HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Alex and Nicole of Faraday join Kaleb Saleeby and Ty Branaman to talk about new educational formats and options in the HVAC industry. Alex is the founder of Faraday, and Nicole is the head of operations. Ty is a notable HVAC educator who supports Faraday and its mission. Faraday is a free educational program that prepares apprenticeships for fieldwork, allows them to get EPA 608 certification, and helps place them in jobs with paid training. Although the program is free, there is a rigorous selection process to make sure only the most serious candidates join the program. The human aspect is very important to training, and Ty is one of the people who brings that to education programs. HVAC training is multifaceted, and the appliances are just the beginning. Training focuses on science and math as well as craftsmanship, which isn’t what a lot of people think about when they think of HVAC. Faraday focuses on bringing the abstract and artistic concepts of the trade to training. However, Faraday also acknowledges just how important skills are to a person’s career and life in general. Faraday also has live sessions with guest speakers, and these are available to current students and alumni. Lifelong learning and investment are important to Faraday, and the programs create a support system for students even after completion. Alex, Nicole, Ty, and Kaleb also discuss: Faraday’s admissions process Ty’s contributions to education and the industry Bringing the Masterclass format and delivery to HVAC The ambitions, interests, and fears of young people Costs of training Using Discord for communication and training Teaching life skills Faraday’s vetting, coaching, and weed-out processes Producing coachable, well-rounded individuals   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.

Ashley (aka hvac_ash) joins the podcast to talk about how HVAC fits into social media, AHR 2022, and AmRad capacitors. Ashley works with Global the Source on the sales and distribution side of the business. Becoming an HVAC influencer is smart, especially when there is a dedicated audience in the industry. When you gain traction online, that can branch into marketing, which helps get the word out even more. It’s also a great way to make connections organically once you have traction and learn from others’ industry-related content. Ashley also has firsthand experience with the HVAC trade’s obstacles for women. She believes that making groups like Women in HVACR more marketable and focusing on recruiting young women will help break those barriers down. There needs to be more effort to the recruiting process than just posting ads and job postings on social media. Global the Source is a distributor of AmRad products, including the well-known American-made capacitors and Turbo line of start capacitors (Turbolytic) and hard start kits (TES5). The quality of the AmRad capacitors’ foil and the oil has been tested widely, even on the HVAC School YouTube channel; the conclusion is that AmRad capacitors are made of high-quality materials and last longer than many others. Ashley and Bryan also discuss: What it means to be a master distributor Being an HVAC influencer on Instagram Visiting AHR as an influencer and sales professional Strategic recruiting for underrepresented demographics AmRad’s Turbo product family New AmRad products for failed run capacitors and stuck relays   Follow Ashley on Instagram (hvac_ash) and DM her with questions or email her at ashleyl@globalthesource.com. Learn more about Global the Source and some of the AmRad products at https://globalthesource.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.

Bill Spohn joins Eric Kaiser and Kaleb Saleeby at AHR 2022 to talk about his experiences designing and living in a home with NetZero HVAC.  NetZero HVAC refers to system design with tight coordination with the house to make it as efficient as possible. Some of these systems are so tight and efficient that they approach passive house standards (0.6 ACH50). Bill lives in a modular home that also generates more energy than it consumes, and it doesn’t rely on natural gas. The greatest expenses of Bill’s NetZero home came from all the custom factors, as it didn’t make sense to price many of the features on a square-foot basis. The heating and cooling system is also unique, as it is completely separate from the ventilation system, which is a Build Equinox CERV. On the IAQ side, the CERV monitors outdoor temperature and humidity, indoor CO2, and indoor VOCs. Bill also has a HAVEN central air monitor inside the CERV system as a backup. Bill’s HVAC system is an air-source heat pump that provides two tons of heating and cooling and has low-temperature capabilities. The two-ton unit works for a 4400-square-foot home. Bill, Eric, and Kaleb also discuss: Energy independence Controlling radiant heat gains and window construction Construction and material fabrication Monitoring energy usage Energy recovery ventilation (ERVs) Thermal bridging at work in Bill’s walls Knowledgeable customers Jim Bergmann’s help with troubleshooting Radon issues Bill’s podcast Solar inverters Measuring tool accuracy   You can learn more by listening to Bill's podcast, Building HVAC Science. You can subscribe to the podcast on any podcast app of your choice or get an overview at https://buildinghvacscience.libsyn.com/. You can also check out Bill’s blog at https://spohnhome.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.

