What if the key to unlocking more profitable and efficient building automation projects was already at your fingertips?

In Episode 488, you’re invited into a detailed conversation tailored specifically for building automation professionals. This episode explores how OEMs like Johnson Controls are equipping their contractor channels with advanced tools - not just to sell, but to successfully deliver full BAS solutions from estimation to final commissioning.

This episode is about helping you rethink the way you approach your BAS projects. Whether you're estimating, designing, installing, or managing the handoff to operations, there are resources out there that can make you faster, more accurate, and more profitable.

You won’t just hear about features - you’ll hear how these tools and processes can be applied to your business and your daily operations.

Key topics explored include:

• The underestimated power of estimation tools and how they impact risk, labor, and material accuracy.
• How engineering efforts in the sales phase can translate into operational success and earlier cash flow.
• What to consider when transitioning to IP controls and how OEM partnerships are shaping the network infrastructure conversation.
• How to strategically manage materials to drive revenue and reduce risk before a project even breaks ground.
• How automation and evolving software tools are reducing human error and accelerating project timelines.

If you're a contractor, estimator, engineer, or project manager in the BAS space, this episode will give you insight into what’s possible with the right toolset and the right approach. You’ll walk away with new perspectives on how to enhance your current workflows and set your projects up for greater success. Listen in to discover how the strategies discussed can impact your business.

The refrigerant landscape is changing fast, and if you're in building automation, facility management, or HVAC, you need to stay ahead of these shifts. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we dive into the 2025 refrigerant regulations with Don Gillis, senior trainer at Chemours.

This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about making informed decisions that protect your equipment, your budget, and your long-term operations. If you’re responsible for maintaining or upgrading HVAC systems, this conversation will help you understand what’s coming and how to prepare.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The key EPA regulations that took effect in 2025 and how they impact equipment manufacturing and refrigerant availability.
• Why refrigerant phase-downs don’t mean phase-outs, and how that affects your system choices.
• The new refrigerant options for different applications, including chillers, rooftop units, and split systems.
• How recovery and reclamation of refrigerants is about to become more valuable than ever.
• The best practices for A2L refrigerants and what techs need to know about safe handling, tools, and documentation.

If you own, operate, or service HVAC systems, you can’t afford to miss this conversation. Get the insights you need to future-proof your business and ensure compliance without unnecessary costs.

How well do you or your team really understand your building automation system? More importantly, how much of that knowledge actually sticks? In this episode, we focus on you, the building automation professional, and the real-world impact that training can have on system performance, efficiency, and career growth.

Effective training isn’t just about delivering information; it’s about making sure it’s understood, retained, and applied in the field. Whether you're training your internal team or your customers, the right approach can mean the difference between frustration and success.

In this episode, we explore:

• The surprising truth about learning retention and how to make training stick
• Why different generations and learning styles require different training approaches
• The hidden ROI of a well-trained workforce: fewer support calls, better system performance, and stronger client relationships
• How to engage technicians and end users with hands-on learning, real-world scenarios, and interactive training
• The biggest mistakes that lead to information overload and how to avoid them

If you’ve ever struggled with training effectiveness or wondered how to build a smarter, more capable team, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover practical insights you can apply right away to enhance your training programs and improve BAS adoption.

A Roundtable Discussion on the Future of Building Automation

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we’re shaking things up. Join Phil Zito and all of the instructors, Matt Scott, Joe Hulsey, and Michael Roper, for a lively roundtable discussion on some of the hottest topics in building automation today.

This episode isn’t just about theories and trends - it’s about how these changes will impact you, the building automation professional. Whether you're a contractor, engineer, or technician, understanding the evolving landscape of IAQ, predictive maintenance, AI, and IP controls can give you an edge.

But here’s the catch, we’re not just here to tell you what’s happening. We’re debating it, questioning it, and breaking it down so you can stay ahead.

Key Topics Covered:

• The real story behind indoor air quality solutions - what works, what doesn’t, and what’s just a sales gimmick.
• The future of predictive maintenance - is it really ready to replace reactive service calls?
• AI and automation in buildings - how close are we to a world where software writes the programs and robots handle HVAC maintenance?
• The shift to IP controls - what every tech needs to know to stay relevant as networks become the backbone of building automation.
• The workforce of the future - how today’s techs are learning differently and what companies must do to train and retain them.

This episode will challenge the way you think about the industry, and you might just walk away with insights that could change your approach to building automation.