his stories from carbon monoxide investigations, deadly equipment failures, and the moments that shaped his career in combustion diagnostics and HVAC training. Jim discusses contractor liability, ANSI standards, CO testing, and why “good enough” diagnostics can have serious consequences. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfor...

Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras sit down with Chris Hughes from The Energy Conservatory to break down the latest updates to the TrueFlow app and what they mean for HVAC contractors. Learn how forecasting airflow can eliminate guesswork, what is pressure graphing and its use case, and how these tools can help you make faster, more confident decisions on the job. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Co...

Ty Branaman dives into the hidden pitfalls of pulling a deep vacuum and more importantly, how to avoid them. From moisture behavior to evacuation strategy, this episode gets into the details that separate the guesswork from actual results. The properties of air can be confusing, but it is important to have a basic understanding when working in the HVAC field. Learn how a clothes dryer works and ho...

Casey Contreras and Adam Mufich are joined by Jason Esteves of Seitron Americas to discuss combustion analyzers, personal CO monitors, and the latest refrigerant tools. The conversation centers on real-world applications, safety, and accuracy in the field. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jason Esteves - Seitron Americas #caseycontrer...

Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras talk with Jeff Sturgeon about economizers, digging into installation challenges, the health and cognitive benefits of proper ventilation, and how saved data reveals real system performance. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jeff Sturgeon - National Comfort Institute

In this episode, Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras interview Chris Hughes (The Energy Conservatory) and Roman Baugh (HVAC School) about cold-climate heat pumps and VRV systems. From charging to system-specific service tips, we break down what contractors need to get right in the field. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Chris Hughes - The...

David Richardson and Adam Mufich sit down with Todd Titus from HARDI to break down ultra-low GWP refrigerants, upcoming regulations, and the real-world trickle-down effects on contractors and consumers. We also dig into how HARDI is pushing back and advocating for the HVAC industry. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute David Richardson - National Comfort Institute Todd Titus, JD - H...

Jim Davis takes us through the real-world experiences that led him to uncover what actually affects combustion efficiency. Along the way, he challenges common trade myths and simplifies the basics of heat transfer, showing how they play a critical role in combustion. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute David Richardson - National Comfort Insti...

Not all duct leakage is created equal. Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory explains the critical differences between leakage inside and outside the thermal envelope and how each affects comfort, efficiency, and performance. He also dives into diagnostic testing strategies that help uncover the real sources of airflow and comfort issues. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Ste...

Tony Amadio is the President of First Dimension Software and the developer of TrueLoads, a residential HVAC system design application. He brings more than 18 years of engineering experience in the HVACR industry, along with a strong background in HVAC education. Tony holds a Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida. In this episode, Tony comp...

This week, Adam sits down with Scott Fielder from Evergreen Telemetry for a conversation about commercial air balancing, field measurement, and the stories behind Evergreen’s innovative tools. If you’ve ever thought about getting into commercial air balancing, this episode is for you. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Scott Fielder - Evergreen Telemetry

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Janowiak to explore his journey of measuring heat pump performance. Ed shares how he first began exploring airflow and BTU calculations, and how the same challenges contractors face today were already present decades ago. We also cover practical ways to measure coefficient of performance and quick diagnostic tests that can give valuable insights into system hea...

At the NCI Summit, we sat down with Brian Wright and Axel Romero to learn how they’ve used advanced diagnostics to set their company apart. From solving tough comfort problems to tackling serious health concerns, they share their journey in becoming the go-to choice in their market. This conversation is packed with real-world lessons for contractors who want to grow their reputation, deliver measu...

At the NCI Summit, we sat down with Anthony Woo to hear his powerful story of discovery and growth. Anthony shares how he first connected with NCI, the impact it’s had on his professional journey, and the lessons he’s learned over the past year. From new skills to real-world successes, this conversation highlights how training and education can transform not just a career, but an entire approach t...