The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast

Trevor Matthews

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. 5d ago

    Episode 409. How New Technology & Training Are Transforming the Trades (World Refrigeration Day Panel)

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on how technology and continuous training are transforming the skilled trades, particularly in attracting and retaining new technicians. This panel features Amrit Robbins, CEO of Axiom Cloud,  Kyle Eastwood, Refrigeration Specialist at Axiom Cloud, and  Joe Stough, VP of Strategy and Technology at ARI. We cover how the industry can better support technicians by combining training, mentorship and technology, as well as leveraging AI to learn, reduce diagnostic time, cut callbacks, and even reduce overnight and weekend work.  In this episode, we discuss: (04:19) Why Techs Matter More Now Than Ever (05:34) Being Better Prepared for Service Calls (12:38) Training, Mentorship and AI in Refrigeration (17:50) Proactive Maintenance (19:40) CO2 Refrigeration Systems  (21:33) Breaking the CO2 Stigma (24:40) Advice for CO2 Calls (25:36) Technician Shortage Reality (26:59) Two-Part Refrigeration Industry Fix (27:54) Making Trades Attractive (33:29) Validating Technician Training (42:05) Proving ROI on Training Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 408. Retaining and Mentoring New Technicians (World Refrigeration Day Panel) Axiom Cloud ARI Amrit Robbins on LinkedIn Joe Stough on LinkedIn

    53 min

  2. Jun 29

    Episode 408. Retaining and Mentoring New Technicians (World Refrigeration Day Panel)

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on retaining skilled refrigeration tradespeople and the importance of mentoring the next generation. Panelists Aidan Lucey, Erik Holland, Andrew Freeburg, Patrick Gregory, and Noah Walker discuss what kept them in the trade early on, as well as what great mentorship looks like, the challenges apprentices face today, and rapidly increasing technology and information quality across the refrigeration industry.  In this conversaton, we discuss: (00:44) Why Mentorship Matters In the Trades (05:50) What Kept People in the Trade (12:33) Defining Great Mentorship (19:36) Challenges for Apprentices Today (25:13) Training Under Pressure (25:58) Technical Complexity and AI in the Trades (26:58) Building Safe Learning Culture (30:30) Mentorship Structures That Work (33:39) Career Advice for Apprentices (39:06) World Refrigeration Day Reflections (40:01) Mentor Lessons You Can't Google (45:57) Recruiting the Next Generation of Refrigeration Professionals Helpful Links & Resources: World Refrigeration Day Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 186: How To Attract Young People To The Refrigeration Trade With Rusty Walker Aidan Lucey on LinkedIn Erik Holland on LinkedIn Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn Partick Gregory on LinkedIn

    49 min

  3. Jun 27

    Episode 407. Can You Solve This Service Call? Test Your Knowledge

    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 introducing a new segment called "Can You Solve This Service Call?" using real life examples to test your knowledge as a technician walking into a call. In this example, we've got a compressor running continuously, some key readings, however it's determined the compressor itself isn't the issue. We'll run through critical checks and processes for this common situation, all in an effort to outline things to look for and help techs identify root cause issues faster and more confidently.  In this episode, we cover: (01:34) Example Service Call (04:25) Sequence of Checks (05:25) Key Check: Filter Drier (09:30) Think Restriction First (10:06) Service Call Checklists  (12:09) Building Customer Trust Helpful Links & Resources: DOWNLOAD: Free System and Compressor Troubleshooting Guide Episode 360. Get Curious on Service Calls (For Faster Troubleshooting) Episode 181: Ways To Be More Efficient As A Technician And How To Reduce Your Troubleshooting Time with Jim Marsen

    14 min

  4. Jun 22

    Episode 406. Tech Journey: Tim Homan - From Vegas Racks to CO2 Cascades

    Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this conversation, we sit down with longtime refrigeration technician Tim Homan to discuss his path from casino in-house work in Las Vegas to "hardcore" supermarket rack and CO2 service. We love sharing the journeys of fellow techs to motivate and inspire those across the industry. Here, Tim talks about honing strong electrical/refrigeration fundamentals, reading manuals and investing heavily in training and tools as crucial to his diverse industry successes. We also dig into some Tim's real life service call stories, as well as managing workload stress, relationship-building and thoughts about the future of refrigeration.   In this episode, we cover: (01:00) Tim Homan's Trade Journey (02:12) Emphasis on Training (03:44) CO2 Refrigeration and Glycol Work (05:52) Booster vs Cascade Systems (08:35) Liquid Line Fixes (12:12) Following Mnaufacturer Specs (17:57) Realities of Refrigeration Maintenance Checks (25:24) Reading Schematics Faster (27:59) Skills Refrigeration Techs Need Now (29:12) Refrigerant Law and Codes (29:32) Evacuation and Hose Purging (30:37) Future of CO2 Tech (32:42) Propane and Micro Systems (34:44) Investing in Tools (37:33) CO2 Gauges and Safety (39:14) E3 Controllers and Programming (40:44) Adiabatic Towers (43:08) CO2 Refrigeration Evolution and Design (46:01) Advice for Refrigeration Technicians Helpful Links & Resources: CO2 Unfiltered Episode 302. Journey Into Refrigeration with Connor Strickland Episode 185: Refrigeration is a Journey: Ashley Fuller's Refrigeration Roadmap Episode 145 - From Small Business to Refrigeration Giant: Adam Knutz's Journey

