HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan Orr
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Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

  1. 1d ago

    Building a Business That Lasts: Why Culture Beats Strategy in HVACR w/ Tony Gonzalez

    In this live stream episode, Bryan sits down with Tony Gonzalez, who has spent more than 25 years at Fieldpiece and now leads the company's training department. Tony started out packing boxes in the warehouse straight out of high school, and the two longtime industry veterans use his experience to dig into why culture matters so much when you are building a business that lasts. As Bryan puts it, culture may be talked about in HVACR, but it is true everywhere. Tony walks through TURTL, the five core values that anchor Fieldpiece's culture: Tribe, Upfront homework, Right stuff, Trust, and Lean. The missing "E" is intentional, since it reminds everyone to leave their ego at the door. He explains why values can't be purely aspirational, and how Fieldpiece keeps them alive through recognition, one-on-ones, and development reviews. Bryan shares how the same ideas show up at Kalos, including the phrase "professional pride, personal humility." The conversation then turns to leadership, which both guests agree is where culture is won or lost. They discuss why your culture is defined by the worst behavior you tolerate, why people stay at a company, and why curiosity should come before judgment. Tony describes the "bank account" of care that makes hard conversations productive, along with the Radical Candor idea of avoiding ruinous empathy. Bryan adds that clarity is kindness and that small problems should be dealt with before they become mountains. They close by looking at team building, using Bryan's flight crew analogy and the "right people on the bus" idea from Good to Great. Every role matters, leaders shouldn't only hire people like themselves, and snap judgments can make you overlook great talent. Bryan wraps up with a few of his leadership commitments, and Tony's final advice is to start documenting what matters to your organization, live it consistently, and give yourself grace on the leadership journey. Topics Covered: Tony's 25-year career at Fieldpiece, from warehouse to head of training The TURTL core values and why "Turtle" has no E Keeping core values visible through quarterly recognition, one-on-ones, and development reviews Leaders as culture carriers, and how culture shows up when things go wrong Defining culture as a social operating system and the worst behavior you tolerate Professional pride and personal humility, and leaders who celebrate their team's success Why people stay: growth, recognition, fair compensation, and connection to the mission Curiosity before judgment, root cause thinking, and celebrating failure Making "deposits" of care so difficult conversations go well Radical Candor, ruinous empathy, and clarity is kindness Handling bad news and building a safe environment for people to speak up Building a flight crew: hiring for attitude, valuing different strengths, and avoiding the horns effect The weakest link in the chain and treating every role as equally important Book recommendations: Good to Great, The Power of Company Culture by Chris Dyer, and Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh Bryan's leadership commitments: truth over comfort, open doors with no gatekeeping, and people over plans Key takeaway: leaders must live the culture, give yourself grace, and define your North Star. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources Good to Great by Jim Collins (book) The Power of Company Culture by Chris Dyer (book) Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh (book) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  2. 3d ago

    Tight Enough to Fail - Short #309

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan discusses electrical connections and whether tighter is better (or if a connection is tight enough to fail).  Torque is a turning effect; force is applied at a distance from the screw's center, and that force creates pressure at the connection. A quarter-turn doesn't tell us how much force we have applied. You may notice a tight screw with other signs of a poor connection, like discoloration; tightening the connection may not help. At a connection, we want very little resistance to current flow, and we get increased resistance and heat where we don't want it when connections are poor; according to Watt's law, when the resistance stays the same, doubling the current creates four times the heating power. However, temperature alone doesn't tell you the cause; thermal imaging is useful evidence, but we need operating conditions and current measurements, too.  The key takeaway is that tightening the connection as much as possible may do more harm than good; having a torque screwdriver and using it can help. When making new connections, use the torque screwdriver to torque to the proper specs right out of the gate. We must also consider wire sizing, wire placement, exposed conductors, and unacceptable double lugging. We must also be mindful of ferrules, including proper selection and crimping. Make all adjustments safely (without voltage), and if you do not have the manufacturer's data immediately available, look it up. Eventually, you will get an idea of what "good" looks like. Remember: tighter doesn't necessarily mean better. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, Filtrete, and the 2027 AHR Expo. Resources Tightening Electrical Threaded Terminal Connections (tech tip) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  3. Oct 22

