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A FASCINATING New Power Generation / Water Heating Solution w/ Enginuity Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Jacques Beaudry-Losique, the CEO of Enginuity Power Systems, joins Nathan Orr live at AHR 2022. Enginuity manufactures energy-efficient engines that produce more power than traditional engines and recover waste heat to act as water heaters. Enginuity engines can run on propane and natural gas to help you run almost entirely off the grid and participate in electricity buyback programs. These units operate independently of the electrical grid and can act as generators during power outages and have a small footprint. However, a backup battery system is recommended for these units to maximize efficiency. Enginuity has a residential and commercial line. The E | ONE is best suited for residential applications, and the E | TWO is better for heavier commercial applications. The U.S. Army has been one of the most prominent supporters of Enginuity, which also manufactures its units exclusively in America. Distribution is done through a third party, including business owners and technicians; Enginuity doesn't deal directly with homeowners or building staff. As a result, A/C service technicians, installers, plumbers, and refrigeration technicians may end up being the people in the middle who do maintenance on Enginuity generators.

After this conversation with Jacques, we are very interested in seeing what the future holds for Enginuity and combined appliances.

Jacques and Nathan also discuss:

The electrical grid's stability
Enginuity's revolutionary piston design
Ease of startup and commissioning
Pricing questions
Enginuity's target market and training resources for that target market
Engine life expectancy
Enginuity's projected rollout timeline and expansion plans
Decentralizing power dependence
Solar vs. fossil fuel energy
The problem with power plants

Learn more about Enginuity at https://enginuitypowersystems.com/.

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Samsung Ductless LIVE From AHR - Short #139 Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

Rick Nadeau, Director of Training and Technical Services at Samsung, talks with Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR. He explains some of the exciting ductless solutions that Samsung has to offer.

Samsung's WindFree mini-split systems work with VRF systems or as normal ductless units. The WindFree product line is best known for preventing drafts due to microholes. These systems come in one-way and four-way cassettes and work very well for sensitive environments like nursing homes and bedrooms.

These units also have humidity sensors that let the units know when it would and wouldn't be acceptable to go into WindFree mode. Samsung's systems may also have occupancy sensors, which determine when they can turn on to provide comfort and flexibility. The systems also have the capability to determine when the system is losing refrigerant to prevent major environmental and performance issues.

Samsung has MaxHeat technology, which allows a system to have 100% heating capacity in low-ambient temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit. So, the lack of reliance on auxiliary heat can reduce energy consumption and costs under most conditions.

In general, much of Samsung's innovative technology is introduced across entire product lines.

In the commercial sphere, Samsung's DVM S is an influential modular chiller and water heating system. Its flexible design (thanks to VRF technology) has made it a popular choice for product storage in vineyards. The DVM S Eco also has heat recovery capabilities.

Rick and Kaleb also discuss:

Stratification prevention and high-ceiling configurations
Air velocity and unit cleanliness
Refrigerant loss detection

Learn more about Samsung's ductless systems and online training programs at https://www.samsunghvac.com/.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

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How to ACTUALLY Measure Airflow w/ Steve Rogers and Eric Kaiser Feb 27, 2022

Show notes

Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory (TEC) joins Eric Kaiser to talk about airflow measurement at AHR 2022. Steve is an expert in fluid dynamics and flow measurement, and he is a trainer in addition to being the president and CEO of TEC.

Airflow is one of the most critical elements of an HVAC system; it allows us to move the correct amount of BTUs to condition the air properly. We have various ways of measuring system airflow and airflow to a space. We can use the TrueFlow grid for the former and flow hoods for the latter.

When it comes to measuring airflow, calibrating the instrumentation is crucial. TEC uses a laboratory-grade orifice plate to calibrate the tools. So, the calibration process manages to yield high accuracy while using a low-maintenance device.

To begin measuring airflow properly, start taking the total external static pressure (TESP) and looking at fan charts. TESP doesn't actually measure airflow, but it provides an idea of what the airflow might be like, and it's a practical, useful measurement in the field.

The TEC TrueFlow grid has recently been upgraded, and it's a good step up from taking the TESP and referencing fan charts. It goes into the filter slot and measures the CFM per ton as well as the static pressure.

Steve and Eric also discuss:

Airflow's effect on latent and sensible cooling
Blower door setups and chambers
References for accuracy
Relationship between static pressure and airflow
Is the hand-ometer an acceptable form of airflow measurement?
Challenges of pitot tubes and hot-wire anemometers

Learn more about The Energy Conservatory at https://energyconservatory.com/.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

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Commercial Rack Refrigeration Component Identification Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Brett Wetzel and Kevin Compass from the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast join us to discuss commercial rack refrigeration and identify components.

In supermarket racks, we typically have anywhere from 2-5 compressors on a single rack (with multiple evaporators, metering devices, and sometimes even condensers). These compressors may come in several varieties (including screw and scroll) and be digital or have VFDs. They also have common suction and discharge headers.