    55 min

  5. Jun 18

    Episode 405. 5 Things To Check Before Needlessly Replacing a Compressor

    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 outlining five things refrigeration techs need to check before replacing a compressor to avoid an unnecessessary change out. Between 30-40% of swapped compressors are found to have no real issue, and these checks will help technicians uncover root-cause issues and potentially avoid costly and time-consuming work that might not be needed. This episode details the five checks: oil level and oil management, compressor superheat, electrical health, operating conditions, and controller/sensor accuracy. We also cover key readings and how to better understand failure modes and prevent repeat failures. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) How to Avoid Replacing Good Compressors (03:16) Check 1: Oil Management (04:27) Check 2: Compressor Superheat (06:13) Check 3: Electrical Health (07:14) Check 4: Operating Conditions (08:19) Check 5: Controllers and Sensors (09:56) Inspecting a Failed Compressor (12:14) Documentation and Preventing Repeated Failures Helpful Links & Resources: FREE GUIDE: System and Compressor Troubleshooting Guide Episode 115: Understanding Compressors: What You Need To Know Episode 329. The Ins & Outs of Compressors Episode 388. Step-By-Step Compressor Change Out (Service Call Recap) with Andrew Freeburg

    16 min

  6. Jun 15

    Episode 404: Cool Intelligence: Utilizing AI in Refrigeration (Celebrating World Refrigeration Day)

    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 joined by longtime refrigeration technician and Refrigeration Mentor Community Ambassador Andrew Freeburg to discuss World Refrigeration Day (June 26) and this year's theme, "Cool Intelligence." We explore how the industry's real intelligence comes from the experience, judgment, and problem-solving of technicians, engineers, designers, and operators who protect the cold chain, food safety, energy efficiency and daily life. Conversely, also dive into how artificial intelligence (AI) can support technicians today, working in conjunction with hands-on skills, verification, intuition, and building customer trust.  In this episode, we cover: (00:08) World Refrigeration Day (00:57) Defining "Cool Intelligence" (02:21) Field Judgment Under Pressure (05:36) Supermarket Refrigeration and Cold Chain (11:46) AI in the Refrigeration Industry (16:10) Building Confidence and Celebrating Wins (18:27) The Refrigeration Industry Intelligence Gap (28:30) Advice for New Refrigeration Techs Helpful Links & Resources: Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 354. Embracing AI and Personal Development in Refrigeration Episode 352. AI and New Refrigeration Training & Troubleshooting Resources

    36 min

  7. Jun 11

    Episode 403. CO2 Liquid Line Piping

    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 discussing CO2 piping - particulatily liquid line. takeoff arrangements. We cover takeoff arrangements, loop systems, also some important technical information manufacturers recommend which give you a reliable blueprint of look for when you're on your service calls. We also talk about manufacturer specs, asking "why" behind designs and best practices when dealing with CO2 piping.  In this conversation, we cover: (02:42) Loop and Circuit Designs (03:59) Side vs Bottom Takeoff (06:13) Flash Gas and Underfeeding (08:37) Following Manufacturer Specs (09:28) Piping Best Practices (09:59) Asking Better "Why" Questions Helpful Links & Resources: VIDEO: The Truth About CO2 Oil Management, What Causes Failures and How to Prevent Them with Jonas Linnemann of Vitalis Episode 317. CO2 Piping Design (Tips to Protect Compressors and Prevent Failures) with Chris Griffiths Episode 386. CO2 Piping

    13 min

  8. Jun 8

    Episode 402. Why Skills Competitions Matter for 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 diving into provincial/state, national, and WorldSkills events for tradespeople - high-pressure, real-world competitions that build many technical and troubleshooting skills. These programs strengthen our refrigeration trade amid rapid change (CO2, A2L, advanced controls, energy efficiency etc.) and ongoing technician shortages, while developing future leaders and improving company performance. Not only are these competitions fun and challenging, the long-term career benefits and learning - especially from global standards and practices - make these skills competitions incredibly worthwhile. Links below to find out more about national and global skills competitions.  In this conversation, we cover: (01:07) Discovering Skills Programs (04:02) Benefits of Skills Competitions for Tradespeople (06:53) Investing in Skills Development (10:21) Learning by Doing Under Pressure (13:07) Modernizing Training Worldwide (19:27) WorldSkills and National Skills Competitions (22:28) Becoming and Elite Refrigeration Technician Faster Helpful Links & Resources: GAME: https://refrigerationmentor.com/game/  Skills Canada SkillsUSA WorldSkills: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Episode 139. 7 Tips For Building Good Training And Development Habits

    29 min
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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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