    Glycol Skids for Market Refrigeration w/ Max Johnson

    Glycol secondary loop systems are showing up in more and more grocery stores, and in this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Max, one of the company's lead startup techs and its in-house subject matter expert on glycol skids. Max explains what these systems are, why clients are choosing them for retrofits, and what it takes to commission one without taking a live store down. The big picture: a traditional DX rack chills a water and propylene glycol mix in a heat exchanger, and that glycol is pumped around the store to cool the medium-temperature cases. The conversation starts with the "why." Reduced refrigerant charge inside the building, keeping flammable or higher-GWP refrigerants out of the sales floor, regulatory pressure, and zero-emissions initiatives all push clients this way. Max is upfront that efficiency isn't one of the reasons at this scale, since the extra heat exchange step, lower suction temperatures, and pump energy all cost something. He also covers the trade-off in reliability: case-level controls are simple, but a fault in one of the skid's main valves can take out every case at once, so techs have to move fast. From there, Max walks through the skid itself, from the brazed plate heat exchanger, VFD-controlled pumps, and air separator to the expansion tank, strainers, suction guide, controller, and EEV drivers. He then covers flow control with balance valves, defrost strategy, and the importance of proper vents and drains in the piping. The two get into the details of startup and commissioning, and some key takeaways include pressure testing instead of pulling a vacuum, filling and purging air, and verifying that the refrigerant-side valves are wired and driven correctly so a swapped valve doesn't flood the rack. The back half of the episode is practical field advice. Max shares how to recognize air in the loop, why store humidity and dew point matter so much for case performance, which specialty tools and fittings he carries, and how to handle glycol mixing and top-offs. Topics Covered What a glycol secondary loop system is, and how it differs from direct expansion Why retrofits are happening: refrigerant charge reduction, safety, EPA regulation, and zero-emissions goals Efficiency penalties at small scale, and why efficiency isn't the driver How glycol behaves in the coil: no latent exchange, a temperature gradient, and frost patterns Reliability trade-offs: simple case controls versus centralized, mission-critical valves Staging a retrofit so the store stays open, including pre-piping, pre-testing, and pipe cleaning Brazing versus soft solder, and whether nitrogen flow matters with glycol Skid components: heat exchanger, VFD pumps, air separator, feeder tank, expansion tank, strainers, and suction guide Controller inputs, EEV drivers, and emergency mobile chiller connections Balance valves (automatic versus manual) and defrost methods, including off-time and electric Fluid distribution: pitching pipe for air and drainage, plus vents and drains Propylene versus ethylene glycol, the 35% mix, freeze point, and why more glycol hurts heat transfer CO2 as a secondary fluid for low-temperature applications Commissioning steps: electrical checks, pressure testing, filling, purging, and testing valve operation Proving performance: flow, glycol concentration, temperature, and superheat on the rack side Troubleshooting air in the system and pressure changes as glycol chills Store humidity, dew point targets, and case performance Heat reclaim using glycol loops Tools: PT ports, manometers, female-to-female hoses, refractometer, and transfer pumps Service tips: distilled water, matching glycol brands, and glycol safety This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  4. Oct 20

    Your Thermostat Is Reading the Wall - Short #308

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about why your thermostat is reading the wall, not the actual air temperature. A thermostat is an instrument designed to read temperature (and sometimes humidity); it displays those readings based on sensors and makes decisions. Most of these sensors are thermistors, which are resistors that change resistance with changes in temperature. Thermistors have low mass and respond to radiant, convective, and conductive heat. Air coming through the wall (convective heat), the temperature of the things around the thermostat (radiant heat), AND the wall temperature (conductive heat) can influence your thermostat's reading. We may see a service call where the thermostat reads above the air temperature and runs the air conditioning unit even when the air temperature is already below the set point. Our first move as technicians should be to ask customers when they noticed the problem; the timing can give us some clues about what is going on. Looking behind the thermostat is one of the first things we should do, as air can move through the hole where wires come through, especially if there is air leakage elsewhere. If there is a temperature difference and an airflow path, that could be the source of the issue.   Use a reliable temperature probe near the thermostat, off the wall and away from the thermostat casing and electronics, to get a reliable temperature measurement to compare to the thermostat. If the probe and thermostat disagree after several minutes, we should investigate deeper for a warm wall. Infrared thermometers and thermal imagers can help you identify warm surfaces. Keep in mind that thermostats may have sensors in different locations, offsets, and programmed corrections as well.  If you find an open wire penetration, use non-flammable insulation and/or an appropriate putty to close it. Be careful not to block the sensing vents, too. Let everything settle and repeat the comparison. Some other solutions include changing the location of the thermostat or remote sensor. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, and Santa Fe Dehumidifiers. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  5. Oct 15

