Accelerated HVAC Success Podcast

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , Shiblee Noman, Senior Product Manager for Furnaces at Daikin Comfort Technologies, begins by explaining how Daikin is helping homeowners qualify for the 25C tax credit by upgrading their two-stage variable models to 97% efficiency, with even more high-efficiency models on the way. He shares how Daikin’s offerings stack up against competitors and explai...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton sits down with Manish Shelare, Ductless Product Manager at Daikin Comfort Technologies. Manish introduces the audience to the innovative Daikin OTERRA 115-volt system—a game-changer for older homes and retrofit applications. He describes how this compact, high-efficiency system delivers performance equal to traditional 220-volt syste...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Kelly Hearnsberger, Vice President of Advanced Product Marketing & Innovation at Daikin Comfort Technologies, offers an exciting look into Daikin’s forward-thinking initiatives. He dives into their mission to transform the HVAC marketplace with advanced heat pump and inverter technology, and how Daikin is working to communicate that value to contrac...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , we sit down with Scott Mangum, National Sales Trainer for the Central and Texas Divisions, to talk about how evolving HVAC technology—especially the Daikin FIT system and ductless solutions—is reshaping the industry. Scott unpacks how homeowners are adapting to these advancements and outlines the perks of Side Discharge and Ductless units beyond just e...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , we’re joined by Peyton Collier, Regional Sales Manager at JB Industries, to discuss critical updates for contractors as the industry transitions to low-GWP refrigerants. Peyton breaks down the key changes, including the requirement that any motorized component touching the refrigeration cycle must be A2L compliant, and how JB Industries has adapted its...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton engages with Mike Robinson, owner of Smith Plumbing & Heating in Colorado Springs, who shares his strategies for managing rising business costs while maintaining customer trust. Mike breaks down how he markets his pricing strategies in a competitive landscape and ensures his technicians stay consistently productive. He also reinf...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , we welcome Jim Steffey, Daikin Comfort National Sales Trainer for the South Division, to discuss his passion for training and the strategies he has developed throughout his career. Jim addresses the common barriers that prevent contractors from investing in training and the complexities of balancing business acumen with customer service education. He h...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton sits down with Mike Smith, Manager of Commercialization and Channel Marketing at Daikin Comfort, to tackle one of the biggest homeowner dilemmas—repairing or replacing an HVAC system. Mike offers expert insights on how contractors can guide homeowners through this decision, especially as rising repair costs and upcoming refrigerant c...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton sits down with Matt Maleske, Owner and Business Coach with CTM, who shares his expertise on blending technical knowledge with sales skills to drive success in the HVAC industry. Matt emphasizes the need for contractors to be both engineers and salespeople, with a deep understanding of heat loads, airflow, and CFMs. He explains how hi...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , we welcome John Maiorana, Product Support Manager with Forane Refrigerants and Arkema, for a deep dive into the evolving world of refrigerants. John explains the regulatory changes and requirements that have shaped the industry, explaining the Environmental Protection Agency's goals, Global Warming Potentials (GWPs), and the critical timeline and basel...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , Jennifer Bagley, President and CEO of CI Webgroup, shares her journey with AI and how she has witnessed its evolution firsthand. She explains how businesses can refine their strategies by leveraging AI and how CI Webgroup has analyzed different AI platforms to maximize their potential. Jennifer highlights how her company currently integrates AI as an o...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Gene Palandro, Sales Manager at Wrightsoft, joins us to share the company’s journey and its transformative impact on the HVAC industry. Gene dives into how Wrightsoft has grown alongside the industry, revolutionizing processes with innovations like Perfect Pitch, a program developed specifically for Daikin. He emphasizes the importance of contractors sh...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton welcomes Daniel Bezden, founder of the online pricing tool justgivemetheprice.com , to discuss how his diverse background in sales and marketing has shaped his success in the HVAC industry. Daniel reveals how his experience in multiple industries helped him develop a proven sales process that increases closing rates, even in a field...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , Dan Clapper, Director of Learning and Business Outcomes at Interplay Learning, addresses the transformative power of effective training in the HVAC industry. Dan explores the challenges of teaching hands-on skills, even when the knowledge exists, and emphasizes the importance of meeting learners at their current level. He reveals his observations on ho...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success , host Ben Middleton is joined by Seth Humble, SEO Product Manager at CI Web Group, who breaks down the essentials of search engine optimization (SEO) and why it’s critical for contractors to rank at the top of Google search results. Seth shares compelling statistics on Google’s dominance as the go-to search engine and highlights emerging trends among yo...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, host Ben Middleton sits down with Jillian Gaskins, National Sales Training Director for Dealer Development at Daikin Comfort Technology, to explore the transformative role of training in the HVAC industry. Jillian shares insights into the Daikin Learning Campus, a robust platform designed to equip contractors with the skills they need to stay ahead of t...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, Scott Mangum, National Sales Trainer for Daikin Comfort Technologies, provides invaluable knowledge for HVAC professionals considering starting their own business. Drawing from his extensive experience, Scott offers words of wisdom on the importance of embracing change to grow and improve a company. He emphasizes the need for new business owners to unde...

In this episode of the Accelerated HVAC Success podcast, host Ben Middleton sits down with Mike Smith from the Commercial and Digital Marketing department at Daikin Comfort Technologies. Mike opens by offering information on the tools and resources available at Daikin Branches to help contractors navigate the transition to low-GWP refrigerants. He then discusses the comprehensive training material...

In this episode of the Accelerated HVAC Success podcast, we’re joined by Crystal William, Founder and Chief Strategist of Lemon Seed Marketing. Crystal shares her expertise on how HVAC contractors can navigate the complex world of marketing, emphasizing that success requires more than just a digital presence. Contractors must adopt a layered approach that includes understanding their clients deepl...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, we are joined by Shiblee Noman, Sales Product Manager for Furnaces at Daikin Comfort Technologies, to explore the evolving landscape of furnace technology and refrigerants. Shiblee breaks down the impact of low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants on furnaces, discussing different mitigation levels and diving into the RDS system’s role in adaptin...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, we are joined by Bob Halpin, Director of Operations at Daikin Comfort Technologies, who reports on the essential topics surrounding the transition to A2L products, particularly R-32 refrigerant. Bob describes Daikin’s comprehensive multi-platform training and incentive program designed to equip HVAC professionals with the knowledge needed to handle thes...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, we sit down with Eric McGrath, CEO of Driven Leadership, to discuss the critical role leadership plays in the HVAC industry. Eric reveals a surprising fact: many dealers lack formal training in leading teams or managing groups, which can hinder their overall success. He emphasizes the importance of leadership development, explaining that good leadership...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, we sit down with Matthew Bratsis, VP of Contractor Sales at Electric Gas Industries Association (EGIA), for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of financing in the HVAC industry. Matthew shares anecdotes on how financing has become a critical component of the HVAC purchasing experience and emphasizes the importance of contractors viewi...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, host Ben Middleton sits down with Alex Ayers, Vice President of Government Affairs at HARDI, to dive into the latest regulatory challenges facing the HVAC industry. Alex discusses HARDI's role in helping its members navigate complex government regulations, particularly in light of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). He shares insights into the challenges...

In this episode of Accelerated HVAC Success, host Ben Middleton is joined by Bryan Franz, Marketing Enablement Manager at Daikin, to explore the evolution of HVAC dispatching and the pivotal role of technology in transforming this element of the industry. Bryan shares insights from his career, walking the listener through the shift from traditional methods to modern Field Service Management System...