Podcast
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Hosted by Bryan Orr · EN
Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.
68episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
R290 as a Drop In? - Short #234
Apr 1, 202500:07:35Tap to summarizeIn this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about using R-290 as a drop-in refrigerant for R-22 systems. It is NOT safe to use R-290 as a drop-in, but there are some similar properties between the two and some interesting thought experiments within this topic. R-290 is propane, a hydrocarbon that belongs to the family of natural refrigerants. R-22 is an HCFC refrigerant that has undergone a manufacturing/importation phaseout in the USA. They are both single-component refrigerants, not blends. Both of them have similar operating pressures and oil carry. However, the latent heat of vaporization of R-290 is almost double that of R-22, which makes it extremely effective as a refrigerant. The main issue with using R-290 is that it is highly flammable and explosive (A3), and it has very small charges (500 grams). Around 2010, some people started selling R-290 blends as drop-in alternatives for R-22. In theory, that combination would work very well, but it is not a safe or legal option. R-290 is currently used in sealed, self-contained equipment. However, it could be the future, especially if our industry goes for refrigerants with lower GWPs and uses flame-free fittings and tubing cutters. It's also worth noting that A2L refrigerants do not contain R-290 or any other hydrocarbons, but it is possible that the industry will gradually embrace the more flammable refrigerants like R-290. 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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Preventing Slugging & Flooding w/ Copeland
Mar 27, 202500:34:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan welcomes Jeff from Copeland to discuss the critical topic of flooding and slugging in compressors. Jeff, calling in from frigid Minnesota (at negative 19°F), explains the differences between these harmful conditions and how they can damage compressor systems. The conversation begins by differentiating between flood back and flooded starts. Flood back occurs during system operation when control of the evaporator is lost, often due to airflow issues. Flooded starts happen after the system has been off, when refrigerant migrates to the compressor oil. Both conditions can lead to slugging - when liquid refrigerant enters the compression chamber, causing immediate damage to valves and internal components. While flood back and flooded starts may cause gradual damage over time, slugging can break compressor components instantly. Jeff emphasizes that proper superheat levels are essential for compressor health, with most Copeland compressors requiring about 20 degrees of superheat at the compressor suction line. The discussion covers various preventative measures, including pump down systems, properly installed crankcase heaters, and the importance of maintaining appropriate refrigerant charge. Jeff notes that many technicians incorrectly assume crankcase heaters are only needed in cold climates, when they're actually crucial for preventing refrigerant migration in any environment. Key Topics Covered: The difference between flood back (during operation) and flooded starts (when the system restarts) How slugging causes immediate damage to compressors while flooding causes progressive damage The importance of maintaining proper superheat (typically 20 degrees at the compressor) Common causes of flood back: dirty filters, improper airflow, duct problems, and incomplete defrosting How refrigerant is attracted to compressor oil even in vapor form Prevention strategies: pump down systems, proper crankcase heater installation and verification The impact of line sizing and total refrigerant charge on system reliability Why compressors are designed for vapor-in/vapor-out operation, not liquid handling The importance of consulting OEM literature and Copeland resources when troubleshooting Why it's critical to identify and fix the underlying cause before replacing a failed compressor 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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What is the Best Brand? - Short #233
Mar 25, 202500:08:40Tap to summarizeIn this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question: what is the best brand of equipment for residential new construction? A lot of people have their own personal preferences when it comes to brands, whether that's with equipment, tools, or even cars. However, when it comes to HVAC equipment, there are a lot of factors that come into play, especially as far as local support is concerned. Are the distributors and territory managers accessible? Reliable? Bryan's personal preferences deal a lot with American (or at least North American) manufacturing and the strength of their local support in the Central Florida market. Some manufacturers have excellent base products but weak product lines, and others have weak base products but great specialized equipment. These judgments come from personal experience, and that's especially true of large manufacturers. Bryan recommends taking a measured, slow approach to products you deal with and then choosing the one that works best for your market and customers. You may find yourself gravitating towards equipment with certain components (like Copeland compressors, for example). You may gravitate towards manufacturers that take feedback about their products and have great local support. The "best brand" really depends on your experiences, values, and business needs. 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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Helping Small Owners Succeed w/ WorkHero
