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Supply Chain: Explained
Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Mike Fierro, Supply Chain Products Manager at SourceBlue (Turner Construction), to unpack how the biggest projects actually get done. From pre-purchasing chillers and generators, to designing around lead times, Mike explains what changed post-COVID, why data centers are rewriting the playbook, and how a hyperscale job went from PO to units on the factory floor in days. Plus his hot take: that the U.S. tried to electrify too fast… do you agree?We’ve also got:HVAC Headlines: Tucson’s “Beast” plant at Davis-Monthon Air Force Base and what might come after R-454B/R-32.Dan Inside the Factory: A walkthrough at Trane’s La Crosse lab and a sneak peak at some of the centrifugal chillers. Stat of the Day: Where AIs get their information, and it’s not what you’d expect. This is the last episode of season 2! Thanks for riding along on this journey with us. Season 3 will be dropping in a few weeks.Until then, we still want your hot takes and questions! Emails [email protected], drop a comment on Youtube or Spotify, or leave a review 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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The Future of HVAC Techs
This week, Zach Zentz, Technician Productivity Manager at Trane, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry for a deep dive into the world of HVAC technicians. From what a day on the job really looks like to why laptops are now just as essential as the wrenches, Zach breaks down the challenges and opportunities shaping the HVAC technician experience. He also shares stories from the field, including 20-hour casino shifts, extreme rooftop repairs, and why data centers are also changing the game for techs.We also have:HVAC Headlines: The future of cold storage, how we’re making data centers more flexible, and the biggest headline of all…Dan’s birthday!Application Engineer Fantasy Draft: Charlie and Dan pick their dream HVAC teamStat of the Day: Which athletes take home the biggest paychecks in the world?We want your hot takes and questions! 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 every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions
Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool SolutionsToday, Sam Brown, Chief Development Officer at Serverfarm, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, for a deep dive into the world of data centers. From the art of picking the perfect site to why he’s not convinced liquid cooling will dominate the future, Sam shares insights from 15 years in the industry. Plus, Sam explains why he thinks data centers might just be the hidden monuments of our generation.We also have:HVAC Headlines: Why private equity is buying up independent contractors. Dan Inside the Factory: Dan’s on assignment again, this time with Scott Nieman, looking at Cooling Distribution Units.Stat of the Day: Which US states spend the most on childcare?We want your hot takes and questions! 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 HVAC podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing technology in HVAC and energy management.Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Asset Management: The Secret Sauce for Great Facilities
Managing HVAC Assets the Smart WayToday on Cool Air, Hot Takes, Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are joined by Stephen Zetarski, COO of Nuvolo, to explore how data-driven asset management is changing the way buildings operate and the way technicians work. From cloud-based platforms that connect every asset and workflow, to improving service speed and accuracy, this truly is the definition of working smarter, not harder. Plus, we also have:HVAC Headlines: The top emerging technologies of 2025 and a cooler that doubles up as an air conditioner?!Dan Inside the Factory: Dan goes behind the scenes at one of Trane’s factories to get a closer look at the ECTV chillers. Stat of the Day: Which US States Eat the Most Fast Food?We want your hot takes and questions! 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 every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Industrial Heat: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Pump
Industrial heat accounts for approximately a quarter of global energy consumption, says Ruth Checknoff, today’s guest, and is the key to hitting climate targets. Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes, Dan and Charlie welcome Ruth Checknoff, Senior Project & Research Director at the Renewable Thermal Collaborative, to talk about the hot (literally) challenge of decarbonizing industrial thermal processes. From whiskey distilleries in Scotland to policies in Pennsylvania, New York and Colorado, Ruth walks us through the tech, the trends, and the temperature thresholds behind industrial heat pumps, thermal batteries, and more.Plus, we have:HVAC Headlines: Why Charlie loves the demand control ventilation at Disney and the wild world of copper theft and HVAC units.Listener Mailbag: Air source boilers and nuclear power’s comeback.Stat of the Day: Which states are building America? We want your hot takes and questions! 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 every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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About Cool Air, Hot Takes

Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that’s as smart as your building’s thermostat and twice as fun. Hosted by Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, two HVAC pros with over 30 years of combined experience and a lifetime of friendship, this show is your go-to for the latest in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, industry news, and cutting-edge HVAC trends. Charlie is a building-systems expert passionate about solving complex problems, and Dan, an Applications Engineer with a knack for energy-efficient design and HVAC troubleshooting, bring their expertise (and plenty of hot takes) to every episode. Together, they dive into topics like the latest trends and systems redefining buildings and Industrial systems , and the future of AI in the industry, from smart thermostats to data centers. They’ll look at what’s up with all these tech companies buying nuclear power plants, and what does it mean for the future of climate control? Expect in-depth interviews with industry-leading experts, practical tips for engineers and contractors, and funny stories from that job that went sideways. Whether you’re designing ductwork, conducting energy audits, or upgrading to sustainable HVAC systems, this podcast is built to keep you informed and entertained. We want to hear from you! Email us [email protected] with your questions, HVAC hacks, or the funniest thing that’s ever happened on a job, and we might feature it in an episode. Follow Cool Air, Hot Takes from Trane wherever you get your podcasts, and join us as we tackle the big questions and the finer points of thermodynamics—one hot take at a time. About Trane Commercial Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, is a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. The company focuses on optimizing indoor climates through advanced HVAC systems, building automation, and sustainability initiatives. With a commitment to decarbonization, Trane aims to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings while enhancing comfort and efficiency. Learn more at: https://www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/ Meet the Hosts Charlie Jelen has been working with HVAC systems for over 15 years, specializing in sustainable solutions. At Trane Commercial North America, he focuses on advancing cutting edge building and industrial systems. With a background in consulting and system engineering, Charlie is committed to delivering solutions for the hardest challenges facing clients today. Dan Gentry is an Applications Engineer. With expertise in chiller plants, heat recovery, and heat pump systems, he focuses on reliable and efficient system design.

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