    Next-Gen Filtration - Pressure Drop, MERV 16, and Bypass Prevention w/ Chris Howells

    In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan sits down with Chris Howells, senior training manager at AprilAire, to talk about what really makes a filtration system perform. Chris has nearly thirty years in the industry, including fifteen as a technician, and brings a field-first perspective on why filtration is more than just "a filter." Bryan also admits up front that his own contracting company is looking to put more high-efficiency filters into the field, so this conversation doubles as a practical learning session. The discussion starts with a common misconception: that a "thicker" filter is simply a filter with thicker media. Chris explains that what matters is surface area, face velocity, and pressure drop, not the width of the cabinet. They cover why using the full face of the filter is one of the easiest wins, how a poorly designed return can load just one section of the media, and why a high MERV rating does not automatically mean high resistance. Cabinet design, media construction, and overall system design all play a role, and modern ECM blowers make low static pressure more important than ever. From there, the conversation turns to bypass air and measurement. Chris describes how AprilAire's cabinets use top and bottom rails and a self-seal media overhang to force air through the filter, backed by a 10-year clean coil guarantee. He and Bryan stress using the right tools, including a dual-port manometer and a proper static pressure probe, and checking pre-filter and post-filter pressure drop against manufacturer performance data at around 500 feet per minute. Chris also debunks the idea that deeper media is always more restrictive, pointing out that a typical retail one-inch pleated filter can raise pressure drop dramatically compared with a basic fiberglass filter. The final stretch is about communication and growth. Chris and Bryan share simple, natural questions technicians can use to start air quality conversations without sounding like a sales pitch, and they encourage listeners to stay curious and keep asking "why." Chris closes with resources for learning more, including AprilAirPartners.com and the AprilAire Academy, and mentions that the Santa Fe and UltraAire product lines are now part of the AprilAire family. Topics Covered Why "thicker" filters are really about surface area, face velocity, and pressure drop Using the full face of the filter and avoiding uneven loading How filters affect blower performance, system capacity, and equipment protection Why filtration is a high-value upgrade compared with bulbs and modules AprilAire's new high-efficiency product line and its three-layer media design Reducing bypass air with rail design, self-sealing media, and the 10-year clean coil guarantee Measuring static pressure correctly and using manufacturer pressure drop charts Sizing media cabinets by CFM and face velocity instead of what fits under the air handler Common myths about MERV ratings and restriction Conversation starters that help technicians talk about indoor air quality How to learn more through AprilAirePartners.com, the AprilAire Academy, and local distributors This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources AprilAire Partners  HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  6. Oct 13

    The Fuse Only Blows When You Leave - Short #307

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the fuse that only blows when you leave. The service call usually goes like this: you replace a blown fuse, the system runs fine, you leave, and then the fuse blows again. There could be several causes of a blown fuse. First, ask what was happening right before the system stopped, such as if the unit was starting up, if it was raining outside, or if the operating mode changed. The customer may not know the specifics, but they may be able to offer a clue. If the control fuse blows during a specific call, we may be able to locate a short in one of the circuits involved. We may also be able to find out a bit by inspecting places where wire often gets damaged, such as common points where conductors pinch or rub.   Isolation diagnosis can help us isolate the specific circuit or component with a problem. First, look at the wiring diagram, label conductors, and take pictures of the original setup before disconnecting anything. Keep the correct fuse protection instead of using a larger fuse, leave all safety controls in the circuit, and use the manufacturer's test procedure if it's available. Then, isolate different loads and conductors so they can be energized individually; some modern thermostats make this easy. Also note that continuity testing alone isn't always reliable for locating problematic paths. Sometimes, motion (from motors), temperature, and moisture can also contribute to intermittent issues. Additionally, some inductive loads, like contactor coils, experience unique intermittent issues that cause the components to draw high current; inductive reactance matters. Measuring current on the different circuits as you energize them can also point you toward circuits that have higher current than expected. Once you've found and repaired something, go back to the condition that made it fail. Make sure you fix the underlying problem, such as exposure to excess heat, vibration, or moisture. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Fieldpiece, TruTech Tools, and Filtrete. Resources Isolation Diagnosis (tech tip) HVAC - Isolate to Diagnose (video) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  7. Oct 8