Collin Olson, the staff physicist of The Energy Conservatory (TEC), joins Eric Kaiser at AHR 2022 to talk a bit about data logging. Data logging refers to the act of using sensors to record data over time and then analyzing that data. TEC dipped its toes into data logging with the APT and then TECLOG. Data logging allows us to take and store multiple readings as well as extrapolate data into graphs, making it easier to analyze performance. The TECLOG4 software is the most up-to-date version. TECLOG is a simple software to use with basic training. The understanding of building science continues over a lifetime, but the actual software can be learned in approximately 30 minutes. TECLOG is free with TEC’s hardware, such as the DG-1000. To get started, all you need is a precision manometer and a computer. However, it’s worth nothing that the DG-1000 stores a lot of data, meaning that you can launch data logging sessions on the gauge without your computer. Some of the most important measurements are related to drafts and backdrafting. There are 250 Pascals in an inch of water column, and the DG-1000 can pick up very small changes in the Pascals and can indicate when depressurization happens and when it poses a risk. Improperly installed vents can also produce alarming drafting conditions due to air density; data logging can pick up that sort of information. Collin and Eric also discuss: The history of TEC’s APT Wind and its effect on building pressures Event markers and hotkeys The link between depressurization, flue gases, and weather conditions Managing multiple blower doors at a time   Check out TEC’s software, including TECLOG4, at https://energyconservatory.com/downloads/.  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.

Mark Tozzi from Carrier comes on the HVAC School podcast to talk about unique HVAC incentives in K-12 schools. When schools closed down during COVID-19 lockdowns, a new series of incentives came out for schools. Many of these incentives include access to technology, and improvements to HVACR equipment are covered under those programs. Schools can benefit from geography-tailored solutions, including air-cooled chillers in the Southeast and products meant to improve IAQ, including filtration upgrades and dehumidification strategies. To provide valuable solutions to schools, HVACR professionals and manufacturers need to get involved in local conversations, such as on school boards or at the district level. The incentive is quite broad, and it provides schools AND HVACR professionals with many opportunities. The funds need to be spent by 2023, so we can focus on doing business with schools this year. However, as we seize these opportunities to help our communities, we also need to make sure that we have the labor, training, and ambassadorship to make these initiatives successful. As an industry, we need to focus on recruitment and training to stimulate interest in the industry. Not to mention, as equipment advances, technicians need to be able to catch up with newer technology. The COVID-19 pandemic has put our industry into the spotlight, and people are paying more attention to their air quality and our work than ever before. Through community opportunities, recruitment, and education, we can hope to improve our industry. Mark and Bryan also discuss: OptiClean air scrubbers Buy boards How the HVAC industry might appeal to younger generations When are HVAC contractors seen as valuable to the general public?   Learn more at carrier.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.

Chris Forth, the VP of regulatory codes and environmental affairs at Johnson Controls, joins Bryan for a live podcast at AHR 2022. This time, they discuss changing HVAC regulations and what that will mean for contractors, technicians, and installers. Johnson Controls focuses on institutional chillers, controls with digital platforms, air handlers, filtration, and alarm systems. Lately, Chris has gotten the industry ready to convert existing products and systems to high-efficiency equipment for low-GWP, A2L refrigerants. The transition to A2L refrigerants will be different from the transition from R-22 to R-410A. We needed to change the oil type (mineral oil to POE) and make equipment for different pressures when we went from R-22 to R-410A. However, the pressure and oil needs of A2L refrigerants are very similar to R-410A; the main obstacle is dealing with mild flammability. Every six years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sets minimum efficiency standards, and they determined that it’s time for an upgrade. In other words, 14-SEER straight-cool A/C systems will no longer cut it in some places. In the Southeast, equipment that doesn’t meet the new standards must be INSTALLED before 2023. (In other cases, the date of manufacturing is what matters.) Now, contractors need to be sure that they can install 14-SEER units before 2023 if they order them. Otherwise, contractors may be better off ordering 15-SEER units now to ensure that they can install the equipment. Chris and Bryan also discuss: North vs. south efficiency ratings AHRI match How manufacturers will be affected by these regulations American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM Act) The self-extinguishing properties of A2L refrigerants   Learn more about Johnson Controls at https://www.johnsoncontrols.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.

Kevin Hart, the CEO of HAVEN, joins Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR 2022 to discuss how we can control IAQ with central air monitors and controllers. HAVEN, formerly TZOA, is an IAQ company that focuses on protecting building occupants’ health by controlling air quality. HAVEN’s approach to managing IAQ starts with collecting data about the air. Without that data, we can’t come up with solutions tailored to individual buildings. We need sensors to gather that data, which would traditionally mean that we’d need a decentralized system with sensors everywhere. However, HAVEN takes a centralized approach to measuring and controlling indoor air quality. HAVEN’s central air monitoring system is not an ordinary box product. Monitors constantly provide data that help HVAC professionals find points of improvement in a home and form a solid professional relationship with homeowners. The goal is to use data as a bridge to connect the homeowner and contractor as well as build trust. One of HAVEN’s new projects is to expand into remote HVAC diagnostics. The search for deviations in heating, cooling, and comfort will allow HAVEN to get more involved in the HVAC industry and communicate diagnostic help and solutions more effectively.   Kevin and Kaleb also discuss: HAVEN’s name and vision Avoiding false positives for harmful substances with centralized monitoring Equipment longevity Stagnancy of air in homes in moderate climates The issue with constant 50% relative humidity Outdoor air quality and comparative analysis IAQ as a luxury rather than a necessity Predictions for the HVAC industry   Learn more at https://haveniaq.com/ or become a HAVEN Pro today at https://pro.haveniaq.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.

