The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast

Trevor Matthews
  • 5.0 (34)
  • Education
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast is all about training, education and mentorship for commercial refrigeration and HVAC professionals. My goal to help you develop your knowledge and skills, to master the art of refrigeration. I will have expert guests from around the world joining us. We will have different conversations on technical topic's like system troubleshooting, supermarket refrigeration and CO2 refrigeration. Featuring technicians and engineers to manufacturers and many other industry expert join us to share their knowledge and wisdom. I will have conversations about mental health, mindset, and personal and professional development. My goal is to help you become 1% better than yesterday. Let's get a conversation going!

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 428. The Difference Between Average And Great Refrigeration Technicians

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about why the technicians who consistently invest in themselves are the ones who level up the fastest. Technical skills are only one part of becoming a great refrigeration technician—communication, customer service, leadership, problem-solving, and personal development all play a major role. I'll share real-world examples of technicians who have grown into leadership roles, built new areas of business, and even outgrown their companies by putting their careers ahead of simply doing their day jobs. We'll also discuss the value of mentorship, structured learning, finding your biggest knowledge gaps, and deliberately working on the things that make you uncomfortable. In this episode, we cover: (03:00) The Skills Beyond Technical Troubleshooting (04:00) Moving From Technician To Manager (05:00) Why Mentorship Can Accelerate Your Learning (06:00) Learning From Other Technicians' Experience (07:13) Developing Communication And Customer Service Skills (08:00) Dealing With Difficult Customers And Repeat Service Calls (10:00) The Difference Between Average And Great Technicians (12:00) Using Manuals And Resources To Solve Problems (13:00) Building Your Own Learning Library (16:00) Putting Your Career Ahead Of Your Job (17:00) Building A Broader Portfolio Of Refrigeration Skills Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 39. Invest In Your Refrigeration Knowledge Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 392. Transitioning From Technician to Manager: Building Leadership Skills in Refrigeration with Todd Ernest of Climate Pros

  2. 5d ago

    Episode 427. The High Demand for Skilled Refrigeration Technicians

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about the growing skills and knowledge gap in the refrigeration industry and why that gap represents a massive opportunity. With more experienced technicians retiring, increasingly complex equipment and new technologies like CO2 and A2Ls entering the field, the demand for highly skilled refrigeration technicians continues to grow. We talk about specialization, learning controls, startups and commissioning, becoming more resourceful, and building the skills that allow refrigeration technicians to solve harder problems and command higher wages. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) The Growing Refrigeration Skills Gap (02:00) Why Refrigeration Technicians Are In High Demand (04:00) The Versatility Of A Refrigeration Technician (06:00) Why Refrigeration Skills Create Career Opportunities (08:00) Specializing In CO2, Controls And A2Ls (12:00) Identifying Your Biggest Skill Gaps (14:00) Learning Controls  (16:00) Why Modern Refrigeration Systems Are More Complex (22:00) The Importance Of Mentorship And Asking Questions (24:00) Specialization In Startups And Commissioning (28:00) Adapting To New Refrigeration Technology (30:00) Why Refrigeration Is A Recession-Resistant Career (32:00) Adapting To The Next Generation Of Technicians (34:00) The Opportunity Ahead For Refrigeration Technicians Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 364. Addressing Technician Shortages & Oil Analysis Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart

  3. Sep 7

    Episode 426. Stop Guessing On Jobs: Tips, Books and Resources To Help You Learn Refrigeration Faster

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm sharing some of the tips, resources and materials refrigerators should be checking out to learn refrigeration faster. These tips and resources need to be utilized both on that job and after work, things like manuals, processes, checklists, and investing in additional training after hours. We'll also discuss documenting service call steps, reviewing for missing details, and using on site data AI to refine concise checklists and get to the root of issues. These are the keys that the best techs use to stop guessing on service calls and solve issues faster and more confidently. In this episode, we cover:  (01:51) Writing Things Down to Learn (02:43) Repetition Builds Mastery (03:14) CO2 Procedures Step by Step (05:16 Teaching Like a Mentor (07:08) Building A Framework for Any System (08:55) Using AI in Refrigeration (09:57) Knowing Normal Data (11:20) Building Habits That Stick Helpful Links & Resources: BOOK: Atomic Habits by James Clear Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart

  4. Sep 3

    Episode 425. Field Story: Using Diagnostics to Validate Compressor Trips (Copeland CoreSense Example)

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're reviewing a recent field story from inside the Refrigeration Mentor Community of handling a "compressor proof/safety failure" alarm. Upon arrival, the compressor was running. But instead of assuming a nuisance trip, this episode walks through how confirm the cause of issue by running diagnostics using free manufacturer software (Copeland CoreSense). Being able to accurately to validate findings builds technician confidence, speeds up troubleshooting time and helps prevent future costly failures. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) Compressor Trip Alarms (02:23) Copeland CoreSense Basics (04:02) Laptop and Cable Setup (05:42) Connection Pain Points (07:09) Fixing the Wiring (08:42) How Validation Builds Confidence (10:19) Refrigeration Troubleshooting Skills Helpful Links & Resources: Website: Copeland CoreSense Episode 378. Field Stories: Compressor Failure, Case Freeze-Up Troubleshooting, and Electrical Safety Episode 295. A Compressor Story: The Key to Faster Troubleshooting

