This episode of Heat Pumped dives into the business side of heat pumps with Brent Davidson, founder of the U.S. Heat Pump Summit. We cover why 70% of HVAC companies fail in their first year, what private equity–backed competitors are doing differently, and the practical steps contractors can take to build resilient, profitable heat pump businesses.
Brent shares his unique perspective coming from the solar software world, where he learned the importance of combining technical expertise with business fundamentals. We talk about why leadership is a skill that needs to be learned, how to think like a CEO instead of just a technician, and why PE rollups aren’t the end of the world—but they are a wake-up call for contractors to level up their operations.
📊 Why HVAC startups fail: Pricing mistakes, weak financial planning, and missing basic business metrics
🏢 Private equity rollups: What they mean for competition and how to stand out against well-funded players
🧰 Tactical advice: Specialize in housing types, simplify your offerings, and test your own customer experience
🌱 Long-term strategy: Build trust, invest in your team, and create systems that survive market cycles
🗓 The U.S. Heat Pump Summit: Two days of technical and business training, November 18–19, 2025, in Worcester, MA
If you’re a contractor, business owner, or anyone thinking about starting a heat pump company, this episode is packed with practical advice on building a business that lasts — and thriving even in a competitive market.
In this episode of the Heat Pumped podcast, Shreyas Sudhakar interviews Brendan Ballou, a former federal prosecutor and author of 'Plunder'.
They discuss the implications of private equity on various industries, particularly HVAC. Ballou explains the business model of private equity, the impact of debt structures, and the consequences of roll-ups.
The conversation also touches on antitrust issues and the challenges faced by small businesses in navigating complex regulations. The episode concludes with insights on consumer choices and the future of private equity in HVAC.
In this episode of Heat Pumped, host Shreyas Sudhakar sits down with Clay McCombe, an advocate for workforce development in the heat pump industry, based in Colorado. Clay shares his unconventional entry into the heat pump world—starting with zero knowledge but a deep commitment to social justice and creating career opportunities for underserved communities.
Clay's work focuses on scaling the heat pump workforce by bridging labor gaps and making careers in the trades more accessible and inclusive. He emphasizes the need to recruit workers with grit and hunger, particularly from overlooked populations like formerly incarcerated individuals, non-English speakers, and youth. His programs aim to provide them with meaningful, well-paying, and climate-forward job opportunities.
The episode explores:
Clay’s journey from nonprofit and local government work into climate-focused workforce development.
The untapped potential of training people reentering society from prison or those traditionally left out of skilled trades.
The need to shift cultural perceptions around the trades, especially among parents and educators.
Innovative workforce programs like the GAPS (Growth Access Programs) initiative targeting equity and inclusion.
The upcoming Contractor Navigation Hub and Small Business Scaling Program in Colorado, designed to remove administrative burdens and empower new heat pump entrepreneurs.
Why mentorship, community engagement, and job shadowing are key to both learning and retention in the trades.
How local governments and policymakers can take practical steps to invest in green workforce development and decarbonization.
Shreyas and Clay also discuss the importance of humility, curiosity, and the spirit of entrepreneurship—highlighting how today's technicians can become tomorrow's business owners and mentors. They close with a shared optimism that the "heat pump gold rush" has room for everyone who’s ready to learn and grow.
💡 Takeaway: If you're curious about careers in HVAC, clean energy, or workforce development, now’s the time to get involved. Whether you're a job seeker, contractor, policymaker, or just heat pump-curious, there’s a role for you in building a cleaner, more inclusive energy future.
🔗 Follow the show: Subscribe to Heat Pumped on your favorite podcast app and check out heatpumped.org for more resources and the newsletter.
📣 Interested in workforce development or heat pumps? Clay encourages you to reach out—he’s always happy to connect.
In this episode of Heat Pumped, host Shreyas Sudhakar sits down with Nate Adams, sometimes called the “Father of Electrify Everything.” Nate brings decades of experience in home performance, electrification, and HVAC design. Known for his no-BS pragmatism and fierce advocacy for building science, Nate shares his journey—from pulling his first gas meter in 2014 to becoming a national thought leader in the heat pump movement.
Together, they unpack:
Why Nate thinks one-way air conditioners are “intellectually stupid” and why a heat pump (or “two-way AC”) should be the default option in almost every home.
The human—not technical—barriers to full home electrification, including HVAC contractor culture, politicization of heat pumps, and market inertia.
Why hybrids (heat pumps + furnaces) are a critical stepping stone for decarbonization in cold climates, especially in the Midwest.
Nate’s approach to designing comfortable, quiet, energy-efficient homes, and the secrets to making heat pumps work even in leaky, 100-year-old houses.
The importance of feedback loops, data monitoring, and right-sizing to get the best out of HVAC systems.
The real cost of electrification, and why smarter installs—not cheaper ones—are the key to value.
The “Cooler Act,” Nate’s proposed policy to phase out air conditioners in favor of heat pumps by incentivizing manufacturers and distributors.
If you’re a homeowner, HVAC pro, or policymaker looking for clear-eyed advice on electrification that cuts through the hype, this one’s for you. Nate is equal parts engineer, educator, and provocateur—and he’s not afraid to challenge sacred cows.
Key Quote:
"We're politicizing reverse gear. Air conditioners are dumb—you're throwing away functionality for no reason." — Nate Adams
📚 Mentioned:
Nate’s work: Energy Smart Ohio, Electrify Everything Facebook Group
Shreyas’s newsletter: heatpumped.org
Where to find Nate:
Twitter / LinkedIn / BlueSky: @EnergySmartWV
Heat Pumps are a powerful tool to decarbonize buildings, and are a mature technology that can be deployed today. On this podcast, we explore the barriers to their adoption and brainstorm solutions with the smartest people in the industry.
For this first episode, our host Shreyas chats with Nate Adams about his own background and he got into the industry.
Shreyas is currently a contractor that installs heat pump HVAC systems across California. But before that, he was a rocket propulsion engineer, designing rocket engines at companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX. Although heat pumps and rockets might seem like two very different things, he found that there's actually a lot of similarities.