If you’re serious about doing better work and staying ahead in high-performance contracting, the BPA National Home Performance Conference is the place to be. It’s happening April 13 – 16 in Columbus, Ohio, and it’s built around real lessons, practical strategies, and ideas you can actually use back on the job.

Use the discount code NHPC-HPP to save on registration.

👉 Register here: http://nhpc26.org/amply

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If you've ever had a question about Manual J, Manual S, or heat pump sizing, there's a good chance the answer ends with "and that's the way I see it."

Ed Janowiak is ACCA's Manager of HVAC Design Education, host of the legendary "Hey Ed" video series, and one of the most influential voices in HVAC system design. With 35 years in the trade — from installer to contractor to trainer — Ed has probably taught more contractors how to do HVAC design right than anyone in America.

In this episode, we flip the script and ask Ed the hard questions: Why do so many contractors skip load calculations? What's the most common Manual J mistake? And why does oversizing heat pumps for heating loads keep him up at night?

Ed doesn't hold back. He explains why "ballparking" system design is the same as accepting a ballpark payment, shares his non-negotiable line on latent performance ("you're dead to me"), and delivers a warning about the mold crisis heading for cold climate markets.

Whether you're new to heat pumps or a seasoned pro, this conversation will sharpen how you think about system design.

Key Topics

• Ed's journey from crawlspaces to becoming ACCA's top educator
• Why "truth and math" is the foundation of everything he teaches
• The #1 Manual J mistake contractors make (it's not what you think)
• Why Manual J doesn't care what equipment you're installing
• The oversizing crisis: what happens when you size heat pumps for heating
• Ed's line in the sand: 50% RH at 75°F on design day — or you're dead to him
• The ServPro warning: why mold problems are coming to cold climate markets
• What the new Manual S and Manual H mean for heat pump contractors

Timestamps:

[00:00] - Episode Teaser

[02:34] - Introduction to guest, Ed Janowiak

[05:56] - Ed talks about his journey into HVAC design and education

[10:52] - Discussing heat pump sizing and the impact on comfort

[14:15] - Ed’s perspective on airflow and its importance in system performance

[17:28] - Common mistakes HVAC contractors make

[23:19] - Manual J and heat pump sizing considerations

[28:27] - Ed explains common misconceptions about Manual J for heating

[30:38] - Properly sizing heat pumps and using auxiliary heat

[42:01] - Insights on technical committees and the importance of industry standards

[46:08] - The importance of Manual T for proper fan pressure and airflow

[49:37] - Closing remarks and key takeaways from the discussion

Follow Ed Janowiak:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-janowiak-9bb3b734/
• Website (Company): https://www.acca.org/home
• LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/accausa/
• Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/accontractors
• Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/acca_usa/#
• X (Company): https://x.com/accausa
• YouTube (Company): http://www.youtube.com/@accamerica

Follow the Hosts:

• Ed Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716
• Eric Fitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/
• Amply Energy Website: https://www.amply.energy/
• Amply Energy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amplyenergy
• Amply Energy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amply_energy/