HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

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Teaching Communication Confidence - Short #200 Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

In this short podcast episode, Bryan shares some strategies for teaching communication confidence, which may come in handy if you have newer techs who feel nervous or struggle to communicate with other people.

The main way to build confidence is to get them to talk in the first place. Scripts and roleplay scenarios during training can help get people used to speaking and give them a reference. Whether we're in sales or not, we have to share information and complete business transactions. Roleplaying those conversations in a controlled, familiar setting allows your more timid team members to put in the reps.

The youngest generation in the workforce tends to be exceptionally uncomfortable talking compared to others; they often prefer to communicate via text. These techs can learn a lot from spending time with customer service representatives (CSRs), especially in difficult situations with upset clients. Then, you can address the non-verbal cues that also play a massive role in in-person communication.

At Kalos, we have developed software that allows people to record voice memos that are then transcribed. We combine this with soft skills training to help build confidence in our team members so that our leaders can understand what their teams are doing. Communication also starts at the top, so leaders must be honest with themselves about their communication skills and how well they regulate emotions and positively convey information. Leaders are also ultimately the ones who are responsible for understanding their team's communication gaps and creating the guidelines.

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 6th 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.

Using Refrigerant Troubleshooting Charts w/ Joey Henderson Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

This episode focuses on understanding and effectively utilizing various refrigeration system charts and measurements for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Joey Henderson, an HVAC veteran and trainer, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience on this topic.

Joey starts by discussing the challenges he faced early in his career when trying to make sense of the confusing charts with arrows indicating high, low, high head, low head, etc. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the "supposed to be" values before attempting any measurements or referencing charts. Without this baseline understanding, the measurements become meaningless.

He then delves into specific measurements like subcooling, superheat, evaporator temperature/suction saturation, condenser split, and compressor amperage. For each measurement, Joey explains the ideal range, how to interpret deviations, and how different factors like humidity, airflow, and refrigerant type can affect these values. He also highlights the differences in approaches for fixed metering devices versus TXV/EEV systems.

Topics covered in the podcast:

Understanding refrigeration system charts and their limitations
Importance of knowing "supposed to be" values for meaningful diagnostics
Measuring and interpreting subcooling
Measuring and interpreting superheat
Determining evaporator temperature/suction saturation
Calculating and understanding condenser split
Evaluating compressor amperage
Differences in charging fixed metering devices vs. TXV/EEV systems
Impact of humidity, airflow, and refrigerant type on measurements
Using psychrometers and measuring wet bulb temperatures accurately
Calculating and interpreting Delta T (wet bulb/dry bulb split)
Resources like the Efficient Comfort website and Dick Wirz's RefTech app

Check out some of the resources discussed at https://efficientcomfort.net/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Wiring in Condenser Fan Motors - Short #199 Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

In this short episode, Bryan talks about wiring in condenser fan motors, including aftermarket motor considerations and the different wire configurations.

When condensing fan motors fail, we need to know what to use to replace them. We often use PSC motors, though in cases when we replace a motor with an ECM, we still need to match the horsepower despite the increased flexibility. The motors we typically keep on our truck are 1/3 or 1/6 HP motors.

Frame size (diameter) and depth also come into play; you may encounter a 42-frame motor or a 48-frame motor. You can't replace an 825 RPM motor with a 1075 RPM one because the poles are different (6-pole vs. 8-pole). Single-phase 208/230v will be the most common motors in residential systems, and the phase and voltage must match. You should also know how to reverse a motor if it is reversible. The bearing type will have some tradeoffs; ball bearings last longer but are louder than sleeve bearings.

3-wire and 4-wire condensing fan motors are essentially the same; the white wire and brown-and-white wire are essentially the same, as there is a jumper inside the motor. You can connect a 4-wire condenser to both sides of the capacitor; in any case, follow the wiring diagram.

When mounting a motor, make sure the wires are strapped properly. Then, remember to unplug the correct weep ports (opposite side of the shaft) to allow condensate to drain out.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Committing to HVACR Education w/ Copeland Jun 22, 2024

Show notes

This podcast episode focuses on the critical shortage of HVACR technicians and installers across the industry. The hosts discuss the massive gap that exists, with estimates of nearly 200,000 open roles expected in the next few years. They are joined by Lenny Diaddario from Copeland's contractor services department and Chris Harris from the educational nonprofit National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3).

Lenny and Chris explain the various initiatives Copeland and NC3 have undertaken to help attract more people to the HVACR trades. This includes STEM education outreach to get kids interested from an early age, partnerships with organizations like SkillsUSA and PHCC, virtual reality training tools that allow interactive compressor teardowns, and comprehensive certification curricula developed in collaboration with subject matter experts and instructors.

One major program they highlight is the "train the trainer" events where instructors from trade schools can get certified on the Copeland curriculum over an intensive week. They then take that knowledge back to their schools to teach and certify students as Copeland technicians. The goal is to build a strong foundational workforce of certified HVACR professionals.

Topics covered include:

The severe shortage of HVACR technicians and the need to fill roles
Changing the stigma around vocational education and trade schools
Appeal of trades to younger generations for self-reliance
Copeland's initiatives like STEM days, SkillsUSA, virtual reality trainers
NC3's certification curricula and "train the trainer" instructor events
Copeland's online/mobile training resources like apps and AI assistant
In-person training courses offered ranging from 1 day to multi-day
The long-term vision for socioeconomic impact through a skilled trades workforce

Browse some of Copeland's training opportunities at https://www.copeland.com/en-us/training-support/hvacr-training.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

The Chemistry of Combustion w/ Rachel Kaiser Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan interviews Rachel Kaiser, a chemist with a passion for making science more accessible and understandable, especially when it comes to the topic of combustion. Rachel shares her background of how her family's restaurant business sparked her early interest in chemistry and the science behind mixing ingredients to produce desired results.

Rachel dives deep into explaining the fundamental chemistry behind the combustion process. She breaks down the three key components required for combustion to occur - fuel, oxygen, and a heat source - and how the ideal chemical reaction is represented. However, she emphasizes that in the real world, factors like using natural gas (a mixture of gases) as fuel instead of pure methane and air (also a mixture) as the oxygen source lead to incomplete and imperfect combustion reactions.

The discussion highlights the importance of combustion analysis and monitoring for byproducts like carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Rachel stresses that testing is crucial not just for technician safety but to ensure proper combustion for occupants as well. High CO levels, for instance, indicate incomplete combustion and the likely presence of other undesirable compounds.

Topics covered include:

The chemistry definition of combustion/flame
Ideal vs real-world combustion reactions
The three requirements for combustion
Natural gas as a fuel mixture
Air as the oxygen source and mixing considerations
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides as byproducts
The role of combustion analysis
Using visuals/experiments to teach combustion chemistry
Applying chemistry knowledge for troubleshooting

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn and ask her more about chemistry in HVAC HERE. You can also view her presentation from the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium and/or purchase your virtual ticket to all sessions HERE.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Hoses / Types and Applications w/ NAVAC - Short #198 Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

In this short episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan talks about hoses and their various types and applications, particularly focusing on NAVAC hoses.

Charging hoses (NAVAC: NH5 and NH5L) ideally shouldn't be longer than 5-6 feet, as the longer the hose, the more refrigerant it will hold. Manifold gauges also have leak points, so it's usually better to use probes instead of manifolds to help with charging. Charging hoses with ball valves (NH5S and NH5SC) can help you control the flow and are great for recovery. Whenever you use charging hoses, they will have a core depressor on one side only (usually the 45-degree side, if applicable); the right amount should be exposed, and the seal should be in good shape.

Larger-diameter hoses with higher burst pressure are advantageous for recovery (though it's better to have separate hoses for recovery and evacuation). Larger-diameter hoses of a shorter length will allow you to get a higher flow rate, including cases where you have 1/4" connectors (though the F1028 & F1029 Rapid Y connection fittings can help out with those cases where you have 1/4" connectors by giving you the ability to connect two 3/8" hoses); hoses with a diameter of 3/8" are usually the biggest recommended ones for recovery. NAVAC's recovery hoses are the NHR38AA and NHR38AB.

Evacuation hoses are even bigger. Some good evacuation hoses include the NH34AB and NH34AC; they are short 3/4" hoses that are vacuum-rated and quite flexible. NAVAC also has smaller hoses, which tend to look more like recovery hoses. You do not want to use 1/4" hoses and core depressors for evacuation, but they are good for charging.

Check out all of the hoses NAVAC has to offer at https://navacglobal.com/products-by-category/hoses-kits/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Have Fun With CRAC (Computer Room AC) Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan interviews Pat Ward, an HVAC technician who specializes in servicing and maintaining computer room air conditioning (CRAC) units for data centers. They dive deep into the unique challenges and setups involved in cooling these critical facilities.

Pat provides an overview of data centers, explaining that they are essentially industrial-scale computer rooms that generate immense amounts of heat from the servers and need precise environmental controls. CRAC units are specialized air conditioning systems designed to maintain the temperature and humidity within tight parameters suitable for electronic equipment.

Unlike typical comfort cooling, CRAC units supply air around 70°F to avoid excessive dehumidification. Humidity control is crucial, often requiring supplemental humidifiers or dehumidifiers. Pat discusses common configurations like air-cooled direct expansion (DX) units as well as chilled water systems with computer room air handlers (CRAHs). Redundancy is a major consideration, with units networked together to stage capacity and provide backup.

The conversation covers many other topics related to data center cooling such as:

Using economizers and free cooling with outdoor air when conditions allow
Potential issues with mildly flammable refrigerants in these applications
Typical maintenance tasks like coil cleaning, filter changes, and refrigerant checks
Accessing and navigating the control systems which often require passwords
Advice for technicians new to working on CRAC units, like studying the equipment layout
The massive scale of large data center installations with arrays of 20+ CRAC units
Causes of overheating and how to avoid them
Growth opportunities in the CRAC niche of HVAC

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Rack Refrigeration Class Part 2 Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

In Part 2 of the Rack Refrigeration Class at Kalos Services, Matthew Taylor discusses safeties, service, and more. Part 1 focuses more on the basic refrigeration circuit of a rack refrigeration system.

