BACK
5 Terror-Inducing HVAC/R Stories & Facts
The Case for Buying a Combustion Analyzer
Manual J Field Data: Walls
The Wide-Narrow-Wide of Manual J
Sizing Return Grilles
Under Pressure
Refrigerant Recovery Practices
Common Causes of Compressor Failure
Training: Processes or Apprentices?
Duct Cleaning – How Long & How Often?
Are EVs an Opportunity? – Short #222
Choosing HVAC Cleaners w/ Becca from Viper
Q&A – Evap Placement – Short #221
Can Ducts Be Cleaned Ethically?
Should I Fog or “Sanitize” My Ducts? – Short #220
Condensing Furnace Drain Guidance w/ AC Service Tech
How to Predict Air Flow Issues in the Sales Process
MCA is 27 and the Breaker is a 50A – Short #219
#hvac
Tech Tips:
As the evening approaches on this All Hallow's Eve, Reformation Day, or Halloween (depending on your preference), let us take a moment to focus on some of the truly terrifying elements of our trade—because the scariest stories are TRUE. Real Ghost Stories The year was 1921, and a wealthy family purchased a new home in […]
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Last year, I bought my first combustion analyzer. I had just started my own company and felt the additional weight of responsibility to sit down and determine the best way to verify that the furnaces I was servicing were working safely. In the past, the most extensive testing I had done was a visual inspection […]
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This article will cover how to collect field data for walls on an existing home for an ACCA Manual J calculation. In full disclosure, I had never collected any field data for a Manual J before I wrote this article. Many of the methods discussed were suggested by HVAC technicians and contractors in an online […]
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Starting to work on a Manual J load calculation can feel extremely overwhelming. How do we know what to focus on? What does normal look like? What if I’m way off on something and install way too big or small of a unit? On a practical level, what is the payback or value of spending […]
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A few weeks ago, I spent several days redoing a duct system and replacing a furnace for a friend. I had static pressure readings from before the system was replaced, and with the new furnace that I had picked out, I had created a static pressure budget and felt confident I could significantly lower the […]
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A few weeks ago, I was hired to consult on a multi-family new construction project. The building was already framed, and the ducts were roughed in. The owner of the building was concerned with the quality of the ductwork. He noticed that the HVAC company was not following the mechanical engineer's plans. This was my […]
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Recovery is the removal of refrigerant from a system. From there, you can either store it and send it in for recycling or reintroduce it back into the same system. Here are some top tips: Make sure your tank is empty and evacuated to 300 microns if you plan to return the refrigerant to the […]
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This article was written by Don Gillis, the technical training manager at Chemours. Thanks, Don! Refrigerant compressors are essential components of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, as we all know. They work by compressing refrigerant vapor, which then flows through the system and changes state as pressure and temperature conditions rise and fall. Unfortunately, these […]
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“It is only through the enforced standardization of methods, enforced adoption of the best implements and working conditions, and enforced cooperation that this faster work can be assured. And the duty of enforcing the adoption of standards and enforcing this cooperation rests with management alone.” —Frederick Taylor “The objective of education is not to fit […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan interviews Zach from Southeast Clean Air Solutions about the intricacies of professional duct cleaning. Zach specializes in addressing duct cleaning challenges specific to the Southeastern climate, with a particular focus on fiberglass-lined ducts. The conversation delves into the complexities of cleaning different types of duct […]
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In this short podcast, Bryan talks about electric vehicles and whether EVs present an opportunity for HVAC technicians. The residential sales lead at Kalos recently mentioned that keeping an EV in a conditioned garage is advantageous, and it's an upgrade we can offer our customers. In hot weather, EV battery performance and health can […]
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The podcast delves into the world of HVAC chemical solutions through an in-depth conversation with Becca Stamey, the marketing director at Refrigeration Technologies. The discussion provides insights into the company's unique approach to developing cleaning products, rooted in a commitment to safety, effectiveness, and customer feedback. Founded by John Pastorello, a chemist turned HVAC […]
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In this short podcast, Bryan talks about evaporator coil placement based on a question submitted by a listener, John. Evap coil placement differs in furnace applications versus air handlers. When we use air conditioners with furnaces, we usually put evaporator coils on the positive side to protect the heat exchanger from rusting out during […]
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In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan interviews Zachary Ortwine, a duct cleaning professional who provides insights into ethical duct cleaning practices. The conversation delves deep into the complexities of cleaning different types of ductwork, the importance of proper assessment, and the potential challenges in maintaining indoor air quality. Zach emphasizes the […]
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In this short podcast episode, Zach joins Bryan to answer a common duct maintenance question: Should I fog or sanitize my ducts? The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) outlines the uses of chemical products. Adding chemicals is usually a last resort in flex or sheet metal (externally wrapped) duct systems; they should NOT […]
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Bryan and Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech)dive deep into the complexities of managing condensate drainage in high-efficiency (90%+) gas furnaces. The conversation begins with a clear explanation of why these furnaces produce condensate in the first place – they have two heat exchangers that extract so much heat from the combustion gases that water […]
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Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory discuss TEC's TrueFlow technology and its crucial role in predicting airflow issues in the sales process, particularly for heat pump retrofits. They explain how the TrueFlow app helps contractors accurately measure both static pressure and airflow in existing systems, enabling them to predict whether proposed […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Mike from DITEK talk about what to do in tricky electrical scenarios, such as when the MCA is 27 and you have a 50A breaker. When you size an HVAC system for compatibility with voltage monitors, like the DITEK Kool Guard, you need to pay attention to […]
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