The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast Trevor Matthews

REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024).
In this episode of The Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews is joined by Andrew Freeburg of Refrigeration Unlimited with some tips and step-by-step walkthroughs to help supermarket refrigeration technicians - new and experienced - master your own process on any service call. These tips will help you troubleshoot more easily, problem-solve faster and greatly reduce your time on service calls. All of this, of course, will further your career as a supermarket refrigeration technician, meaning greater advancement, better customer relationships and much higher income potential.
In this episode, Trevor and Andrew discuss:
-A step-by-step walkthrough of an efficient service call
-Importance of good communication with a customer
-Questions to ask a customer to assess a service call
-How to do an effective visual inspection
-Why to divide your tools into different sets
-Importance of understanding electrical circuits
-Providing highly detailed invoices to customers
-Understanding controls
-Not just repairing problems, but determining why the problem occurred
-Finding a mentor in the refrigeration trade
-Creating a service call checklist
Helpful resources & links:
Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

In this episode of the Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews talks with Jesse Stewart, National Training Manager at NAVAC, about the importance of self-investment and continuous learning for HVAC technicians to improve efficiency and skill in the trade. Jesse is incredibly passionate about helping HVAC technicians become more efficient and advanced at their trade. Here, he talks in depth about techniques for improving refrigeration system evacuation processes, the new generational attitude around training, proficiency and safety, and even debunks some common myths surrounding A2L refrigerants. 
In this episode, Trevor and Jesse are talking about:
-The generational shift in attitude toward work, safety and training
-Career and financial returns from investing in training
-Free resources for training: podcasts, books etc.
-Importance of mindset in career advancement
-Tips for pulling a better evacuation
-Importance of regular performance checks
-How to perform a faster evacuation
-Bad practices for pulling an evacuation
-Dispelling myths and fears about A2L refrigerants
-Misinformation on social media about A2L’s
-Tips for being a better refrigeration technician
Helpful links & references:
Email Jesse: training@navacglobal.com
Learn more about NAVAC: https://navacglobal.com/ 
Learn more about ESCO Group: https://www.escogroup.org/ 
REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024).
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here
 

REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024).
In this episode of The Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews is joined by Andrew Freeburg of Refrigeration Unlimited to talk about the perceived fears and apprehensions around CO2 refrigeration and working with high pressures. But as you’ll hear, there’s parallels between working with CO2 and other familiar high-pressure systems (think hydraulics, nitrogen etc.) and also a tremendous amount of safety measures in place in CO2 systems. With CO2 refrigeration becoming more prevalent around the world, learning and getting comfortable with these systems will help propel your career as a refrigeration technician and give you a major advantage as CO2 implementations continue.
-Debunking Myths and Facts about CO2 refrigeration
-Understanding CO2 Safety and Pressure Comparisons
-High Pressure Concerns in CO2 Systems
-Embracing Change and the Future of Refrigeration
-The Future of Industrial Chillers and Natural Refrigerants
-The Importance of Proper Welding and System Maintenance
Helpful resources & links:
Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

In this episode of the Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews talks with Jamie McMillan of Made in the Trades about empowering and inspiring youth to pursue a career in the skilled trades. Jamie is a longtime ironworker, boilermaker, educator and speaker passionate about motivating youth towards skilled trades - even as young as elementary school (she even has a line of trade-themed colouring books). Jamie is a major advocate for a paradigm shift in how trades are perceived and taught, emphasizing the need for government support, school curriculum changes and more quality co-op and apprenticeship opportunities with existing tradespeople. On a special note: thanks so much for helping the Refrigeration Mentor podcast reach 200 episodes! 
In this episode, Trevor and Jamie discuss:
-The importance of early childhood education about skilled trades
-The role of government in promoting skilled trades
-Changing generational attitudes about the trades
-Addressing mental health in the trades
-Promoting the trades to at-risk youth and those with ADHD
-Why trades often pay more than academia
-Advocating for teaching more practical skills in school
-Finding trained people to teach the trades in high school
-Attracting women to the trades
-Promoting inclusive and healthy work environments
-Offering better co-op and apprenticeship opportunities
-Identifying trade school candidates in high school
-Common misconceptions about the trades
-How innovation is attracting new people to the trades
Resources & helpful links:
Jamie’s website: madeinthetrade.com/ 
Follow Jamie on Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok | YouTube
REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024). 
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024).
In this episode of the Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews talks with longtime refrigeration professional Floyd Sparks of Performance Refrigeration in Georgia about installing and understanding CO2 transcritical refrigeration systems, specifically in agriculture. This episode was recorded on location at a Vidalia onion storage facility where Floyd has installed, tested and maintained a CO2 system - a method Floyd hopes will soon become universal in the world of refrigeration. Floyd emphasizes the importance of quality installation, ongoing learning, and safety, especially when dealing with the high pressures involved with CO2 systems, and offers tips for apprentices and those looking to better understand and be more comfortable with CO2 refrigeration.
In this episode, Trevor and Floyd discuss:
-Transitioning to CO2 refrigeration systems
-Innovative Designs for Agricultural Refrigeration
-The Future of CO2 in Refrigeration
-The Importance of Proper Installation and Quality Workmanship
-Navigating the Business Side of Refrigeration
-What Floyd has learned doing 3 CO2 installs
-The focus on safety in CO2 systems
-Details of a CO2 system installed on an agricultural operation
-What Floyd is excited about when it comes to CO2 refrigeration
-How CO2 contributes to longer shelf life for products
-Data collection and testing with a CO2 system
-Best practices for CO2 refrigeration installation
-Why Floyd hopes CO2 becomes the new standard for refrigeration
References & helpful links:
Floyd’s Company Performance Refrigeration
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here

In this episode of the Refrigeration Mentor podcast, host Trevor Matthews talks with Mark Parliament, Fire College Instructor with the Office of the Fire Marshal in Ontario and longtime HVAC technician and teacher, about mentorship and proper training in the trades. Mark shares his thoughts on the challenges facing apprentices today, including lack of proper mentorship, inadequate training, and the need for a cultural shift in the industry towards embracing and investing in the education of newcomers. This episode also debunks myths about the skills required for trades and potential for lucrative careers within the trades. Mark also talks about skills competitions and his efforts to promote learning and excellence among students. This episode was recorded at the 2024 Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Expo (CMPX).
In this episode, Trevor and Mark discuss:
Addressing the challenges in trade education and skills development The need to promote trades in high school Boosting confidence and skills for apprentices Accelerating timelines for Red Seal accreditation The challenges with modern apprenticeship programs The impact of age and experience on learning and career transition Improving training quality and the importance of mentorship Skills competitions and elevating trade education The impact of technology on the trades Getting into HVAC as a second career Advice for technicians and business owners


Canadian Mechanical and Plumbing Expo (CMPX)
Skills Ontario Competition 
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI)
Mark Parliament on LinkedIn
REGISTER HERE for the next 12 Week Advanced CO2 Design Course (starts May 2024).
Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram
Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel
Upcoming Servicing Compressors, Supermarket and CO2 Trainings: Learn More Here
Learn More About Refrigeration Mentor: https://refrigerationmentor.com/
Get your FREE Service & Compressor Troubleshooting Guide: Access Here