HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Latest Episodes:

A History in HVAC Chemical Chemistry w/ John & Mike Pastorello Feb 13, 2022

Show notes

In this live podcast from AHR Expo 2022, John and Mike Pastorello of Refrigeration Technologies give us a history lesson in HVAC chemical chemistry. They also explain what it takes to make a truly beneficial product for the industry.

From the beginning, Refrigeration Technologies has focused on solving problems instead of jumping on product trends. Before Big Blu was introduced, technicians had to rely on less-than-reliable electronic leak detectors and poor-quality soap bubbles. So, John Pastorello learned about the fundamentals of foaming and bubbles to create a leak reactant that works, even creating microbubbles for tiny leaks.

Nylog has a similar origin story, and it has evolved to work for both mineral oil (red) and POE (blue) systems. As with Big Blu, John ran several tests to make sure the Nylog was compatible with HVAC equipment and did not cause contamination.

The Viper Pan & Drain Treatment was developed to replace pan tabs, which failed to remove the dead biological material in drains. The spray coats the whole pan and dissolves sludge with enzymes.

The Venom Packs are highly concentrated cleaners that arose from a move to consolidate the chemical line into something lighter, smaller, and faster. (Think about laundry detergent pods.) So, Venom Packs were inspired by laundry detergent and developed into a concentrated product line with recommended dilution ratios.

Mike, John, Jessica, and Bryan also discuss:

All the considerations that go into creating a leak reactant
"Controversial" uses for Nylog
Nylog white pipe dope for gas, water, air, and glycol
Overcoming drain/pan odors
Enzyme-based cleaning
Safety considerations with HVAC chemicals
Durability of Venom Pack packaging
Family businesses
Women in the business

Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies at refrigtech.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.

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

Upgrades and Proposals That Lead to Clarity & Profit w/ Michael Housh Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

Michael Housh returns to the podcast to discuss upgrades and proposals that are worth considering. These upgrades and proposals can actually benefit the customer AND lead to clarity and profit without turning you into a white-shirt tech.

When assessing a system for replacement, it's a good idea to look at the airflow side by measuring static pressure AND using a flow grid; these practices set you apart from others and supply you with good data about system sizing. Filtration is another area where you can consider upgrades and proposals; customers generally want to keep their air clean and may be happy to pay for better filtration, fresh air, and de/humidification.

Surge protection is a high-value upgrade that many customers may benefit from, especially if the electrical company allows overvoltage or the customer has a voltage-sensitive ECM or inverter system. Some upgrades are useful and can be offered automatically (the customer can decline it); depending on the climate, a humidifier or dehumidifier may fit into that category.

Proposals are a chance to put all of the offers on the table and allow the customer to select and decline whatever they want. When we adopt this business method, we would be wise to remove our egos from the process.

Some processes that add clarity to proposals include creating checklists and taking lots of pictures for the customer. You'll also create trust between you and the customer when you establish that clarity.

Michael and Bryan also discuss:

HVAC industry game-changers
Profit margins
Free quoting
Fresh air considerations
Consistent overvoltage
Metal oxide varistors (MOVs) and the ICM493
IAQ monitors
Attic infiltration and can lights
Proposal verbiage and templates
Callbacks and consultations

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/.

Free Tech Support w/ Clifton Beck Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

In this short podcast episode, Clifton Beck joins us to talk about Bluon's free tech support and resources available to technicians and installers.

Clifton has been very in touch with the HVAC technician community since he got his start in the trades, and he has taken that into tech support. He has noticed that the inefficiency in our industry tends to come from poorly learned practices, and working in tech support is a way for him to do his part to spread better practices while helping others.

Lately, Bluon has become more of a tech support business. The new shift to focus on innovation has prompted Bluon to shift from making equipment more efficient to making technicians more efficient. The whole HVAC industry relies on that progression from developing on equipment to people.

Tech support consists of answering calls but also creating training videos and creating layers of technician education and development. Manuals are just part of the picture; tech support helps with part identification AND the sequence of operations. Tech support reduces the amount of time it takes to learn about a part or locate components, which makes technicians more efficient and strengthens our industry.

Overall, tech support calls are opportunities to train technicians to do better; they don't just have to give away simple answers that don't really help anyone.

Clifton and Bryan also discuss:

Bluon's growth
Trends in tech support calls
Tech support and community involvement
Feeling accomplished as a tech support representative

Learn more about Bluon's free tech support on the Bluon app, or you can check out bluon.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.

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

Blower Doors Don't Need to Be So Confusing w/ Genry Garcia Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

Genry Garcia returns to the podcast to talk about blower doors and why ACH50 may needlessly complicate efforts to tighten a building envelope.

A large element of indoor comfort comes down to controlling the load, especially the latent load. Even though we can control indoor humidity sources, we may also deal with infiltration, which contributes to a high latent load and decreases comfort. The blower door test comes in when we can no longer control the load and need to determine how much infiltration is happening.