The compressors all share oil from a single system. Oil separators can come in three varieties: centrifugal, impingement, and coalescing (most efficient). The separator would feed into the reservoir, which stores oil.

Many rack systems use several different valves. Check valves to direct the refrigerant flow, especially on heat reclaim systems and split condensers. In some cases, there is a three-way valve or a solenoid valve that controls or stops the refrigerant flow. LDR (liquid differential regulating) valves maintain the required differentials during defrost. Ball valves can be found all over a rack (liquid line, suction line, discharge line, etc.) and can isolate a line. Standard and balanced-port TXVs or EEVs may also appear on racks. There is also an EPR, which controls evaporator temperature and pressure.

Grocery systems have a drop leg before the receiver, which stores liquid refrigerant. We want a full column of liquid leaving the receiver, which we can confirm with a sight glass rather than subcooling.

Brett, Kevin, and Bryan also discuss:

Reheat and excess heat
Split condensers
Drain leg/drop leg vs. liquid line
Mechanical subcooling and heat exchangers
Counterflow piping
Hot gas vs. Kool gas defrost
Standard vs. balanced-port TXVs
Distributors
Evaporator fin spacing
Cleaning components

Check out the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast on any podcast app of your choosing.

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Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Universal Boards and Controls w/ Eric K. and Jim F. LIVE from AHR Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Jim Fultz from Emerson joins Eric Kaiser at AHR to share his knowledge of universal boards and controls. Jim's work focuses on electronic controls within the White-Rodgers brand.

Common White-Rodgers universal controls include the SureSwitch and universal defrost controls. The SureSwitch also has sealed contacts, which prevents insects and debris from shorting out the contacts.

This past year, White-Rodgers debuted the All-Spark, which doesn't need electricity to be powered up and can be programmed right out of the box. The All-Spark works on all sorts of appliances, not just boilers and furnaces.

Universal controls are generally safe to put in combustion units, even gas furnaces. New controls go through rigorous testing before they hit the market. The controls MUST stay within the OEM's guidelines; otherwise, they won't make it to the market. Sometimes, when boards need to be replaced, we also need to upgrade the igniter to match the voltage of the new board.

The goal of universal controls is to save time and hassle for the technicians and the customers, which makes it easier to make sales. It's also easier for the distributor to get fast and accurate solutions to the technicians, especially when OEM parts may not be immediately available due to supply chain issues and normal shipping expectations.

Jim and Eric also discuss:

All-Spark benefits and features
Manufacturer-specific vs. general universal controls
White-Rodgers nomenclature
Controls instructions
Distributors and sales reps
Evolution of controls for direct-spark and hot-surface ignition
Training techs to install controls on equipment

Learn more about White-Rodgers controls at https://climate.emerson.com/en-us/brands/white-rodgers.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Malco - New Tools and Education Focus with Rich Benninghoff - Short #138 Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

In this short podcast from AHR 2022, Leilani Orr and Eric Kaiser talk with the president and CEO of Malco Tools, Rich Benninghoff. Rich discusses some of the exciting new tools that Malco is bringing to the market and some plans for the future, especially when it comes to education.

Malco has developed the Eagle-Grip, which is a set of locking-handle pliers made in the USA with American steel. The tool is currently in a soft launch; it is currently receiving a lot of interest, so Malco has been building up inventory, forming partnerships across industries, and collecting market feedback.

One of Malco's most exciting products is the C-RHEX line of cleanable, reversible magnetic hex drivers. These hex drivers come in many sizes and are easy to clean; the cleanable and magnetic features are especially important, as the buildup of metal resin and clippings can decrease tool longevity and effectiveness without proper cleaning.

Malco has also been focusing on trade schools and education through "Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good." The initiative gives back to the community and provides career and education-enhancing opportunities to young people who are serious about the trade.

Over the next decade, expect to see Malco continue investing in product innovation. Rich is excited to grow the brand and help the HVAC, automotive, and other industries along the way.

Rich also covers:

Malco's history with sheet metal fabrication
Relying on customers for feedback and ideas
"Head of the Class" program
Providing tools for shop classes in local school districts

Learn more about Malco Tools at https://www.malcoproducts.com/.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

HFC Phasedown W/ Jason O and Nathan O LIVE from AHR Feb 20, 2022

Show notes

Jason Obrzut joins Nathan Orr with the HVAC School podcast live from AHR. In this episode, they discuss A2L refrigerants and upcoming regulations. They explain what a "flammable" refrigerant really is and why the industry may be making a bigger deal of the new regulations than is really necessary.

Whenever regulations are passed, we need to understand that there is a notable transition period. This period will mostly be about training, and the only people who should be working on the new equipment should be the most experienced technicians.

