Episode Overview
Podcast: Service Business Mastery for Skilled Trades: HVAC, Plumbing & Electrical Home Service
Episode: How Inverter HVAC Systems Help Contractors Kill Price Objections & Replace Tech with Terry & Phillip
Date: November 12, 2025
Hosts: Tersh Blissett & Josh Crouch (Skilled Trades Syndicate)
Guests: Jerry Frasenda & Philip Krettenbaum (LG Procast / LG HVAC experts)
Recorded Live: LG Elevate Event 2025, Orlando
This engaging episode dives deep into how inverter-driven HVAC systems are transforming the industry by overcoming price objections, boosting serviceability, and leveraging modern tech and AI for the skilled trades. It covers product innovation, the evolution of home HVAC, the adoption curve for technology by contractors, and how AI is reshaping both technical work and customer interactions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction & Background (02:46—04:18)
- Meet the Guests: Jerry (16+ years at LG, HVAC lifer) and Philip (6 years at LG, hands-on contractor background) introduce themselves.
- LG’s Growth: LG’s reputation as a premium ductless manufacturer is expanding to competitively priced inverter-based unitary/central systems.
Quote:
“We do design and support, soon educating throughout the country. Supporting the Cersei's team, slaying them in on tread bulletprojects.” — Philip Krettenbaum (03:48)
2. Inverter Technology & Price Objections (04:18—06:55)
- Traditional “too expensive” arguments for inverter systems are fading as LG now offers inverter systems near the price point of legacy 14–16 SEER equipment.
- Key Benefit: No longer a premium-only product; contractors can now present inverter tech as a value proposition with minimal price gap to traditional systems.
Quote:
“The price objection is gone. Okay now this equipment’s in the same price range but it's significantly better than just the six stage. So that's the big change I guess I would say in the last six months.” — Philip Krettenbaum (05:39)
- LG’s scale drives down manufacturing costs (makes its own compressors/motors).
3. Misconceptions & Adoption Curve (07:20—09:57)
- Complexity and Reliability: Contractors fear more features mean more to break. LG’s integration of controls and sensors comparable to commercial refrigeration is designed for reliability.
- Educational Hurdles: Legacy thinking persists among contractors—fear or reluctance to learn and adapt blocks adoption.
Quote:
“They're afraid of the technology. I mean they won't take a moment to learn or listen as user resources...There’s so much. This product installed and so simple to fix and so simple to correct. It’s child’s play on this.” — Jerry Frasenda (14:19)
4. The Impact of AI and Automation for Contractors (09:57—13:23)
- Artificial intelligence, voice agents, and chatbots are enabling efficiency—answering calls after hours, booking appointments, and even analyzing CSR calls for training and missed revenue.
- Service Consistency: AI follows instructions every time, humans may fail due to distraction or fatigue.
Quote:
“AI follows instruction. Humans sadly can get the instructions. ... But if we’re having a bad day ... sometimes our brain just doesn’t function or fire the right way.” — Josh Crouch (12:38)
- Voice cloning for ad reads—AI-generated customer interaction indistinguishable from humans.
5. Refrigerant Changes & Myths (16:07—19:44)
- A2L/Flammable Refrigerants: The shift to mildly flammable (A2L) like R32 prompts anxiety, but data shows hazards are manageable and panic is often overblown.
- Real-world investigation: Most incidents attributed to site conditions (e.g., dropped cigarette butts) over refrigerant risk.
Quote:
“Good news is if this stuff gets by with Justin, he goes, I could walk faster than the flame spread like, I'm sold.” — Jerry Frasenda (16:33)
6. Air-to-Water Heat Pumps & System Design (19:44—21:13)
- The US market is seeing a rise in air-to-water heat pumps (R32, “all refrigerant outside”).
- More efficient humidity/comfort control, flexibility in system design, and easier installation for contractors as they grow familiar with hydronics.
Quote:
“...once guys start to understand the hydronic side of it, it's hard to install. You're putting basically a package unit outside and you're running pex...but it can be [simple].” — Philip Krettenbaum (20:09)
7. The Downsides of Spray Foam & Tight Construction (23:34—27:34)
- Concerns about spray foam insulation: long off-gassing periods, improper ventilation, and fresh air issues.
- Importance of right-sizing HVAC, maintaining ventilation with tight envelope homes; developer/installer knowledge is key.
Quote:
“We had one ... neighborhood ... talking about tearing down the houses. Because of that it just it was off gassing for like six years and it was fine like if the doors were open…if you left that thing for the weekend and you came back instant headaches...” — Tersh Blissett (24:38)
8. Fresh Air & Dehumidification Challenges (29:00—31:42)
- Bringing in fresh air: Mistakes happen when ducts from outdoors are just added, causing humidity issues.
