HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Eugene Silberstein from ESCO Group returns to the podcast to discuss why and how to create an internal training program for your HVAC/R company. HVAC/R has so many niches, and information and practices are always evolving, so lifelong learning is necessary for the industry. In-house training is a form of education that can come with many benefits, including control over scheduling, building community within the organization, and convenience. However, creating an in-house training program also comes with many challenges, including time and money expenses. For an internal training program to work, there needs to be a clear commitment to lifelong education that is ingrained in the culture. That could include bringing in other educators, setting up mentorship programs, and partnering with local trade schools. Unlike an external training program, an in-house training program also allows you to tailor education to your technicians' goals and needs. A good in-house training program creates an environment of psychological safety; it allows trainees to ask questions without feeling singled out or judged. Some people who know topics well aren't the best trainers; trainers need to know how to teach others, which means understanding how the human mind works. Commitment is ultimately what makes or breaks an internal training program. If your trainees can see that you are investing in them consistently, they will be more likely to give and get the most out of the training program. Eugene and Bryan also discuss: The hunger and need for HVAC/R education Benefits and drawbacks of external training Using mistakes and callbacks as learning experiences Educators who make trainees feel safe Education, engagement, and entertainment Will technicians leave your company if you train them? Casual but deliberate training   Learn more about ESCO Group's HVACR learning network at https://hvacr.elearn.network/.   Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

In this short podcast, Bryan talks about the times when subcooling is meaningless. It is important to understand subcooling fully before using it as a charging or diagnostic method, particularly in refrigeration systems. When we need to charge TXV systems in residential HVAC, many technicians rely on subcooling to set the charge. However, refrigeration systems don't quite work the same way; charging a refrigeration system by subcooling may lead you to overcharge the system. We take subcooling on the liquid line between the condenser and the metering device. The condenser takes superheated vapor and rejects heat. This process turns the superheated vapor refrigerant into a liquid-vapor mixture midway through and subcools the liquid refrigerant at the bottom of the condenser. That liquid "stacks" at the bottom of the condenser. Adding more refrigerant will cause more liquid refrigerant to stack up at the end of the condenser and increase subcooling. These conditions can cause an increase in head pressure. However, many refrigeration systems have receivers between the metering device and the condenser. Excess refrigerant gets stored in the receiver; it doesn't stack up in the condenser, and it doesn't contribute to additional subcooling. As the liquid line fills and the metering device restricts, the liquid goes into the receiver, not the condenser. Subcooling won't change much until the receiver is full, which is a major problem; receivers should only be up to 80% full, even when pumped down. So, we rely on sight glasses or receiver-level monitors to determine the charge, not subcooling. The goal is to keep the sight glass clear, meaning there is a full line of liquid going to the metering device. (However, sight glasses will also be clear when the system is off or empty.)   Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Craig M (AC Service Tech) returns to the podcast to talk about solving work-life imbalance, especially for HVAC/R technicians who have children and families of their own. Our actions tend to be driven by our priorities, which vary at different stages of our lives. Someone's work-life balance could also vary depending on different parts of the year. When we let the right people into our lives and are surrounded by supportive communities, we can reconfigure our personal and career trajectories to keep them in line with our priorities. To create a healthy work-life balance, we must be open to investing in others and letting others invest in us. "Balance" implies a constant state of evenness, but for people who work many hours, own a business, or have a family, their time may not be perfectly balanced at all times. That sort of variety presents a challenge, but it also presents opportunities for us to invite wise counsel and maintain communication to make sure we're on the same page as the important people in our lives. We are imperfect, and in many cases, we make mistakes when we do things we shouldn't do or fail to do things we should do. When we make those mistakes or bad things happen, we can think about practical measures we can immediately implement in our lives to make them more fulfilling in terms of our long-term vision. Craig and Bryan also discuss: Providing for one's family Seeking counsel and wisdom from others How lifestyles and priorities shift as children grow up Intentionality and short-term vs. long-term thinking Making the "right" decision Letting people struggle but supporting them Emotional maturity Authenticity Bringing positivity to communication and relationships   Learn more about Craig's books and other educational resources at https://www.acservicetech.com/.  Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

