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. 1 hr ago

    Invented For Techs, by Techs: Inside Refrigeration Technologies' "The Lab"

    In this episode, Bryan sits down with Mike Passarello, owner of Refrigeration Technologies, and Ashley Lins, director of education and brand management for Viper, to talk about the company's roots, its newest product launches, and where the brand is headed next. Mike, a second-generation owner who took over from his father John Passarello in 2017, explains that the company was built on a "for techs by techs" philosophy after John, an HVAC technician with a chemistry background, began inventing products to solve his own field problems. Nearly 40 years later — with the company approaching its anniversary in 2027 — that same tech-first mentality still guides everything from Nylog to Heat Shield to the newly announced product lab.   Much of the conversation centers on Easy Dose, the first product to come out of Refrigeration Technologies' new "lab" initiative, which invites field technicians with promising ideas to bring them to the company for development and distribution. Easy Dose is a gravity-fed pan-and-drain maintenance system built around the company's existing Pan & Drain treatment, designed to deliver consistent dosing to multiple points in a condensate pan without relying on motors, apps, or other complexity. Ashley and Mike walk through the roughly year-long testing and development process behind the product, the dosing guidance contractors give homeowners, and a maintenance-tracking sticker included with each unit that keeps contractors engaged for ongoing service rather than a one-and-done install.   The discussion also digs into the science and safety philosophy behind the company's chemistry. Mike and Ashley explain why Pan & Drain treatment uses enzymes rather than bleach tablets or strips — enzymes break down biological buildup (zooglea) at the source instead of just killing it and leaving residue behind — and why the company has stayed committed to safer, properly diluted chemistries even when more aggressive competitors promise faster results. Bryan and the guests share candid stories about chemical injuries from overly corrosive products, the misconception that "non-acid" cleaners are automatically safe, and why matching dilution to soil level protects both technicians and equipment.   The episode closes with a deep dive into Nylog — what it actually is, why it doesn't cause the contamination or warranty issues some technicians believe, and the difference between Nylog Red (mineral oil systems) and Nylog Blue (POE, PVE, and A2L-compatible systems), with Blue recommended for most trucks today. Mike and Ashley also touch on the company's rapid growth, including four consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings, ongoing hiring across sales, marketing, and warehouse roles, and plans to formally launch the product-idea lab program by the end of the year. They close by inviting listeners to connect on social media and stop by the Refrigeration Technologies booth at the AHR Expo in Chicago.   Topics Covered •       Refrigeration Technologies' history and "for techs by techs" founding philosophy •       The new product "lab" program for bringing outside technician inventions to market •       Easy Dose: how the gravity-fed pan-and-drain dosing system works and why it was developed •       Product testing and development timeline for new launches •       Pan & Drain treatment's enzyme-based approach versus tablets and strips •       Chemical safety, corrosive cleaners, and the risks of "non-acid" products •       The importance of proper dilution ratios for safety, results, and truck space •       Copper and silver drain pan construction and biological growth (zooglea) •       Nylog: what it is, common misconceptions, and warranty myths •       Nylog Red vs. Nylog Blue vs. Nylog White and which to keep on the truck •       Company growth, four consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings, and current hiring •       Viper swag giveaways and how to get involved on social media •       Where to find Refrigeration Technologies at the upcoming AHR Expo in Chicago

  2. 2 days ago

    The Ethics of IAQ – Testing vs. Remediation Conflicts - Short #301

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman talk about the ethics of IAQ, particularly in terms of microbial growth testing vs. remediation conflicts, based on Roman's recent experience hiring a mold assessor and then a remediation expert in his home. Remediation is governed by S520 of the IICRC. Microbial growth is tricky because it is often hidden and has real health effects, but there is a history of fraud in its assessment and remediation. To help combat that fraud, in Florida, assessment and remediation are two separate practices with two separate licenses. Roman got to see the differences in action by working with different assessment and remediation professionals and witnessing how the two practices depend on each other but differ. First, an assessor came to Roman's house with testing equipment and a means of collecting lab samples; this assessment started outdoors and continued indoors, and the assessor produced a thorough 87-page report with the tool findings, lab findings, and pictures. As with HVAC, the results are based on science and data, and reputable assessors are licensed, independent, and have the tools and training to carry out the job without using scare tactics on homeowners. After the assessment, remediation must be done separately. In Roman's home, all equipment was isolated, and the house was brought under negative pressure with HEPA filtration. There was also surface cleaning and HEPA vacuuming. Then, after remediation, there is a post-remediation verification (PRV). The PRV is carried out by a mold assessor, not a remediator, and determines whether the remediator did their job (and in some states, like Florida, there are criminal penalties for referral payments between assessors and remediators). A PRV consists of IAQ tests and lab measurements, and the results should reveal lower numbers than the original assessment and the outdoor air.   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

