HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.
Episodes
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr and guest Ty Branaman have an in-depth, hands-on conversation about the philosophy, structure, and impact of GRIT Camps—workshops designed to introduce kids to the trades through immersive, practical experiences. The episode opens with reflections on a recent successful GRIT Camp in New Jersey, where both mentors and children gained new skills...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about band-aids, hacks, and ethics. He explores ethical "band-aid" solutions and how to charge for them. He also covers the difference between patching up equipment ethically and unethical repairs.
Temporary fixes and ugly permanent fixes fall into the ethical gray area for a lot of people, especially if technicians or HVAC busi...
In this episode, Bryan and Roman dive deep into the world of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, focusing on the persistent issue of compressor failures. VRF technology has evolved, and it has seen a major rise in the North American market since the early 2010s. Roman shares his passion for VRF, tracing its origins back to 1982 and explaining how it earned the nickname “chiller killer” by replaci...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about some no-serve situations he's encountered as a technician and HVAC business owner. He also talks about situations that may be unpleasant but aren't quite no-serve situations.
Some common and obvious no-serve situations are when a client threatens a technician, especially with lawsuits, bad reviews, or even bodily harm. How...
In this informative HVAC podcast episode, Bryan and Bert dive deep into the complex world of locked and internal overload compressors, focusing specifically on single-phase residential units. The discussion begins with Ber...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers some unique electrical cases: when 0v isn't safe.
When you measure voltage, you're finding out the electrical potential between two points. Just because there is 0v between one point and another doesn't mean there will be 0v between those points and other points. Non-contact voltage detectors are good tools that measure the flu...
In this episode, Bryan and Bert dive into the often misunderstood world of compressor testing, focusing on common mistakes technicians make when using ohmmeters, compressor testers, and megohm meters. The conversation highlights how diagnostic errors can lead to unnecessarily condemned compressors and wasted time and resources.
The hosts begin by ...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about what the ambient rating means on a motor. These ratings can be found on both condensing fan motors and blower motors. They have Cs in their rating, which represents the maximum ambient temperature the motor can handle in degrees Celsius (like 40C or 60C).
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan discusses superheat with guest JD, who recently co-authored an article on the topic with Ty Branaman. The conversation explores the often misunderstood concept of superheat, its importance in HVAC diagnostics, and common misconceptions technicians have when measuring and interpreting it.
Bryan...
In this short podcast, Bryan talks about how to deal with too much at work and in life. He gives some practical tips to help you when you feel overwhelmed.
One of the best ways to get ahead is to wake up early, exercise, get sunlight, stay hydrated, eat healthy, and get enough sleep. Taking care of yourself and giving yourself ample opportunities to set your mind and bod...
Bryan from HVAC School interviews JD Kelly, known as "student of HVAC" on Instagram, about Delta T measurements in HVAC systems. This episode dives into the fundamentals of Delta T, common misconceptions, and proper measurement techniques.
JD explains that Delta T is simply a temperature difference between two points of the same medium, which is o...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about fire sprinklers and how to avoid setting them off on job sites.
Fire sprinklers have an element in the center that expands when exposed to heat (like a TXV sensing bulb) and breaks the glass. When the glass breaks, the fire sprinkler starts pouring out water. In some cases, fire sprinklers are linked to a larger fire suppr...
In this engaging session, David Richardson breaks down the concept of high-performance HVAC, offering a clear roadmap for industry professionals looking to elevate their craft. Richardson argues that the HVAC industry has long been focused on equipment rather than complete systems, leading to widespread inefficiencies. The average system delivers only about 57% of its rated capacity into b...
In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Phil, the executive electrical team leader at Kalos who has transitioned into the world of estimating. Phil shares his extensive background in electrical work dating back to 1994, from his high school electrical elective to running his own business for eight years before joining Kalos and eventually establishing their es...
In this short podcast, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about Nylog, oil, and where you put them when you're making flares.
Nylog is a thickened refrigerant oil (which is either POE for Nylog Blue or mineral oil for Nylog Red), and it's miscible with the refrigerant and moves with it through the circuit. You don't want to put excess Nylog on valves, but a smal...
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan and Jim discuss strategies for growing an HVAC business, focusing on the importance of maintenance contracts, consistent service, and effective branding. Drawing from Jim's 15 years of experience running a successful HVAC company in California, they explore how maintenance contracts not only provide consistent revenue but also create valuab...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about oversized evaporator coils, particularly when they're half a ton or a full ton larger than the condenser.
The expanded performance data contains the information that'll tell you whether the coil is right for the system. However, when it comes to the specific issue of oversizing, there is a c...
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan sits down with building science expert Allison Bailes to dive deep into the world of Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs). The conversation explores the critical role of ventilation in modern homes, highlighting how ERVs have become an essential component of maintaining indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Bailes breaks down the tec...
In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question asking whether you can use another surge protector at the disconnect panel with an ICM 493 already in place.
Using multiple surge protectors in the configuration described does NOT count as daisy-chaining. Surge protectors with MOVs (metal oxide varistors) shunt current from high voltage to ground...
In this podcast episode, HVAC professionals Chris Hughes and Adam Mufich discuss the intricate challenges technicians face when commissioning modern inverter-based heating and cooling systems. Unlike traditional single-stage or two-stage HVAC equipment, inverter systems introduce a new level of complexity that can leave even experienced technicians feeling uncertain about proper installati...
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