HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Andy Holt joins the podcast to talk about what it means to be a 24-Hour Technician. We talk about what it means to be HVAC/R technicians AND deal with the human aspects of our lives at the same time. Service technicians differ from installers in that they do much of their work solitarily. They spend a lot of time by themselves. They’re also on their feet very often and may do emotionally exhausting work, but they can earn a respectable living and accumulate savings for the future. To make our work and the emotional burdens that come with it more manageable, we can try to control how we react—take out head trash. Most people—but especially technicians—experience anxiety, and worrying about things takes a major toll on us. We also may need to apologize to people who we simply can’t access. Andy goes over some of his best tips for dealing with those sources of worry. The goal is to eliminate negativity—clearing up negative aspects of your life and not being weighed down by individuals who negatively affect your life. As technicians, we do a lot of work to help other people, and the opportunities are endless for us. Customers may not always understand the value of the work we do, but we can bring positive experiences to them. We can find a lot of fulfillment in our work that way and bring positivity to our own lives. Andy and Bryan also discuss: Replacing negative thoughts with more positive ones The power of handshakes and eye contact Carrying burdens and being kind Apologies and forgiveness How to apologize to inaccessible people Being a “24-Hour person” Using overtime to avoid our lives outside of work How to manage anxiety Casting a future Andy Holt’s Outdoor University   To get in touch with Andy, visit https://toprate.com/ or call (706)-888-2332. You can also email Andy at andy@toprate.com.  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.

Jim Bergmann returns to the podcast to talk about furnace commissioning procedures and the development of measureQuick 2.0. MeasureQuick 2.0 has been a collaborative effort between Jim Bergmann and Joe Medosch, and it comes with an upgraded user interface that allows for faster operation and easier system data access and storage, and it works with more tool manufacturers’ tools. Gas furnaces need to be commissioned to reach their maximum potential (and lifespan). MeasureQuick 2.0 provides commissioning instructions and recommends starting with a visual inspection, including the flame rectification system (rod, circuit board, and grounding). Electricity is conducted during the flame rectification process—only in the microamp scale—so a dedicated circuit is crucial to keep it working as it should. When commissioning a high-efficiency furnace, we should make sure the condensate drain cannot become clogged. The filter should block the airstream completely and not allow for any bypass, which could make the secondary heat exchanger, condensate drain, or circuit board dirty. The combustion air zone (CAZ) is also important; we don’t want contaminants in there, as those could create acids that rot out your furnace components. Jim has also recently worked with the folks at TEC to make MeasureQuick 2.0 compatible with the TrueFlow grid and DG8. This integration allows you to identify airflow issues much more quickly and easily than before. MeasureQuick 2.0 also stores a lot more historical data, especially as it relates to the built-in visual inspection checklist. Jim and Bryan also discuss: The history and methodology of measureQuick 2.0 What technicians tend to miss the most Furnace circuit boards Electrical signals and flame rectification Filtration best practices IAQ accessories and pressure drop Combustion air zone (CAZ) Evolution of airflow measurement with measureQuick Venting termination considerations Clocking the meter and setting the fuel pressure CO and CO air-free PPM Low-level CO protection Checking manifold and inlet pressure Is the industry ready for universal heat pumps?   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.