When safeties are piped together, we have to keep in mind that they're a bit more complex than most HVAC refrigeration systems, especially when it comes to the oil side. All of these safeties and their proper installation can be located on the wiring diagrams. Safeties often respond to pressure, both in the refrigerant circuit and the oil circuit, but they may also respond to amperage or temperature.

Each compressor on a rack has its own safety controls, but all compressor safeties should be wired in series. Overloads may measure temperature or amperage and break the circuit if it detects unsafe conditions. We also deploy demand cooling strategies to cool the compressor and help control compression ratios. We can also control capacity with staging strategies. Mechanical controls may be able to communicate with electronic controllers, but these cases are less common in conventional rack systems.

Matthew also covers:

Pop-offs and high-pressure switches
Overloads and misdiagnosed compressor failures
Sentronic oil pressure controls
Mechanical and electronic controls
Adjusting metering devices
Liquid and vapor injection
Subcooling and interstage cooling
Suction filters and when to use them
Service valves, hoses, and depressing Schrader cores for checking charge
Restrictions in the refrigerant circuit
Accumulators
Pressure transducers and troubleshooting
Mechanical and electronic time delays
Bypassing safeties in mission-critical applications
Compressor staging and unloaders

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 6th 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.

What's your summer triage strategy w/ Kevin Hart Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

This episode dives into an interesting and pragmatic discussion about how HVAC contractors can better balance their workload throughout the year. Kevin from Haven shares insights from observing HVAC businesses across the country and how some are taking a more strategic approach to triaging work.

The main idea is to get systems up and running in the peak summer months when demand is highest, while also collecting data and making notes for more in-depth commissioning, ductwork upgrades, IAQ improvements, etc. that can be tackled in the fall "shoulder season." The hosts discuss the market forces that drive the typical reactive cycle - consumers waiting until systems fail to call for service, companies prioritizing new equipment installs when demand is high to boost revenue, etc.

However, they propose a model where contractors are more proactive about maintenance, communication, and expectation-setting. Install the right-sized equipment over the summer, document issues to revisit later, use data loggers to analyze system performance, and then circle back in fall/winter for comprehensive commissioning when there is more availability. This allows delivering better quality work while smoothing workload across more months.

The episode covers several key points and considerations, including:

Prioritizing load calculation and properly sizing equipment upfront
Deploying IAQ monitors to identify issues like humidity control
Offering full-scope solutions and letting customers decline unneeded services
Shifting technician roles seasonally between installs and commissioning
Developing standard workflows and checklists for each phase
Potential business benefits like retention by providing growth opportunities

Overall, it presents a balanced, practical approach for HVAC businesses to improve quality, reduce stress during peak seasons, and keep technicians engaged through varied work. As Kevin notes, it's a model more contractors could adopt with training and open-sourced best practices.

If you are interested in the workflows discussed in the podcast, you can become a HAVEN pro today at https://pro.haveniaq.com/. You can also email Bryan about summer triage strategies at bryan@hvacrschool.com.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Toasters, Desk Chairs and Socrates w/ Ty Branaman Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

In this insightful episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Ty Branaman, an exceptional educator and trainer, shares his unique approach to making learning not just effective but also engaging and memorable. He delves into the art of connecting with students, unlocking their curiosity, and fostering a love for learning.

Ty emphasizes the importance of understanding that not all students learn in the same way. He advocates for finding creative ways to capture their attention and spark their interest, whether through hands-on experiments, relatable analogies, or thought-provoking demonstrations. By tapping into students' existing experiences and curiosities, Ty creates an environment where learning becomes an exciting adventure rather than a chore.

One of the key takeaways from the conversation is the power of the Socratic method. Ty encourages educators to ask questions that challenge students' assumptions and encourage them to think critically about the subject matter. By fostering a sense of exploration and discovery, students become active participants in their own learning process, leading to deeper understanding and retention.

Topics Covered:

· Igniting curiosity and making learning engaging

· Utilizing everyday objects and relatable analogies to explain complex concepts

· The Socratic method: Encouraging critical thinking through questioning

· Creating emotional connections through humor, surprise, and joy

· Overcoming frustrations and challenges in the teaching process

· Building a supportive community of educators and learners

· Embracing mistakes and seeing them as opportunities for growth

· Finding creative ways to connect with different learning styles

· The importance of patience and perseverance in the teaching journey

Overall, this podcast episode offers valuable insights for educators, trainers, and anyone passionate about fostering a love for learning. Ty's infectious enthusiasm and creative approach serve as a reminder that education can be a transformative and rewarding experience when approached with empathy, creativity, and a genuine desire to ignite the spark of curiosity in every learner.

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 6th 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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