Shows / HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.
Episodes
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsHow to Use a Combustion Analyzer w/ Jim Bergmann
In this podcast, Jim explains how to use a combustion analyzer. He also talks through the process of combustion analysis using Accutools BluFlame. The beauty…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #75 - Stop Duct & Unit Sweating
Duct and air handler (unit) sweating is a common issue in humid climates. Bryan talks about what causes it and what to do about it. Many people try to keep…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsStop Designing Ducts Backwards w/ Alex Meaney
Alex from Wrightsoft is back to discuss duct design. He also explains a common mistake made when designing ducts using a Ductulator. The Ductulator is a common…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #74 - So You Wanna Start a Business Eh?
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains what you need and the things you need to consider if you want to start a business in HVAC/R. When you start a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsThe Dangers of Like-for-Like Tonnage
Alex Meaney from Wrightsoft joins us to talk about Manual J and S. He also discusses how load calculations and equipment selection apply to real-world…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsGauges, Probes & NIST #LIVE
In this live podcast from the Castbox app, we talk about analog vs. digital, digital vs. probes, and probe vs. non-invasive testing of A/C and refrigeration…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #73 - Ambient CO
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about ambient CO. He also explains why it matters and what you do to check for it. CO, carbon monoxide, is a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsGeothermal System Considerations w/ Michael Housh
In this podcast, Michael Housh joins us to discuss his years of experience with geothermal heat pumps and their special considerations. "Geothermal" is a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #72 - Vapor Diffusion
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains what water vapor diffusion is. He also explains why it matters to the everyday HVAC technician. Vapor diffusion…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsDifficult Customers #LIVE
In this live conversation, we discuss some real-life situations with difficult customers. We also cover some helpful tips we learned along the way. When Bryan…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsRefrigeraton Case Controllers w/ Sporlan
In this podcast episode, Henry Papa from Sporlan joins us in person to talk about refrigeration case controllers on systems with common compressors. We focus…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #71 - Brazing, Is Patching OK?
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about brazing and soldering. He also weighs in on patching and if it is an allowable repair. Brazing is when you use…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsGrocery Refrigeration Talk #LIVE
n this live podcast episode, we have a fun conversation talking with Nathan Orr and Kevin Compass about grocery refrigeration. The most common types of calls…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsManual J Battle with Ed and Nathan
Nathan Rothenberg and Ed Janowiak join Bryan to talk about the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable of ACCA Manual J, D, and S. Manual J load calculations…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #70 - Is Testing Capacitors Under Load Better?
In this short podcast episode, Bryan compares under load vs. bench capacitor testing to find out which testing method is better. When we test the system while…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsECM Motors A-Z w/ Eric Kaiser
Eric Kaiser joins the podcast again, and this time, we are talking ECM motors. We discuss types, history, diagnosis, and failure prevention. An ECM motor has a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsRefrigerants to Replace R22 #Live
In this lively discussion, representatives from Chemours and Bluon Energy join the podcast. They talk about retrofit refrigerants and what to look for in a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #69 - Trap & Vent
In this short podcast episode, Bryan discusses the importance of the trap and vent in condensate drains. He also describes some trapping and venting best…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsHome IAQ w/ Jim Bergmann #Live
In this live podcast episode, Bryan talks through real home IAQ solutions with Jim Bergmann and others. They also answer audience questions. Indoor air quality…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsHow to Charge an AC
Craig of AC Service Tech on YouTube joins Bryan on the podcast to explain how to charge an A/C unit. He also discusses his excellent new book. Before you start…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #68 - Electromagnetism & The Aether
In this short and nerdy science podcast, Bryan discusses how electromagnetism impacts every part of our lives. Electromagnetism refers to the movement of…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsMoisture & Humidity Problems #Live
In this first live podcast episode, Bryan responds to audience questions and discusses moisture and humidity issues in HVAC. Moisture leads to other problems…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsNon-Condensibles
Eric Mele and Joe Shearer join Bryan to discuss the challenging issue of diagnosing and rectifying non-condensibles in the circuit. Non-condensibles are gases…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #67 - Defrost Termination and Failsafe
In this short podcast episode, Bryan quickly covers defrost termination and failsafe. He also explains what they mean in refrigeration systems. We need to…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsAcid and Contaminants Testing w/ John Pastorello
John Pastorello from Refrigeration Technologies joins us to talk about testing oil and refrigerant for contamination. He also explains what each test is good…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #66 - Water in My Tools!