  3. 27 Aug

    Is 400 CFM per Ton Always Right? w/ Ty

    400 CFM per ton is useful—until it isn't. In this episode, Bryan and Ty take on one of the trade's favorite rules of thumb. It can be a reasonable starting point for many systems under moderate, near-sea-level conditions, but it is not a universal target. Proper airflow depends on actual delivered capacity, sensible and latent load, air density, climate, manufacturer data, and what the system is supposed to accomplish—not just the tonnage stamped on the cabinet. They explain why dry-climate and high-altitude applications may require more volume airflow, why humid applications often use less coil airflow to improve moisture removal, and why mass flow matters more than volume alone. They also cover nominal versus actual capacity, suction-line pressure drop, equipment-specific performance at 208 V, Manual S and expanded performance data, and field verification with measureQuick and the TrueFlow® Grid. The takeaway is simple: use the rule as scaffolding, then measure the system and follow the equipment data. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources: Not All CFM Are Created Equal Impacts of Decreasing Evaporator Airflow Troubleshooting With DTD AHRI Data vs. Manufacturer Expanded Performance Data Bypass Dehumidification Airflow Design 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. 25 Aug

    The MERV 15 Filtration Physics - Short #300

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman Baugh talk about indoor air quality and microbial control, specifically MERV 15 filter physics and how it all works when bringing in outdoor air. We filter indoor air to keep dust and particles off the equipment and keep them from circulating through the air. However, we also need to filter fresh air. While indoor air has several pollutants, including dust and VOCs, that make outdoor air dilution a sensible solution, outdoor air also has spores and other pollutants we want to filter out, and its quality can be hard to evaluate. Roman had an ERV that fed his VRF system, and it had significant microbial growth inside; he had some MERV 6 filtration on it, but that didn't capture particles effectively enough. MERV ratings measure the ability to filter particles out, and we use a unit called microns to measure particle size; higher ratings indicate a greater filter surface area and a better ability to filter out smaller particles. ASHRAE 52.2 divides particles into three categories: E1 (ultra-fine particles between 0.3 and 1 micron in diameter), E2 (fine particles between 1 and 3 microns), and E3 (coarse particles between 3 and 10 microns in diameter). MERV 15 filters have a 90% capture rate of E2 particles and a 90%+ capture rate of E3 particles. Fungal spores tend to fall in the E2 or E3 category, and filtration can keep those from coming into the home with fresh air; bringing in fresh air to dilute indoor pollutants is good, but we need a nuanced approach, and good filtration (without bypass) is part of that equation. Filters can also capture much smaller particles due to the way those particles move. Smaller particles move via Brownian motion, which makes them move erratically and more likely to collide with filter media. However, filter use and design, as well as fresh air intake location, can also affect filter efficacy. Filters that don't fit well in the slot enable bypass, and some filters might be restrictive. Exhaust ventilation outlets also play a role, as wind can bring those pollutants back to fresh air intakes.   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

