HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Humidity Utopia w/ Nikki & Bryan

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast episode is Nikki Krueger (Santa Fe Dehumidifiers) and Bryan's 2023 HVACR Training Symposium session about how we can optimize dehumidific...

What the Flux? - Short #162

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the episode for you if you've ever asked, "What the flux?" In this short podcast, Bryan explains the basics of flux in soldering and brazing, ...

The Impacts of Duct Leakage w/ Steve Rogers

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory (TEC) returns to the podcast to discuss the impacts of duct leakage on occupant comfort and HVAC system perf...

Launch of the Sensi Touch 2 Thermostat

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Lorenz from Sensi joins the podcast to talk about the launch of the Sensi Touch 2 thermostat. The Sensi Touch 2 smart thermostat is compatible wit...

Why and How to Create an Internal Training Program W/ Eugene S.

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eugene Silberstein from ESCO Group returns to the podcast to discuss why and how to create an internal training program for your HVAC/R company. HVAC/...

When Subcooling is Meaningless - Short #161

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan talks about the times when subcooling is meaningless. It is important to understand subcooling fully before using it as a...

Solving Work Life Imbalance w/ Craig M

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Craig M (AC Service Tech) returns to the podcast to talk about solving work-life imbalance, especially for HVAC/R technicians who have children and fa...

ROT Can Cause Duct Issues - Short #160

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan explains how rules of thumb (ROT) can cause duct issues. He talks about the role of friction rate in duct design as well ...

Heart of a Teacher w/ Craig M.

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech) returns to the podcast to talk about what it means to have the heart of a teacher. Craig discovered his passion for...

Saturation can be CONFUSING - Short #159

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains why saturation can be CONFUSING and clears up some common misconceptions. Saturation applies to dehumidi...

Working on Ventilation in Humid Climates w/ HAVEN

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Hart from HAVEN returns to the podcast to talk about ventilation in humid climates and some best practices for working on systems that focus on ...

HVAC Performance Summit w/ Dominick G.

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dominick Guarino from NCI joins the podcast to talk about the High-Performance HVAC Summit, an upcoming event hosted by NCI from April 17–20. The Na...

Training, Combustion and More w/ Tony G.

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast from AHR 2023, Tony Gonzalez from Fieldpiece joins Bryan to talk about training, combustion, and more. Fieldpiece has a new combustion...

The Future of Refrigerants is Here With Opteon XL41

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast from AHR 2023, Brandon Marshall from Chemours and Chris Forth from JCI talk about the future of refrigerants and Opteon XL41 (R-454B)....

MeasureQuick is EXPLODING with Jim & Joe

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast from AHR 2023, Jim Bergmann and Joe Medosch talk about measureQuick and the ways it's EXPLODING with growth and new features. They als...

Infiltration Skeletons Behind Closed Doors w/ Genry

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Genry Garcia returns to the podcast to talk about pressures in the building envelope, namely the infiltration skeletons behind closed doors. When doin...

Understanding Leak Detectors With Inficon

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode recorded live at AHR Expo 2023, Nick from INFICON joins Bryan to talk about leak detectors and how we can improve our understanding of...

Making Cold Climate Heat Pumps Work w/ Copeland and White Rodgers

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode recorded live at AHR Expo 2023, Dustin and Jim from Copeland/White-Rodgers join Bryan to talk about the use of heat pumps in cold clim...

RTU Retrofits Facts and Considerations with JCI

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode recorded live at AHR Expo 2023, Matthew Schlegel, the Commercial Product Manager of Ducted Systems from JCI (Johnson Controls) joins B...

Troubleshooting The Modern ECM

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Mohalley returns to the podcast to talk about troubleshooting the modern ECM (or EC motor) and give diagnostic tips. ECMs are electronically com...

Training for the Future w/ Clifton & ESCO

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Clifton Beck of ESCO Group returns to the podcast to talk about training for the future. He also talks about how he became an educator, what it's like...

MERV vs. Motors

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ECM expert Chris Mohalley joins the podcast to talk about the balance between selecting air filtration and motor performance, also known as "MERV vs. ...

Effective Filtration & More w/ John Ellis

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Ellis, a business consultant who specializes in IAQ training, joins the podcast to talk about effective filtration, product development, and more...

Do Houses Need to Breathe? w/ Allison Bailes

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Allison Bailes from Energy Vanguard joins the podcast to answer the age-old question: do houses need to breathe? He also talks about his new book,...

What the Heck is High Performance HVAC w/ David Holt

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Holt with the National Comfort Institute (NCI) returns to the podcast to talk about high-performance HVAC and what the heck it even is.  High-p...

