HPAC On The Air

The executive director of the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (NBBI) sits down to tell us how the boiler industry is handling new technologies, pushing for broader certifications and recruiting its next generation of inspectors.

HPAC On The Air welcomes Elise Kiland, Liz Jedrlinic, and Drew Samuels, the top three leaders of Young Engineers in ASHRAE. Join us for this lively discussion of the unprecedented challenges and opportunities now facing our industry's next generation as they navigate truly extraordinary times both nationally and globally. 

As we approach this momentous 4th of July at this extraordinarily fractious time, let us rededicate ourselves to serving this industry, and each other, with "integrity, civility, and courage." And let the problem-solving collaboration that is the hallmark of our industry help ALL of our neighbors to find common ground and common purpose.

Lots are going on this spring at the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA), and President and CEO Scott Lynch returns to 'HPAC On The Air' to update us on all of them. From BOILER Expo 2026, held earlier this spring in Nashville, to ABMA's new online Resource Center and its fascinating new History Timeline, Lynch conveys at least some of the energy driving the growing international orga...

As global conflicts and domestic political dysfunction continue to roil markets with tariffs, inflation and overall uncertainty, industry economists still see strength and resilience among the chaos. But for how long? 

In a challenging environment, healthy buildings advocates are still riding post-pandemic momentum to push indoor air quality initiatives, especially at the state and local level, that will improve occupant health and productivity. Dr. Jason Hartke, EVP of external affairs at the International WELL Building Institute, offers an uplifting update on where such efforts currently stand, both in the U.S...

*PODCAST* Whether you like it or not, artificial intelligence is part of this industry now and its impact is being felt more and more each day. Where is your firm on this journey? Listen to HPAC Engineering's latest take on this game-changing technology.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last spring that it was considering ending or privatizing its popular, 30-year-old program for promoting energy efficiency in buildings and products across the U.S. But industry pushed back with so much bipartisan support for maintaining ENERGY STAR as is that Congress decided to keep the program in its FY2026 budget. This month, however, EP...

Engineering technology is now at a "watershed moment," says the Smart Cities guru. Artificial intelligence is already performing more than just administrative tasks at design firms, notes Doherty. The last remaining hurdle may be convincing clients that new designs generated in hours are just as reliable as the ones that used to take weeks to complete.

In the wake of our industry's massive turnout in Las Vegas for AHR Expo 2026, we talk to the event's director of marketing about what was new and surprising this year and what attendees and exhibitors can expect to see next fall in Mexico and next January in Chicago.

This month's editorial essay bids farewell to beloved commissioning engineer, Ron Wilkinson, creator of The Adventures of Johnny Tundra: Cold-Weather Engineer, and perhaps the only film critic who ever focused exclusively on the proper use of HVAC systems in popular movies ? (Were the ducts that Bruce Willis was crawling through in Die Hard properly sized?) But Ron's passing last month, and the gl...

As we enter 2026 and prepare for our industry's biggest annual tradeshow, AHR Expo, which coincides next month with ASHRAE's Winter Conference in Las Vegas, there is palpable anxiety in the air on multiple fronts. The daily assault of dizzying headlines and unprecedented news has left many of us unsettled and uncertain about the road ahead. But for our industry at least, there is still considerabl...

Expanding on her current HPAC cover story, the renowned IAQ expert, architect, and medical doctor tells us why this post-pandemic moment offers "a golden opportunity" for improving both the health of our buildings and their occupants.

As the year draws to a close, HPAC's editor takes stock of the progress, promise, and "golden" opportunity now fueling the potential for generational change in indoor environmental quality. 

Energy efficiency and decarbonization have dominated the HVACR stage in recent years, but ASHRAE's 2025-26 president is determined to turn the spotlight on IEQ before building owners forget the lessons of the pandemic.

With the government shutdown now in its second month, industry economists find themselves in an unusually precarious situation. This fall, forecasters are trying to make predictions for 2026 without the benefit of their usual monthly supply of essential government statistics. Imagine trying to read a crystal ball while wearing a blindfold. Here, Rob McManamy discusses the predicament.

HPAC On The Air welcomes back the president of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers to give us a halftime report on his two-year term in office. Much is happening regarding codes and infrastructure repairs, he says, but the key to it all will be project team-building and multi-discipline collaboration.

This month's editorial focuses on a new push among some of the best construction lawyers to help engineers, contractors and owners to prevent project disputes BEFORE they actually happen. After that, the cost to the bottom line and to relationships is almost always just too high. Listen up for more details about to become a part of the 'dispute prevention' movement...  

Recent outbreaks in New York City, Ohio, and Iowa remind us that water-borne pathogens in water systems are still out there. And water conservation efforts today even require heightened scrutiny. Listen to these insights and more from Dr. Abe Cullom, Director of Water Safety and Management at the Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh.

We dive into the latest update to the AIA Consensus Construction Forecast and see what 10 industry experts are now predicting for next year. Not surprisingly, many expectations hinge on the durability of the market's capacity for more and more data centers...

Our latest editorial looks at the impact of engineering on international relations and the cooperative example that ASHRAE and other global industry groups are still setting in these most divisive times...

Jim Pauley is worried. The CEO of the National Fire Protection Association was already concerned that complacency and overconfidence were raising risk levels across our buildings stock. But now the latest wave of deregulation has forced NFPA to launch its first-ever national publicity campaign.

Just days after a massive new federal funding package was signed into law this month, new data showed inflation returning and higher than expected tariffs taking effect. Here, HPAC Engineering reviews some of the wide range of emotions our industry has been expressing so far.

The ACEC Research Institute's executive director walks us through some encouraging recent data from the American Council of Engineering Companies. She also invites our audience to participate in additional ongoing research.

The signs are everywhere. Artificial intelligence will have its biggest impact yet on our industry in 2025. This month's episode of HPAC: Editor's Notes looks at compelling new data on the growing use of AI in engineering, design and construction. Are you ready?