  5. 20 Aug

    Tips for Being On Call w/ Ty

    In this episode, Bryan Orr sits down with Ty Branaman for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to be a good on-call technician. They open by reminiscing about how dispatch technology has evolved over their careers — from pagers, radio codes, and outdated paper map books to MapQuest, early GPS units, and today's 24-hour dispatch systems. That trip down memory lane sets up the episode's central theme: while the tools have changed, the mindset needed to succeed on call has not. Both hosts agree that being on call can be genuinely enjoyable when a technician learns to embrace the autonomy, the bigger paychecks, and the quieter, less stressful roads that come with nights and weekends. A major thread running through the discussion is self-discipline and long-term thinking. Bryan and Ty encourage younger techs to treat on-call money as an opportunity rather than spending cash — saving and investing overtime pay instead of financing trucks, boats, or other lifestyle upgrades. They share stories about the financial traps of seasonal trade work, the value of staying in a consistent routine even at 2 a.m., and how cutting corners under fatigue is often what leads to injuries or callbacks. Ty compares a disciplined on-call tech to a pilot running through a pre-flight checklist: the process matters just as much in the middle of the night as it does at noon. The conversation also digs into customer relationships and judgment calls in the field. They talk candidly about the difference between genuine emergencies and entitled or overblown complaints, and how companies that over-market "24/7 service" can create unrealistic customer expectations. Bryan shares a story about temporarily misting a struggling condenser to get an elderly client through a brutal heat wave, using it to illustrate the kind of judgment-based, get-them-by fix that defines old-school on-call work — as opposed to always pushing for a full sale. Safety boundaries, cutting corners responsibly, and the excitement of solving unpredictable problems on the fly are all discussed as part of what makes the work rewarding despite its challenges. Finally, Bryan and Ty turn to advice for company owners and service managers. They emphasize building fair, well-communicated on-call rotations, respecting technicians' personal time, and charging appropriately for after-hours work so that both customers and technicians value it. Ty argues that the industry needs to reframe HVAC work as a skilled trade rather than commodity labor, and that companies should be careful not to chase more emergency calls than their technician pool can sustainably handle. The episode closes with reflections on career growth, mentorship, and the kindness that comes from helping teammates cover on-call shifts for one another. Topics Covered The evolution of dispatch: pagers, radio 10-codes, paper map books, and early GPS Why on-call work can be enjoyable: autonomy, higher pay, and quieter roads The hardest part of on-call: getting called back out after coming home Customer expectations, entitlement, and the impact of "24/7 service" marketing Saving and investing on-call earnings instead of overspending on trucks and boats Staying in routine and following checklists even late at night to avoid callbacks Sleep, hydration, and avoiding excess caffeine while working on-call shifts Judgment calls and temporary fixes to get customers through emergencies safely Knowing your personal safety and ethical limits when cutting corners Career paths with less on-call demand: maintenance roles, installation, stationary engineering Reframing HVAC service as a skilled trade rather than commodity labor Building fair, well-communicated on-call rotations to prevent technician burnout Mentorship, teamwork, and covering shifts for coworkers with families   Subscribe to Ty's YouTube channel, @love2hvac. Learn more about the work we're doing with Ty at the GRIT Foundation at https://www.thegritfoundation.com/.  Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

  6. 18 Aug

    The Florida "M-Word" – Legal Boundaries & Tech Communication - Short #299

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman talk about Florida law and how it relates to the "M-word" (mold) and the legal boundaries our techs must respect when they communicate with customers. HVAC School and Kalos are NOT mold experts, but we have experience as HVAC professionals who encounter suspicious microbial growth in our market (and cannot diagnose or remediate mold). We cannot use the word "mold" because "mold" MUST be diagnosed by a certified mold assessor via laboratory testing according to Florida law. A guess based on sight does NOT qualify as a diagnosis; it is the equivalent of diagnosing a compressor failure as acid contamination without a test that proves the presence of acid. Residential property owners, however, are allowed to identify, remediate, and speak freely about mold in their own homes (which Roman can do because he hired mold assessors and remediators in his home). Florida limits HVAC contractors from diagnosing mold (or removing more than 10 contiguous square feet while removing, maintaining, or installing equipment) to prevent scare tactics in sales, such as by diagnosing "toxic mold" in a drain, or to sweep larger problems under the rug. There are also many different mold types that have specific characteristics that can only be identified by an assessor; HVAC contractors are not trained to recognize those. However, mold is part of our work whenever we clean coils, HVAC units distribute air (which contains mold spores from outside), and we manage moisture (which contributes to fungal growth). Mold assessors also have specific diagnostic tools and send lab samples. HVAC contractors don't have those resources, training, or certification. As HVAC contractors, need to be educated on mold, but we also need to understand our limitations; we can't diagnose it or make decisions for customers.   Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

