HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan and Bert talk through a real-life issue we all face as techs: work-life balance. Bert's recent video "triggered" Bryan a bit, so they talk through it. Bryan believes that the work-life balance doesn't necessarily exist; instead of creating balance, he believes in a focus on discipline in work and home life as you're present to each of them. Instead of setting rules for dedicating his time, B...

Today's short podcast episode is all about surge protection on HVAC/R equipment. Lightning poses a severe threat to equipment, and surge suppression may or may not help. Unfortunately, surge protection cannot protect HVAC equipment from direct lightning strikes. Surge suppression strategies connect to the high-voltage line and will protect your equipment from surges from the utility. Large, instan...

In this episode, we talk with Moe about the world of hydronics. We discuss some fundamentals and talk about various boiler and radiator types. Hydronic systems use water flow to move heat. We can compare these systems to railroads; the water is like a train carrying BTUs, and the BTUs get off the "train" at radiators. The pump moves water in a circle, though it moves that water pretty far. Boilers...

In today's short podcast, we answer the following question: Should you ONLY use OEM parts? We also explain why the answer is what it is. It can be tricky to determine the value of OEM parts in general. For example, many OEM capacitors are very prone to failure. Some non-OEM capacitors have much lower failure rates. Operating conditions may also exceed manufacturer specs, so aftermarket components...

In this rather unorthodox short podcast episode, Andy gives his timeless soft skills tips. We also tell you a bit more about a special training event in Orlando in just a few weeks. Soft skills and communication are critical parts of the HVAC industry, especially residential HVAC. Customers don't compliment you on your tools; they compliment your service and attitude. We must acknowledge that we a...

In today's podcast, Bryan covers some of the facts about humidity. He also explains how to keep humidity under control in all climates. Humidity refers to water vapor in the air and is a component of the air. Changes in temperature and pressure affect the density of the air. The air density determines how much moisture air can hold. Relative humidity refers to the ratio of water vapor in the air....

In this short podcast episode, we talk about the myth that time at a job or in the business equals or deserves pay increases. Many people believe that showing up for a long time justifies a raise. They aren't necessarily progressing in their field, but they think they've spent enough time to warrant a raise. A business relationship is an agreement that you will perform specific tasks for a specifi...

In today's podcast episode, Mark Roth from Goodway talks about chiller and cooling tower cleaning best practices and techniques. Goodway makes industrial maintenance equipment for the HVAC industry, especially tube-cleaning equipment. A chiller has water running through the tubes, and debris from the cooling tower can build up in the tubes. When scale or debris buildup occurs, heat exchange become...

In this short podcast episode, we address the myth that IAQ is a joke. We also discuss how to think about IAQ correctly in HVAC work. Indoor air quality is NOT a joke. However, it has a bit of a bad reputation in our field due to the overuse of accessories and bells-and-whistles to solve whole-home air quality issues. (Oxidizers, UV lights, etc. can help IAQ issues, but they are not a fix-all.) We...

Chris Stephens from HVACR Videos joins us to talk about his experiences with and perspective on R290 (propane) refrigerant in restaurant refrigeration. Chris sees R290 propane on a daily basis, and his perspective as a tech differs from that of an R290 equipment manufacturer. While the temperature sensitivity contributes to flammability, R290 is also under pressure in a system. Therefore, propane...

In this short podcast episode, we discuss the common myth about cleaning flame rods/sensors/rectification devices. Flame sensors or rectification rods are NOT the same as thermocouples or thermopiles. Thermocouples and thermopiles use two dissimilar metals to create a temperature differential. So, we do not clean thermocouples and thermopiles because the heavy abrasives in cleaners can damage and...

In this podcast episode, Eric and I discuss his new home and his plans for installing central air the Eric-Mele way. Eric's home doesn't have an attic, crawlspace, or basement. So, designing and installing central A/C will be a challenge, especially since Eric doesn't like high-wall ductless systems. Eric considered using an air handler with exposed ductwork, but he doesn't want the noise issues a...

