Cool Air, Hot Takes

Industrial heat accounts for approximately a quarter of global energy consumption, says Ruth Checknoff, today’s guest, and is the key to hitting climate targets.  Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes , Dan and Charlie welcome Ruth Checknoff , Senior Project & Research Director at the Renewable Thermal Collaborative , to talk about the hot (literally) challenge of decarbonizing industrial thermal proce...

This week on Cool Air, Hot Takes , we’re doing something a little different. We’re dropping a special crossover episode from our friends over at the Healthy Spaces podcast, featuring our very own Dan Gentry and Charlie Jelen . Together, they sit down with Dominique Silva and Scott Tew to share how two middle-school friends from Wisconsin ended up in HVAC, what their favorite hot takes from the pod...

We’re back! Welcome to Season 2 of Cool Air, Hot Takes : the podcast where buildings, energy, and HVAC collide in all the best ways. Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry return with fresh (hot) takes, big laughs, and sharp insights into what’s next in the world of HVAC and energy systems. In this episode, we’re going deep on PIC valves, that’s pressure independent control valves, with Rob Trickett ,...

The podcast that’s as smart as your building’s thermostat is back! Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry return for Season 2 of Cool Air, Hot Takes , the podcast that dives deep into the future of HVAC, energy systems, and the bold ideas reshaping buildings. Whether you’re an engineer, designer, facility manager, or just someone who appreciates a healthy delta T, you’re in the right place. This seaso...

What if your building could act like a battery - and get paid for it? In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes , hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Adam Scarsella , Director of Sales at Voltus , about how demand response and virtual power plants are transforming energy use. From chillers to controls, they break down how smart buildings are shedding loads, shifting demand, and supporting th...

Is decarbonization the biggest challenge or the biggest opportunity for the HVAC industry? In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes , hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are joined by Molly Dee-Ramasamy , Director of Deep Carbon Reduction at JB&B, to unpack what decarbonization really means for buildings, systems, and the people designing them. From electrification and grid impacts to policy shif...

Is AI really the future of HVAC, or just industry hype? In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes , hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Jean-Simon Venne , CTO and co-founder of BrainBox AI , about how artificial intelligence is reshaping HVAC systems. They explore real-world ways AI boosts energy efficiency, enhances preventative maintenance, improves indoor air quality, and helps buildings...

What’s the real story behind AC refrigerants? Why are some being phased out, others destroyed, and what does it mean for the HVAC industry? In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes , Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Ray Rieling from Tradewater to talk about refrigerants - the good, the bad, and the banned. From legacy refrigerants like R-22 to the controversial future of HFC refrigerant de...

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, reliabil...

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 he...

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...