  7. 13 Aug

    Becoming a GRIT Host or Mentor w/ Leilani

    In this episode, Bryan sits down with Leilani for an introduction to GRIT Camps — the hands-on program that brings skilled trades exposure to youth ages 12–17 through community events led by working tradespeople. Leilani explains that a GRIT Camp pairs recruited mentors with students for a day of modules covering safety, carpentry, electrical, brazing, and plumbing, including torch work, PVC and copper fitting, and disassembling HVAC components. Students also learn to read a jobsite-style blueprint and receive a six-in-one screwdriver to take apart and explore. Bryan and Leilani emphasize that while GRIT supplies the curriculum, guides, and structure, the host — typically a contracting business or trade organization — owns the event: recruiting students and mentors, securing a venue, and building real community connections around the day. A large portion of the conversation walks through who does what. Hosts provide the facility, materials (plywood, 2x4s, copper, PVC, and more, all detailed in GRIT's guide), and lunch for up to around 30 people, plus a local host facilitator to coordinate logistics and serve as GRIT's point of contact. Mentors must be certified skilled tradespeople who complete GRIT's required video course and pass a background check before working with students; volunteers who don't interact directly with kids are not required to undergo a background check. GRIT, in turn, supplies the camp curriculum, host and mentor guides, registration and marketing materials, badges, student blueprints and PPE, background check coordination, and on-site program leadership from staff like Ty, GRIT's head of training, who typically arrives the day before to walk the facility with the host. Bryan and Leilani also dig into planning specifics: camps run from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., cap out at 16 students with a two-students-per-mentor ratio (so eight to nine mentors for a full camp), and generally need 10 to 12 weeks of lead time to hit deadlines for mentor certification, materials gathering, and student registration. They cover the realities of choosing a torch and joining system — MAPP gas and propane versus oxyacetylene for brazing, and why oxyacetylene can't be used for the popular aluminum-repair activity — along with commonly overlooked items like correctly sized Forstner bits, spare drill batteries, extension cords, and pre-cut lumber. They close with guidance on budgeting (camps typically run $1,500 to $5,000), sourcing a sponsored lunch, handling allergies, inviting community press, and what makes a camp genuinely successful: preparedness paired with passion from both mentors and hosts. Topics Covered What a GRIT Camp is and which skilled trades are covered (safety, carpentry, electrical, brazing, plumbing) Camp roles: host, host facilitator, mentor, students, and volunteers What hosts are responsible for providing: facility, materials, and lunch What GRIT provides: curriculum, guides, registration, marketing, background checks, and on-site leadership Required mentor certification course and background checks Ideal space setup, table stations, and indoor/outdoor considerations Student and mentor ratios (16 students max, two students per mentor) Planning timeline: 10–12 weeks of lead time and key deadlines Confirming a camp date and the host interest assessment process Recruiting students and mentors, including waitlists and communication Choosing a torch and joining system: MAPP gas/propane vs. oxyacetylene brazing Commonly overlooked or underestimated materials and tools Safety planning, PPE, and emergency preparedness Estimated costs and ways to offset them through sponsorships Lunch planning and handling food allergies Community and marketing value for hosts Policies on parents and visitors attending What makes a GRIT Camp successful   Learn more about the GRIT Foundation or contact us at https://www.thegritfoundation.com/.  Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

  8. 11 Aug

    Behind the Drywall – The Psychrometrics of a Hidden Moisture Failure - Short #298

    In this short episode, Bryan and Roman talk about the psychrometrics of a hidden moisture failure... behind the drywall. Roman had an indoor air quality and mold assessment in his own home, and he learned that there were active mold spores in his home; he shares what he learned from the experience. Roman had a bulk water issue from plumbing (though bulk water issues can also occur outside the building or from condensate drainage problems). Walls are NOT solid; they have plumbing and insulation inside, and the air spaces between the walls support a microclimate when moisture is in there, regardless of whether it's water vapor or bulk water. In Roman's case, the bulk water failure came from the plumbing leak; it saturated the slab for half the house. The water was absorbed by the concrete, and any surface that touched the concrete transferred that water over time.  The mold assessor used two different devices. The pin-type meter punctured the surface of wood or drywall and measured the resistance between the probes (water transfers electrons between them); the measurement revealed the water quantity. A pinless meter determined the source of the failure via high-frequency radio waves, and it measured the capacitance to determine whether moisture was present within or behind the surfaces. The results showed that water was behind tile, baseboards, and drywall. Thermal imaging has also proven to be a useful tool to see the cooling effect that occurs when water evaporates from liquid to vapor inside a wall, but the cold spots go away when the space thermally equalizes. While HVAC professionals cannot assess mold, we can use tools like thermal imaging to help determine when it's time for a customer to call someone who can help; we are still responsible for our customers' health and comfort in their homes.   Learn more about building science concepts, especially moisture and its effects on buildings and comfort, from the Building Science Corporation's many great resources at https://www.buildingscience.com/.  Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

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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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