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.
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Cool Air, Hot Takes is a education podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 81. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
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Episode #28
Throwback - Industrial Heat: We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Pump
Aug 12, 202635 min
While our team is cooking up Season 5, we're throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes from past seasons. Industrial heat accounts for approximately a quarter of global energy consumption, says Ruth Checknoff, today’s guest, and is the key to hitting climate targets. Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes , Dan and Charlie welcome Ruth Checknoff , Senior Project & Research Director at the Renewable Thermal Collaborative , to talk about the hot (literally) challenge of decarbonizing industrial thermal processes. From whiskey distilleries in Scotland to policies in Pennsylvania, New York and Colorado, Ruth walks us through the tech, the trends, and the temperature thresholds behind industrial heat pumps, thermal batteries, and more. Plus, we have: HVAC Headlines: Why Charlie loves the demand control ventilation at Disney and the wild world of copper theft and HVAC units . Listener Mailbag : Air source boilers and nuclear power’s comeback. Stat of the Day: W hich states are building America ? 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! Take our survey: We love making Cool Air, Hot Takes™, but we want to make sure you love listening to it. Head to podpolls.com/hottakes , fill out our quick listener survey, and give us your hottest takes about the show. 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.
While our team is cooking up Season 5, we're throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes from Season 1. 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? 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 take our listener survey at podpolls.com/hottakes and 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.
Behind the Hood: Frank Kohout on Restaurant HVAC Design
Jun 9, 202636 minS0
<p>Take our survey: We love making Cool Air, Hot Takes™, but we want to make sure you love listening to it. Head to podpolls.com/hottakes, fill out our quick listener survey, and give us your hottest takes about the show. </p><p><br>Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Frank Kohout, a 35-year HVAC engineer veteran who spent a big chunk of his career at McDonald's Global. If you've ever walked into a McDonald's and not sweated through your shirt, Frank probably had something to do with it. He walks...
Igniting HVAC Careers at the Heavy Metal Summer Experience
May 19, 202636 minS0
<p>Take our survey: We love making Cool Air, Hot Takes™, but we want to make sure you love listening to it. Head to podpolls.com/hottakes, fill out our quick listener survey, and give us your hottest takes about the show. </p><p> </p><p>Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry sit down with Angie Simon, mechanical engineer, former president of a $125 million mechanical contractor, SMACNA President, and now co-founder of Heavy Metal Summer Experience. Instead of taking it easy in her “retirement”, she's getting kids off the couch, putting a torch in their hand...
<p>Today on Cool Air, Hot Takes™, hosts Charlie Jelen and Dan Gentry celebrate a milestone: Trane's Graduate Training Program turns 100. Kris Gagermeier, Trane’s Director, Technical Training Center of Excellence joins to walk through the program's origins, how it's evolved over a century, and where AI fits into the next chapter of HVAC workforce development, including what it takes to get through 14 weeks in La Crosse. </p><p><br>We also have: </p>HVAC Headlines: Repair revenue is eating a bigger slice of mechanical contractors' business — up from 21% to 31% since 2021, with more jobs, higher ticket sizes, and lower costs. Plus: Bi...
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