Mike Klokus and Jeff Crable walk us through Kalos Services' light commercial PM process.  First, we verify that everyone is clear on the agreement. Then, we start the PM with a thorough visual inspection, taking copious notes about things that look concerning.  Once we’ve done a visual inspection, we clean the condensers. We try to use only water when possible, though safe cleaners may be necessary in some cases. When checking the electrical components, we make sure the wires are neat and have tight connections. We take our electrical readings and check the capacitor. Then, we check the system’s refrigerant temperatures and pressures. We measure the superheat, subcooling, and pressures throughout the system and record those. Once we move indoors, we check and replace the filter in accordance with the agreement. We do another visual inspection at the air handler, paying special attention to blower wheel cleanliness, panel insulation, and wire routing and connections. When cleaning the evaporator, we want to try to stick with water or self-rinse cleaners. We want to make sure that we use very mild chemicals, and any foaming cleaners should be diluted appropriately and rinsed entirely. Drain cleaning is one of the most critical parts of a PM. We check for double traps and to make sure that the drain lines are properly pitched, trapped, and vented; vents should be uncapped, but cleanouts must be capped.  We finish with a final inspection, making sure all disconnects are back in, cleaning up all trash and tools, and sharing any notes with the customer. Mike and Jeff also cover: Cleaning microchannel and multi-row coils Critical electrical readings How to replace panels carefully Filter replacement Modifying ductwork and return boxes for accessibility Cleaning drain pans thoroughly Pulling and cleaning blower wheels Common drains and condensate pumps Traps, cleanouts, and vents Testing heat strips Finishing up calls 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 covers a common electrical myth about wire length and its relationship with the National Electrical Code. The NEC is concerned with safety—protecting buildings and people—but less so with making sure things work. Wire sizing is a common topic, and length is important because it can contribute to the voltage drop in a circuit. In many cases, we refer to the MCA (minimum circuit ampacity) to select an appropriate wire size.  If you run more current through an undersized conductor, it gets hotter and will experience a voltage drop—though not proportionally. It’s worth noting that nothing in the circuit is fixed; voltage, amperage, and resistance all follow Ohm’s law but are variable as different things start happening in a circuit. In many cases, the NEC generally doesn’t require us to size conductors to accommodate for voltage drop. Conductors have some degree of resistance, so longer wires will result in a greater voltage drop than you would see in a shorter wire. It makes sense for the wire to overheat, but that won’t happen because the greater resistance in the circuit will reduce the current. There is less work being done. Longer wires and circuits that are sized correctly shouldn’t overheat or present a safety issue. The NEC recommends but does not require voltage drop to stay below 5% across a conductor. That is a performance recommendation, not a safety concern. We need equipment to perform correctly, but NEC won’t prevent electricians from setting up branch circuits that are longer than the ideal length. Excessively long branch circuits are common in commercial structures, and it’s up to HVAC technicians to notice that and measure the voltage drop to make sure it’s not negatively affecting the equipment.    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.

Trevor Matthews, the founder of Refrigeration Mentor, returns to the podcast to talk about why CO2 matters in commercial refrigeration and even HVAC applications. CO2 (R-744) has entered the residential HVAC sphere in some places around the world, though it hasn’t come to the North American markets yet. CO2 is one of the most eco-friendly refrigerants on the market, with a GWP of 1, and it’s very good at moving heat. However, CO2 has some challenges, including its low critical point and higher pressures.   CO2 comes with some safety concerns, and its systems have a complicated infrastructure. Since CO2 can exist as a liquid, vapor, or solid under operating conditions, you could end up with dry ice in the system. These issues require skilled, attentive technicians. As the industry moves to natural refrigerants like CO2 and hydrocarbons, we need to stop the race to the bottom. Technicians need to learn how to take their time and do the job right when they work on CO2 equipment so that they can be safe and save energy.  The future of troubleshooting will eventually lie in electronic controls that take measurements constantly. Technicians won’t lose their necessity with these changes, but it will be easier for them to respond to those measurements directly without connecting gauges. Technicians will also be able to access performance logs, which can help diagnose long-term problems. Trevor and Bryan also discuss: Trevor’s history working with CO2 Refrigerant regulations Transcritical CO2 and climate The skills and proficiency of young technicians Dry ice in CO2 systems Pressure transducers and pressure release valves Manufacturer support and quality control Data logging and electronic controls in commercial refrigeration Trevor’s recommended resources for CO2 education and training   Check out Trevor’s mentorship and training initiative at refrigerationmentor.com.  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.

