The Beer Can Cold Podcast

Think paying an HVAC technician $25 an hour means they cost your business $25 an hour? THINK AGAIN! In this episode of the **Beer Can Cold Podcast**, JG, Marty, and Will pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the HVAC industry: **LABOR BURDEN, PRICING, AND PROFITABILITY.** We're breaking down the REAL numbers behind running an HVAC service business and why that $25-per-hou...

Think paying an HVAC technician $25 an hour means they cost your business $25 an hour? THINK AGAIN! In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG, Marty, and Will pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the HVAC industry: LABOR BURDEN, PRICING, AND PROFITABILITY. We're breaking down the REAL numbers behind running an HVAC service business and why that $25-per-hour techni...

That's one of the questions we tackle on the newest Beer Can Cold Podcast. We sat down with Brandon Jennings from Dialpad to talk phones, CSRs, customer experience, AI coaching, abandoned calls, call center performance and where AI actually belongs in a home service business. The big takeaway? Use AI to make your PEOPLE better — not simply to replace them. We also discuss why your CSR may be one o...

That's one of the questions we tackle on the newest Beer Can Cold Podcast. We sat down with Brandon Jennings from Dialpad to talk phones, CSRs, customer experience, AI coaching, abandoned calls, call center performance and where AI actually belongs in a home service business. The big takeaway? Use AI to make your PEOPLE better — not simply to replace them. We also discuss why your CSR may be one o...

HVAC Is Changing Fast: The 2026 Slowdown, AI, Culture & the Technician Shortage The Beer Can Cold Podcast is back. This week, JG and Will sit down with Brian and Carrie Ivester, owners of Anderson Heating & Cooling, a woman- and veteran-owned HVAC company serving the Charlotte, North Carolina area. We dig into what HVAC contractors are actually dealing with in 2026: slowing call volume, ch...

What is it really like to be an HVAC technician during one of the hottest summers on record? In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Jason Harmon of Anderson Heating & Cooling for an honest conversation straight from the service van. From scorching attics and flooded crawl spaces to customer expectations and long summer days, Jason shares what life is really like on the...

What is it really like to be an HVAC technician during one of the hottest summers on record? In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Jason Harmon of Anderson Heating & Cooling for an honest conversation straight from the service van. From scorching attics and flooded crawl spaces to customer expectations and long summer days, Jason shares what life is really like on the...

Beer Can Cold Podcast – Extended Labor Warranties Part 2 Are extended labor warranties killing service department revenue… or are they one of the most powerful customer retention tools available today? In Part 2 of our deep dive into extended labor warranties, JG Van Graan, Will Merritt, and Marty Gildemeyer sit down with Kelsey Weeks and Courtney Womack from JB Warranties to answer the questions...

Summer is finally here and the boys are back with another episode of Beer Can Cold Podcast featuring sponsor favorite Marty from Praxis. In this episode, we dive into HVAC industry conversations, business growth, marketing strategy, leadership, customer experience, and the real challenges facing home service companies today. Expect authentic conversations, practical insights, and a little bit of h...

Summer is finally here and the boys are back with another episode of Beer Can Cold Podcast featuring sponsor favorite Marty from Praxis. In this episode, we dive into HVAC industry conversations, business growth, marketing strategy, leadership, customer experience, and the real challenges facing home service companies today. Expect authentic conversations, practical insights, and a little bit of h...

What separates great HVAC companies from the ones that stay stuck? This week on the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG and Will sit down with business coach and leadership expert Kerry Webb to talk about accountability, culture, pricing, leadership, technician coaching, and what really causes HVAC and plumbing companies to plateau. Kerry has worked with hundreds of home service companies across the country...

Podcast Description (SEO + Distribution Ready) This week on the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG and Will sit down with Phil Schaaf, Division VP at Daikin Comfort Technologies, to break down what’s really happening behind the scenes in HVAC. From rising equipment costs to shrinking margins, changing technology, and the growing challenge of same-day fixes—this episode dives into what distributors and manu...

In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we get real about one of the biggest issues holding HVAC companies—and most businesses—back: execution. Everyone talks about goals, culture, accountability, and growth… but very few teams actually follow through. We break down why that gap exists and what it really takes to close it. From leadership blind spots to team accountability, this conversation...

In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Derrek from SBE Odyssey to break down what is really happening inside HVAC companies and where most owners are getting it wrong. SBE Odyssey was built from a real residential HVAC company that scaled from zero to over $50 million, and Derrek shares what they have learned from coaching contractors across the country. This conversation d...

In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we hit the road and record live from the ACR Supply Expo at the Raleigh Convention Center. This episode is packed with insights for HVAC contractors, distributors, and business owners who want to build stronger companies through culture, leadership, and proven systems like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). We sit down with leaders from ACR Supply...

Building HVAC Company Value: EBITDA, Maintenance Agreements & Exit Strategy Description: What actually builds value in an HVAC company? In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG and Will sit down with Patrick Lange, business broker and M&A expert in the trades, and Marty, recurring revenue specialist and maintenance agreement champion, to break down what really drives valuation in a...

Most HVAC companies focus on revenue. The most successful companies focus on building long-term business value. In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, hosts JG van Graan and Will Merritt break down the key drivers behind creating a stronger, more profitable, and scalable HVAC business. This episode continues our February series focused on building company value and explains why predictable...

We’re coming to you live from SCALT with boots-on-the-ground conversations from the HVAC industry floor. In this episode, JG van Graan and Will Merritt capture real-time insights from contractors, vendors, and industry leaders about what’s actually happening in the trades right now. From growth strategies and staffing challenges to technology, marketing, and operations — this episode delivers unfi...

Summary In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, hosts J.G. van Graan and Will Merritt welcome HVAC expert Marty Gildemeyer to discuss the critical role of maintenance agreements in the HVAC industry. They explore how to build a customer-centric culture, the importance of training and empowering technicians, and the financial impact of maintenance plans. The conversation emphasizes the need f...

Summary In this episode, JG van Graan and Will Merritt kick off the new year with exciting updates about their podcast, including new music and a fresh website. They discuss their recent partnership with a sponsor, Marty from Praxis, who will contribute valuable insights to help contractors improve their businesses. The hosts also reflect on the current slow season in the HVAC industry, sharing th...

In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG van Graan and Will Merritt sit down with Travis McGee from ThermoGrid to talk shop—and it's a ride. From classic cars to cutting-edge tech, we cover it all. Travis shares his journey in the HVAC industry, what sets ThermoGrid apart in the crowded field of CRM software, and how AI is changing the way HVAC companies operate. If you're in the trades an...

New Episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast! This week, we sit down with Chris 4th, Vice President of Regulatory and Environmental Affairs at Johnson Controls, to get the inside scoop on the R-454B shortage that’s shaking up the HVAC industry. We dig into: What’s really causing the refrigerant delays What techs and business owners should expect this summer The future of regulatory changes in refriger...

Thinking about selling your HVAC, Plumbing, or Electrical business? In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, we sit down with Patrick and Josh Lange from Business Modification Group — the go-to team for buying and selling trades businesses. We talk about: What your business needs to look like before you list it Common mistakes owners make when preparing to sell What buyers are really looking...

This week on the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG and Will break down the truth about AI in the HVAC world — what works, what’s hype, and what business owners REALLY need to know. We dive into: • How AI overflow agents (Podium, BirdEye, etc.) actually behave • Why AI won’t fully replace CSRs anytime soon • Leadership and culture shifts going into 2026 • Generative AI search + how it’s changing marketing...

In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG van Graan (Boer Brothers Heating & Cooling) and Will Merritt (Effective Media Solutions) take a deep dive into pay-per-click (PPC) advertising for HVAC companies. Whether you're a startup contractor or running a multi-million dollar service department, this conversation breaks down what works, what wastes money, and what’s changing in the world...