Advertise on podcast: The High-Performance HVAC Podcast

Spray foam insulation promises improved energy efficiency, tighter building envelopes, and better thermal performance. But what happens when the installation doesn’t go as planned? In this episode of the High-Performance HVAC Podcast, Adam Mufich is joined by John Ellis, Anthony Lenard, and Barry Mankin for a revealing discussion about the potential downsides of spray foam insulation. From off-gassing and moisture accumulation to shrinking foam, building pressure problems, and premature equipment failures, the group shares real-world experiences that challenge conventional thinking. The conversation goes beyond insulation to explore what HVAC contractors need to understand about the entire building before making changes that could have unintended consequences Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute John Ellis - Dynamic Air consultingBarry Mankin - 4 Corners EnvironmentalAnthony Lenard - Building Performance Solutions

Recorded at NCI’s 2026 High Performance Summit, Adam talks with Alana, Dawn, and Misti about what it takes to run a high-performance HVAC company. They discuss hiring for the right fit, measuring airflow, giving homeowners meaningful options, and making room for the next generation to lead. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Alana Ward - Baggett Heating and Cooling Dawn Mroczek - GV’s Heating and Cooling Misti Meiners - Discount Heating and Air

Solving an IAQ problem takes more than installing the latest air-cleaning device. In this episode, Casey Contreras and Adam Mufich sit down with Tim DeStasio to discuss practical psychrometrics, humidity control, dew point, and the four pillars of indoor air quality: source control, filtration, ventilation, and humidity control. Tim explains why technicians should think beyond relative humidity, how to diagnose IAQ problems before prescribing solutions, and why certain popular air-cleaning technologies may introduce unintended consequences. The conversation also covers ventilation, depressurization, particulate monitoring, blower-door testing, and how HVAC professionals can become true diagnosticians of the home. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Tim DeStasio - Comfort Science Solutions

What happens when fixing the air conditioner doesn’t fix the house? Michael Cianfrocco joins Adam to share some of the unusual investigations that have taken Detective Air far beyond the typical service call, including a recurring mold problem that required flying a blower door to the Bahamas. They discuss airflow, humidity, building leakage, equipment sizing, dehumidification, and how measuring the entire system can reveal problems that would otherwise stay hidden.   Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Michael Cianfrocco - Detective Air

Jim Davis returns to share real carbon monoxide cases from across the country, many involving equipment that had already been inspected, serviced, or “repaired.” These stories reveal how incomplete diagnostics, improper installations, and assumptions about combustion safety can turn ordinary service calls into life-threatening situations. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfort Institute Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute

Why do heat exchangers, burners, and boilers fail from corrosion? More importantly, what’s really causing it? Jim Davis shares decades of field experience diagnosing corrosion failures that stumped contractors and even manufacturers. Learn how to identify the root cause instead of replacing equipment only to see the same failure happen again.

Jim, Mark, Adam, and Casey unpack the truth behind CO air-free and the common misconceptions and why combustion testing, not assumptions, is the key to real CO Safety. Featuring: Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute

The refrigerant transition isn't slowing down... but it isn't happening exactly as many expected either. Todd Titus joins us again to discuss the latest developments surrounding ultra-low GWP refrigerants, including lawsuits, regulatory updates, and the ongoing debate over implementation across the United States. Whether you're a technician, contractor, distributor, or simply trying to understand where the industry is headed, this episode offers a balanced look at the facts and the challenges ahead. Make your voice heard at https://hardinet.org/advocacy/grassroots Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Todd Titus - HARDI

Explore why HVAC contractors should address succession planning long before retirement, burnout, or a buyer’s offer forces the issue. In this week’s podcast, High-Performance HVAC Today Editor Mike Weil sits down with Dawn Mroczek of GV’s Heating, Rob Basnett of Basnett Plumbing and Heating, and Adam Mufich to understand their very different experiences. You’ll learn about the importance of communication, documented processes, leadership development, and outside guidance in protecting the future of your business. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Mike Weil - National Comfort Institute Dawn Mroczek - GV's Heating & Cooling Rob Basnett - Basnett Plumbing, Heating, AC, and Electrical

Airflow wasn't just a technical skill for Tom Noland. It became a business strategy for Lickety Split A/C, Plumbing, and Electric. In this episode, Tom shares how adopting airflow and combustion diagnostics reshaped the way his company operated, created better customer experiences, and opened the door to significant growth. If you've ever wondered whether testing and measuring really make a difference, Tom's story provides a compelling answer. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute David Richardson - National Comfort Institute Tom Noland - Lickety Split A/C, Plumbing, and Electric

In this episode, we sit down with Roman Baugh and talk about the evolution of the HVAC industry, the shift in education, and the growing role technology plays in the trade. We discuss how technicians are learning differently today and how the balance between field experience and technical knowledge continues to shift. Roman also shares insights from working with contractors and technicians across the industry and explains why curiosity and continuous learning are essential traits for long term success. Connect with Roman and learn more about his company at https://vrftechtraining.com Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Roman Baugh - Kalos Services

In this episode, Jim shares his stories from carbon monoxide investigations, deadly equipment failures, and the moments that shaped his career in combustion diagnostics and HVAC training. Jim discusses contractor liability, ANSI standards, CO testing, and why “good enough” diagnostics can have serious consequences. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Mark Hunt - National Comfort Institute Jim Davis - National Comfort Institute

Adam Mufich and Casey Contreras sit down with Chris Hughes from The Energy Conservatory to break down the latest updates to the TrueFlow app and what they mean for HVAC contractors. Learn how forecasting airflow can eliminate guesswork, what is pressure graphing and its use case, and how these tools can help you make faster, more confident decisions on the job. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Chris Hughes - The Energy Conservatory

Ty Branaman dives into the hidden pitfalls of pulling a deep vacuum and more importantly, how to avoid them. From moisture behavior to evacuation strategy, this episode gets into the details that separate the guesswork from actual results. The properties of air can be confusing, but it is important to have a basic understanding when working in the HVAC field. Learn how a clothes dryer works and how it relates to HVAC and psychrometrics. Ty made this conversation fun and educational by breaking complex topics down into relatable bite size pieces. If you’ve ever struggled to make sense of what’s really happening inside a system, this conversation delivers clarity without watering down the details. Featuring: Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Ty Branaman - GRIT Foundation

Casey Contreras and Adam Mufich are joined by Jason Esteves of Seitron Americas to discuss combustion analyzers, personal CO monitors, and the latest refrigerant tools. The conversation centers on real-world applications, safety, and accuracy in the field. Featuring: Casey Contreras - National Comfort Institute Adam Mufich - National Comfort Institute Jason Esteves - Seitron Americas #caseycontreras #adammufch #jasonesteves #Seitron #Seitronamericas #Combustion #combustionsafety #CO #HVAC