Jacques Beaudry-Losique, the CEO of Enginuity Power Systems, joins Nathan Orr live at AHR 2022. Enginuity manufactures energy-efficient engines that produce more power than traditional engines and recover waste heat to act as water heaters. Enginuity engines can run on propane and natural gas to help you run almost entirely off the grid and participate in electricity buyback programs. These units operate independently of the electrical grid and can act as generators during power outages and have a small footprint. However, a backup battery system is recommended for these units to maximize efficiency. Enginuity has a residential and commercial line. The E | ONE is best suited for residential applications, and the E | TWO is better for heavier commercial applications. The U.S. Army has been one of the most prominent supporters of Enginuity, which also manufactures its units exclusively in America. Distribution is done through a third party, including business owners and technicians; Enginuity doesn’t deal directly with homeowners or building staff. As a result, A/C service technicians, installers, plumbers, and refrigeration technicians may end up being the people in the middle who do maintenance on Enginuity generators. After this conversation with Jacques, we are very interested in seeing what the future holds for Enginuity and combined appliances. Jacques and Nathan also discuss: The electrical grid’s stability Enginuity’s revolutionary piston design Ease of startup and commissioning Pricing questions Enginuity’s target market and training resources for that target market Engine life expectancy Enginuity’s projected rollout timeline and expansion plans Decentralizing power dependence Solar vs. fossil fuel energy The problem with power plants   Learn more about Enginuity at https://enginuitypowersystems.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.

Rick Nadeau, Director of Training and Technical Services at Samsung, talks with Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR. He explains some of the exciting ductless solutions that Samsung has to offer. Samsung’s WindFree mini-split systems work with VRF systems or as normal ductless units. The WindFree product line is best known for preventing drafts due to microholes. These systems come in one-way and four-way cassettes and work very well for sensitive environments like nursing homes and bedrooms.  These units also have humidity sensors that let the units know when it would and wouldn’t be acceptable to go into WindFree mode. Samsung’s systems may also have occupancy sensors, which determine when they can turn on to provide comfort and flexibility. The systems also have the capability to determine when the system is losing refrigerant to prevent major environmental and performance issues. Samsung has MaxHeat technology, which allows a system to have 100% heating capacity in low-ambient temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. So, the lack of reliance on auxiliary heat can reduce energy consumption and costs under most conditions. In general, much of Samsung’s innovative technology is introduced across entire product lines. In the commercial sphere, Samsung’s DVM S is an influential modular chiller and water heating system. Its flexible design (thanks to VRF technology) has made it a popular choice for product storage in vineyards. The DVM S Eco also has heat recovery capabilities. Rick and Kaleb also discuss: Stratification prevention and high-ceiling configurations Air velocity and unit cleanliness Refrigerant loss detection   Learn more about Samsung’s ductless systems and online training programs at https://www.samsunghvac.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.

Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory (TEC) joins Eric Kaiser to talk about airflow measurement at AHR 2022. Steve is an expert in fluid dynamics and flow measurement, and he is a trainer in addition to being the president and CEO of TEC. Airflow is one of the most critical elements of an HVAC system; it allows us to move the correct amount of BTUs to condition the air properly. We have various ways of measuring system airflow and airflow to a space. We can use the TrueFlow grid for the former and flow hoods for the latter. When it comes to measuring airflow, calibrating the instrumentation is crucial. TEC uses a laboratory-grade orifice plate to calibrate the tools. So, the calibration process manages to yield high accuracy while using a low-maintenance device. To begin measuring airflow properly, start taking the total external static pressure (TESP) and looking at fan charts. TESP doesn’t actually measure airflow, but it provides an idea of what the airflow might be like, and it’s a practical, useful measurement in the field. The TEC TrueFlow grid has recently been upgraded, and it’s a good step up from taking the TESP and referencing fan charts. It goes into the filter slot and measures the CFM per ton as well as the static pressure. Steve and Eric also discuss: Airflow’s effect on latent and sensible cooling Blower door setups and chambers References for accuracy  Relationship between static pressure and airflow Is the hand-ometer an acceptable form of airflow measurement? Challenges of pitot tubes and hot-wire anemometers   Learn more about The Energy Conservatory at https://energyconservatory.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.