HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Eric Kaiser comes on the live podcast to talk through some commonly repeated EPA myths. We also discuss how to get the most from your recovery machine and tanks. The EPA exists to interpret broad laws into specific standards, such as by translating climate initiatives into venting guidelines. One of the most common EPA myths is that you cannot charge a leaking system. If you can repair the leak and get the leak rate below the specified percentage, then you can recharge the system. Not every country allows this procedure. On the subject of refrigerant losses to leaks, making leaks is also NOT a valid excuse to vent refrigerant; the EPA tries to get us to minimize losses as much as possible. De minimis exemptions exist to allow for us to service a system properly, not to give us loopholes for venting. Overall, it's best to use probes to take your readings, not manifolds. R-22 is another controversial subject that gives rise to some EPA myths. R-22 is NOT illegal, but it is no longer being produced or imported. There are limitations based on the amount of charge as well, but recharging a system with R-22 is NOT a crime. When recovering with a recovery machine, you want to prevent junk from getting inside of it (such as from the recovery tank). To protect your recovery machine, it's good practice to run the refrigerant through a filter-drier when returning it to a system, though that won't fully clean the refrigerant. Eric and Bryan also discuss: The ins and outs of new R-22 guidelines Pulling down into a vacuum Low-loss fittings and refrigerant trapped in hoses Whose responsibility is it to keep records? Drop-in refrigerants, mixing refrigerants, and topping off Recovery tank safety basics and cleanliness How recovery machines work Recovering in the liquid phase Heat transfer in recovery PPE Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Gurminder Sidhu joins us from NATE to talk about what NATE is all about and bring us some news about the new changes and improvements. NATE was created for the industry by the industry; the organization arose from a need to promote education and standardize HVAC qualifications. Today, NATE continues to address the industry's needs by offering education and certification for technicians. NATE also understands the need of explaining the "why" behind our daily work. The people at NATE also believe in continuing education and offer learning materials to techs of all levels, as well as study guides for their exams. People from all sectors of the industry contribute to the study guide content. These people also review it to ensure that everything in the guide is relevant and accurate. The study guides take what technicians have learned in the field and put them into a form that helps them prepare for quizzes. These guides also have practice questions, a glossary, and formulas. Technicians must take a core and specialty exam before the big NATE exam. When it is time for you or one of your employees to take the NATE exam, you can arrange a date and time to take the test at a local testing organization. NATE is currently working on an alternate pathway to certification for those who are new to the industry. This pathway has a series of five smaller exams that people can take in any order. You can take the alternative tests either traditionally or remotely with an online proctor. Gurminder and Bryan also discuss: Four levels of NATE certification The study guide creation process How employers benefit from employing a NATE-certified technician New NATE user interface Get started or keep up with news from NATE at natex.org. Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Alex Meaney from MiTek/Wrightsoft joins us at AHR 2020 to talk about some HVAC design myths and how to bust them in your mind. It was a really fun talk with a great guy. One common HVAC design myth worth busting is that we can use a set friction rate with a Ductulator to make duct systems work. The friction rate only applies per 100 feet, and it has different degrees of impact based on duct sizing and fan speeds. We CANNOT guarantee that a system will work if we subtract losses to filters, coils, and grilles until we reach a set friction rate (usually 0.1 or 0.8). We experience most of our pressure losses at the fittings, which the friction rate doesn't account for. To prevent some of these myths, we can move away from manual math and start using more software. However, we have to know what our numbers exactly are and what the performance conditions are. For example, filters can show a static pressure drop rating of 0.1, but that WILL change depending on the CFM. Velocity is a confusing area for techs because we have face velocity and duct velocity. Face velocity refers to the speed of air at the register whereas duct velocity refers to the air speed within the duct. These can get a bit complicated when you throw dampers in, but duct velocity doesn't have that much of an impact on the face velocity; the register has a much greater effect on face velocity than a damper in the middle of a duct. Alex and Bryan also discuss: Starting off by learning the wrong thing 12,000 BTUs per ton Radial duct systems What really is "static pressure?" Oversizing ductwork Creating vs. relieving friction Manual D Ideal velocity Variable-speed technology Efficiency vs. moisture removal Sensible heat ratio (SHR) and Manual S Latent loads Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Andrew Greaves joins us again from AHR 2020. This time, he discusses what mentors and role models do in our trade and why they're important. Mentors are not just the grouchy senior techs who throw hammers at apprentices. Mentors have an active role in others' professional development; they spend a lot of time with their mentees and actively aid their growth. Not everyone is cut out to be a mentor, as the role comes with a lot of responsibility (and possibly stress). Role models indirectly influence others by doing good work and inspiring others to do the highest quality work; we should all strive to be role models. However, the mentees need to put in a lot of work and must have emotional intelligence. Both mentor and mentee need to ask questions about the work and each other. The relationship is all about involvement and intentionality. Mentors also have to care about their mentees as people, not just as students or technicians. They respect their mentees' values and acknowledge where their own shortcomings are when communicating with their mentees. However, mentors also know when to question and challenge their mentees when necessary. Mentees are entitled to clarity, and a good mentor understands that there has to be mutual understanding and trust in the relationship. Relationships take time, and mentors usually need to give their mentees a chance to prove their work ethic before they commit to the mentorship. As a mentor, you must understand that your mentee doesn't have your perspective, and that's where empathy and expectation management are required. Andrew and Bryan also discuss: Individual learning styles Formalization of mentorship Investment in training vs. mentorship "Multimedia" and internet mentorship Dave Barefoot stories How to start a mentor-mentee relationship Filtering through unsuitable mentees Setting expectations before goals Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