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains what to do when you get water in your tools. (Hint: the answer is NOT to panic!) Some technicians try not to get…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsSpecial Episode - The SpeedClean Story
Mike Hardy from SpeedClean joins us to talk about how SpeedClean got started. He also explains why all contractors should consider engineered solutions…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsCrazy Filter Drier Ideas w/ Eric Mele
Eric and Bryan talk through some non-standard ways of thinking about filter drier usage. They also discuss how to install these non-conventional filter drier…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #65 - Is R22 Becoming Illegal
In this short podcast, Bryan discusses the recent ads and news articles claiming that homeowners are in trouble and that R22 is becoming illegal. The R22…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsStudy to Test vs. Study to Apply w/ Eric Kaiser
My buddy Eric Kaiser from the ETS Group comes on to discuss a common problem we see in both students and techs as they study. We talk about issues with how…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #64 - Diagnostic Duct Design
Balancing complaints are common in the HVAC industry. In this short podcast, Bryan explains how diagnostic duct design solves those issues. "Diagnostic duct…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsCeiling Cassettes w/ Eric Mele
Eric really likes ceiling cassette air handlers, so much so that he put them in his own home. We discuss ceiling cassettes vs. highwall and other…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #63 - I've Been Doing This 30 Years
In this short podcast episode, Bryan breaks down the most common defense for bad practices: time in the industry. He also explains how to STOP USING IT as an…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsMake up air W/ Devin Skipper
Devin Skipper comes on the podcast to give you an introduction to make-up air systems and explain their purpose. This time, we pull out all of the initials…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #62 - Impacts of Variable & Staged Compression
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers multi-stage or variable-speed compressors. He also explains the impacts of staged compression. Multi-stage (or…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsEffects of Dewpoint on Coil TD and More MQ Updates w/ Jim B
Jim Bergmann is back on the podcast to talk about the effects of dew point on coil TD. He also gives us a full rundown on recent MeasureQuick updates and what…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #61 - EPR vs. CDS Valves
Bryan talks about EPR and CDS valves. We consider both to be evaporator pressure regulators, but they really function quite differently. CDS are Sporlan…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsBlends and Midpoint w/ Jim Bergmann
Jim talks about dew point, bubble point, and midpoint in refrigerant blends. He also covers the purpose of each and why MeasureQuick displays midpoint on the…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #60 - How Cold Should it Get Inside?
In this short podcast, Bryan discusses the ever-controversial topic of indoor temperature in the summer. The old "20-degree rule" has come up many times, and…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsSuction Pressure in Market Refrigeration
Nathan Orr is back. In this podcast, we discuss suction pressure in market refrigeration and how rack techs think about it differently than HVAC. On parallel…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #59 - Low Static Can Be Bad
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains why low static pressure may be bad. He also discusses the other indicators of airflow. When you look at fan…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsCan a Residential Tech Transition to Market Refrigeration?
Nathan and Bryan have a rollicking conversation about Nathan's transition from residential HVAC to market refrigeration. Nathan also covers what he has learned…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #58 - A Fair Price
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers pricing for HVAC/R parts and services; he explains how to come up with a fair price. To be able to price fairly, we…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsPreventing and Mitigating Legionnaires' disease
We talk with chemical and cleaning expert Ray Field on Legionnaires' disease. We discuss what it is, its history, and what we can do to prevent it proactively…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #57 - Ductless Cleaning Guide
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers ductless or mini-split cleaning. He collaborated with SpeedClean to map out this procedure and write a guide, which…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsA Peek Behind The Curtain w/ Andrew Greaves
Andrew Greaves comes on the podcast to give us a sneak peek into the life of a tool manufacturer. Andrew has worked in the field for a long time and has…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #56 - Bypass Factor
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers the bypass factor in airflow and psychrometrics. He also explains why it matters to techs. The bypass factor is a…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsWomen in HVAC/R
Colleen Keyworth from Women in HVAC/R comes on the podcast to talk about the importance of getting women excited about our trade. While many women take up…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #55 - Vacuum Pump Maintenance
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains the ins and outs of vacuum pump maintenance, a critical component of evacuation. The most basic part of vacuum…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsAirflow Testing as a Customer Service Tool
David Holt from NCI comes on the podcast to talk about airflow testing and its importance as a customer service tool for the HVAC trade. Charging and airflow…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #54 - Sunk
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers the basics of sunk costs. He explains what they are and what they mean for you and HVAC businesses. Sunk costs are…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsResidential Air Balancing & Flow Hoods
Steve Rogers from the Energy Conservatory comes on the podcast to talk about residential air balancing and flow hood accuracy. Residential air balancing is…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #53 - Brazing Steel
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers the unique practices of brazing steel. He also explains how it differs from brazing copper. Brazing steel appears…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsLeak Detection w/ John Pastorello
John Pastorello from Refrigeration Technologies is back on the podcast to talk about leak detection procedures from start to finish. Big Blu was what started…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #52 - Enthalpy
In this short podcast, Bryan dives into enthalpy. He explains what it is and how we see it at work in the HVAC/R systems we service daily. Enthalpy is a fancy…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsHybrid Boiler Plants w/ Jim Devlin
Jim Devlin from Weil-McLain joins us to talk about high-efficiency and cast-iron boilers. He also explains how to use them together in a "hybrid" configuration…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #51 - Separate Gauges
Do you need different gauges for each refrigerant? In today's short podcast, we discuss the answer to this common HVAC question. When we first started using…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsParking BTUs with Buffer Tanks (Part 2)
In this two-part interview, Moe Hirsch goes deep and wide on buffer tanks and strategies for "parking" BTUs in hydronic systems. Systems with a high domestic…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsParking BTUs with Buffer Tanks (Part 1)
In this two-part interview, Moe Hirsch goes deep and wide on buffer tanks and strategies for "parking" BTUs in hydronic systems. When we use boilers, we want…
HVAC School - For Techs, By TechsShort #50 - Oil
In today's short podcast episode, Bryan covers the basics of refrigerant oil in HVAC/R systems. He also discusses what technicians can do to maintain oil…