When using blower doors, we would typically use an ACH50 test, which takes the CFM50 (cubic feet per minute that the blower door moves to get the house up or down to 50 Pascals) and translates it to air changes per hour at 50 Pa. To do that, you would need to find the volume of the space, which adds hurdles that the HVAC technician needs to deal with.

However, Genry prefers using the CFM50 and factoring in the square footage and LAIR (leakage area infiltration ratio) to determine how tight a house is; he doesn't focus on the building's volume. To decrease the leakage, it's best to stay focused on the CFM50 the entire time; worrying about the ACH50 just adds an extra step that we don't necessarily use.

Genry and Bryan also discuss:

Connecting design and execution
Attic encapsulation
How to use LAIR
Ceiling height and stack effect
Blower door testing for code compliance vs. comfort consultation/diagnostics
Common duct problems in new constructions
Balancing supply ducts
Automation of communicating controls
IAQ products and dehumidification

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/.

Introduction to Psychrometrics w/ Eugene Silberstein Feb 01, 2022

Show notes

Eugene Silberstein, a co-author of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (RACT manual), joins the podcast to give us an introduction to psychrometrics. Psychrometrics focuses on the properties of air and its contents, especially as they relate to human comfort.

To understand psychrometrics, we need to be able to quantify air: its weight, humidity, pressure, etc. We can do a better job as technicians if we figure out the air's content and see how it relates to the CFM and overall unit performance. That way, we can have a more holistic view of HVAC performance instead of just focusing on adding or recovering refrigerant to improve performance.

The psychrometrics chart helps us understand the conditions of the air based on quantities like water vapor, dew point, and more. The chart may intimidate techs, but it contains a wealth of information that can help technicians understand the air and the customer's comfort better.

Basic psychrometrics can also help us grasp why furnaces don't actually dry out air; they pull the moisture out of the air and pull it back in, so the absolute humidity stays close to the same. However, we commonly add humidifiers because the relative humidity drops with the temperature rise.

Eugene and Bryan also discuss:

How air filters and blower motors interact with the air
Things that affect the weight of air per cubic foot
Humidifying air and its effect on the density of air
High-pressure air moving to an area of lower pressure
How latent heat works
Pressure and the atmosphere
Absolute vs. relative humidity

Learn about ESCO's e-learning network at hvacr.elearn.network/ and Psychrometrics Without Tears HERE. ESCO also holds the HVAC Excellence Conference; learn more about that 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/.

Prepare For Refrigerant Changes w/ Brandon Marshall Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

Brandon Marshall, Chemours's North American marketing manager for thermal and specialized solutions, joins the podcast to discuss refrigerant changes that are coming and how we can prepare for those. Brandon started in the industry by going to a technical school when he was 14 and has been hard at work ever since, studying light commercial design and going to college in between.

Local and global regulations have changed a lot over the years and continue to change as we continue maximizing our equipment's efficiency. California will soon start switching to low-GWP refrigerant on new equipment in 2025; even R-410A can't be used in new equipment. We will begin seeing the rise of A2L refrigerants and moving away from the A1 refrigerants that are more detrimental to the environment; we'll have to focus on safety as we begin working with more flammable refrigerants.

As new refrigerants get off the ground, we can expect increased communication between manufacturers and dealers to prepare for the sale of equipment built for the new refrigerants. Although we can't confirm anything, Brandon has speculated that the EPA will soon follow in California's regulatory footsteps when it comes to new equipment and R-410A.

It's a good idea to stay educated, subscribe to A2L newsletters, and follow HVAC trends in Europe to predict what might come next in North America.

Brandon and Bryan also discuss:

Educational resources about refrigerants
What "mildly flammable" actually means
European HVAC equipment
Chemours at the AHR Expo

Learn more about Chemours A2L training at opteon.com or Opteon's YouTube channel. Check out what Chemours has in store at the AHR Expo at https://www.opteon.com/en/ahrexpo.

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/.

The History and Future of Refrigerants w/ Chuck Allgood Jan 25, 2022

Show notes

Chuck Allgood with Chemours joins the podcast to cover the history of refrigerants and discuss what the future might hold.

In the late 1800s, before Freon, the only refrigerants that were used were industrial chemicals like ammonia, CO2, and sulfur dioxide. DuPont stepped in to provide a better refrigerant for industrial refrigeration (which then spurred the rise of domestic refrigeration), so they created a non-toxic, non-flammable chemical called Freon-12 (CFC R-12) in 1928.

However, in the 1970s-1980s, it was discovered that R-12 and other CFCs depleted the ozone layer due to the chlorine content. R-12 production was banned in the 1990s per the Montreal Protocol. HCFCs like R-22 also have chlorine but in smaller concentrations; those phaseouts have been much more recent. Following news of the HCFC phaseout, HFCs and refrigerant blends became more popular because their ozone depletion potentials were 0.

Although HFCs don't deplete the ozone layer, some of them have high global warming potential (GWP). Regulations stemming from the Kigali Amendment, such as the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, have been introduced to phase down the production of HFCs to slow global warming due to refrigerants.

