HVAC Know It All Podcast

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues the mental health series with guest John Whitehead , Owner of Honest HomePerformance and Radon Solutions , and Co‑Owner of Honest Heating and Cooling Inc . John talks about his career in the trades and how a drive to learn and improve led to feelings of imposter syndrome and eventually an unhealthy obsession with educat...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Chris Howells , Senior Training and Development Manager at AprilAire , to discuss the importance of dehumidification in indoor air quality and home comfort. Chris explains how air conditioners handle both temperature and moisture, and why many systems struggle to control humidity on their own. The conversation covers...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Cody Brasseal , President of Acadiana Comfort Systems, and Emily Brasseal from Acadiana Comfort System. They discuss how they balance running a successful HVAC business while maintaining a strong family dynamic. They share lessons learned from their journey, inclu...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Eric Ruggles , Director of Engineering at Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. (YELLOW JACKET) , about airflow, static pressure, and modern diagnostic tools. In Part 2, they discuss proper system commissioning, checking pressure across components, and identifying airflow restrictions without disassembling equipment. Eric expl...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Eric Ruggles , Director of Engineering at Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. (YELLOW JACKET) , to discuss the key differences between airflow and static pressure and how to measure both correctly. Eric explains how airflow is calculated using air velocity and duct size, while static pressure is measured across system comp...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Cody Brasseal , President of Acadiana Comfort Systems and Emily Brasseal from Acadiana Comfort Systems . As a husband-and-wife team, they share their experiences of building a successful HVAC business while navigating the challenges of balancing work and family li...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Matthew Waxer , HVAC/R Mechanic at Kilmer HVACR Services Inc , about the key factors that impact system performance and compressor life. In Part 3, they focus on the importance of proper maintenance, airflow, and system setup from installation through operation. Matthew explains how correct airflow, refrigerant charge,...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Matthew Waxer , HVAC/R Mechanic at Kilmer HVACR Services Inc , about proper system setup and the impact of moisture and refrigerant charge on system performance. In Part 2, they discuss evacuation practices, moisture control, and how acid can form inside a system and damage components. Matthew explains the risks of und...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Andrew Blair , Director of Product and Market Development at Helix Earth and Advisor / Angel Investor at various startups, the conversation dives into the journey of scaling an HVAC and commercial refrigeration business from early scrappy operations to a multi-mil...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Matthew Waxer , HVAC/R Mechanic at Kilmer HVACR Services Inc , to discuss how to prevent compressor failure through proper installation, service, and maintenance practices. Matthew explains how many compressor failures are caused by system issues like poor brazing, incorrect sizing, and a lack of proper oil return. T...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Adam Gordon , Director of Service and Maintenance, Mechanical Division at Orella Group Inc , in the Mental Health series. Adam speaks openly about how past trauma shaped his need for attention and validation, and how that showed up in his life and on social media. He talks about learning to manage...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Andrew Blair , Director of Product and Market Development at Helix Earth and Advisor / Angel Investor at various startups, to explore the journey from growing up in a family-owned HVAC business to becoming a key operator in a commercial refrigeration company. The...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues the mental health series with guest Adam Gordon , Director of Service and Maintenance, Mechanical Division at Orella Group Inc. In Part 1, Adam shares his life story and speaks openly about the trauma he has faced, including witnessing a close friend die in a tragic accident, losing family members, and making the diffic...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Austin Wendel , Owner at Accounting 4 Trades . Austin shares valuable insights on managing cash flow, invoicing efficiently, and using smart marketing strategies to grow a successful trade business. From service agreements to financial systems, this episode covers...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Christopher Rystedt , Technical Sales and Trainer at Airzone Control , about air distribution and zoning with VRF and inverter systems. In Part 2, they discuss common applications such as hotels and residential homes, and how zoning can work with multiple brands and system types. Christopher explains how modern zoning...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Christopher Rystedt , Technical Sales and Trainer at Airzone Control , to discuss VRF and VRV zoning and how it applies to air distribution systems. Christopher explains how zoning can be used with inverter-driven equipment to deliver precise comfort by controlling airflow to individual spaces using modulating damper...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie welcomes Jim Bergmann , President of measureQuick and Director of New Product Development at Redfish Instruments Inc , to discuss system cleanup after moisture contamination and compressor burnouts. Jim explains why moisture in POE oil cannot be fully removed with evacuation and highlights the importance of using filter dryers an...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Austin Wendel, Owner at Accounting 4 Trades, who shares valuable insights from his experience in the trades industry, guiding entrepreneurs on how to properly set themselves up financially before taking the leap into business ownership. Austin Wendel is a seasoned...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with John Anderson , Senior Regional HVAC Technical Trainer at Sila Services and former Service Manager and Technician at Burns & McBride Home Comfort , about practical HVAC maintenance and system checks. In Part 2, they discuss how technicians can use observation, temperature measurements, and airflow checks to evaluate a...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by John Anderson , Senior Regional HVAC Technical Trainer at Sila Services , Formerly Service Manager and Technician at Burns & McBride Home Comfort , to discuss spring HVAC maintenance and the key checks technicians should perform before the cooling season begins. John shares practical methods for inspecting systems us...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with financial expert Ruth King, Founder and CEO of Financially Fit Business and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation to discuss how contractors can build sustainable profitability by focusing on the right financial metrics. Rather than obsessing over traditional profi...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with financial expert Ruth King, Founder and CEO of Financially Fit Business and CEO of Business Ventures Corporation. They talk about the importance of understanding your finances as a contractor, especially when you're starting to scale your business. Ruth King is a...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero talk with Jason Julian , Small Business Owner at Julian Heat & Air, President at J.G.Wholesale LLC and VP of Operations at Affordable Air McCallum LLC. Jason shares his incredible journey from a difficult personal period of recovery and incarceration to becoming a successful HV...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie wraps up his chat with Ilija Martinovich , about mental health in the trades and the personal struggles he faced over the past six years. Ilija shares his experience navigating COVID, a bladder cancer diagnosis, divorce, and the pressure of supporting his children while working as an essential tradesperson. He opens up about dark...

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie sits down with Ilija Martinovich to launch a year-long mental health series focused on the trades. Ilija shares his personal journey through the past six years, including working through COVID as an essential worker, being diagnosed with bladder cancer, going through a divorce, and raising his children during a very stressful tim...