Breakout Sessions
Where the rubber meets the road.
Implement Static Pressure Testing on Every Service Call
Presented by: Al D’Ambola, Customer Care Manager and Instructor, National Comfort Institute
Testing static pressure on service calls is considered best practice, but what should you do with those measurements once captured? Al D’Ambola will explore why pressure profiling a system is crucial for diagnosing comfort and efficiency issues. He will outline the process for creating a pressure profile and how to effectively communicate results to your customers.
Al will share his insights and highlight some common mistakes to avoid. The session will also address how to translate these measurements into potential revenue that might otherwise be missed.
Add Duct Renovations to Your Product Offerings
Presented by: Adam Mufich, Instructor and Curriculum Development, National Comfort Institute
Addressing airflow issues can be daunting for HVAC contractors. In this session, Adam Mufich will explore the distinctions between an Air Upgrade and Duct Optimization, highlighting when to implement each solution.
Adam will examine common challenges contractors encounter when making changes to a duct system and how to navigate them effectively. He will also review testing procedures and illustrate how to use the results to develop an effective plan.
Foster a Culture of High-Performance Accountability
Presented by: Alana Ward, President, Baggett Heating & Cooling, Clarksville, TN
Running a High-Performance HVAC company isn’t easy. If it was, everyone would do it. With over 20 years of industry experience, Alana Ward has found High-Performance HVAC doesn’t get easier, you just learn to “handle hard better.”
In this session, Alana shares how she fosters a culture of high-performance accountability at Baggett Heating and Cooling that encourages personal responsibility and a spirit of improvement. You’ll see how she uses technology and other tools to create transparency, establish boundaries, hold her team accountable, and improve communication.
Demystifying the Top Combustion Safety Taboos
Presented by: David Richardson, VP of Training, National Comfort Institute
Many HVAC professionals unintentionally overlook combustion safety problems right in front of them each day. Conflicting information and test procedures have given our industry a false sense of security and caused us to miss these hidden issues and interactions. The results could put you, your company, and customers in harm’s way.
In this session, David Richardson will look at some of the uncomfortable truths about accepted test procedures, code approved combustion air, venting, and building interactions often considered too controversial to talk about. We’ll look at how you can use proper test results, physics, and old-fashioned common sense to combat and solve many of the taboos our industry has accepted as fact.
The PATH to High-Performance HVAC™: A Step-by-Step Approach
Presented by: David Richardson, VP of Training, National Comfort Institute
One of the biggest obstacles to implementing High-Performance HVAC™ is deciding where to start. With so much information, the options can drive you crazy determining what to do first. In this session, David Richardson will discuss the PATH concept and how you can use it to make High-Performance HVAC part of your company.
PATH is an acronym for Pressure, Airflow, Temperature, and Heat – the foundations of HVAC system performance. Each piece represents a step to delivering extraordinary HVAC systems. By the end of the session, you will have simple and practical ways to add testing, diagnostics, and system upgrades to your HVAC service offerings.
Generate Leads from Service and Maintenance Testing
Presented by: John Boylan, General Manager, Lakeside Service, Brighton, MI
Most homeowners are unaware the typical HVAC system operates as low as 57% of its rated efficiency. Knowing how to handle this situation on a demand service or maintenance call creates opportunities that many HVAC professionals miss.
In this session, John Boylan discusses how some simple tests will generate quality leads with virtually no competition and high conversion rates. The findings will help weatherproof your business and level seasonal cycles. John will discuss how Lakeside Service uses these readings differently during demand service and maintenance calls. John will also share the importance of banking leads for shoulder seasons and how to prioritize them for repair and duct upgrade options.
Why and How to Sell High-Performance Maintenance Agreements
Presented by: Tom Hearn, General Manager, Hearn Plumbing, Heating & Air
High-Performance Maintenance boosts your company’s passive cash flow and allows technicians to streamline their workflow with precise baseline data! It also prepares customers for future repairs, provides peace of mind through performance reports, and helps prevent unexpected breakdowns!
Join Tom Hearn for an insightful discussion on how High-Performance Maintenance Agreements can drive your company’s growth and effectively communicate system health and necessary repairs, ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty!
High Performance HVAC Sales – The Canco Way
Presented by: Will Horner – Sales Manager, Canco ClimateCare Heating and Air Conditioning, New Market, ON, Canada
Canco ClimateCare believes their customers deserve the very best. That is why they design, sell and install the safest, healthiest, most comfortable and energy efficient systems possible. They wow their customers in every single experience.