- Proper integration: Use ERVs and dehumidifiers; learning from experts is crucial to get this right.
Quote:
“I was introducing super hot air into an evaporator coil. And she was like, no, you need to bypass the evaporator coil, dump it into your supply side....” — Tersh Blissett (30:23)
9. Keeping Up With Industry Changes (31:42—34:01)
- HVAV and construction trends, refrigerant changes, new technologies—change is accelerating, making continuous learning vital.
- Podcasting and industry training events help bridge knowledge gaps.
Quote:
“The rate of change is...just skyrocketed you know... some of them said if I did your podcast today, I would have a whole new conversation with you in six months.” — Philip Krettenbaum (32:41)
10. Smart Data, Serviceability, and Tech Tools (35:10—40:57)
- Modern inverter systems provide real-time diagnostic data accessible via apps (temperature, pressure, error codes) to aid both techs and manufacturers.
- Advanced tools demystify troubleshooting, making the trade more approachable for new entrants.
Quote:
“You get this temperature like the intel output...I can run data logging...I can share that file with the kid that made this in Seoul... Fear keeps this technology held back.” — Jerry Frasenda (35:10)
11. Trade Education & Generational Shifts (41:15—47:32)
- Recognizing a cultural shift: Young people are flocking to trades for tangible, lucrative careers over traditional college paths, especially with modern tech making the skilled trades more accessible.
- Self-education (YouTube, online classes), hands-on learning, and the need to destigmatize not going to college.
Quote:
“I think we've damaged ourselves and we're now reaping what was sowed 20 years ago or so. ... It's not socially taboo anymore to not go back [to college].” — Philip Krettenbaum (42:50–43:12)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Demystifying Inverter Tech:
“This product installed and so simple to fix and so simple to correct. It’s child’s play on this.”
— Jerry Frasenda (14:19)
On The Real Impact of AI:
“AI follows instruction... humans can get the instructions, but if we’re having a bad day ... sometimes our brain just doesn’t function or fire the right way.”
— Josh Crouch (12:38)
On A2L Refrigerant Fears:
“I could walk faster than the flame spread like, I’m sold.”
— Jerry Frasenda quoting expert commentary (16:33)
On Trade Careers and Learning:
“You get this temperature ... Everything that you can think of that you’ve been using in your circ history is available via that plugin.”
— Jerry Frasenda (35:18)
“The rate of change ... that curve just skyrocketed...we talked six months ago and everything’s totally different.”
— Philip Krettenbaum (32:41)
On the Value of Trades:
“If you were, you were expected to go to college and if you didn’t or couldn’t you would definitely look to happy corner and I think we’ve damaged ourselves ... it’s not socially taboo anymore to not go back [to college].”
— Philip Krettenbaum (42:50–43:12)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:46 — Guest introductions, LG background
- 04:18 — How inverter tech is changing the pricing conversation
- 07:20 — Overcoming fears about tech complexity in HVAC
- 09:57 — How AI impacts service businesses (CSR calls, after-hours, voice agents)
- 16:07 — Addressing A2L/flammable refrigerant safety and myths
- 19:44 — Air-to-water heat pumps: coming to the US, design & humidity benefits
- 23:34 — Spray foam pros/cons and real-world challenges
- 29:00 — Fresh air integration and humidity management: how not to do it
- 31:42 — The acceleration of change in the industry and how to stay current
- 35:10 — The power of data logging, app-based diagnostics, and empowering younger techs
- 41:15 — Trades education, generational perspectives, and career advice for new techs
Tone & Takeaways
Conversational, candid, and technical, the hosts and guests toggle between deep industry knowledge and accessible, real-life anecdotes. The episode is a must-listen for contractors and service business owners seeking concrete strategies for adopting new HVAC tech, fighting outdated objections, and future-proofing their operations through education, embracing AI, and developing the next wave of HVAC professionals.
Recommended Actions
- Contractors: Rethink your product pitch—modern inverter systems can be priced competitively and offer greater value.
- Techs: Don’t fear new technology; leverage manufacturer tools and training to stay ahead.
- Owners: Consider AI-driven automation (CSR call scoring, chatbots) to increase efficiency and win customer loyalty.
- All: Keep learning, stay networked, and use podcasts, symposiums, and manufacturer resources to keep up with fast-moving changes.
For More Info
- LG Procast — For deep dives into technical and business topics in HVAC ([search your podcast app])
- Service Business Mastery Podcast Archive
- Industry events & manufacturer training — Stay informed on new tech, regulations, and best practices
This summary provides an actionable, in-depth recap for listeners or anyone seeking to transform their HVAC or service business for today’s fast-moving landscape.