Setting Realistic Customer Expectations w/ Ed Janowiak

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Janowiak returns to the podcast to talk about setting realistic customer expectations when designing residential HVAC systems across climates, seas...

Mini Split Install and Service Tips

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Craig Migliaccio, aka AC Service Tech, returns to the podcast to share his knowledge about mini-split install & service. He also talks a bit about his...

CO Doesn't Leak w/ David Richardson

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Richardson from NCI returns to the podcast to talk about why CO (carbon monoxide) doesn't leak and what it does instead. CO is a highly dangerou...

One HSI Furnace Control to Rule Them All w/ Jim Fultz

27 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Fultz with Emerson White-Rodgers returns to the podcast to talk about one HSI furnace control to rule them all, the 50M56X-843 Universal Single St...

Using Ice to Balance Energy Consumption

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yaron Ben Nun from Nostromo Energy joins the podcast to talk about ice banking, a way of using ice to balance energy consumption. Nostromo Energy is a...

We need to Pay Better! - An Audio Manifesto

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser and Ty Branaman return to the podcast to talk about why we need to pay technicians and field workers better in the HVAC industry and how s...

Refrigerant Myth Busting w/ Dr. Chuck

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Chuck Allgood from Chemours returns to the podcast to do some refrigerant myth-busting. Many people don't understand why high-GWP HFCs can impact ...

The Good, Bad and Ugly of Trade Schools

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ty Branaman and Eric Kaiser return to the podcast to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of trade schools. They cover the opportunities and challe...

Selecting Proper Cleaners w/ John Pastorello

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

John Pastorello from Refrigeration Technologies returns to the podcast to talk about selecting proper cleaners for various HVAC/R jobs. From the begin...

Good Tech, Good Service Manager?

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser and Ty Branaman return to the podcast to talk about the progression from technician to service manager and if a good tech always makes a g...

Why Aren't the Trades More Respected? w/ Kimberly Llewellyn

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kimberly Llewellyn from METUS joins the podcast to talk about the value system around the trades and why the trades aren't more respected. In many cas...

Getting More People Into The Trade

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser and Ty Branaman return to the podcast to talk about getting more people into the trade. They focus on how the HVAC/R industry could be bet...

Becoming a Complete Tech

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Genry Garcia returns to the HVAC School podcast to talk about what becoming a complete tech really means and entails. He talks about his professional ...

Inductive Current Myths - Short #158

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast in our electrical myths series, Bryan talks about some inductive current myths. There is a common myth surrounding voltage drop ...

Why it REALLY gets hot upstairs w/ Alex Meaney

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Meaney returns to the podcast to explain why it REALLY gets hot upstairs and what we can do about it. He also talks a bit about his new business....

Electrical Myths - Single phase is Really 2-Phase - Short #157

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan busts the common electrical myth that single-phase 240v power is really two-phase power. When power goes into a structure...

Pumping Away, Hydronics Changes And Electrification

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Moe Hirsch joins the podcast to discuss the hydronics side of the industry, particularly focusing on Dan Holohan's Pumping Away and exciting developme...

Electrical Myths - Hard Starts Reduce Start Current - Short #156

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan busts the myth that hard starts reduce the start current on the run winding of a compressor. A single-phase motor's main ...

The 24-Hour Technician w/ Andy Holt

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Holt joins the podcast to talk about what it means to be a 24-Hour Technician. We talk about what it means to be HVAC/R technicians AND deal with...

Furnace Commissioning w/ MeasureQuick 2.0

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Bergmann returns to the podcast to talk about furnace commissioning procedures and the development of measureQuick 2.0. MeasureQuick 2.0 has been ...

Light Commercial PM Process

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Klokus and Jeff Crable walk us through Kalos Services' light commercial PM process.  First, we verify that everyone is clear on the agreement. T...

Electrical Myth - Wire Length Code - Short #155

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan covers a common electrical myth about wire length and its relationship with the National Electrical Code. The NEC is conc...

Why CO2 Matters w/ Trevor Matthews

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Trevor Matthews, the founder of Refrigeration Mentor, returns to the podcast to talk about why CO2 matters in commercial refrigeration and even HVAC a...

Electrical Basics

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast is Bryan's full-length electrical basics class for the Kalos technicians. He covers electrical theory and circuit basics. Volts, resistan...

Myth: Path of Least Resistance - Short #154

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan debunks the myth that electricity only takes the path of least resistance. It is true that more current will typically ta...

