In this episode of the Building HVAC Science Podcast, hosts Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn interview Karine LeBlanc, a distinguished engineer and international speaker. Karine shares her journey into the HVAC industry, which started under the influence of her father, an HVAC teacher and contractor. Despite her exposure to HVAC from a young age, she made an independent decision to pursue a career in the field after discovering the job security it offered. Her diverse career includes roles in engineering and sales, which allowed her to leverage both her technical skills and her extroverted personality.

Karine emphasizes the importance of networking in a technical industry like HVAC. She recounts her early days in Los Angeles, where she joined ASHRAE and became a reception chair, a strategic move that helped her build connections quickly. She highlights how networking has been crucial to her career, enabling her to form lasting professional relationships and gain credibility in her field. Karine also discusses the significance of virtual networking tools like LinkedIn and virtual meetings, which have expanded opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Towards the end of the interview, Karine touches on her experience as an author and speaker, sharing her motivations and challenges in writing her book. She advises listeners on the value of genuine networking, focusing on learning and building relationships rather than transactional interactions. Her approach to networking is driven by curiosity and a giving mentality, which she believes fosters a stronger, more connected industry. Karine's insights underline the impact of personal connections and continuous learning in professional growth.

Karine’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinel/

Karine’s Book: https://a.co/d/01HKRqRR

Karine’s website: https://www.karineleblanc.com

Karine’s company:https://www.myiaire.com/

This episode was recorded in July 2024.

In this Building HVAC Science podcast episode, hosts Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn interview Dan Goodman from Building 36, a company specializing in connected home services. Dan explains the origin of the company's name, which is a nod to the MIT building where he studied electrical engineering and computer science. He shares his journey from working on semiconductors to co-founding a thermostat company and eventually creating Building 36. The company provides smart home solutions tailored for professional trades, aiming to enhance customer retention through advanced monitoring and maintenance plans.

Dan elaborates on the capabilities of Building 36’s connected thermostat and home monitoring system, highlighting its ability to control and monitor various aspects of the home, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and security. The system provides extensive benefits to homeowners and contractors by offering peace of mind through comprehensive monitoring and easy installation features. The company also integrates its services with professional maintenance plans, ensuring higher customer retention rates and consistent service quality.

Throughout the conversation, Dan emphasizes the advantages of partnering with Building 36, noting their strong engineering team, the seamless integration of their products, and the significant impact on the HVAC industry. He discusses the company's strategic move to manufacture products in Bulgaria for cost efficiency and the extensive R&D investments to ensure robust security and reliability. The episode concludes with a call for contractors to explore the benefits of integrating Building 36’s solutions into their offerings, promising a game-changing approach to smart home services and maintenance.

Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-g-5305191/

Dan’s company: https://building36.com/

Dan’s bio
Dan Goodman is the co-founder and CEO of Building36. Dan founded Building36 to create smart home solutions that make homes safer, more comfortable, and energy efficient by designing them with the homeowner and service provider in mind.

Dan has over 20 years of engineering and technology experience. Before Building36, Dan was an application engineer at Texas Instruments, founded a company that created the first Wi-Fi thermostat, and was head of sales for a startup company that helped pioneer Zigbee wireless technology.

Dan graduated from MIT with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science.

This episode was recorded in July 2024.

Bill Spohn welcomes Julien Stamatakis, co-founder of Attune (formerly SenseWare). Julien shares his journey from working on sensor networks for Parkinson's disease detection during his PhD in Belgium to co-founding a company focused on monitoring the built environment. Initially, their sensor technology aimed at the medical field faced funding challenges, which led them to pivot towards the built environment. They began by collecting energy data and expanded to include various sensors to monitor air quality, occupancy, and energy usage in commercial buildings.

Julien discusses the evolution of their sensor technology, highlighting how customer needs have shaped their development. Starting with energy data collection, they moved on to monitor particulate matter and CO2 levels, especially during events like wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Their focus has remained on commercial applications, where robust, long-lasting sensors are critical. Julien notes the challenges in the residential market, including higher competition and the need for low-cost solutions, which differ significantly from commercial requirements.

The conversation also delves into the use of AI and machine learning to enhance data analysis and decision-making in building management. Julien explains how AI helps automate tedious tasks and provides actionable insights from vast amounts of data collected from sensors. He emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and the integration of various data sources, including occupancy and outdoor air quality, to optimize building operations. The podcast concludes with Julien highlighting the value of high-quality data and offering consultation to help customers manage their assets effectively.

Julien’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julien-stamatakis/

Julien’s company: www.AttuneIOT.com

This episode was recorded in June 2024.