The High-Performance HVAC Podcast

Explore why HVAC contractors should address succession planning long before retirement, burnout, or a buyer’s offer forces the issue. In this week’s podcast, High-Performance HVAC Today Editor Mike Weil sits down with Dawn Mroczek of GV’s Heating, Rob Basnett of Basnett Plumbing and Heating, and Adam Mufich to understand their very different experiences. You’ll learn about the importance of commun...

Airflow wasn't just a technical skill for Tom Noland. It became a business strategy for Lickety Split A/C, Plumbing, and Electric. In this episode, Tom shares how adopting airflow and combustion diagnostics reshaped the way his company operated, created better customer experiences, and opened the door to significant growth. If you've ever wondered whether testing and measuring really make a differ...

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Baugh and talk about the evolution of the HVAC industry, the shift in education, and the growing role technology plays in the trade. We discuss how technicians are learning differently today and how the balance between field experience and technical knowledge continues to shift. Roman also shares insights from working with contractors and technicians across...

In this episode, Jim shares his stories from carbon monoxide investigations, deadly equipment failures, and the moments that shaped his career in combustion diagnostics and HVAC training. Jim discusses contractor liability, ANSI standards, CO testing, and why “good enough” diagnostics can have serious consequences. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfor...

Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras sit down with Chris Hughes from The Energy Conservatory to break down the latest updates to the TrueFlow app and what they mean for HVAC contractors. Learn how forecasting airflow can eliminate guesswork, what is pressure graphing and its use case, and how these tools can help you make faster, more confident decisions on the job. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Co...

Ty Branaman dives into the hidden pitfalls of pulling a deep vacuum and more importantly, how to avoid them. From moisture behavior to evacuation strategy, this episode gets into the details that separate the guesswork from actual results. The properties of air can be confusing, but it is important to have a basic understanding when working in the HVAC field. Learn how a clothes dryer works and ho...

Casey Contreras and Adam Mufich are joined by Jason Esteves of Seitron Americas to discuss combustion analyzers, personal CO monitors, and the latest refrigerant tools. The conversation centers on real-world applications, safety, and accuracy in the field. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jason Esteves - Seitron Americas #caseycontrer...

Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras talk with Jeff Sturgeon about economizers, digging into installation challenges, the health and cognitive benefits of proper ventilation, and how saved data reveals real system performance. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jeff Sturgeon - National Comfort Institute

In this episode, Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras interview Chris Hughes (The Energy Conservatory) and Roman Baugh (HVAC School) about cold-climate heat pumps and VRV systems. From charging to system-specific service tips, we break down what contractors need to get right in the field. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Chris Hughes - The...

David Richardson and Adam Mufich sit down with Todd Titus from HARDI to break down ultra-low GWP refrigerants, upcoming regulations, and the real-world trickle-down effects on contractors and consumers. We also dig into how HARDI is pushing back and advocating for the HVAC industry. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute David Richardson - National Comfort Institute Todd Titus, JD - H...

Jim Davis takes us through the real-world experiences that led him to uncover what actually affects combustion efficiency. Along the way, he challenges common trade myths and simplifies the basics of heat transfer, showing how they play a critical role in combustion. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute David Richardson - National Comfort Insti...

Not all duct leakage is created equal. Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory explains the critical differences between leakage inside and outside the thermal envelope and how each affects comfort, efficiency, and performance. He also dives into diagnostic testing strategies that help uncover the real sources of airflow and comfort issues. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Ste...

Tony Amadio is the President of First Dimension Software and the developer of TrueLoads, a residential HVAC system design application. He brings more than 18 years of engineering experience in the HVACR industry, along with a strong background in HVAC education. Tony holds a Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida. In this episode, Tony comp...

This week, Adam sits down with Scott Fielder from Evergreen Telemetry for a conversation about commercial air balancing, field measurement, and the stories behind Evergreen’s innovative tools. If you’ve ever thought about getting into commercial air balancing, this episode is for you. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Scott Fielder - Evergreen Telemetry

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Janowiak to explore his journey of measuring heat pump performance. Ed shares how he first began exploring airflow and BTU calculations, and how the same challenges contractors face today were already present decades ago. We also cover practical ways to measure coefficient of performance and quick diagnostic tests that can give valuable insights into system hea...

At the NCI Summit, we sat down with Brian Wright and Axel Romero to learn how they’ve used advanced diagnostics to set their company apart. From solving tough comfort problems to tackling serious health concerns, they share their journey in becoming the go-to choice in their market. This conversation is packed with real-world lessons for contractors who want to grow their reputation, deliver measu...

At the NCI Summit, we sat down with Anthony Woo to hear his powerful story of discovery and growth. Anthony shares how he first connected with NCI, the impact it’s had on his professional journey, and the lessons he’s learned over the past year. From new skills to real-world successes, this conversation highlights how training and education can transform not just a career, but an entire approach t...

In this episode, we unpack the difference between pushy, outdated sales tactics and data-driven conversations that build trust. Al D’Ambola shares highlights from his Summit presentation, including how to make measurements relatable for homeowners and a creative approach to following up with customers. Whether you’re a contractor aiming to boost credibility or a homeowner tired of sales gimmicks,...

In this episode, Vince Lopez shares a real-world situation where another contractor claimed a furnace was safe, but testing revealed a dangerous situation. Vince walks us through how he identified the issue and provided a solution, and why education and proper testing are critical to protecting our customers. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort In...

In this episode, Jim Ball shares practical strategies for making your service department not only stand out but thrive as a profitable part of your business. From setting your team apart in a crowded market to implementing systems that boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re an owner, manager, or technician looking for fresh ideas, you’ll leave with actionable insights you can s...

Adam, Casey, and John break down the often-overlooked side of indoor air quality—how some IAQ devices can actually create harmful byproducts in your home. They explore the pros and cons of different filtration types, when to use each, and why not all “clean air” products are created equal. If you care about what you’re customers are breathing, this episode will help you make more thoughtful recomm...

Adam, Casey, and Mark swap some wild (and a little scary) stories about the surprising places carbon monoxide can show up. They chat about the risks of not testing, what the Wanton Act means for liability, and why ignoring it isn’t worth it. Technician safety should always be a concern, so they share simple, real-world tips on how to start protecting yourself and your customers from this silent da...

Adam and David discuss field conditions and factors that affect comfort and performance. They examine why design doesn’t always equal reality and the risks of ignoring proper sizing and selection. The dangers of oversized equipment and how it affects both the duct system and comfort are also discussed. They share simple tips to estimate field delivered equipment and system capacity to troubleshoot...

Adam and David share their recent field experiences testing NCI’s ComfortMaxx powered by measureQuick. They discuss testing challenges, like fan airflow measurement, zoned systems, the importance of processes and checklist, and why you should label your smart probes. Their discoveries highlight the differences between the HVAC equipment and system and how the oversized equipment performed like it...

Join NCI's Dominick Guarino and David Richardson as they explore the origins of Summit, some of the most memorable moments, and the spirit of Summit that makes this event so different from most industry events.