Dehumidification in Shoulder Seasons w/ Nikki

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nikki Krueger from Santa Fe Dehumidifiers returns to the podcast to talk about dehumidification equipment and strategies in the shoulder seasons (spri...

Time Management - Short #153

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan gives some quick tips for time management. You can save a lot of time by prioritizing what really matters and del...

Become a Better Mentor w/ Eric Kaiser

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser returns to the podcast to talk about how to become a better mentor. He explains the topic from the perspective of a mentor and a mentee. T...

HVAC Measurement Types and Benefits

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser joins the HVAC School podcast to talk about HVAC measurement types and the benefits of taking each one. He also talks about point measurem...

Ventilation and 62.2 Intro & Rant w/ Genry Garcia

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Genry Garcia joins the podcast to give an intro to ASHRAE Standard 62.2. He and Bryan also share a nice rant about accountability in HVAC design. Stan...

Pressure Enthalpy without Tears

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

RACT manual co-author Eugene Silberstein joins the podcast to talk about the titular topic of his book, Pressure Enthalpy Without Tears.  Pressure En...

Total Heat of Rejection - Short #152

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan talks about THOR, total heat of rejection. He explains what it is and why we should care about it when working on HVAC/R ...

Hard Start vs. Easy Start

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Matteo Giovanetti from Micro-Air joins the HVAC School podcast to talk about the differences between a hard start and an EasyStart. Micro-Air's "EasyS...

Heat of Compression - Short #151

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan explains what the heat of compression is and why we should care about it as HVAC/R professionals. More heat is rejected i...

Intro to ACCA Manual T

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Janowiak joins the podcast to introduce us to ACCA Manual T. Compared to other manuals, Manual T is one of the least-considered ACCA manuals. Howev...

Net Refrigeration Effect - Short #150

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan explains what the net refrigeration effect (NRE) is and how it affects HVAC systems. The net refrigeration effect (NRE) i...

Systems Thinking - Gas and Combustion

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser returns to the podcast to talk about how we can use systems thinking to approach gas appliances and combustion in HVAC installation and se...

HVAC School Admin Discussion - Moderating a Successful Community

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some admins from the HVAC School Facebook group join the podcast to discuss the art of moderating a successful community. Bryan is joined by Eric Kais...

Systems Thinking - HV / LV / Condensate

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser returns to the podcast to discuss high-voltage wiring, low-voltage wiring, and condensate assemblies as they relate to systems thinking. O...

Systems Thinking - Copper & Line sets

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser returns to the podcast to talk about how copper, piping, and line sets play into systems thinking. Nowadays, we have to think about POE an...

Systems Thinking In HVAC w/ Eric K

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Eric Kaiser joins the podcast to talk about systems thinking in HVAC. Systems thinking allows us to solve problems and address customers' comfort holi...

Logical Fallacies - False Cause & Strawman

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nathan Orr joins Bryan to talk about some logical fallacies, namely the false cause and strawman. They explain how those fallacies show up in the trad...

Tips for Learning in HVAC/R w/ Trevor Matthews

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Refrigeration Mentor founder Trevor Matthews returns to the HVAC School podcast to talk about personal development and training, including tips for le...

Threaded Connection Tips - Short #149

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan shares some of his top threaded connection tips. He also clears up some confusion about connection types. Threade...

Giving Kids The Tools For Any Job They Want

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan explains how parents and educators can succeed at giving kids the tools for any job they want. This podcast was originally a presentation at the...

ERV & HRV - Short #148

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about ERV and HRV technologies, including their appropriate applications and limitations. HRVs are heat rec...

Refrigerant Changes Coming & The Helix w/ Emerson

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rajan Rajendran and Jennifer Butsch from Emerson join the podcast to discuss the Helix and some refrigerant changes that are coming. Jennifer is the D...

Pilot Controls - Short #147

14 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about pilot controls. He talks about the old-school ignition systems on gas appliances and some similar pil...

Ethics - Grit and Discipline

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan and Robert Orr continue their discussion about ethics by talking about what it means to have grit and discipline in business. They talk about wh...

Ethics - Integrity

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan and Robert Orr talk about ethics and what it means to have integrity when running a family business. Robert is a lifelong tradesman who is a lic...

Distributors and External Equalizers - Short #146

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan talks about distributors and external equalizers and why we need to use them together. When older Carrier heat pumps (wit...

Center-Tapped Transformers - Short #145

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks even more about sine waves and center-tapped transformers. Power is generated at the power plant when an en...

Beer & Power Factor - Short #144

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan describes the tricky concept of power factor and why we should care about it. He also compares power factor to a beer mug to make the topic easi...

