Mastering Modular Commercial HVAC: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Best Practices for Engineers
April 14, 2026
1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT / 10:00 AM PT / 6:00 PM GMT
Duration: 1 hour
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Summary
With the air-to-water heat pump market projected to grow up to 11% annually, and systems delivering efficiencies as high as three times those of traditional boiler plants, modular designs are gaining significant traction in commercial HVAC. Their flexibility brings new application opportunities, but success depends on understanding key hydronic principles and how these systems behave in real operating conditions.
This webinar covers the field considerations that influence modular system performance, including pumping control, loop volume sizing, and the impact of defrost on heating operation. The session also examines hybrid plant configurations and how to stage and sequence mixed technology systems for year-round operation.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the most common pitfalls in modular heat pump design and how to avoid them.
- Strengthening system performance through effective approaches to pumping control, loop volume, staging, and defrost management.
- Apply best practices to fully leverage flexibility and capabilities of modular heat pump technology in commercial applications.
Speakers
Daniel Gentry
HVAC Systems Application Engineer
Trane
Dan Gentry is an Applications Engineer at Trane in La Crosse, WI. He joined Trane in 2018 after 8 years at another local WI based chiller manufacturer. Dan first interned at Trane in the Technology Lab where he worked in the acoustic lab while attending school through 2008. His areas of expertise revolve around chiller plants, heat recovery and heat pump systems, data center chiller plants and their reliable and efficient design and operation.
He graduated from Ferris State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in HVAC Engineering Technology.
John Sustar
Systems Product Manager
Trane
John Sustar started in the HVAC industry in 2009, specializing in energy modeling, electrical, mechanical, and hydronic systems. As an HVAC Systems Product Manager at Trane, he leads the development and execution of commercial systems strategies, working closely with engineering and marketing teams. He holds a master's in building systems engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a bachelor's in electrical engineering from the University of St. Thomas.
Kevin Padnes
Chillers Product Manager
Trane
Kevin Padnes leads the Thermafit™ Modular Chiller portfolio, offering a comprehensive range of air-source and water-source heating and cooling solutions—including chillers, heat pumps, and multi pipe systems.
Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University and completed Trane’s Graduate Training Program in 2003. Over his 20-year career with Trane New Jersey, he has served as an Account Manager, Team Leader, and Systems Sales Leader. He has extensive experience supporting the engineering and contracting community, with deep technical expertise across unitary, ductless, and applied equipment, as well as building controls systems.
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