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HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bryan Orr
Real training for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 3 days ago1h 6m
Mastering Your Meter Advanced Functionality with Louise Kellar (UEi Test Instruments)
In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Louise Kellar of UEi Test Instruments for a deep dive into getting more out of a digital clamp meter than the basic volts, amps, and ohms most techs rely on every day. The tool in the spotlight is UEi's High Accuracy Clamp Meter (HAC), which is accurate when dealing with the low current draws common on modern condenser fan and blower motors and is critical for reliable wattage and capacitor-under-load testing. The podcast also walks through a series of lesser-used but valuable meter functions, including microamp measurement for flame rectification testing, diode testing for diagnosing boards on mini-splits, the Low Z setting for eliminating ghost voltage readings and safely bleeding capacitors, and the safety-locking temperature toggle that prevents technicians from accidentally crossing voltage and thermocouple leads. Bryan and Louise also cover common mistakes, such as not knowing when to use continuity or resistance and auto-ranging mistakes, as well as some crucial takeaways about true RMS measurements, temperature settings, and CAT safety ratings. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources UEi products, manuals, and resources HVAC Multimeter Skills: Continuity vs. Resistance & Diode Testing (video) CAT Ratings on Electrical Multimeters (tech tip) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
- 5 days ago22 min
Premature Coil Failure in Ductless Mini-Splits & VRF Equipment - Short #303
In this short podcast, Bryan and Roman discuss premature coil failure in ductless mini-splits and VRF equipment. These coils are susceptible to a few different types of corrosion. Warmer coil saturation temperatures and shorter runtimes result in lower latent capacity; whatever moisture is on the coil dries on the coil instead of draining out. Minerals and chemicals (including chlorides from bleach or cleaners) interact with the coil and may cause corrosion, including formicary ("ant's nest") corrosion. Leaks and corrosion may be environmental rather than entirely attributable to manufacturer defects. Technicians can use proper cleaners with correct dilution ratios and rinse the coils. In situations where the environment contributes to coil corrosion, such as with substances off-gassing or dealing with coastal air, we will need to dilute the pollutants by ensuring proper ventilation. Dilution needs to be intentional, especially in hot-humid climates, and ventilating dehumidifiers with good filtration may be a good move. Source control and filtration are also good mitigation strategies, and clear, open client communication can help clients understand the problem and make informed decisions about their HVAC system. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Fieldpiece. Resources Coil Corrosion w/ Kevin Hart and Bryan Orr Living in a World of Acids (and why HVAC coils are secretly crying for help) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question <li class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bo
- 1 weeks ago1h 12m
Advanced Refrigerant Recovery: Best Practices for Diverse Systems and Environments
In this live episode, Bryan sits down with Jim Bergmann of measureQuick and NAVAC trainers Zane and Jesse Stewart for a deep, technician-focused conversation about advanced refrigerant recovery. The group covers diverse system types and environments, including low-ambient recovery. Recovery machines cannot pump straight liquid, which we need to be mindful of during service. That said, vapor-only recovery works fine for small charges, but push-pull recovery becomes worthwhile once a system holds more than roughly ten pounds of refrigerant. Refrigerant and tank contamination, as well as general safety (including tank fill limitations), are a couple of other field challenges worth considering in our recovery best practices. Some best practices to take away from this episode include attaching to the vapor side of the tank (and inverting it), pulling Schrader cores, using large hoses instead of manifold gauges, and keeping the recovery tank cool to eliminate restrictions. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources: Don't Overfill Recovery Tank Cylinders the Easy Way Recovery Tank Safety Recovery Tank Capacity Push-Pull Recovery Recovery Best Practices w/ NAVAC HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
- 1 weeks ago17 min
The A2L & Refrigerant Transition - Short #302
In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman talk about the A2L & refrigerant transition again, particularly sensors on R-454B and R-32 equipment. Since the beginning of the A2L transition, we have seen the equipment evolve and begin requiring accessories, including refrigerant sensors and blower recirculation systems (BRS) or dissipation boards. In a BRS, the blower turns on and dilutes the refrigerant in the space to keep the refrigerant concentration below the lower flammability limit (LFL) and prevent ignition. Some systems may also have isolation valves and pump themselves down whenever the A2L sensor trips. These sensors use MOS technology, which measures gas changes by tracking electrical connectivity shifts; they have limited lifespans and can become corrupted over time. In the field, you may notice a running fan without the outdoor unit running. Some diagnostic boards might give you error codes, but if you don't and don't have 24V when you troubleshoot the issue, you may want to check the sensor. The sensors could be wet, tripped by VOCs, or even have been cut out. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, TruTech Tools, Fieldpiece, and Filtrete. Resources A2L Dissipation Boards and Leak Sensors HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
- 2 weeks ago1h 0m
Invented For Techs, by Techs: Inside Refrigeration Technologies' "The Lab"
In this episode, Bryan sits down with Mike Passarello, owner of Refrigeration Technologies, and Ashley Lins, director of education and brand management for Viper, to talk about the company's roots, its newest product launches, and where the brand is headed next. Mike, a second-generation owner who took over from his father John Passarello in 2017, explains that the company was built on a "for techs by techs" philosophy after John, an HVAC technician with a chemistry background, began inventing products to solve his own field problems. Nearly 40 years later — with the company approaching its anniversary in 2027 — that same tech-first mentality still guides everything from Nylog to Heat Shield to the newly announced product lab. Much of the conversation centers on Easy Dose, the first product to come out of Refrigeration Technologies' new "lab" initiative, which invites field technicians with promising ideas to bring them to the company for development and distribution. Easy Dose is a gravity-fed pan-and-drain maintenance system built around the company's existing Pan & Drain treatment, designed to deliver consistent dosing to multiple points in a condensate pan without relying on motors, apps, or other complexity. Ashley and Mike walk through the roughly year-long testing and development process behind the product, the dosing guidance contractors give homeowners, and a maintenance-tracking sticker included with each unit that keeps contractors engaged for ongoing service rather than a one-and-done install. The discussion also digs into the science and safety philosophy behind the company's chemistry. Mike and Ashley explain why Pan & Drain treatment uses enzymes rather than bleach tablets or strips — enzymes break down biological buildup (zooglea) at the source instead of just killing it and leaving residue behind — and why the company has stayed committed to safer, properly diluted chemistries even when more aggressive competitors promise faster results. Bryan and the guests share candid stories about chemical injuries from overly corrosive products, the misconception that "non-acid" cleaners are automatically safe, and why matching dilution to soil level protects both technicians and equipment. The episode closes with a deep dive into Nylog — what it actually is, why it doesn't cause the contamination or warranty issues some technicians believe, and the difference between Nylog Red (mineral oil systems) and Nylog Blue (POE, PVE, and A2L-compatible systems), with Blue recommended for most trucks today. Mike and Ashley also touch on the company's rapid growth, including four consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings, ongoing hiring across sales, marketing, and warehouse roles, and plans to formally launch the product-idea lab program by the end of the year. They close by inviting listeners to connect on social media and stop by the Refrigeration Technologies booth at the AHR Expo in Chicago. Topics Covered • Refrigeration Technologies' history and "for techs by techs" founding philosophy • The new product "lab" program for bringing outside technician inventions to market • Easy Dose: how the gravity-fed pan-and-drain dosing system works and why it was developed • Product testing and development timeline for new launches • Pan & Drain treatment's enzyme-based approach versus tablets and strips <!-- [
- 2 weeks ago22 min
The Ethics of IAQ – Testing vs. Remediation Conflicts - Short #301
In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman talk about the ethics of IAQ, particularly in terms of microbial growth testing vs. remediation conflicts, based on Roman's recent experience hiring a mold assessor and then a remediation expert in his home. Remediation is governed by S520 of the IICRC. Microbial growth is tricky because it is often hidden and has real health effects, but there is a history of fraud in its assessment and remediation. To help combat that fraud, in Florida, assessment and remediation are two separate practices with two separate licenses. Roman got to see the differences in action by working with different assessment and remediation professionals and witnessing how the two practices depend on each other but differ. First, an assessor came to Roman's house with testing equipment and a means of collecting lab samples; this assessment started outdoors and continued indoors, and the assessor produced a thorough 87-page report with the tool findings, lab findings, and pictures. As with HVAC, the results are based on science and data, and reputable assessors are licensed, independent, and have the tools and training to carry out the job without using scare tactics on homeowners. After the assessment, remediation must be done separately. In Roman's home, all equipment was isolated, and the house was brought under negative pressure with HEPA filtration. There was also surface cleaning and HEPA vacuuming. Then, after remediation, there is a post-remediation verification (PRV). The PRV is carried out by a mold assessor, not a remediator, and determines whether the remediator did their job (and in some states, like Florida, there are criminal penalties for referral payments between assessors and remediators). A PRV consists of IAQ tests and lab measurements, and the results should reveal lower numbers than the original assessment and the outdoor air. 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 8th 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.