In today's short live podcast, Bryan discusses the importance of context in education and the challenge presented by information. When we learn, we do ourselves a disservice by searching for information alone. Just-in-time education allows us to "search instead of research," and it works in a limited and inefficient way. Instead, we'd be much more effective if we knew how to learn efficiently. To...

In this episode, Jordan Cummings comes on the podcast to review application-based system selection considerations for VRF/VRV systems. A VRF/VRV system works a bit like a hydronics system, but it provides hot or cold air to various zones in a space, not water. The key to having a reliable and long-lasting VRF system is a good installation. Proper maintenance practices, including pulling deep vacuu...

In today's short podcast episode, we talk about specific gravity, also known as relative density. We explain why it matters to technicians. When we talk about specific gravity, we're actually talking about density. We're actually using that value to assess how a vapor or liquid's density compares to air or water, respectively. Regardless, we are working with the pressure conditions of 14.7 PSIA, o...

In this episode, we speak with Embraco about R290 (Propane) refrigerant, hydrocarbons, and what you need to know about them. Embraco is primarily focused on compressors and is involved in the residential and light commercial market. The greater demand for natural refrigerants or hydrocarbons has made R290 popular. Hydrocarbons have hydrogen and carbon chains; although these refrigerants are very s...

We talk about measuring tricky amperage on a blower and condensing fan motor. We also cover why you may be measuring inaccurately, resulting in a misdiagnosis. When measuring amperage on a PSC blower motor, you may have noticed that amperage on the common is higher when the panel is off. Conversely, on ECM or X13 motors, the amperage is generally lower with the panel off. When measuring amperage,...

In this service manual talk-through episode, Eric Mele helps us discuss the Heatcraft Beacon 2 refrigeration system. We talk about what it can do and what it entails. The Heatcraft Beacon 2 is a refrigeration system with more electronic controls than electromechanical. However, it is quite user-friendly, and it allows you to see what the system is doing at almost all times. The monitor doesn't all...

This short podcast episode covers the why and the how of low ambient cooling and refrigeration. Low ambient cooling refers to operating A/C equipment during low outdoor ambient conditions. Typically, the cap of operation is around 55 or 60 degrees. However, some commercial facilities need cooling when the outdoor temperature is cold. For example, those facilities may have to cool electronics or la...

In today's podcast, I talk to John Oaks about his experience as a VRF tech in the field, including branch boxes and two-pipe vs. three-pipe technology. John primarily works on the troubleshooting and service side rather than the installation and programming side of the field. Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, also called VRV systems when manufactured by Daikin, are commercial HVAC systems....

This is a voice-over audio presentation of the article of the same title on the HVACRschool.com website ("The Trade Skills Gap: A Manifesto). The manifesto discusses the value of technicians and the trades in modern society. It also covers the plague of snobbery that we are all too familiar with in the world. You can read "The Trade Skills Gap: A Manifesto" HERE .   Learn more about Refrigeration...

Jason Obrzut comes on the podcast and talks us through his furnace sequence of operation training: "Take It Slow, It's Gonna Blow!" There are 6 main steps in Jason's furnace sequence of operation training. The phrase, "Take It Slow, It's Gonna Blow!" should help you remember the sequence (Thermostat, Inducer motor, Safety switch, Igniter, Gas valve, Blower motor). The first component in the furnac...

In this short podcast episode, we talk through stack effect. We explain what it is and what sorts of comfort issues it can cause in a home. Most of us understand that hot air rises even though heat itself doesn't rise. The stack effect is precisely a version of that piece of common knowledge; hotter air is less dense than cooler air, so it floats above the cooler air. In hotter air, the molecules...

Jim Bergmann gives us a year-end review of all that is happening at MeasureQuick and his predictions for the future of app-based diagnosis. He also covers what's been going on with Redfish, BluFlame, BluVac, Supco, Testo, and Fieldpiece. Diagnostic tools only work if the buyers understand how to use them. When apps can assist the tool buyers and users with diagnosis, the tool manufacturers can foc...

What is the difference between accuracy, precision, and resolution? In today's short podcast, Jim Bergmann explains the differences and why they matter. People commonly confuse accuracy and precision. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the correct value, but precision refers to the consistency of values. For example, you can get several infrared thermometers to measure the difference...