Mar 20, 202500:33:58Tap to summarizeJoin Bryan Orr and Furman Haynes from WorkHero for a great discussion about how to keep HVAC local and help more small owners succeed. Live from AHR Expo 2025, we get to hear from one of the founders of an exciting new company that is offering expert office management that small HVAC business owners can afford. Bryan also talks with Furman about a survey that HVAC School and WorkHero recently conducted that received over 1,300 responses and yielded fascinating data about the day-to-day challenges of running HVAC businesses. Key topics covered: The challenges small HVAC business owners face with administrative work How the average small business owner spends 15.4 hours per week on non-revenue generating tasks The impact of private equity consolidation on local HVAC businesses How AI and human expertise can work together to support small contractors The importance of preserving craftsmanship and technical excellence in local HVAC businesses Ways to help small business owners focus on growth while reducing administrative burden Whether you're a small business owner looking to optimize your operations or simply interested in the future of local HVAC, this conversation offers valuable insights into maintaining the soul of our industry while embracing new technologies and solutions. Learn about Helping Small Owners Succeed with WorkHero! View results of Industry Pulse Survey at https://hvacrschool.com/industrypulse/ Work Hero website: www.workhero.pro 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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MeasureQuick Talks with Bert
Mar 18, 202500:13:32Tap to summarizeIn this livestream MeasureQuick Talks with Bert. This is an impromptu Talk with industry leaders, including Shelby Breger from Conduit and Joe Medosch from MeasureQuick, about how mobile technology is revolutionizing HVAC diagnostics and training. Featuring special guests discussing how modern tools like MeasureQuick and other diagnostic apps are making it easier for technicians of all experience levels to perform advanced diagnostics and build customer trust. Key Topics: How technicians can leverage mobile technology for better diagnostics Using tablets and phones for real-time HVAC measurements Making technical data accessible and meaningful for customers Bridging the gap between experienced techs and new talent The future of HVAC diagnostics and training How technology can help attract new talent to the trades Recorded live at AHR Expo 2025 with special guests from MeasureQuick and other industry leaders. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the trade, learn how modern diagnostic tools can help take your HVAC business to the next level. 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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Creating a Business Where Everyone Wins w/ Tommy Mello
Oct 26, 2023Tap to summarizeSkilled trades entrepreneur Tommy Mello joins the podcast to talk about creating a business where everyone wins: business owners, employees, vendors, AND customers. Tommy's main motivations in business are relationship-building and helping employees make a good living. Those motivations contribute to the development of company culture; even though cultures build themselves naturally, developing the right leaders will help build a positive company culture that values all employees equally. Tommy trains leaders to develop their strengths, shows them that they are valued, and gives them the resources they need to succeed. When companies grow, communication tools and project management technologies need to be standardized to help organize the company, including using checklists and SOPs. Departments also need to keep their focus on the company's main goal, not just the success of their division. The goal is to make sure that people are aware of their responsibilities early on and on board with the company's vision. To get the right people on board in the first place, we can improve our recruiting processes if we use social media to recruit talent—people who already have a job and are proven in their roles. Tommy also sees recruiting as a constant process that happens everywhere in the community and requires communication and follow-up. Tommy and Bryan also cover: Tommy's business: A1 Garage Doors Service Training leaders Allocating responsibilities and getting the right people on the bus Not punishing people for mistakes Unifying competition and collaboration Striking a balance of go-getting and humility Hiring for your weaknesses Tommy's new book, Elevate Building a legacy around serving others Seeing everyone as an individual instead of a representative Pricing and integrity Check out Tommy's latest book, Elevate, at http://elevateandwin.com/. You can also learn more about his 2023 Freedom event in Orlando from Nov 1-3, 2023, at https://freedomevent.com/. Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24. 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.
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ERV & HRV - Short #148
Jun 21, 2022Tap to summarizeIn this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about ERV and HRV technologies, including their appropriate applications and limitations. HRVs are heat recovery ventilators (not to be confused with heat recovery units or HRUs), and ERVs are energy recovery ventilators. The main difference between these two lies in the type of heat they move; HRVs only move sensible BTUs, whereas ERVs move sensible and latent BTUs. As you bring air in from outside, you're discharging roughly the same amount of air (though modern technologies allow you to manipulate the pressure a bit more). The goal of the HRV or ERV is to recover some energy from the air exiting the structure and incorporate it into the incoming airstream. The airstreams cross over each other, and there is heat transfer but not air mixing. (ERVs also allow for the exchange of moisture.) Two fans drive the direction of energy flow, and a mesh or a porous desiccant medium facilitates the interaction between the airstreams. You will get some energy savings with an HRV or ERV, but savings are dictated by the amount of air moved and the temperature differential between the airstreams. In general, you will see HRVs up north (in low-humidity markets) and ERVs down south (in higher latent-heat markets). However, even ERVs aren't very effective in conditions with low energy transfer and high moisture UNLESS they're used with a ventilating dehumidifier. Bringing in fresh air is good for indoor health and safety, as it helps dilute the presence of VOCs, viruses, and harmful gases. HRVs and ERVs help us manage the air we bring in. Bryan also covers: Integrating ERVs with bathroom ventilation Safety considerations to consider for outdoor air Positive pressurization Demand ventilation with CO2 sensors Learning about ASHRAE 62.2 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.
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Commercial HVAC Estimating
Dec 30, 2021Tap to summarizeMatthew 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/.
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