- 3 weeks ago43 min
Is 400 CFM per Ton Always Right? w/ Ty
400 CFM per ton is useful—until it isn't. In this episode, Bryan and Ty take on one of the trade's favorite rules of thumb. It can be a reasonable starting point for many systems under moderate, near-sea-level conditions, but it is not a universal target. Proper airflow depends on actual delivered capacity, sensible and latent load, air density, climate, manufacturer data, and what the system is supposed to accomplish—not just the tonnage stamped on the cabinet. They explain why dry-climate and high-altitude applications may require more volume airflow, why humid applications often use less coil airflow to improve moisture removal, and why mass flow matters more than volume alone. They also cover nominal versus actual capacity, suction-line pressure drop, equipment-specific performance at 208 V, Manual S and expanded performance data, and field verification with measureQuick and the TrueFlow® Grid. The takeaway is simple: use the rule as scaffolding, then measure the system and follow the equipment data. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources: Not All CFM Are Created Equal Impacts of Decreasing Evaporator Airflow Troubleshooting With DTD AHRI Data vs. Manufacturer Expanded Performance Data Bypass Dehumidification Airflow Design HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
- 3 weeks ago20 min
The MERV 15 Filtration Physics - Short #300
In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Roman Baugh talk about indoor air quality and microbial control, specifically MERV 15 filter physics and how it all works when bringing in outdoor air. We filter indoor air to keep dust and particles off the equipment and keep them from circulating through the air. However, we also need to filter fresh air. While indoor air has several pollutants, including dust and VOCs, that make outdoor air dilution a sensible solution, outdoor air also has spores and other pollutants we want to filter out, and its quality can be hard to evaluate. Roman had an ERV that fed his VRF system, and it had significant microbial growth inside; he had some MERV 6 filtration on it, but that didn't capture particles effectively enough. MERV ratings measure the ability to filter particles out, and we use a unit called microns to measure particle size; higher ratings indicate a greater filter surface area and a better ability to filter out smaller particles. ASHRAE 52.2 divides particles into three categories: E1 (ultra-fine particles between 0.3 and 1 micron in diameter), E2 (fine particles between 1 and 3 microns), and E3 (coarse particles between 3 and 10 microns in diameter). MERV 15 filters have a 90% capture rate of E2 particles and a 90%+ capture rate of E3 particles. Fungal spores tend to fall in the E2 or E3 category, and filtration can keep those from coming into the home with fresh air; bringing in fresh air to dilute indoor pollutants is good, but we need a nuanced approach, and good filtration (without bypass) is part of that equation. Filters can also capture much smaller particles due to the way those particles move. Smaller particles move via Brownian motion, which makes them move erratically and more likely to collide with filter media. However, filter use and design, as well as fresh air intake location, can also affect filter efficacy. Filters that don't fit well in the slot enable bypass, and some filters might be restrictive. Exhaust ventilation outlets also play a role, as wind can bring those pollutants back to fresh air intakes. 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 8th 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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About 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.
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