Motor Speed Facts - Short #143

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan lays down some motor speed facts in about 10 minutes in this short podcast episode. We can figure out how quickly a single-phase motor (PSC) wil...

Value Design in High Performance Home HVAC w/ Comfort Squad

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Comparetto and John Semmelhack of the Comfort Squad join Bryan to discuss high-quality value design in a high-performance home. They explain how ...

Putting Contractor Success First w/ METUS

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lacey Dietz with METUS and Scott Arnold with Rycor HVAC join the podcast to talk about how the industry can start putting contractor success first. Th...

Retrotec - IBS 2022

26 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Myers with Retrotec talks to Bryan about pressures in the home and why they matter for HVAC solutions at IBS 2022. Technicians focus a lot on duct...

Birmingham training class

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast is a class that Bryan taught for BTrained in Birmingham, AL. He covers troubleshooting, installation, and commissioning best practices wi...

Ross Trethewey IBS 2022 - Short #141

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bryan has a bit of an industry nerd out with Ross Trethewey from "This Old House" and TE2 Engineering at IBS 2022 (the International Builders' Show). ...

Replacing a Compressor - Step by Step

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this podcast, Bryan goes through the entire process of replacing a compressor step-by-step. This process is what the Kalos team uses to replace a f...

Refrigerant Top off, Drop in and Retrofit - Short #140

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this short podcast, Bryan explains what it means to top off, drop in, and retrofit refrigerants. He describes the differences between those three t...

The Value of Networking for Techs w/ Trevor

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Trevor Matthews, the founder of Refrigeration Mentor, is back on the podcast. This time, he and Bryan talk about the value of networking for HVAC tech...

How to EFFECTIVELY implement educational growth w/ David Richardson

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

David Richardson of NCI joins the HVAC School podcast to talk about how we can implement educational growth effectively throughout the trade. NCI star...

Comfort Investigation on TV w/ Corbett Lunsford

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Corbett Lunsford of Home Diagnosis joins Kaleb to record a podcast about comfort investigation on TV. The two of them discuss how comfort investigatio...

Commercial HVAC Predictive Control w/ BrainBox AI

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blake Standen and Omar Tabba of BrainBox AI join the HVAC School podcast to talk about commercial HVAC predictive control. This conversation focuses o...

3 Phase Energy Savings w/ Falkonair

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Micallef, the CEO of Falkonair, joins Nathan Orr at AHR to discuss energy savings for three-phase equipment. They also explore some of Falkonair...

Internal Apprenticeship w/ Brynn Cooksey

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brynn Cooksey joined Eric Kaiser for a podcast about internal apprenticeship, its benefits, and how to make it work. Brynn is the general manager of A...

New Educational Options w/ Faraday

13 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Alex and Nicole of Faraday join Kaleb Saleeby and Ty Branaman to talk about new educational formats and options in the HVAC industry. Alex is the foun...

HVAC Social Media, AHR & AMRAD Capacitors w/ HVAC_ASH

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley (aka hvac_ash) joins the podcast to talk about how HVAC fits into social media, AHR 2022, and AmRad capacitors. Ashley works with Global the So...

Net Zero HVAC w/ Bill Spohn, Eric Kaiser and Kaleb Saleeby

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Spohn joins Eric Kaiser and Kaleb Saleeby at AHR 2022 to talk about his experiences designing and living in a home with NetZero HVAC.  NetZero H...

Data Logging w/ Collin Olson and Eric Kaiser

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Collin Olson, the staff physicist of The Energy Conservatory (TEC), joins Eric Kaiser at AHR 2022 to talk a bit about data logging. Data logging refer...

Unique K-12 HVAC Incentives, Commercial Regulation Changes and More w/ Mark Tozzi from Carrier

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Tozzi from Carrier comes on the HVAC School podcast to talk about unique HVAC incentives in K-12 schools. When schools closed down during COVID-1...

Changing HVAC Regulations w/ Chris Forth of Johnson Controls

06 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Forth, the VP of regulatory codes and environmental affairs at Johnson Controls, joins Bryan for a live podcast at AHR 2022. This time, they dis...

Control Over IAQ w/ Kevin Hart from Haven

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin Hart, the CEO of HAVEN, joins Kaleb Saleeby live from AHR 2022 to discuss how we can control IAQ with central air monitors and controllers. HAVE...

A FASCINATING New Power Generation / Water Heating Solution w/ Enginuity

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jacques Beaudry-Losique, the CEO of Enginuity Power Systems, joins Nathan Orr live at AHR 2022. Enginuity manufactures energy-efficient engines that p...