This podcast is Bryan’s full-length electrical basics class for the Kalos technicians. He covers electrical theory and circuit basics. Volts, resistance, and amps all affect the behavior of electricity in circuits. These are also critical factors in electrical safety. Watts and kilowatts come from the multiplication of the volts and amps, though not every volt-amp does work; the power factor indicates how much work the volt-amps are actually doing. Some of the volt-amps are reactive (kVAR) and don’t do the real power of watts. Electrons move by interacting with other atoms. Substances can be conductors or insulators, and conductors have very few valence electrons, which move in and out of other atoms easily. Insulators have many valence electrons and are more stable. Insulators have high resistance, and conductors tend to have low resistance. Circuits consist of loads, switches, and power supplies. Loads actually do things and consist of light bulbs and motors. Switches pass power and don’t do work. Power supplies can be finite, like batteries, but also include transformers that take power from the utility company. Open circuits don’t move electricity, but closed circuits create a complete path that allows electrons to move. Electricity takes all available paths, not just the path of least resistance. Bryan also covers: Electricity and the body GFCIs and AFCIs Shock and arc flash protection Lockout/tagout Electricity and fall hazards Energy transfer Resistive vs. inductive loads Magnetism and flux Direct current (DC) vs. alternating current (AC) How power companies and generators work Open vs. short circuits “Path of least resistance” Tripping breakers Electrical units of measurement Step-up and step-down transformers Electrical frequency (hertz) Variable frequency drives (VFDs) Microfarads and capacitors Parallel and series circuits Becoming more proficient at reading diagrams   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 debunks the myth that electricity only takes the path of least resistance. It is true that more current will typically take paths of lower resistance; it’s much easier for more electrons to flow through a path with lower resistance, which is consistent with Ohm’s law. Ohm’s law states that a circuit will have higher current with you have lower resistance so long as the voltage stays the same.  In most cases, the voltage stays relatively constant; transformers don’t often need to limit their currents, so there usually isn’t a voltage drop. When power supplies are regulated, the voltage is usually fixed, not the amperage. As a result, dropping the resistance in a circuit will increase the current.  Ohm’s law holds true for both resistive and inductive loads. Inductive loads, however, are a bit tricky because the resistance isn’t constant. As motors spin faster, they create back EMF or impedance, which is magnetic resistance. The resistance only shows up once a motor, solenoid, or another electromagnetic component is energized; the resistance is much more dynamic. An electrical current takes ALL parallel paths, not just the path of least resistance. The current also stays proportional to the resistance, even when it takes paths of many different resistance values. Our bodies are also parallel paths, so there’s a risk of electric shock even though our bodies usually have much higher resistance than loads. Wet skin has less resistance than dry skin, so that’s why electricity and water are so dangerous to us; lower resistance means that more current can flow through our bodies.  If electricity ONLY took the path of least resistance, we wouldn’t be able to operate all the appliances and electrical components in our homes. The only prerequisite is an electrical potential (voltage).   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.

Nikki Krueger from Santa Fe Dehumidifiers returns to the podcast to talk about dehumidification equipment and strategies in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall). The shoulder seasons (and the weeks leading up to them) are when many homeowners begin to notice moisture problems in their homes. HVAC units and dehumidifiers should have a king-queen relationship. The HVAC unit is the king and controls the bulk of temperature and humidity during the day, but the dehumidifier can take care of the humidity when the king needs help. To remove moisture optimally, an HVAC unit needs longer runtimes and a cold evaporator coil. However, there will still likely be gaps in performance, and that’s when the dehumidifier can step in.  Proper equipment sizing can help us achieve better runtimes; we want to avoid oversizing the HVAC equipment, but oversizing is a bit less critical when it comes to installing dehumidifiers. The actual install configuration is more important when it comes to dehumidifiers (i.e., whether it takes supply or return air and ties into the supply or return). Dehumidification can be coupled with ventilation and filtration; ventilating dehumidifiers bring in outdoor air and should filter it before dehumidifying. The air mixing tends to occur in the dehumidifier, and the mixed, dehumidified air then moves into the supply airstream.  Nikki and Bryan also discuss: Condensating vents, walls, and equipment Modern homes, energy efficiency, and HVAC  Infiltration and the building envelope’s effect on humidity Effects of equipment sizing and wall/duct insulation Fan speed, air mixing, condensation, and humidity Andy Ask and Ken Gehring’s contributions and legacies Humidity from household habits and behaviors Santa Fe Oasis 105 features and operation   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 gives some quick tips for time management. You can save a lot of time by prioritizing what really matters and delegating tasks. One of the simplest but most effective ways to manage your time is to use a calendar. You can even apply the calendar to your personal life; you can get into a habit of scheduling important appointments, deadlines, and tasks. Google Calendar also allows other people to see and interact with your schedule, so it’s a great tool for scheduling performance reviews, interviews, and meetings. When you prioritize things, think about the negative and positive impacts of each thing. The ones with the highest positive and negative impacts should take priority over things with less significant positive or negative impacts. Many of the major business initiatives take place in the slow season, and many of our urgent client issues take priority during the busy seasons. Delegating is also a critical task. Just because you can do something, that doesn’t mean you should do it. So, it often makes more sense to give someone a task if they’re uniquely qualified for it. If someone is uniquely qualified to do a task, then you can delegate that task to them. Delegating is NOT the same as passing work to someone else because you don’t want to do it. To delegate effectively, you need to assess qualifications and prioritize. On the management side, you can put processes in place that allow you to spend less time managing and more time doing meaningful things at work that you actually enjoy. Making videos and audio tutorials can make it easy to demonstrate processes and procedures within your company. Then, you can focus on leading by example, creating, and making everybody better overall.   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.

Experienced mentor Eric Kaiser discusses effective mentorship strategies in the HVAC/R trade, emphasizing the importance of passing knowledge on, establishing mentor as a guide, supporting discovery, and prioritizing mentee's health and wellness. Mentorship provides context for training and connections, enabling mutual learning and growth in the industry.