    Questionable CO Alarms w/ Bill Spohn

    In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan welcomes back Bill Spohn to talk about carbon monoxide and a troubling trend in the alarms being sold online. They start with the basics: the difference between a standard UL 2034 alarm and a true low-level CO monitor. UL 2034 alarms were designed to avoid nuisance calls, so they can stay silent through long exposures at relatively low concentrations. Low-level monitors are far more sensitive and can warn you that something is brewing before it becomes a life-threatening emergency. Bill explains why that gap matters, walking through how carbon monoxide displaces oxygen on hemoglobin, why it lingers in the body, and why children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions are especially vulnerable. Bryan adds the troubleshooting angle: a UL 2034 alarm is the safety net that keeps people from dying, but low-level monitoring helps you find and fix a problem early, much like catching a refrigerant leak before the system is flat. The conversation then turns to the main story. Bill bought a pair of inexpensive alarms advertised as both low-level and UL 2034 compliant, which is a contradiction, since the two cannot be the same device. They arrived with no instructions, no model number, and no visible certification control number, and they closely resembled a product tied to a Consumer Product Safety Commission warning covering roughly 375,000 units and 91 reported failures to alarm. Bill traces the marketing back to what appears to be a single factory selling under many brand names, backed by a virtual office address, a fake firefighter endorsement, and a flood of promotional emails. Bryan and Bill close with lessons for technicians, consumers, and manufacturers alike. Be skeptical when price and performance seem too good to be true, verify who is behind a brand, and remember that claiming to meet a standard is not the same as being independently certified. They also urge established manufacturers to be humble, test claims thoroughly, and make sure published specifications reflect how their sensors actually perform.  Topics Covered Low-level CO monitors versus UL 2034 alarms, and why they are not interchangeable How the 1990s Chicago nuisance-alarm events led to the UL 2034 standard Why standards built around healthy adult males leave gaps for vulnerable people How carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin and why it accumulates in the body  Why "CO leak" is the wrong phrase: carbon monoxide is created, not transported Online alarms claiming to be both low-level and UL 2034 compliant The Consumer Product Safety Commission alert and the 91 reported failures to alarm Red flags: no instructions, no model number, no certification mark, a virtual-office address, and a fake endorser What the alarm test button actually checks (the circuit and horn, not CO response) The challenge of validating alarms without accessible CO test kits How to vet unfamiliar brands, including using AI to research price, company history, and website age Sensor signal smoothing and why muted low-end readings can mislead users A call for manufacturers to test in the field and for honest specification claims Why price alone should never drive the purchase of life-safety devices This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, White-Rodgers by Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

  8. Oct 6

    Same Charge, Different Numbers - Short #306

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about what happens when you adjust the condenser airflow: you have the same charge, different numbers. This short covers HVAC condensers and flooded condensers in refrigeration applications. When you increase condenser airflow by repairing a condenser fan or washing the unit, the pressure and subcooling readings change even though the charge stays the same. Refrigerant enters the condenser as superheated vapor and goes through three stages: desuperheating, condensing, and subcooling. The key thing to remember is that these three stages can occur at different points of the condenser as the operating conditions change. Higher head pressure doesn't necessarily lead to higher subcooling, as subcooling depends on both saturation temperature and actual liquid temperature; if both change, head pressure can't tell us which way subcooling went. Exceptionally bad airflow across the condenser and high compression ratios can also interfere with liquid delivery. Uneven condenser airflow distribution also affects refrigerant distribution in the condenser. We shouldn't use low subcooling as an automatic indicator to add more charge. If there's one thing to remember, it's that you need to fix the airflow problem before deciding there is a charge problem. Operating readings can change without the total refrigerant charge changing. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, Fieldpiece, and Filtrete Resources NIST: Effect of Common Faults on the Performance of Different Types of Vapor Compression Systems NIST: Performance of a Residential Heat Pump Operating in the Cooling Mode with Single Faults Imposed  University of Padua: Condenser Airflow and Refrigerant-Inventory Modeling Condenser Fan Blade Shroud Depth (tech tip) Condenser Fan Blade Placement (tech tip) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

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Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

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