Cool Air, Hot Takes

• How We Got Here: Our HVAC Journeys & Hot Takes

  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 podcast so far are, and what they do in their day jobs helping customers make real, sustainable and efficient progress across their buildings and systems. They also break down the four “buckets” of decarbonization, what a systems approach really means, and why energy efficiency is just the beginning. Plus, hot takes on AI, the future of HVAC, growing tomatoes in the desert, and what Dan calls his “favorite first form of decarbonization.”There’s also:How Dan has helped create the perfect environment for designer strawberriesWhy the most disruptive changes in HVAC may still be ahead, and why data will become the most important product in the energy business. A Behind the Scenes look at some of the real projects Dan and Charlie are working on.Got a hot take or question? We want to hear it! Email us at [email protected] or leave us a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management. Learn more about the show here.Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to also check out the Healthy Spaces podcast.If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these ones: RefrigeRANTS: The Good, The Bad, The Banned, How AI is Changing HVAC (and Your Job) with Brainbox AI, Decarbonization: Challenge or Opportunity?

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• PIC Valves: To Delta T or Not Delta T?

  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, VP of Sales and Marketing at Flow Control Industries. Ever wonder how a single valve could unlock massive energy savings, fix your delta T issues, or even potentially save you millions of dollars? You’ll want to hear this one.Rob breaks down:What PIC valves are and how they workWhy systems could be underperforming without themWhere designers should start integrating them for maximum impactHow NASA’s Johnson Space Center retrofitted themHow a Las Vegas stadium shaved $10M off steel costs using PICsAlso in this episode:HVAC Headlines: Flow batteries take on the data center energy crisis, and what the Q1 sales in residential heat pump furnaces and air conditioning units say about where the market is heading.Listener Mailbag: Can next-gen refrigerants really be "drop-in"? And how do data centers pick their sites?Stat of the Day: Which U.S. state has the fastest and slowest drivers?Send us your hot takes and questions! We want to feature you on the show! You can email us at [email protected], leave us a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or review us on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too!Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management.Follow for new episodes and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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• Cool Air, Hot Takes is BACK For Season 2!

  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 season, expect bigger ideas, even hotter takes, more interviews with industry leading experts, and of course, Stat of the Day!New episodes will be dropping every two weeks.In the meantime, got a hot take or a burning HVAC question? Email us at [email protected], leave us a question or comment on Spotify or Youtube, or a review on Apple Podcasts.Follow and stream all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management.

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• Buildings as Batteries: Demand Response

  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 the grid – all while creating new revenue opportunities.You'll hear:HVAC Headlines: Europe plans massive offshore "energy islands" to connect wind power to mainland grids, and Australian researchers discover that air conditioners could be a useful tool in solving crime - yes, HVAC meets CSIThe Business Case for Demand Response: From data centers to hospitals, how flexible loads are generating revenue and strengthening the grid.Stat of the Day: A new report shows in-office work is back in a big way - can you guess which industries have seen the biggest increase?We want to hear your hot takes! Email us at [email protected]. You can also leave us a comment on Spotify or Youtube, or a review on Apple Podcasts.Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management. Learn more about the show here.Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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• Decarbonization: Challenge or Opportunity?

  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 shifts and heat recovery, they dive into what’s changing, what’s working, and what HVAC pros need to know to stay ahead.We also discuss:HVAC Headlines: The EPA reconsiders key refrigerant phase-out rules under the AIM Act, and new research finds poor restroom ventilation can increase exposure to airborne bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus… designers, take note.Is It Hot or Cold: Charlie and Dan bring back Hot or Cold, but this time, the decarb edition!Stat of the Day:  Top performing S&P 500 stocks over the last 20 years. Can you do better than Dan?Got a hot take, question, or rant? Let us know! Leave us a comment on Spotify or Youtube, a review on Apple Podcasts or you can also email us at [email protected] Air, Hot Takes is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management. Learn more about the show here.Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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