In this short podcast, Bryan explains how rules of thumb (ROT) can cause duct issues. He talks about the role of friction rate in duct design as well as its intent and limitations. Friction rate is a value located on duct calculation tools, including Ductulators. We use friction rate to predict the operating static pressure of the system, but it is often misapplied when people design their ductwork around rules of thumb. The friction rate is expressed in inches of water column ("WC), which we also use to measure static pressure. However, the operational static pressure and friction rate are NOT the same things. Ductulators provide information about friction rate based on 100 feet of straight ductwork in the size selected, which we almost never see in the field; fittings and turns add effective length (EL), so the total effective length (TEL) is often more than 100 feet. When duct designers apply rules of thumb, like a 0.1" friction rate, and apply it to the CFM, they don't consider the actual length of the duct. So, the ducts are often undersized and don't properly account for the actual resistance to airflow. If you want to stop using rules of thumb, ACCA Manual D and related software can help you get more precise design parameters and account for other restrictions.   The following tech tips contain more information and specific equations to help you find the total effective length: The Friction Rate Chart (and What it Means), What the Heck is a Friction Rate? (Eric Kaiser), How to Determine the Friction Rate for Residential Duct Design (Neil Comparetto).   Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech) returns to the podcast to talk about what it means to have the heart of a teacher. Craig discovered his passion for teaching while instructing apprentices on the job, and he went into institutionalized teaching from there. He chose to overcome several administrative obstacles to become eligible as a teacher at technical schools, and that perseverance is one aspect of the "heart of a teacher." One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is the investment in others. For Craig, HVAC is a tool for supporting someone's family, and a teacher can find a sense of purpose in helping people be better HVAC practitioners. When good teachers invest in their students or apprentices, they give those people a reason to take pride in their work. The job of a teacher isn't to give students the answer, which can be frustrating for students and the teachers of those frustrated students. People who have the heart of a teacher allow students to learn things themselves and be frustrated when they don't receive the answer immediately. Teachers ultimately care and want to keep improving, and they get their students to ask questions. The most important aspect of teaching is getting students to retain knowledge and build on it, and many students retain knowledge when they get to ask questions on their own and apply their knowledge. Craig and Bryan also discuss: Craig's experience with teaching licensure The intrinsic desire to share knowledge or skills Investing in others during a labor shortage Switching mindsets Monologuing vs. asking questions Continuous improvement as a teacher Impostor syndrome and teaching Making educational content more valuable Limitations of video/audio education   Learn more about Craig's books and other educational resources at https://www.acservicetech.com/.  Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains why saturation can be CONFUSING and clears up some common misconceptions. Saturation applies to dehumidification and refrigerant inside the system. Generally, saturation is the state at which a substance can no longer hold or absorb any more of another substance. When air is saturated with water vapor and can hold no more, it is at the dew point or 100% relative humidity; it will condense on any surface below the air temperature. Air isn't like a sponge that absorbs water vapor; saturation deals with vapor pressure, particularly the pressure exerted by a vapor in thermodynamic equilibrium with its condensed phases in a closed system.  Dehumidification is the process by which we remove moisture from the air; this process improves comfort across a significant portion of North America during the summer months, and it prevents fungal growth inside the home. Air in a dehumidifier or an HVAC system in cool mode makes contact with a surface at a temperature below the dew point. So, moisture comes out of the air and condenses on the coil. Colder evaporator coils, which result from longer runtimes, are more effective at removing moisture. Inside a system, the refrigerant in the evaporator boils as it absorbs heat. The refrigerant can absorb a lot of heat due to the heat required to change state, also known as latent heat (compared to sensible heat, which is the heat required to raise the temperature of a substance). Until the refrigerant completely boils off, it is at saturation. Pressure also dictates the saturation point, and we use refrigerants that can boil under the appropriate temperature and pressure conditions for the HVAC equipment we're working with.   Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Kevin Hart from HAVEN returns to the podcast to talk about ventilation in humid climates and some best practices for working on systems that focus on the V in HVAC. HAVEN focuses on IAQ management with the use of software technology. HAVEN started off with its central air monitor, and the company then developed a central air controller to help customers make their homes healthier. Fresh-air ventilation is one IAQ, but humid climates make it tricky to bring that air in; dumping “fresh” air into the structure without taking extra precautions can lead to high indoor humidity and even microbial growth.  ERVs, HRVs, and ventilating dehumidifiers are some traditional ventilation strategies for various climates; exhaust ventilation is also quite common but can pull hot, humid air through the building envelope. HAVEN is creating a more templated approach to ventilation; HAVEN uses whole-home in-duct monitoring and local weather data to get ideas of the conditions inside and outside the home to tailor fresh-air ventilation to each individual system’s needs. HAVEN has partnered with several ventilating dehumidifier manufacturers, including Santa Fe and AprilAire; many of these manufacturers also use filtration to control the quality of incoming fresh air. Kevin and Bryan also discuss: HAVEN’s journey during the COVID-19 pandemic Chemical interactions in our homes (VOCs and CO2) Exfiltration and infiltration The problem with industry standards and regulations Appropriate climates for ERVs, HRVs, and ventilating dehumidifiers Using dew point to control indoor and outdoor parameters Energy savings with HAVEN’s technology Does a house need to “breathe?” HAVEN app   You can learn more about HAVEN’s offerings for HVAC professionals at https://pro.haveniaq.com/ and get a discount on HAVEN’s product bundle at https://www.trutechtools.com/ by using the coupon code haven2022. Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Dominick Guarino from NCI joins the podcast to talk about the High-Performance HVAC Summit, an upcoming event hosted by NCI from April 17–20. The National Comfort Institute (NCI) is a training organization that helps technicians learn crucial skills and succeed through high-performance contracting. High-performance contracting is based on the mindset of “don’t just promise performance; prove it.” To maximize technicians’ potential, NCI teaches technicians how to test equipment properly and monetize their skills. Techs can then use their knowledge to teach the homeowner about the system and solve problems with sales; they can earn money while being solutions-oriented. NCI’s High-Performance HVAC Summit is a training event geared toward HVAC business owners and contractors. It started as a membership conference for education and networking, and it has since expanded to include like-minded HVAC professionals from all walks of life. Workshops are led by a mix of contractors and NCI staff, and there are breakout sessions and other various session types.  This year’s High-Performance Summit theme will be “It All Starts With Service.” The four focal points of the workshops will be lead generation through service and maintenance, CO safety, the lead handoff from service to sales, and maintenance agreements. One more session will focus on hands-on testing, called “Low-Performance Town” this year, and there will be a panel about the future of high-performance HVAC. Dominick and Bryan also discuss: Dominick and NCI’s history in the industry High-performance maintenance Consumers who do their research The HVACR Training Symposium High-Performance Summit Awards Banquet NCI’s collaboration with other industry leaders and organizations   Visit https://www.gotosummit.com/ to learn more about the High-Performance Summit. If you decide to register for the summit, type HVACSCHOOL in the coupon code section for a $100 discount. Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

In this podcast from AHR 2023, Tony Gonzalez from Fieldpiece joins Bryan to talk about training, combustion, and more. Fieldpiece has a new combustion analyzer that reduces the cost of tool ownership and maximizes the tool's uptime, namely by using a long-lasting sensor. The combustion analyzer's oxygen and CO sensors seal up when the combustion analyzer is turned off, which pauses degradation. The sensors are also field-replaceable and come with a 4-year warranty. The CAT85 also has a built-in dual-port manometer (which can measure static pressure) and can measure a live draft pressure during combustion analysis. Some common misconceptions exist around combustion analyzer sensor lifespans and calibration. The sensor life refers to how long a sensor can output a signal to generate a reading; it doesn't refer to the accuracy of the sensor at the end of its life. Calibration keeps the sensors accurate, especially because sensor accuracy tends to degrade over time. To get the most out of your sensor, yearly calibration is recommended. Fieldpiece is also launching its ambassador program, which is a network of independent trainers with field knowledge who have been trained to become Fieldpiece product experts. Those ambassadors then train contractors and technicians on behalf of Fieldpiece. Tony and Bryan also discuss: Fieldpiece's sensor calibration process Water freezing in combustion analyzer traps Distinguishing your company from the competition with superior tools Technical training from Fieldpiece Fieldpiece leak detectors and new A2L refrigerants Infrared vs. heated diode leak detector sensors   Learn more about Fieldpiece tools at https://www.fieldpiece.com/ or ask about training by emailing training@fieldpiece.com.  Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.  If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.

In this podcast from AHR 2023, Brandon Marshall from Chemours and Chris Forth from JCI talk about the future of refrigerants and Opteon XL41 (R-454B). Refrigerant regulations are changing to pave the way for lower-GWP refrigerants, but M1 is also in full swing. M1 refers to the U.S. Department of Energy's implementation of the new efficiency standards for A/C units and heat pumps (SEER2, EER2, etc.). These standards changed the equipment testing procedure to match field conditions more closely. Opteon is the next-generation portfolio of low-GWP refrigerants for Chemours as a successor to the legacy refrigerants in the Freon product line. These refrigerants are a response to the HFC phasedown outlined in the AIM Act. JCI chose to use Opteon XL41, an HFO, for its equipment due to Opteon XL41's low GWP compared to R-32 and because of the similar operating pressures and temperatures to R-410A. A2Ls are a permanent change in the industry, and their safety considerations and best practices are here to stay. However, even though A2Ls are more flammable than A1 refrigerants, they are nowhere near as flammable as A3 refrigerants. Just about any refrigerant can propagate flame under the right conditions (including A1s), so A2Ls are only a little bit more flammable than those. Brandon, Chris, and Bryan also discuss: Brandon and Chris's industry experience The transition from CFCs to HCFCs to HFCs Refrigerant reclamation Upcoming GWP limits  Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) A2L refrigerant product testing Staying up to date on A2L training resources Some of the prominent flammable refrigerant trainers Smuggled and counterfeit refrigerants   Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.  If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. Check out our handy calculators HERE.