What actually makes great HVAC training? It isn't memorizing a PowerPoint, following a checklist, or teaching technicians to become parts changers. Great training should teach technicians how to THINK, troubleshoot, ask questions, find reliable information, and understand why a system is doing what it's doing. This week on Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, Pat sits down with HVACR trainer, consultant, researcher, and longtime technician Eric Kaiser for a conversation focused heavily on HVAC training, technician development, building performance, troubleshooting, and the future of the skilled trades. Eric started in the HVAC trade more than 20 years ago as a residential service technician. Early in his career, training wasn't optional. Before working independently on fuel-fired equipment, he went through an intensive combustion analysis class. That emphasis on education helped develop something that would shape his entire career: curiosity. That curiosity took Eric from residential service into commercial and industrial HVACR, distributor technical support, industry engagement, HVAC education, consulting, research, building science, and building performance. A major focus of this conversation is HOW we train technicians. Hands-on training is important, but sometimes we need "brains on" training too. Are we teaching technicians how to diagnose a system, or just giving them procedures to follow? Can they understand airflow, refrigeration, combustion, electrical systems, and building performance well enough to recognize when something doesn't make sense? More importantly, are we teaching technicians how to find the answer? Pat and Eric discuss combustion analysis, airflow, air balancing, belts and sheaves, pulley alignment, lubrication, makeup air, refrigeration, HVAC maintenance, building science, indoor air quality, human comfort, troubleshooting, technical support, and why experienced technicians should never stop learning. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges facing today's HVACR technician: information. Technicians now have YouTube, social media, forums, manufacturer documentation, technical support, Google, online training, and artificial intelligence at their fingertips. But having more information doesn't mean that information is correct. Knowing how to research, verify technical information, read manufacturer literature, ask better questions, and recognize bad advice may be one of the most important skills we can teach the next generation of technicians. Eric also discusses his evolution as an instructor and moving away from "death by PowerPoint." Effective HVAC education should be interactive. Ask questions. Encourage discussion. Challenge technicians to think. Adapt the training to the people in the room. The goal isn't simply helping someone pass a test. It's developing better technicians. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kaiser-323a1563/ https://www.instagram.com/hvac_elk/?hl=en The conversation also explores mentorship, building performance, indoor comfort, manufacturer consulting, product development, research, and helping technicians understand the relationship between HVAC equipment and the building it's conditioning. And when you're putting that knowledge to work in the field, the products you use matter. Viper products from Refrigeration Technologies are built around the work HVACR and refrigeration technicians perform every day. From cleaning and maintenance products to Nylog, leak detection, and other technician essentials, Viper gives technicians products designed to help get the job done right. https://www.refrigtech.com/ If you're an HVAC technician, refrigeration technician, commercial HVACR technician, foodservice equipment repair technician, instructor, trainer, service manager, contractor, or manufacturer, this conversation is for you. https://commercialkitchenchronicles.com/