A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable, non-toxic refrigerants, including R-32. Flame propagation is possible but quite rare for A2L refrigerants under normal operating conditions. However, even A1 refrigerants can propagate flame under the right conditions (just not ones we'd normally see). Many countries all over the world have been using A2L refrigerants for much longer than we have, so we can make those refrigerants work safely.

All trades will evolve, and we need to be prepared and trained to adapt to changes over time. When we learn all the new practices that come with these new regulations, we become better technicians. The only place where we can make a difference is in our work, so it pays to focus on learning new things instead of resisting change.

Jason and Nathan also discuss:

A2L vs. A1 vs. A2 vs. A3 refrigerants
What does "flammable" really mean?
Recordkeeping regulations for A2L refrigerants
Getting over the fear of the unknown
Why the HFC phasedown is NOT driven by refrigerant manufacturer profits

Learn more about ESCO's HVAC Excellence conference HERE.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

HVAC Training Past, Present & Future w/ David Holt Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

David Holt with NCI returns to the podcast to discuss the evolution of HVAC training; we cover the past, present, and the possible future of training in the industry.

In the past, we had a lot of hands-on training, whether it was one-on-one or in a traditional classroom setting. These learning practices remain beneficial today, especially since many uninformed practices are still prevalent in the industry today (charging to beer-can cold, condemning TXVs without a second thought, etc.).

However, the pandemic has forced us to consider online and remote training in the present. The content has also changed from the past; we are a lot more aware of combustion and airflow nowadays, which are very important topics for safety and efficiency. Those training topics allow us to understand what we're doing when we take the "vital signs" of the equipment.

Being better versed in basic and advanced diagnostics will also give us a more holistic understanding of the HVAC equipment as a system, which can help us truly optimize the systems instead of changing parts and making band-aid fixes.

Moving forward, we can expect HVAC training to use virtual reality to help bring traditional hands-on training to the online sphere. We can't expect a perfect replacement, but we can expect improvements in technology to close the learning gaps that result from online training.

David and Bryan also discuss:

NCI training during the pandemic
Components vs. systems
ASHRAE Standard 221-2020
Older educational resources and standards
Occupational safety
Pricing
Online classes, podcasts, and other modern training media

Learn more about the National Comfort Institute (NCI)'s training and sign up HERE.

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Check out information on the 2022 HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium/.

Proper System Commissioning w/ Jim Bergmann from AHR Live Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Jim Bergmann returns to the HVAC School podcast live from AHR 2022 to discuss a bit about proper system commissioning. He explains the commissioning mindset and some helpful procedures.

Successful system commissioning starts with the mindset. A good commissioning organization broadens its vision; instead of focusing on the appliance, techs and installers focus on the system. Commissioning early on saves time later; you can focus on installs and maintenance instead of callbacks, and your organization can make more money as a result.

When installing and testing new piping, make sure you insulate the tubing properly and keep the lines CLOSED OFF to the atmosphere. Measuring the line set is also critical for weighing the charge properly, as long lines have special considerations.

When doing the decay test, use a quality vacuum rig and try to keep the micron gauge as far away from the pump as possible. Cleaning line sets also helps your vacuum results by getting rid of oil and moisture within the lines.

Flowing nitrogen while brazing and sweeping with nitrogen are two other important installation/commissioning practices. They may seem idealistic, but it's easy to adopt these practices widely and reduce problematic scale buildup.

Methods for setting airflow have changed over time. Nowadays, the best practice is to take a volumetric flow measurement (such as with a TrueFlow grid).

Jim and Bryan also discuss:

Preventing callbacks and warranty returns
Evacuation and dehydration
Factory practices
One-hose evacuation with large hoses
Flushing the line sets with pigs
Nitrogen flow regulators
"Airflow before charging" and metering devices
Special considerations for MicroChannel coils

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.

Check out our handy calculators HERE.

Check out information on the 2022 HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium/.

3D Load & Energy Calcs w/ Duct Design Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

Russ King joins us for a short podcast episode about using 3D load and energy calculations with duct design. Russ has developed the Kwik Model 3D software program with the help of his son, Connor.

Kwik Model 3D uses a video game platform to build a house out of boxes instead of a sketch. The software has evolved and been integrated into EnergyGauge to do load and energy calculations based on a house's geometry. Kwik Model makes it easy and fun to create that geometry profile for a home, which makes building design and load calculation attractive to technicians. Software like Kwik Model may especially become popular as Generation Z steps into the workforce; we can expect the learning curve to be quite shallow for the digital generation.

The Manual J calculation uses the home's characteristics in Kwik Model and does all of the mathematical calculations in EnergyGauge for an advanced load calculation. KwikModel then receives those calculations for each room. Then, you can draw the ductwork and use an auto-size function to get the proper duct size based on the calculations.

Energy simulations use several load calculations with advanced data to figure out what the energy usage will look like in a home with a certain set of load conditions.

Russ and Bryan also discuss: