#hvac-technology
20 episodes
#5454: Why a 4-Story-Deep Garage Beats a 20th-Floor Concrete Core
A deep garage should be cool. It isn't. A 20th-floor concrete core should be neutral. It isn't. Here's the physics.
#5433: Thermostats, Thermal Mass, and the Buildings That Fight Back
A thermostat is a sensor, a set point, and a switch — until thermal mass, bad models, and sustainability mandates get involved.
#4886: Why Airplane Cabins Are Drier Than the Sahara
Why planes are drier than deserts, how HEPA filters miss pathogens, and whether crew really build immunity.
#4883: Can We Cool Buildings Without Making People Miserable?
Why broken AC at Athens airport reveals a policy knot between sustainability and human suffering.
#4484: Cooling Cities Without Cooking the Planet
Paris district cooling, passive design, and whether we can stay cold without climate guilt.
#4345: HVAC Balancing for Renters: Cardboard, Coils, and CFM
Can blocking vents actually help a hot bedroom? The physics of airflow, coil freeze risks, and what renters can actually do.
#4293: Vacuum Secrets: The Industrial Machine Under $500
Why a $500 industrial vacuum can outlast three premium consumer models and save you thousands.
#4290: What Specs Actually Matter in a Borescope
1080p vs VGA scams, cable length traps, and adjustable lighting — what to look for in a diagnostic borescope.
#4199: Mold Farts and Dirty Socks: AC Filter Science
That musty smell isn't just gross — it's mold's metabolic exhaust. Here's what's growing in your filters and how to fix it.
#4115: Overpressure Not Airtight: How Mamads Actually Work
A tech guy and an architect debate mamad vulnerabilities. Both are wrong in a fascinating way.
#4062: How to Keep a Baby's Room Comfortable With a Dumb AC
Smart sensors + dumb AC + PID control = better than a Nest for keeping your infant comfortable at night.
#3678: Is Gas in Our Homes a Needless Risk?
A near-fatal gas explosion in Jerusalem raises hard questions about the safety of gas in our homes and apartments.
#2758: How Water Hardness Rewrites Your Appliance Care
Why hard water ruins dishwashers and washing machines — and what to do about it.
#2727: Your Kitchen Air Is Worse Than a Smoggy Day
Gas stoves spike NO2 above EPA limits in minutes. Here’s how to fix your kitchen air.
#2725: How to Inspect a Home Like a Pro
A retired pediatrician shares his pro-level checklist for viewing rentals and homes without getting fooled by staging.
#2722: The Three Things That Keep Your Home from Falling Apart
Water, air, and filters — the trinity of home maintenance that saves you thousands.
#2596: The Hidden World of Industrial Computing
Two parallel tech worlds: industrial systems integrators and IT managed service providers. How they differ, and why one pays $300/hour.
#1965: Where Do We Go When We Say "We Have to Go"?
A listener asked where we go after the mics cut. The answer is a masterclass in low-burn living.
#507: The Hidden Cost of Binary Cooling
Discover how Variable Refrigerant Flow technology and ancient architectural secrets are redefining how we stay cool in a warming world.
#429: Can 10 Air Conditioners a Second Save or Sink the Planet?
Explore how breakthroughs like liquid desiccants and radiative sky cooling are transforming AC from a climate threat into a sustainable solution.