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Skills in the Toolbag
A Future We Can All Hope For
Ventilation, Filtration, and Humidity Control: The Holy Trinity of IAQ
How I Failed to Re-diagnose: The Lesson I Learned
Oxyacetylene Torches: Tips and Operation
Liquid Line Solenoid Valves: Long Line Applications
Trades and the Skills Gap – A Manifesto
Using Power Factor to Check Capacitors Under Load
Using Power Factor to Check Capacitors Under Load
Q&A – Vacuum Questions Answered
Q&A – Drain Traps & Static – Short #209
Q&A – Condensating Vents – Short #208
Residential & Rack Startup and Commissioning (Part 1)
Q&A – Stubborn Old Techs – Short #207
Modulating Compressors w/ Copeland
Q&A – Testing Dehumidifiers – Short #206
Improving Changeout Outcomes
Spidey Sense – Airflow – Short #205
#hvac
Tech Tips:
The old adage goes: “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” For some techs I know, even having a hammer can be challenging. I was pretty new in business, and my first real “employee” hire in the HVAC part of Kalos was my brother, Nathan. Many of you know him, […]
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We can all agree that the future we all would have expected for 2020 when we rang in the new year isn't the one we got. We are all worried and looking to hedge our bets or cut our losses in one way or another, which makes sense. Given what we now know, let's look […]
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At the time of the publication of this article, COVID-19 (coronavirus) is spreading across the world at an alarming rate, and many people have self-quarantined to help slow or stop the spread of the virus. These precautionary measures are prudent and responsible. However, with the increased amount of time people spend inside their homes, there […]
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This is the tale of how I found myself stuck on a service call for over 12 hours on a weekend due to my failure to re-diagnose an issue. I was working for a service company that had many accounts with local gas stations. These were large customers, and we did everything we could to […]
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Everyone in the HVAC/R trade uses some type of torch to braze or solder alloys together. So, what is the proper way to handle an oxyacetylene torch? It turns out that there’s more than one right answer. Depending on which torch rig you use, the manufacturer’s manuals for operation may vary. Everyone (hopefully) knows […]
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Pump down solenoid valves are commonplace for any refrigeration technician. They are energized with the compressor still running, shutting off flow in the liquid line so that the refrigerant is pumped into the condenser and receiver. The compressor will then shut off once a low-pressure switch opens the circuit when the pressure falls below a […]
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This article is a year old, and I'm recycling it because it's on my mind today. I had a fun conversation with Richard Trethewey on the podcast that has me thinking along these lines today. The link is HERE if the player isn't showing up. I have a confession to make. I'm a bit of […]
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Capacitors are traditionally tested with a capacitance meter (commonly found as a function within a multimeter), with the component taken entirely out of the circuit. “Bench testing,” as this method is referred to, is hands-down the safest method of checking capacitance in microfarads. All other methods require the capacitor to be wired into the circuit […]
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Capacitors are traditionally tested with a capacitance meter (commonly found as a function within a multimeter), with the component taken entirely out of the circuit. “Bench testing,” as this method is referred to, is hands-down the safest method of checking capacitance in microfarads. All other methods require the capacitor to be wired into the circuit […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan dives deep into the topic of vacuum in HVAC and refrigeration systems. He addresses two questions from social media about vacuum, expanding them into a comprehensive discussion of best practices, common issues, and techniques for effective vacuum procedures. Bryan starts by explaining where to […]
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In this short Q&A podcast episode, Bryan answers a question about drain traps and static pressure. This question was sent by Stephen with The Comfort Squad when he noticed an uptick in nuisance calls on retrofit systems that kept having their secondary drain pans filled. In negatively pressurized systems (i.e., straight-cool or heat pump […]
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In this short Q&A podcast episode, Bryan answers Kenton's question about how to stop vents from condensating, especially when sealing and insulation don't do the trick. When approaching a condensation problem, we have to consider the source of moisture and where the condensation is happening. Moisture that builds up on top of the vent […]
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In this episode of the HVAC podcast, Bryan and Max Johnson from Kalos discuss the critical role of a startup and commissioning technician in the HVAC industry. Max, who has experience in both residential and commercial HVAC, shares his insights on the importance of understanding the scope of work, equipment specifications, and code requirements. […]
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In this short podcast of the Q&A series, Bryan answers a question about “stubborn old techs” (submitted by Luke via Speakpipe). In several cases, old-school techs are “being positional,” which means they feel that they have a piece of turf to protect; they see challenges to the status quo as a threat. They may […]
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In this episode, Josh Souders from Copeland joins the HVAC School Podcast to discuss modulating and variable capacity technologies in HVAC systems. Josh provides an in-depth look at the different levels of modulation available in residential HVAC equipment, from traditional fixed-speed systems to two-stage, multi-stage, and true variable-speed compressors. The conversation covers the benefits […]
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In this short podcast episode of the Q&A series, Bryan answers a question about testing dehumidifiers (submitted by Steven via Speakpipe). Dehumidifiers run air over a cold evaporator coil (to pull moisture out of the air and drain it out) and then reheat it over a condenser coil. The air leaving a dehumidifier is of […]
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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of residential HVAC installations with Matt, a senior technician and residential install supervisor at Kalos Services. Matt brings a wealth of experience from both the service and installation sides of the business, offering valuable insights into improving installation processes and workmanship. The conversation highlights the importance […]
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In this short podcast, Bryan talks about how to pay close attention to airflow issues and use your “spidey sense” when you're doing a visual inspection or commissioning a system. He also covers some causes of common airflow problems and some services and upgrades you can offer to your customers. The skill of being […]
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