  5. Aug 31

    Episode 424. CO2 Oil Separator Change: Fixing a Leaking Outlet Ball Valve

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about changing oil separators on a CO2 supermarket system. THis conversation stems from a recent field story from a fellow tech where the separator outlet valve kept leaking after pressure was relieved. We'll discuss the process for fixing the issue safely,  and how this type of learning through community knowledge-sharing and continuing education is so important for all refrigeration technicians new and old to troubleshoot faster and more confidently. Want to join the next Refrigeration Community Meetup live? Click here to join free!  In this episode, we cover: (02:20) Oil Separator Valve Fix (02:59) Pressure Reversal Explained (06:09) Why Mentorship Matters (06:46) Refrigeration Career Path Tips (07:28) Refrigeration Safety Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 330. Oil Issues in Refrigeration Systems Episode 390. CO2 Oil Management (Part 1): Lubrication Basics, Oil Selection, Testing, and Troubleshooting with Alessandro Silva of Bitzer Episode 71. Top Tips For Learning CO2 Refrigeration

  6. Aug 27

    Episode 423. Refrigeration Leak Detection & New Regulations with Leon Wurfel of Bueno Analytics

    Learn more about Leon on LinkedIn and Bueno Analytics Website: Bueno Analytics In this episode we're, joined by Leon Wurfel, Founder of Bueno Analytics, to discuss refrigeration leak detection, particularily as it pertains to forthcoming new regulations in the industry. Leon dives into how leak detection is evolving as codes and regulations change, including AIM (American Innovation and Manufacturing) Act, as well as new software, improving issue prioritization, helping predict high-temp alarms. He also discusses how Bueno grew from commercial building energy-efficiency analytics into grocery refrigeration through a long partnership with Woolworths, and shares advice for technicians to get a login and use innovative analytics tools to reduce after-hours callouts.  In this episode, we cover: (00:49) Leak Detection Is Changing (06:32) Modern Leak Detection Models (07:50) Seasonal Receiver Level Basics (11:15) Reducing Leaks And Predicting Alarms (13:12) Cutting After Hours Callouts (15:52) Using Data To Sell Maintenance (19:58) Stopping Energy Drift (21:53) Setpoint and Alarm Drift (22:41) Knowing the Normal Baseline (25:07) Manual Inspections (29:07) Older Controls (33:14) AI Tools in Refrigeration Helpful Tools & Resources: Bueno LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buenoanalytics/ Video Testimonial from Woolworths: https://buenoanalytics.com/video-testimonial-woolworths-refrigeration-management/   Episode 334. 10-Point Rack Preventative Maintenance Checklist Episode 263. The Importance of Understanding Trend Graphs with Andrew Freeburg Episode 213. Supermarket Refrigeration Preventative Maintenance with Andrew Freeburg Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

  7. Aug 24

    Episode 422. From Parts Changer to Problem Solver: How Great Refrigeration Technicians Think

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're taking a step back to talk about what it really takes to become a great refrigeration technician - the mindset and troubleshooting habits that separate technicians who simply change components from technicians who understand systems, find root causes, and solve harder problems with confidence. I'll also share practical troubleshooting principles and a preview of some major upcoming things for our Refrigeration Mentor Academy. In this episode, we discuss: (00:53) Why CO2 Refrigeration Knowledge Matters (04:40) Being a Parts Changer vs A Skilled Tech (07:36) TX Valve and Airflow Checks (12:21) Numbers Tell The Story (14:23) Heat Reclaim Troubleshooting (21:30) Pattern Recognition and Fast Tracking Learning (28:05) Academy Sneak Peek (31:28) Mentoring and Using AI  Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 299. Basic Refrigeration 101 Episode 295. A Compressor Story: The Key to Faster Troubleshooting

  8. Aug 20

    Episode 421. CO2 Oil Management: Preventing Compressor Failures with Jonas Linnemann of Vitalis (Part 2)

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here This is the second of a 2-part episode in our "CO2 Unfiltered" series (link to Part 1 below), this one covering what causes compressor failures and how to prevent them with Jonas Linnemann, Vice President of Technology at Vitalis. Jonas covers properly storing oil, receiver-pressure control strategies, liquid-line branch-offs, oil trapping, oil slugs and the value of visual checks, quick tests, and lab oil analysis. He also shares practical service and maintenance tips that will help refrigeration techs prevent recurring compressor failures. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) CO2 Oil Storage Basics (02:59) Receiver Pressure Oil Issues (06:53) Honeypot Oil Accumulator (09:38) Oil Charge And Separator Efficiency (11:21) Startup Oil Fill Procedure (19:33) Liquid Line Branch Offs (28:26) PAG vs POE Oil Return (30:08) Evaporators and Oil Slugs (31:52) Field Checks and Piping Fixes (34:21) Jacobs Velocity Explained (38:22) Double Risers and Traps (50:33) Oil Testing and Degassing Helpful Links & Resources: Jonas on LinkedIn Vitalis PART 1: Episode 420. CO2 Oil Management: Preventing Compressor Failures with Jonas Linnemann of Vitalis Episode 253. CO2 Experts: Designing an Oil Management System with Nabil Cook Supermarket Workshop Series Part 1: Oil Management, Oil Components and Troubleshooting

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5
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About

This podcast is all about training, education and mentorship for commercial refrigeration and HVAC professionals. My goal to help you develop your knowledge and skills, to master the art of refrigeration. I will have expert guests from around the world joining us. We will have different conversations on technical topic's like system troubleshooting, supermarket refrigeration and CO2 refrigeration. Featuring technicians and engineers to manufacturers and many other industry expert join us to share their knowledge and wisdom. I will have conversations about mental health, mindset, and personal and professional development. My goal is to help you become 1% better than yesterday. Let's get a conversation going!

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