In this podcast, HVAC School team members Kaleb and Leilani walk the floor and talk to various people about their products and companies at AHR 2020. Bryan also has a quick conversation with Frank from HVAC Outlawz. The newest RectorSeal surge protection (RSH-50 with the 60A disconnect) uses MOVs and gas discharge tubes, which work together to fight off power surges. The effectiveness of the product has allowed RectorSeal to give customers a lifetime warranty on their product. RectorSeal also has a new drain cleaner, Nu Line. Nu Line eliminates the biofilm in drains AND protects the drain from growth after cleaning. One of Bryan's AHR 2020 highlights was speaking with Frank of HVAC Outlawz. Frank wants to push the limits of what we know so that we can perform the best work possible. In his 15 years, he has worked with a wide range of equipment. His experience led him to start creating content on Facebook and Instagram (also with inspiration from Andrew Greaves). He also involves himself in local trades education, which is the key to making our trade accessible to young people. Emerson is also an HVAC titan that participates in events like AHR 2020. Emerson is at the forefront of new HVAC technology and always focuses on doing the right thing for contractors, wholesalers, and industry partners. We also explore: Gas discharge tube technology Various applications for Line Sets Inc. products Measuring duct pressures and velocities with Dwyer Refrigeration Technologies Venom Packs Maintaining building envelope integrity with Friedrich A/C Recovery units with NAVAC Emerson's Sensi Predict and Multiple Thermostat Manager Fieldpiece vacuum pumps and Job Link probes Ultra-Aire dehumidifiers RGF Environmental Group REME Halo LED Women in HVACR Ultravation Synergy Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

In this live recording from the AHR Expo, Kaleb Saleeby, Nate Adams, Michael Housh, and Steve Rogers discuss building performance. The building science world is an exciting place; we're all excited about improvements to reheat dehumidification, which is when we use waste heat to take care of humidity without cooling. As equipment becomes more efficient, we also look forward to tackling new challenges that make us think more broadly. New people are also stepping up, using new tools, accessing more knowledge, and doing better work. Building performance is becoming more important in HVAC via HVAC 2.0, which focuses on design efficiency. However, the biggest challenge right now is making HVAC 2.0 sustainable and profitable. We must simplify and scale building performance; when we make it accessible, we can work it into the HVAC industry and do more thorough work. One of the challenges to widespread adoption is the lack of experience with building performance. The average technician simply doesn't have the needed exposure to building science concepts and practices. Perhaps the best way to bring people into the building science side of the business is to work on the techs' own homes. We need to bring the personal part of building performance to the technicians and their families if we want to see widespread adoption of HVAC 2.0. We also need to make building performance solutions accessible to the consumers. Although the solutions may be too expensive for many customers right now, the goal is to start holistic comfort conversations. Kaleb, Nate, Michael, Steve, and Bryan also discuss: Tapping into the engineering mindset Economic sustainability Psychrometric charts vs. app-based learning Math vs. software Working with techs and the CSRs The Gulf of Disappointment Contractor relationships Economic and environmental impacts Fossil fuels Upgrading the electrical grid Propane Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Mike from Refrigeration Technologies talks to us about his journey in business, some new and old products, and how well the business is growing. Refrigeration Technologies tries to make products that do the job correctly the first time and are safe for techs to use. The products are odorless, don't burn skin, and are safe around food. John and Mike Pastorello are passionate about using chemistry to make quality products that make techs' lives easier. Mike joined his father's business full-time when he was 23; he performed a lot of the menial tasks while his father developed the products. Nylog is perhaps one of the most popular yet controversial products. The product is made of refrigeration oil, which is inside the system anyway. While many people may be suspicious of additives to avoid warranty complications, nothing inside Nylog will harm the system. It also won't clog the lines when used properly. Lately, Mike and John have made highly concentrated cleaners that have taken all the excess water out of coil cleaners. These Venom Packs are pure concentrate, meaning that they are very strong but maintain their original cleaners' non-toxic properties. They are also easier to store and come in brightener, all-purpose, evaporator, and condenser varieties. Refrigeration Technologies cleaners also work on tough bacterial zoogloea, a common plague in humid climates like Florida. The Pan & Drain Treatment also works very well to clean out and treat drains. The spray is also tough on odors. Refrigeration Technologies has experienced a lot of growth recently. Most of the company growth happens in John's lab, as the products are constantly getting better. The goal is to improve the quality without raising prices, and improvements to packaging are crucial to that element of growth. The company is also very active on social media and actively takes feedback. Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Richard Trethewey from This Old House joins Bryan on the podcast and tells his incredible story and shares some encouragement and laughs. Richard works with his sons, Ross and Evan. He has always worked in a family business and then left it to start his own with his sons. Family businesses truly are the backbone of this industry, as our business attracts lots of family-oriented business owners. Richard's sons volunteered to join the business early on. This Old House started off with a phone call from PBS about a home-renovation show idea; Richard had to start the show from scratch with no money, but his father agreed to do the show. The first years of the show were difficult because that was before Home Depot and the internet became popular, so DIY home renovation was still pretty new and unknown; Richard worried about "selling the secrets" of the trade. However, his main concern was with doing good work and setting a positive example for others whenever they watched him. If Richard had to give one piece of advice to young people, it would be to join the skilled trades. Many high-profile jobs have an ebb and flow of good workers, but the skilled trades ALWAYS need good workers. Regardless of where people are or what the market looks like, people will need comfort. One of the most rewarding things about being in the skilled trades is being able to inspire others to obtain the skills to provide for themselves. Nowadays, Richard spends time learning about new technologies and feels excited by the prospect of making American technology even better. He looks to Western European HVAC technologies as an example of what we can do. Richard also looks forward to empowering and inspiring the new generation and getting them to a point where they have pride in their work. Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

This podcast is by Sal at Products by Pros, featuring Bryan Orr of HVAC School. In this episode, Sal asks Bryan all about micron gauges. Products by Pros Guest: Bryan Orr What should technicians look at when deciding on a micron gauge? You should look for superior accuracy and resolution, especially if you'll be doing decay testing. You need to see what the trends are in clear detail. (The Bluvac app makes that easy.) Why should a tech even use a micron gauge? You use a micron gauge to verify that you have pulled a proper vacuum. What role does fear or pain play in the use of micron gauges? People respond primarily to pain; most technicians in the field know what they can get away with to avoid the pain of punishment for bad practices. What type of technician doesn't care about proper vacuum or micron gauges? They typically come from companies that don't care about having clear startup and commissioning practices. What is the cost of adoption for high-end tools? Technicians think in terms of the tyranny of the urgent. They have to take time to learn it, and many of them don't have that time. What are the pressures techs deal with? Scheduling pressures are already immense, and field techs are also under constant pressure to get work done and do their jobs even better. How can techs save time and relieve pressures? Learn how to do things right and become proficient with newer, better tools. How do you pull a proper vacuum? Don't use leaky manifold gauges during evacuation; just use good-quality vacuum-rated hoses. Use core remover tools and keep your micron gauge as far away from your pump as you can get it during evacuation. What are the incentives for techs to do things properly? A common thread among many techs is that they want to avoid blame; if we focus on reducing blame, then techs might feel more encouraged to learn and do things correctly. (There will always be sticks in the mud, though.) What role does integrity play when it comes to business owners doing things properly? Integrity comes in when we show techs how to do procedures right. When you teach techs how to do things right, the work will speak for itself, and your company will earn a positive reputation. What micron gauge from AccuTools would you suggest for technicians? I recommend the Pro for new techs or installers, the LTE for intermediate technicians, and the Micro for pros. Why do you consider AccuTools micron gauges reliable? I consider those products reliable because they work consistently with the typical wear-and-tear that's expected in the field. Except in cases of extreme abuse, they seem to maintain their sensing abilities very well. Looking to learn more? Go check out hvacrschool.com/evac or the AccuTools YouTube channel HERE. Want to have your local suppliers carry AccuTools? Reach out to sal@productsbypros.com If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Rachel and Eric Kaiser join us to talk about connecting STEM concepts to the trades. They also explain how to teach STEM in a way that sticks. STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and math. In traditional classroom settings, teachers usually tout these subjects as the ones that lead to the most promising careers. However, STEM concepts are not limited to their respective subjects; we use many of those scientific and mathematic concepts in the trades as well. Rachel believes that undergraduate programs would be more effective if they focused more on teaching critical thinking and less on making students meet requirements for degrees. Eric believes that traditional education needs to be more holistic; right now, trades education fixates on details; that approach may help for teaching specific tasks, but it doesn't broaden the students' knowledge. We can start talking about STEM more broadly when we start eliminating stigmas around STEM topics. For example, many students dislike math, but many of those people still use math effectively in several real-world applications without knowing it. We can break down that stigma against math to start having productive discussions and connecting STEM to the trades and other careers. The next step is to spark interest in others so that they seek out new STEM knowledge. The HVAC trade has many scientific concepts in play, even though we focus on diagnostics and field techniques at work. Most of our diagnostic skills are informed by the principles of heat transfer and phase changes. Rachel, Eric, and Bryan also discuss: HVACR Training Symposium Undergraduate vs. graduate programs University research and funding Principles of algebra in real life Gas laws and galvanic corrosion as chemistry concepts in HVAC Theoretical vs. diagnostic vs. instructional applications Continued learning vs. degree programs Applications and limitations Hands-on BEFORE theoretical Choosing to learn Improving safety and productivity through education Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies HERE. If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.