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The Beer Can Cold Podcast

The Beer Can Cold Podcast

Written by: JG van Graan and Will Merritt
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Beer Can Cold Podcast is a no-nonsense show for HVAC and home-service professionals who want real insight—not fluff. Hosted by industry veterans JG van Graan and Will Merritt, the podcast breaks down operations, marketing, leadership, customer experience, and the hard lessons learned in the field and the office.

If you care about building a stronger team, running a healthier business, and keeping your operation running beer can cold, this podcast is for you.

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Your $25/hour HVAC technician doesn't actually cost you $25 an hour. Not even close.
    Oct 20 2026

    Think paying an HVAC technician $25 an hour means they cost your business $25 an hour? THINK AGAIN!

    In this episode of the Beer Can Cold Podcast, JG, Marty, and Will pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the HVAC industry: LABOR BURDEN, PRICING, AND PROFITABILITY.

    We're breaking down the REAL numbers behind running an HVAC service business and why that $25-per-hour technician can actually cost a company more than $75,000 per year!

    And we're not just talking theory. We're sharing real-world experiences, mistakes, lessons learned, and strategies from inside our businesses.

    WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT:

    The $25 Technician Myth — Why hourly wages are only the beginning of what a technician actually costs.

    Where Does the Money Go? — Health insurance, paid time off, taxes, bonuses, company trucks, fuel, training, and all the expenses customers never see.

    Labor Burden & Profit Margins — Understanding your true costs, billable efficiency, overhead, and how to price services without gouging customers.

    Are You Losing Money Without Knowing It? — How poor scheduling, doubling up technicians, unnecessary drive time, and nonbillable hours can destroy profitability.

    Why Does a $20 HVAC Part Cost $300 to Install? — The debate over service pricing, warranties, professional expertise, and the true value customers receive.

    📈 The Changing HVAC Market — Why more homeowners are choosing repairs over replacements and what that means for service companies.

    Investing in Your People — Why transparent numbers, hands-on technical training, and building a strong company culture make a difference.

    AND OF COURSE... THE BEER!

    Will is back from two weeks in Ireland, complete with a castle wedding and plenty of stories. JG brings out a homemade chocolate stout on nitro, inspired by Guinness, as the guys settle in for another round of honest conversation.

    NO CORPORATE SCRIPT. NO SUGARCOATING. JUST REAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE TRADES, BUSINESS, AND BEER.

    Whether you're an HVAC technician, service manager, business owner, or homeowner wondering why professional service costs what it does, this episode is for you.

    JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

    HVAC professionals: Do you know your actual labor burden?

    Homeowners: Does understanding these expenses change the way you look at HVAC service pricing?

    Drop your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear from you!

    LIKE if you enjoyed the conversation.

    SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of the Beer Can Cold Podcast.

    SHARE this episode with a technician, contractor, or business owner who needs to hear it.

    Grab a cold one, pull up a chair, and join us!

    #BeerCanColdPodcast #HVAC #HVACBusiness #HVACTechnician #HVACPricing #LaborBurden #HVACContractor #ServiceBusiness #SkilledTrades #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwners #HVACTraining #Profitability #Podcast

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    58 mins
  • How much revenue is dying on the phones?
    Sep 5 2026

    That's one of the questions we tackle on the newest Beer Can Cold Podcast.

    We sat down with Brandon Jennings from Dialpad to talk phones, CSRs, customer experience, AI coaching, abandoned calls, call center performance and where AI actually belongs in a home service business.

    The big takeaway?

    Use AI to make your PEOPLE better — not simply to replace them.

    We also discuss why your CSR may be one of the most important people in your company and how better conversations at the top of the funnel can turn into real revenue.

    And then things go completely off the rails and we start talking about Bigfoot. 😂

    Turns out Brandon believes in him too.

    Want to talk with Brandon?

    brandon.jennings@dialpad.com

    Grab a cold one and check out the episode!

    #BeerCanColdPodcast #HVAC #HomeServices #Trades #Contractor #Dialpad #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CustomerService #CallCenter #CSR #BusinessGrowth #Bigfoot #Sasquatch

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • How much revenue is dying on your phones?
    Sep 4 2026

    That's one of the questions we tackle on the newest Beer Can Cold Podcast.

    We sat down with Brandon Jennings from Dialpad to talk phones, CSRs, customer experience, AI coaching, abandoned calls, call center performance and where AI actually belongs in a home service business.

    The big takeaway?

    Use AI to make your PEOPLE better — not simply to replace them.

    We also discuss why your CSR may be one of the most important people in your company and how better conversations at the top of the funnel can turn into real revenue.

    And then things go completely off the rails and we start talking about Bigfoot.

    Turns out Brandon believes in him too.

    Want to talk with Brandon?

    brandon.jennings@dialpad.com

    Grab a cold one and check out the episode!

    #BeerCanColdPodcast #HVAC #HomeServices #Trades #Contractor #Dialpad #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #CustomerService #CallCenter #CSR #BusinessGrowth #Bigfoot #Sasquatch

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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