HFOs have recently been developed to replace HFCs; these have olefins, which are double-carbon bonds with short atmospheric lifespans. So, they don't contribute to global warming as significantly as HFCs and have GWPs of less than 1.

Chuck and Bryan also discuss:

What Willis Carrier really invented
Chlorine and ozone depletion
Development of refrigerant blends
Freon vs. Opteon branding
Refrigerants and the greenhouse effect
Oil lubricants
Best practices for mildly flammable refrigerants
Timeline of Opteon line refrigerant releases

Learn more about Chemours A2L training at opteon.com or Opteon's YouTube channel. Check out what Chemours has in store at the AHR Expo at https://www.opteon.com/en/ahrexpo.

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/.

Overcoming Conflict at Work w/ Andy Holt Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

Andy Holt joins the podcast to discuss the ever-relevant topic of overcoming conflict at work.

Some people end up in conflicts often, so Andy recommends paying attention to how others react to the conflict you have perceived; if you are much more stressed than everyone else, then you need to look internally, not externally. The first step to overcoming conflict is to slow down and think about your reactions to perceived conflicts.

Partaking in bickering and gossip with coworkers creates a negative environment for the entire team; the best way to avoid or resolve conflicts is to handle them directly and sincerely ask the other party to start over. Overall, it's best to take the high road and take initiative to make things right.

When dealing with conflict with bosses, it's best to separate emotion from the facts and keep discussions simply factual. It's good to be open, honest, and understand that you can't control your boss's response. As a boss dealing with employee conflict, it's a good idea to avoid firing on the spot and give employees a chance to think about the conflict at hand, such as by giving them a paid "cool-off period."

Customer conflicts may arise from pricing issues. The technician can ease tensions by quoting jobs up front and bundling services to show the customer where the value is. To resolve conflicts with customers, the best thing to do is be attentive to their concerns.

Andy and Bryan also discuss:

"Designing" a reaction
Dealing with big egos
Letting people go
Working towards agreements vs. forcing bargains
Dealing with hot tempers
Taking ownership of comfort problems
MeasureQuick and fact-based conversations

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/.

Commercial HVAC Estimating Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

Matthew and Nick Wavra join the podcast to discuss everything that goes into job estimation in commercial HVAC. Nick has a lot of fieldwork and project management experience, and Matthew has marketing, software, and sales experience, which helps bring in and retain clients.

Commercial estimation begins when a mechanical contractor asks for a bid on a job. The estimators go through the spec books, bidding documents, and any addendums to come up with takeoffs and a price. The estimator seeks approval from manufacturers to build the materials, and they use software to come up with an estimate. The pricing updates weekly to stay current and accurate in an economy that's currently facing inflation.

Estimators develop takeoffs for materials and labor; each material has some sort of labor attached to it, though the labor estimates may need to be adjusted as conditions change.

Commercial contractors may make mistakes when they miss equipment or elevation considerations (when estimating labor). On-screen takeoff options significantly reduce the risk of creating mistakes, so it may be unwise for contractors to do takeoffs by hand instead of using software to help.

Matthew, Nick, and Bryan also discuss:

Sheet metal price increases
Software vs. man-made takeoffs
DX piping vs. chilled water boilers
Estimation in HVAC vs. refrigeration
CRM (customer relationship management)
Developing a commercial HVAC estimation training course
Finding a niche in the HVAC estimation business

Look for Nick and Matthew at the AHR Expo 2022 in Las Vegas! They will be at booth N9142 in North Hall.

Learn more about Matthew and Nick's business by visiting hvacestimation.com/ or by calling Nick directly at (238)-900-6330.

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/.

Furnace Sequence of Operation - Short 137 Dec 28, 2021

Show notes

In this short podcast episode, Bryan goes over the basic gas furnace sequence of operations. There are a few variations, but the sequence of operations tends to stay consistent across most furnace types.

First, a W call from the thermostat calls for heat. The circuit board will then assess the safeties to see if it can bring on the heat without causing flame rollout or other dangerous conditions. If the safety switches are all closed, then the furnace can bring on the heat. However, in some cases, the induced draft motor may come on first in some 80% furnaces. There needs to be a small negative pressure in the induced draft motor housing. To confirm that we have that pressure, a pressure switch will close under the right conditions.

Then, ignition begins. In most cases, we use intermittent-spark ignition (ISI) or hot-surface ignition (HSI). It takes some time for these methods to light the pilot, which then lights the main burner. After that, the gas valve opens to fuel the burner. On an ISI system, that's about it until the blower comes on. However, once the main burner opens on an HSI system, a flame sensing rod can verify if you have a flame on that burner. There is a blower delay that prevents the blower from coming on and blowing a bunch of air that hasn't yet been heated.

After that, the blower delay ends, and the blower comes on. Then, the furnace shuts off when the W call ends. Then the blower continues running for a little bit before turning off.

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/.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected