Cool Air, Hot Takes Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/trane-engineering-podcast 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@trane.com 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. © 2025 Trane 7b00d26f-964e-5403-b20c-6a70059f6383 no Cool Air, Hot Takes is BACK For Season 2! Introducing “Cool Air, Hot Takes” en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:11 -0500 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:01:48 -0500 https://img.transistorcdn.com/_IYMrv9puccbYRpvt0bV0vCV_jPlzZZIyzCescZXlEU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mMTM5/OWI4ZjViZmU2Yzk4/OGRlOWM0N2UyZDQ0/YTg0MS5qcGc.jpg Cool Air, Hot Takes episodic Trane 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@trane.com 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. Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that’s as smart as your building’s thermostat and twice as fun. engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management Andrea Burtness No No The AI Race: HVAC's Biggest Stress Test 23 23 The AI Race: HVAC's Biggest Stress Test full 9af2d5e0-02d8-458d-b061-b423b81b1cf1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2bfbecd3 Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Matt Caldwell, Director of AI & Cloud Data Centers at Hyper, a company building low-voltage electrical equipment for the data centers powering the AI boom. Matt makes the case that the US-China AI race makes the 1960s space race look like a warm-up lap — and explains why the industry needs to rethink how it designs, manufactures, and deploys infrastructure at speed. 


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Matt Caldwell, Director of AI & Cloud Data Centers at Hyper, a company building low-voltage electrical equipment for the data centers powering the AI boom. Matt makes the case that the US-China AI race makes the 1960s space race look like a warm-up lap — and explains why the industry needs to rethink how it designs, manufactures, and deploys infrastructure at speed. 


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 21 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2035 Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Matt Caldwell, Director of AI & Cloud Data Centers at Hyper, a company building low-voltage electrical equipment for the data centers powering the AI boom. Matt makes the case that the US-China AI race makes the 1960s space race look like a warm-up lap — and explains why the industry needs to rethink how it designs, manufactures, and deploys infrastructure at speed. 


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Quiet By Design: Mike Dawson on Noise Control Innovation 22 22 Quiet By Design: Mike Dawson on Noise Control Innovation full 336c6b0c-3dc2-4d56-a8a9-0197fcfd1e97 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f9e7f617 Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Mike Dawson, VP of Sales at Parklane Mechanical, a company that's been solving industrial noise problems for over 30 years. Data centers are booming, and we've all heard the noise about them. Turns out, they're also just literally loud. Neighbors have opinions about that. Mike breaks down how noise control works, why it needs to be part of the conversation earlier than most people think, and what the job looks like on the ground.  


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Mike Dawson, VP of Sales at Parklane Mechanical, a company that's been solving industrial noise problems for over 30 years. Data centers are booming, and we've all heard the noise about them. Turns out, they're also just literally loud. Neighbors have opinions about that. Mike breaks down how noise control works, why it needs to be part of the conversation earlier than most people think, and what the job looks like on the ground.  


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2273 Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Mike Dawson, VP of Sales at Parklane Mechanical, a company that's been solving industrial noise problems for over 30 years. Data centers are booming, and we've all heard the noise about them. Turns out, they're also just literally loud. Neighbors have opinions about that. Mike breaks down how noise control works, why it needs to be part of the conversation earlier than most people think, and what the job looks like on the ground.  


We also have: 


We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Electrification, CDUs, Data Centers: The Hottest Takeaways from AHR 2026 21 21 Electrification, CDUs, Data Centers: The Hottest Takeaways from AHR 2026 full 6dba9bb0-3fd2-4707-8f65-df2f03f90875 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2191287e
Season 4 is here! Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are back in the studio, fresh off the floor at AHR 2026 in Las Vegas, where the Cool Air, Hot Takes™ booth was open for business, t-shirts were flying, and the industry had lots to say. 


This week, Charlie and Dan break down their hot takeaways from the expo — from the CDU arms race taking over every corner of the exhibit hall, to a surprising surge in electrification energy that nobody quite saw coming.  


Live from the AHR Expo floor, we hear from:  

  1. Allison Clements, Design Engineers: A hot take on the gap between elegant design and real-world operability and why your maintenance guy needs to be in the room. 
  2. Ray Reiling, Trade Water: Why end-of-life refrigerant is everybody's problem and almost nobody's responsibility, and what you can do about it. 
  3. David & Conrad Bishop, Twin Bishop Strategies: How the service industry is about to get hit hard by the scale of data center growth and why working smarter isn't optional anymore. 
  4. Spencer Ingaldson, Darcy Solutions: Groundwater-enabled geothermal that delivers 50x the capacity of a traditional well. Yes, really.  

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]>
Season 4 is here! Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are back in the studio, fresh off the floor at AHR 2026 in Las Vegas, where the Cool Air, Hot Takes™ booth was open for business, t-shirts were flying, and the industry had lots to say. 


This week, Charlie and Dan break down their hot takeaways from the expo — from the CDU arms race taking over every corner of the exhibit hall, to a surprising surge in electrification energy that nobody quite saw coming.  


Live from the AHR Expo floor, we hear from:  

  1. Allison Clements, Design Engineers: A hot take on the gap between elegant design and real-world operability and why your maintenance guy needs to be in the room. 
  2. Ray Reiling, Trade Water: Why end-of-life refrigerant is everybody's problem and almost nobody's responsibility, and what you can do about it. 
  3. David & Conrad Bishop, Twin Bishop Strategies: How the service industry is about to get hit hard by the scale of data center growth and why working smarter isn't optional anymore. 
  4. Spencer Ingaldson, Darcy Solutions: Groundwater-enabled geothermal that delivers 50x the capacity of a traditional well. Yes, really.  

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 1776
Season 4 is here! Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are back in the studio, fresh off the floor at AHR 2026 in Las Vegas, where the Cool Air, Hot Takes™ booth was open for business, t-shirts were flying, and the industry had lots to say. 


This week, Charlie and Dan break down their hot takeaways from the expo — from the CDU arms race taking over every corner of the exhibit hall, to a surprising surge in electrification energy that nobody quite saw coming.  


Live from the AHR Expo floor, we hear from:  

  1. Allison Clements, Design Engineers: A hot take on the gap between elegant design and real-world operability and why your maintenance guy needs to be in the room. 
  2. Ray Reiling, Trade Water: Why end-of-life refrigerant is everybody's problem and almost nobody's responsibility, and what you can do about it. 
  3. David & Conrad Bishop, Twin Bishop Strategies: How the service industry is about to get hit hard by the scale of data center growth and why working smarter isn't optional anymore. 
  4. Spencer Ingaldson, Darcy Solutions: Groundwater-enabled geothermal that delivers 50x the capacity of a traditional well. Yes, really.  

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No We are so back: Season 4 of Cool Air, Hot Takes™ is here 20 20 We are so back: Season 4 of Cool Air, Hot Takes™ is here full 36b52e54-980e-42ee-b686-166b3b61987d https://share.transistor.fm/s/1abdcc04
Hot takes, cool systems, and zero fluff — Season 4 of Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ from Trane is here. Join Charlie and Dan as they bring in the sharpest minds in the industry to break down what's actually happening in heating, cooling, and building technology. AI, refrigerants, heat pumps, data centers, and whatever else is keeping engineers up at night.  


Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ is brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services for commercial environments. 


Follow now wherever you get your podcasts for sharp insights, bold opinions, and a good time guaranteed. 

]]>
Hot takes, cool systems, and zero fluff — Season 4 of Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ from Trane is here. Join Charlie and Dan as they bring in the sharpest minds in the industry to break down what's actually happening in heating, cooling, and building technology. AI, refrigerants, heat pumps, data centers, and whatever else is keeping engineers up at night.  


Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ is brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services for commercial environments. 


Follow now wherever you get your podcasts for sharp insights, bold opinions, and a good time guaranteed. 

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2026 03:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 93
Hot takes, cool systems, and zero fluff — Season 4 of Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ from Trane is here. Join Charlie and Dan as they bring in the sharpest minds in the industry to break down what's actually happening in heating, cooling, and building technology. AI, refrigerants, heat pumps, data centers, and whatever else is keeping engineers up at night.  


Cool Air, Hot Takes ™ is brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services for commercial environments. 


Follow now wherever you get your podcasts for sharp insights, bold opinions, and a good time guaranteed. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No District Energy Heat Pumps: Bigger, Hotter, Cleaner 19 19 District Energy Heat Pumps: Bigger, Hotter, Cleaner full 68800b30-b989-42ba-9a86-19a5b9b5d761 https://share.transistor.fm/s/37f959cc Today, we’re wrapping season 3 with a deep dive into industrial high-temperature heat pumps. Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Mobola Dosumu, National Sales Manager for Heat Pumps at Everllence, whose custom-engineered systems deliver multi-megawatt heating and up to 350°C steam for heavy industry and district energy. Mobola explains why these heat pumps aren’t “what’s next”, they’re already here, and how they’re accelerating industrial decarbonization. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Today, we’re wrapping season 3 with a deep dive into industrial high-temperature heat pumps. Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Mobola Dosumu, National Sales Manager for Heat Pumps at Everllence, whose custom-engineered systems deliver multi-megawatt heating and up to 350°C steam for heavy industry and district energy. Mobola explains why these heat pumps aren’t “what’s next”, they’re already here, and how they’re accelerating industrial decarbonization. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 2052 Today, we’re wrapping season 3 with a deep dive into industrial high-temperature heat pumps. Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Mobola Dosumu, National Sales Manager for Heat Pumps at Everllence, whose custom-engineered systems deliver multi-megawatt heating and up to 350°C steam for heavy industry and district energy. Mobola explains why these heat pumps aren’t “what’s next”, they’re already here, and how they’re accelerating industrial decarbonization. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No The Hottest (and Coldest) Takes of 2025 17 17 The Hottest (and Coldest) Takes of 2025 full fcba8e79-76c2-42fa-bbb7-1f9933bbff78 https://share.transistor.fm/s/57cfaa1f In this special end of year episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are flying solo and taking you on a tour of 2025’s hottest (and coldest) takes. From bold industry predictions and legendary pop-ins, to the now iconic reminder to “never fall in love with a bearing technology,” the guys look back at the takes that shook the HVAC world, and the ones that never quite left the factory floor. (Yes, Dan, we’re looking at your season 1, episode 1 hot take. Was it the coldest of the year? You tell us.) 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.  

]]> In this special end of year episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are flying solo and taking you on a tour of 2025’s hottest (and coldest) takes. From bold industry predictions and legendary pop-ins, to the now iconic reminder to “never fall in love with a bearing technology,” the guys look back at the takes that shook the HVAC world, and the ones that never quite left the factory floor. (Yes, Dan, we’re looking at your season 1, episode 1 hot take. Was it the coldest of the year? You tell us.) 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.  

]]> Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 1581 In this special end of year episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are flying solo and taking you on a tour of 2025’s hottest (and coldest) takes. From bold industry predictions and legendary pop-ins, to the now iconic reminder to “never fall in love with a bearing technology,” the guys look back at the takes that shook the HVAC world, and the ones that never quite left the factory floor. (Yes, Dan, we’re looking at your season 1, episode 1 hot take. Was it the coldest of the year? You tell us.) 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.  

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No HVAC Legends: Mick Schwedler’s 40+ Year Legacy 18 18 HVAC Legends: Mick Schwedler’s 40+ Year Legacy full bc8ea387-ed27-4439-83a2-f4be820d209e https://share.transistor.fm/s/9a08d776 Today, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are joined by an HVAC legend, Mick Schwedler. With more than 43 years at Trane and former Global ASHRAE President, Mick reflects on how the industry has evolved from floppy disks and early energy modeling to digital design, electrified heating, and systems-level innovation. He explains why giving engineers just a bit more time and budget leads to better, more efficient buildings, and why HVAC’s true impact goes far beyond comfort cooling. From supporting cold-chain vaccines to reducing emissions and protecting health, Mick shows how this industry improves lives and inspires the next generation of engineers. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Today, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are joined by an HVAC legend, Mick Schwedler. With more than 43 years at Trane and former Global ASHRAE President, Mick reflects on how the industry has evolved from floppy disks and early energy modeling to digital design, electrified heating, and systems-level innovation. He explains why giving engineers just a bit more time and budget leads to better, more efficient buildings, and why HVAC’s true impact goes far beyond comfort cooling. From supporting cold-chain vaccines to reducing emissions and protecting health, Mick shows how this industry improves lives and inspires the next generation of engineers. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 2108 Today, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry are joined by an HVAC legend, Mick Schwedler. With more than 43 years at Trane and former Global ASHRAE President, Mick reflects on how the industry has evolved from floppy disks and early energy modeling to digital design, electrified heating, and systems-level innovation. He explains why giving engineers just a bit more time and budget leads to better, more efficient buildings, and why HVAC’s true impact goes far beyond comfort cooling. From supporting cold-chain vaccines to reducing emissions and protecting health, Mick shows how this industry improves lives and inspires the next generation of engineers. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to rate and follow too! 

Cool Air, Hot TakesTM is a Trane Commercial podcast exploring bold innovations, emerging trends, and game-changing tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. Learn more at trane.com/coolairhottakes. 

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No How Virtual Design is Changing Construction 16 16 How Virtual Design is Changing Construction full abce4418-9453-4634-b14d-4658e248a9c2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e1c032fd Today, Autodesk’s Director of Product Management, Ian Molloy, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to explore how digital design is transforming the built environment. We dig into where building information modelling (BIM) is heading, what truly defines a digital twin, and how Autodesk and Trane are closing the gap between modeling and load calculations. Ian also explains how prefab workflows are speeding up construction and how early design choices, from massing to HVAC systems, shape both operational and embodied carbon. Plus, we learn about the industry’s “more-on principle” and why right-sizing matters more than ever. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Today, Autodesk’s Director of Product Management, Ian Molloy, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to explore how digital design is transforming the built environment. We dig into where building information modelling (BIM) is heading, what truly defines a digital twin, and how Autodesk and Trane are closing the gap between modeling and load calculations. Ian also explains how prefab workflows are speeding up construction and how early design choices, from massing to HVAC systems, shape both operational and embodied carbon. Plus, we learn about the industry’s “more-on principle” and why right-sizing matters more than ever. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 2228 Today, Autodesk’s Director of Product Management, Ian Molloy, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to explore how digital design is transforming the built environment. We dig into where building information modelling (BIM) is heading, what truly defines a digital twin, and how Autodesk and Trane are closing the gap between modeling and load calculations. Ian also explains how prefab workflows are speeding up construction and how early design choices, from massing to HVAC systems, shape both operational and embodied carbon. Plus, we learn about the industry’s “more-on principle” and why right-sizing matters more than ever. 

We also have: 

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment. 


Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Bring Your Own Power: Fueling Data Centers 15 15 Bring Your Own Power: Fueling Data Centers full dec72b00-f108-4398-bd0c-ba7a0455d99f https://share.transistor.fm/s/db95ddc6 We’re back with another data-center-deep-dive - this time with Jason Espeseth, Principal Electrical Engineer at Geronimo Power. Together with hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, Jason breaks down the rise of “bring your own power” data centers and explains how pairing wind, batteries, and firming gas near-site can dramatically reduce interconnection timelines and avoid passing grid costs to ratepayers. We also talk gen-ties, utility feeds for stability, and how some data centers could be powered by up to 70% renewable energy.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> We’re back with another data-center-deep-dive - this time with Jason Espeseth, Principal Electrical Engineer at Geronimo Power. Together with hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, Jason breaks down the rise of “bring your own power” data centers and explains how pairing wind, batteries, and firming gas near-site can dramatically reduce interconnection timelines and avoid passing grid costs to ratepayers. We also talk gen-ties, utility feeds for stability, and how some data centers could be powered by up to 70% renewable energy.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 2042 We’re back with another data-center-deep-dive - this time with Jason Espeseth, Principal Electrical Engineer at Geronimo Power. Together with hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, Jason breaks down the rise of “bring your own power” data centers and explains how pairing wind, batteries, and firming gas near-site can dramatically reduce interconnection timelines and avoid passing grid costs to ratepayers. We also talk gen-ties, utility feeds for stability, and how some data centers could be powered by up to 70% renewable energy.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No NVIDIA’s Ali Heydari on the AI Revolution 14 14 NVIDIA’s Ali Heydari on the AI Revolution full 732ca172-a3eb-4c61-b0b5-429e45777913 https://share.transistor.fm/s/99171d22 We’re back! And we’ve gone big for the first episode of season 3!

Today, Ali Heydari, Director of Data Center Cooling and Infrastructure at NVIDIA, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to unpack how AI “factories” are reshaping data center design and why Ali thinks the AI revolution is the biggest change to the our lives since the industrial revolution. Ali explains why geometry (not thermodynamics) pushed the move from air to liquid, why NVIDIA standardized on PG25 for direct-to-chip cooling, and how digital twins in Nvidia’s Omniverse help right-size everything from chillers to dry coolers. We also dig into the tradeoffs between higher loop temps and rack density, and why cross-industry collaboration matters more than ever.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> We’re back! And we’ve gone big for the first episode of season 3!

Today, Ali Heydari, Director of Data Center Cooling and Infrastructure at NVIDIA, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to unpack how AI “factories” are reshaping data center design and why Ali thinks the AI revolution is the biggest change to the our lives since the industrial revolution. Ali explains why geometry (not thermodynamics) pushed the move from air to liquid, why NVIDIA standardized on PG25 for direct-to-chip cooling, and how digital twins in Nvidia’s Omniverse help right-size everything from chillers to dry coolers. We also dig into the tradeoffs between higher loop temps and rack density, and why cross-industry collaboration matters more than ever.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600 Trane Trane 2114 We’re back! And we’ve gone big for the first episode of season 3!

Today, Ali Heydari, Director of Data Center Cooling and Infrastructure at NVIDIA, joins hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry to unpack how AI “factories” are reshaping data center design and why Ali thinks the AI revolution is the biggest change to the our lives since the industrial revolution. Ali explains why geometry (not thermodynamics) pushed the move from air to liquid, why NVIDIA standardized on PG25 for direct-to-chip cooling, and how digital twins in Nvidia’s Omniverse help right-size everything from chillers to dry coolers. We also dig into the tradeoffs between higher loop temps and rack density, and why cross-industry collaboration matters more than ever.

We also have:

We want your hot takes and questions! Email coolair.hottakes@trane.com, drop a comment on YouTube or Spotify, or leave us 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 tech in HVAC, energy, and the built environment.

Follow for new episodes every two weeks and stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Supply Chain: Explained 13 13 Supply Chain: Explained full 7799d7ac-51e5-4026-ada9-2e0258696bc8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0ddbc4ff 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:

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 coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> 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:

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 coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 1862 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:

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 coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No The Future of HVAC Techs 12 12 The Future of HVAC Techs full 195037c2-ca55-40d1-abdb-0ff4092ebfbb https://share.transistor.fm/s/a1fa6357 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2042 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions 11 11 Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions full 66b51805-9d40-43c7-9f69-3dc42eba1049 https://share.transistor.fm/s/771bb058 Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions

Today, 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions

Today, 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 1968 Data Centers: Hot Servers, Cool Solutions

Today, 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Asset Management: The Secret Sauce for Great Facilities 10 10 Asset Management: The Secret Sauce for Great Facilities full 80dec397-955f-476f-a46e-a2079f2c9328 https://share.transistor.fm/s/1056a22a Managing HVAC Assets the Smart Way

Today 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Managing HVAC Assets the Smart Way

Today 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2042 Managing HVAC Assets the Smart Way

Today 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Industrial Heat: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Pump 9 9 Industrial Heat: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Pump full 56e040a2-711e-4da7-8427-d77ae87b8a81 https://share.transistor.fm/s/544e35f1 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2104 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:

We want your hot takes and questions! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No How We Got Here: Our HVAC Journeys & Hot Takes 8 8 How We Got Here: Our HVAC Journeys & Hot Takes full 94bb0d96-0243-4947-8f03-122bad595edb https://share.transistor.fm/s/569c2d47 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 strawberries
  • Why 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com 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?


]]> 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 strawberries
  • Why 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com 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?


]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2000 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 strawberries
  • Why 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com 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?


]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No PIC Valves: To Delta T or Not Delta T? 7 7 PIC Valves: To Delta T or Not Delta T? full e23bcaad-050b-4ce2-9184-04262575580d https://share.transistor.fm/s/16fea5e7 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 work
  • Why systems could be underperforming without them
  • Where designers should start integrating them for maximum impact
  • How NASA’s Johnson Space Center retrofitted them
  • How a Las Vegas stadium shaved $10M off steel costs using PICs

Also in this episode:

Send us your hot takes and questions! We want to feature you on the show! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> 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 work
  • Why systems could be underperforming without them
  • Where designers should start integrating them for maximum impact
  • How NASA’s Johnson Space Center retrofitted them
  • How a Las Vegas stadium shaved $10M off steel costs using PICs

Also in this episode:

Send us your hot takes and questions! We want to feature you on the show! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2090 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 work
  • Why systems could be underperforming without them
  • Where designers should start integrating them for maximum impact
  • How NASA’s Johnson Space Center retrofitted them
  • How a Las Vegas stadium shaved $10M off steel costs using PICs

Also in this episode:

Send us your hot takes and questions! We want to feature you on the show! You can email us at coolair.hottakes@trane.com, 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Cool Air, Hot Takes is BACK For Season 2! Cool Air, Hot Takes is BACK For Season 2! trailer b6230c2c-1537-40ff-9786-2d8e74092f9b https://share.transistor.fm/s/f486a71b 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com, 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.


]]> 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com, 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.


]]> Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 88 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com, 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.


]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Buildings as Batteries: Demand Response 6 6 Buildings as Batteries: Demand Response full c710089d-0097-43a9-a753-e21cbac88c4f https://share.transistor.fm/s/e72b1d24 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 CSI
  • The 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com. 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.

]]> 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 CSI
  • The 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com. 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.

]]> Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2120 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 CSI
  • The 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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com. 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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Decarbonization: Challenge or Opportunity? 5 5 Decarbonization: Challenge or Opportunity? full d602f448-c713-42f7-afed-48134aac8afb https://share.transistor.fm/s/8425d531 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:

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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com.


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.

]]> 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:

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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com.


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.

]]> Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2085 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:

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 CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com.


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.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No How AI is Changing HVAC (and Your Job) with Brainbox AI 4 4 How AI is Changing HVAC (and Your Job) with Brainbox AI full 20be4431-0990-4bf6-b3c9-6728ead57055 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0e85b227 Is AI really the future of HVAC, or just industry hype?


In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Jean-Simon Venne, CTO and co-founder of BrainBox AI, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping HVAC systems. They explore real-world ways AI boosts energy efficiency, enhances preventative maintenance, improves indoor air quality, and helps buildings reduce their carbon footprint.


We also discuss:

  • HVAC Headlines: Boston announces new net-zero emissions requirements, mandating that most large buildings achieve net-zero carbon from day one starting in 2025.
  • AI & HVAC: What’s actually achievable when buildings embrace AI and the future of HVAC careers in an AI-driven world
  • Stat of the Day: Dubai’s Business Bay District chilled water plant - how much cooling do you think it delivers?

Got a hot take, question, or your own AI predictions? Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we’d love to hear from you! You can also leave a comment on Spotify and 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. To learn more about the show, check us out here.


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> Is AI really the future of HVAC, or just industry hype?


In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Jean-Simon Venne, CTO and co-founder of BrainBox AI, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping HVAC systems. They explore real-world ways AI boosts energy efficiency, enhances preventative maintenance, improves indoor air quality, and helps buildings reduce their carbon footprint.


We also discuss:

  • HVAC Headlines: Boston announces new net-zero emissions requirements, mandating that most large buildings achieve net-zero carbon from day one starting in 2025.
  • AI & HVAC: What’s actually achievable when buildings embrace AI and the future of HVAC careers in an AI-driven world
  • Stat of the Day: Dubai’s Business Bay District chilled water plant - how much cooling do you think it delivers?

Got a hot take, question, or your own AI predictions? Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we’d love to hear from you! You can also leave a comment on Spotify and 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. To learn more about the show, check us out here.


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2203 Is AI really the future of HVAC, or just industry hype?


In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry talk with Jean-Simon Venne, CTO and co-founder of BrainBox AI, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping HVAC systems. They explore real-world ways AI boosts energy efficiency, enhances preventative maintenance, improves indoor air quality, and helps buildings reduce their carbon footprint.


We also discuss:

  • HVAC Headlines: Boston announces new net-zero emissions requirements, mandating that most large buildings achieve net-zero carbon from day one starting in 2025.
  • AI & HVAC: What’s actually achievable when buildings embrace AI and the future of HVAC careers in an AI-driven world
  • Stat of the Day: Dubai’s Business Bay District chilled water plant - how much cooling do you think it delivers?

Got a hot take, question, or your own AI predictions? Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we’d love to hear from you! You can also leave a comment on Spotify and 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. To learn more about the show, check us out here.


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No RefrigeRANTS: The Good, The Bad, The Banned 3 3 RefrigeRANTS: The Good, The Bad, The Banned full eb40a157-52cd-41f9-aadc-e4f2d099510d https://share.transistor.fm/s/fecb3b28 What’s the real story behind AC refrigerants? Why are some being phased out, others destroyed, and what does it mean for the HVAC industry?

In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Ray Rieling from Tradewater to talk about refrigerants - the good, the bad, and the banned. From legacy refrigerants like R-22 to the controversial future of HFC refrigerant destruction, they break down the impact on climate control, system design, and HVAC sustainability. Plus, the team hears your refrigeRANTS - should we get rid of them entirely? Should we bring R-22 back? And what’s the deal with New York’s aggressive refrigerant phase-out?

Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines: A refrigerant Ponzi scheme in St Louis and how DeepSeek AI is raising questions around the future of data center energy demand.
  • Why refrigerant destruction matters and how it affects HVAC pros
  • How refrigerants are phased out and what comes next
  • The biggest challenges in refrigerant recovery, reclamation, and disposal
  • The refrigerants still sitting in old systems - ticking time bombs or just good inventory?
  • The push for ultra-low GWP refrigerants and what’s really viable

Got a hot take, question or rant? Send them to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com and check out the show page here.

Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> What’s the real story behind AC refrigerants? Why are some being phased out, others destroyed, and what does it mean for the HVAC industry?

In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Ray Rieling from Tradewater to talk about refrigerants - the good, the bad, and the banned. From legacy refrigerants like R-22 to the controversial future of HFC refrigerant destruction, they break down the impact on climate control, system design, and HVAC sustainability. Plus, the team hears your refrigeRANTS - should we get rid of them entirely? Should we bring R-22 back? And what’s the deal with New York’s aggressive refrigerant phase-out?

Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines: A refrigerant Ponzi scheme in St Louis and how DeepSeek AI is raising questions around the future of data center energy demand.
  • Why refrigerant destruction matters and how it affects HVAC pros
  • How refrigerants are phased out and what comes next
  • The biggest challenges in refrigerant recovery, reclamation, and disposal
  • The refrigerants still sitting in old systems - ticking time bombs or just good inventory?
  • The push for ultra-low GWP refrigerants and what’s really viable

Got a hot take, question or rant? Send them to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com and check out the show page here.

Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2090 What’s the real story behind AC refrigerants? Why are some being phased out, others destroyed, and what does it mean for the HVAC industry?

In this episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Ray Rieling from Tradewater to talk about refrigerants - the good, the bad, and the banned. From legacy refrigerants like R-22 to the controversial future of HFC refrigerant destruction, they break down the impact on climate control, system design, and HVAC sustainability. Plus, the team hears your refrigeRANTS - should we get rid of them entirely? Should we bring R-22 back? And what’s the deal with New York’s aggressive refrigerant phase-out?

Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines: A refrigerant Ponzi scheme in St Louis and how DeepSeek AI is raising questions around the future of data center energy demand.
  • Why refrigerant destruction matters and how it affects HVAC pros
  • How refrigerants are phased out and what comes next
  • The biggest challenges in refrigerant recovery, reclamation, and disposal
  • The refrigerants still sitting in old systems - ticking time bombs or just good inventory?
  • The push for ultra-low GWP refrigerants and what’s really viable

Got a hot take, question or rant? Send them to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com and check out the show page here.

Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No The Compressor Revolution: What’s Next? 2 2 The Compressor Revolution: What’s Next? full 10f95e98-40fa-4155-b01c-e82b0cc2986e https://share.transistor.fm/s/12b870cb How is air conditioner compressor and bearing technology evolving? And is the HVAC industry ready for what’s next?

In this episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Joe Heger, Centrifugal Mechanical Engineering Leader at Trane, to break down the past, present and future of AC compressor and bearing technology. They discuss how these advancements are improving performance, reliability, and efficiency, and what HVAC pros need to know as the industry shifts toward electrification and decarbonization.


Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.


In this episode we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines - The latest grid emissions data reveals the cleanest and dirtiest U.S. power grids, and the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant has been announced - what does it mean for the future of energy and HVAC?
  • Why centrifugal compressors are pushing into new capacity ranges
  • The real difference between magnetic, roller, and gas bearings
  • How electrification is changing compressor design

Plus, Charlie and Dan discuss Project Stargate, heat recovery from data centers, and why the U.S. dominates the global data center market.


Got a rant, hot take, or HVAC job site story? Send it to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we'd love to hear from you!


Check out our show page here for more info!


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> How is air conditioner compressor and bearing technology evolving? And is the HVAC industry ready for what’s next?

In this episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Joe Heger, Centrifugal Mechanical Engineering Leader at Trane, to break down the past, present and future of AC compressor and bearing technology. They discuss how these advancements are improving performance, reliability, and efficiency, and what HVAC pros need to know as the industry shifts toward electrification and decarbonization.


Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.


In this episode we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines - The latest grid emissions data reveals the cleanest and dirtiest U.S. power grids, and the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant has been announced - what does it mean for the future of energy and HVAC?
  • Why centrifugal compressors are pushing into new capacity ranges
  • The real difference between magnetic, roller, and gas bearings
  • How electrification is changing compressor design

Plus, Charlie and Dan discuss Project Stargate, heat recovery from data centers, and why the U.S. dominates the global data center market.


Got a rant, hot take, or HVAC job site story? Send it to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we'd love to hear from you!


Check out our show page here for more info!


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2046 How is air conditioner compressor and bearing technology evolving? And is the HVAC industry ready for what’s next?

In this episode, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Joe Heger, Centrifugal Mechanical Engineering Leader at Trane, to break down the past, present and future of AC compressor and bearing technology. They discuss how these advancements are improving performance, reliability, and efficiency, and what HVAC pros need to know as the industry shifts toward electrification and decarbonization.


Cool Air, Hot Takes is a Trane podcast that breaks down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, and lots of hot takes.


In this episode we cover:

  • HVAC Headlines - The latest grid emissions data reveals the cleanest and dirtiest U.S. power grids, and the world’s first grid-scale nuclear fusion power plant has been announced - what does it mean for the future of energy and HVAC?
  • Why centrifugal compressors are pushing into new capacity ranges
  • The real difference between magnetic, roller, and gas bearings
  • How electrification is changing compressor design

Plus, Charlie and Dan discuss Project Stargate, heat recovery from data centers, and why the U.S. dominates the global data center market.


Got a rant, hot take, or HVAC job site story? Send it to CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com - we'd love to hear from you!


Check out our show page here for more info!


Follow and stream all episodes now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.


]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No How Venture Capital is Shaping the Future of HVAC 1 1 How Venture Capital is Shaping the Future of HVAC full 50ba253b-4428-4fec-9034-048b33cdfcce https://www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/us/en/about-us/newsroom/podcast/cool-air-hot-takes/how-venture-capital-is-shaping-the-future-of-hvac.html Welcome to the very first episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that keeps HVAC pros ahead of the curve with the latest industry insights, trends, and of course a hot take or two. 

Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry - HVAC experts with over 30 years of experience between them and a friendship dating back to middle school - kick things off with their hottest takes on where the industry is heading. Geothermal? Getting big. CO₂ refrigerants? Gaining traction. Residential cold climate heat pumps? A game-changer.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC industry headlines – A startup tackling building electrification, and the most (and least) lucrative states for HVAC techs.
  •  Venture Capital in HVAC – We sit down with Jon Horne, Managing Director at Idea Fund, to break down how venture capital money is shaping the industry. Where do the best HVAC startup ideas come from? How do investors decide what’s worth betting on? And why is now the most disruptive time HVAC has seen in decades?
  • Hot or Cold? – AHR Expo Innovation Awards edition! Are stainless steel boilers really that innovative? Is CO₂ the refrigerant of the future? And what’s the deal with LG’s cold climate heat pump?

Got a hot take? A funny job site story? A new tool saving you time and money? We want to hear it! Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com for a chance to be featured. To learn more about the show, check us out here.

If you liked the show, hit follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, stay cool, and keep those takes hot. 

]]> Welcome to the very first episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that keeps HVAC pros ahead of the curve with the latest industry insights, trends, and of course a hot take or two. 

Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry - HVAC experts with over 30 years of experience between them and a friendship dating back to middle school - kick things off with their hottest takes on where the industry is heading. Geothermal? Getting big. CO₂ refrigerants? Gaining traction. Residential cold climate heat pumps? A game-changer.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC industry headlines – A startup tackling building electrification, and the most (and least) lucrative states for HVAC techs.
  •  Venture Capital in HVAC – We sit down with Jon Horne, Managing Director at Idea Fund, to break down how venture capital money is shaping the industry. Where do the best HVAC startup ideas come from? How do investors decide what’s worth betting on? And why is now the most disruptive time HVAC has seen in decades?
  • Hot or Cold? – AHR Expo Innovation Awards edition! Are stainless steel boilers really that innovative? Is CO₂ the refrigerant of the future? And what’s the deal with LG’s cold climate heat pump?

Got a hot take? A funny job site story? A new tool saving you time and money? We want to hear it! Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com for a chance to be featured. To learn more about the show, check us out here.

If you liked the show, hit follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, stay cool, and keep those takes hot. 

]]> Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Trane Trane 2084 Welcome to the very first episode of Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast that keeps HVAC pros ahead of the curve with the latest industry insights, trends, and of course a hot take or two. 

Hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry - HVAC experts with over 30 years of experience between them and a friendship dating back to middle school - kick things off with their hottest takes on where the industry is heading. Geothermal? Getting big. CO₂ refrigerants? Gaining traction. Residential cold climate heat pumps? A game-changer.

In this episode, we cover:

  • HVAC industry headlines – A startup tackling building electrification, and the most (and least) lucrative states for HVAC techs.
  •  Venture Capital in HVAC – We sit down with Jon Horne, Managing Director at Idea Fund, to break down how venture capital money is shaping the industry. Where do the best HVAC startup ideas come from? How do investors decide what’s worth betting on? And why is now the most disruptive time HVAC has seen in decades?
  • Hot or Cold? – AHR Expo Innovation Awards edition! Are stainless steel boilers really that innovative? Is CO₂ the refrigerant of the future? And what’s the deal with LG’s cold climate heat pump?

Got a hot take? A funny job site story? A new tool saving you time and money? We want to hear it! Email us at CoolAir.HotTakes@Trane.com for a chance to be featured. To learn more about the show, check us out here.

If you liked the show, hit follow, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, stay cool, and keep those takes hot. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No Introducing “Cool Air, Hot Takes” Introducing “Cool Air, Hot Takes” trailer c1bfc9bc-cd0d-4f2d-a865-a3340be1cf2a https://www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/us/en/about-us/newsroom/podcast/cool-air-hot-takes/cool-air-hot-takes-podcast-introduction.html Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast where we break down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, expert insights, and lots of hot takes.

Join hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, two HVAC pros with over 30 years of combined experience, as they tackle the hottest trends, smartest tech, and boldest ideas shaping the future of heating, cooling, and ventilation. From AI-powered HVAC systems to the rise of heat pumps and refrigerant phase-outs, we’re diving into the conversations that matter to engineers and energy professionals across the biz. 

Brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. 

Hit follow and get ready for the hottest takes in HVAC. 

]]> Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast where we break down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, expert insights, and lots of hot takes.

Join hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, two HVAC pros with over 30 years of combined experience, as they tackle the hottest trends, smartest tech, and boldest ideas shaping the future of heating, cooling, and ventilation. From AI-powered HVAC systems to the rise of heat pumps and refrigerant phase-outs, we’re diving into the conversations that matter to engineers and energy professionals across the biz. 

Brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. 

Hit follow and get ready for the hottest takes in HVAC. 

]]> Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:23:00 -0600 Trane Trane 57 Welcome to Cool Air, Hot Takes, the podcast where we break down the biggest innovations in HVAC, energy, and building technology with bold opinions, expert insights, and lots of hot takes.

Join hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry, two HVAC pros with over 30 years of combined experience, as they tackle the hottest trends, smartest tech, and boldest ideas shaping the future of heating, cooling, and ventilation. From AI-powered HVAC systems to the rise of heat pumps and refrigerant phase-outs, we’re diving into the conversations that matter to engineers and energy professionals across the biz. 

Brought to you by Trane Commercial, part of Trane Technologies, a leading provider of innovative climate control solutions and energy services tailored for commercial environments. 

Hit follow and get ready for the hottest takes in HVAC. 

]]> engineering, HVAC, sustainability, decarbonization, building automation, facility management No