In this fun and interactive session, Will Horner shares “The Canco Way” for getting their customers to buy into the four pillars of safety, health, comfort and efficiency. He will share questions they developed and use so their customers tell them what they want. Will also discusses how Canco ClimateCare uses their six-step proven process and commitment to guarantees and warranties for delivering their products and services.
Restoration or Renovation? Two Revolutionary Approaches to Duct System Performance
Presented by: Zach Ortwine, Owner, Southeast Clean Air Solutions LLC., Henrico, VA
In this session, Zach Ortwine bridges the gap between the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) definition of “Duct Restoration” with the National Comfort Institute (NCI) concept of “Duct Renovation.” He will show how combining NADCA and NCI standards provides unique opportunities to create healthier indoor environments and enhance HVAC system efficiency, comfort, and delivered performance.
Zach will demonstrate how you can add fiberglass surface repair coatings to simultaneously enhance indoor air quality (IAQ), and significantly reduce duct static pressures to improve overall HVAC system performance. You will leave with actionable steps to communicate duct system improvements to homeowners and building managers to provide clear and measurable results in both IAQ and HVAC system performance.
How to Capitalize on the Electrification Movement
Presented by: Mitch Bailey, Owner, Air Heroes, Modesto, California
Mitch Bailey has spent decades championing high-performance solutions in HVAC. When state-mandated ultra-low NOx furnaces proved both unreliable and potentially hazardous, Mitch pivoted, exclusively offering heat pumps in areas with the mandates. His commitment to quality and performance set the foundation for success as California’s electrification initiatives accelerated demand for heat pumps statewide.
In this session, Mitch will share how a successful electrification project requires more than just swapping out equipment—it demands a comprehensive approach that includes system testing, airflow balancing, ductwork evaluation, and proper load calculations. Join Mitch as he shares his journey and insights into high-performance heat pumps in a state leading the charge toward electrification.
Making the Switch from Tradesman to Craftsman
Presented by: Paul Wieboldt, President, Tradewinds Appropriate Technologies, Waco, TX
Paul Wieboldt, an esteemed NCI instructor and the visionary owner of Tradewinds Appropriate Technologies, is passionate about elevating the HVAC trade to an art form. With decades of contracting and consulting expertise, Paul will share the essential philosophies, knowledge, and tools needed to transition from being a “mere” tradesperson to a true craftsman.
Known for his captivating storytelling, Paul weaves wisdom and inspiration into every lesson. Don’t miss this opportunity to rediscover pride in your craft and gain renewed respect for the work we all do each day.
Prove System Performance with Delivered Btu Testing
Presented by: Ben Lipscomb P.E., Director of Utility Services and National Accounts, National Comfort Institute & Jeff Sturgeon, Senior Instructor and SoCal Training Manager, National Comfort Institute
Join industry experts Ben Lipscomb and Jeff Sturgeon for a dynamic, hands-on demonstration of the essential process for testing equipment and system-delivered BTUs in an installed system. Gain practical insights into how to properly start up a system for testing, strategically place your instruments, gather accurate data, and meticulously document your work in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 221 – all aided by the latest tools and software to streamline the process.
By measuring performance in the field, you’ll uncover hidden system inefficiencies, resolve persistent customer comfort issues, create new opportunities for profitable system renovations, and establish a reputation for solving problems at their source. Whether you’re performing a renovation, equipment replacement, or a new installation, mastering these techniques will enable you to deliver proven, high-performance results – ensuring customer satisfaction and professional credibility. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills and elevate your expertise!
Good Design Isn’t a Buffet: The Importance and Interconnection of Manuals J, S, and D
Presented by: Ed Janowiak Manager of HVAC Design Education, ACCA & Alex Meaney, President, Mean HVAC Consulting and Design
What’s a BLT without the bacon and tomato? A culinary tragedy. What’s ZZ Top without Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill? Just Frank Beard—a drummer from Texas without a trace of irony in his name. What’s The Office without Dwight and Jim? Three painful words: Pam marries Roy.
And what’s an HVAC system designed with Manual J but missing Manual S and D? A recipe for bad design.
In this session, we’ll explore why most people suspect their system will be undersized if they follow their initial Manual J calculations, why they’re probably right to think so, and—most importantly—why their reasoning is fundamentally flawed.
PerformanceTown
Presented by: Jeff Sturgeon, Senior Instructor and SoCal Training Manager, & Andrew Smith Instructor, National Comfort Institute
PerformanceTown I: Airflow Testing and Diagnostics. This session will cover Static Pressure testing, and airflow profiling using the latest instruments to accurately measure total airflow at the equipment and diagnose common issues.
PerformanceTown II: Total System Performance. Participants will use the latest instruments and software to verify total system performance using NCI’s ComfortMaxx™ application on the measureQuick platform.