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#refrigeration

Tech Tips:

EPR valves 101

I don't do much in the way of “rack” refrigeration. However, I recently had a conversation with experienced rack refrigeration tech Jeremy Smith, and he got me thinking about EPR valves. I've heard EPR (evaporator pressure regulator) valves called suction regulators or hold back valves. In essence, they hold back against the suction line to […]

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History of Refrigerants

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Refrigeration Basics with Elliot and Bert Part 4

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Users with Tag #refrigeration

carygroce9
#EPR #refrigeration
Connor Hargrove
#Defrost #EGR #Rack #refrigeration #Superheat #TXV
Elton Harman
#cold control #cooler #Defrost #freezer #paragon #refrigeration #timer
Cesar Aburto
#Defrost #refrigeration
Seth Biek
#commisioning #refrigeration #startup
Joshua Read
#booster #co2 #refrigeration
rahul
#pump down #refrigeration #Solenoid #valve
John Whitehead
#dtd #refrigeration #saturation #td
Khory stark
#commercial refrigeration #Defrost #Dick Wirz #evaporator TD #refrigeration
Feda Malkic
#charging #flash gas #refrigeration #subcool
PROMISE
#pump down #refrigeration
Timothy Joseph Gillespie
#cold control #reach-in #refrigeration #refrigeration control
matinraw85@gmail.com
#delfield #refrigeration

Check out our most recent video

How to Evacuate an AC system, Full Vacuum Procedure

Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

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.

Group Training – What We Have Learned

byBryan Orr

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Bert and Leanna to discuss Kalos’s first official cohort apprenticeship program, dubbed the “Launch Program.” What started as Bryan’s persistent idea—one that the team initially resisted as too expensive and logistically challenging—evolved into a transformative three-month training experience that brought 15 green apprentices through intensive classroom, lab, and field work across HVAC, electrical, and building automation systems.

Bert, who graded himself a B for his first attempt at leading the program, shares candid insights about the challenges of planning and execution. While he meticulously mapped out the first two weeks hour-by-hour, the remaining time was far less structured, leading to valuable lessons about the importance of ongoing planning and verification. Leanna, who came to Kalos with both teaching experience and a commercial HVAC background, brought crucial support that Bert initially didn’t think he needed. Her contribution proved essential in managing the group of 15 and ensuring hands-on engagement. Of the original cohort, nine graduated, with two additional apprentices added later who showed exceptional promise.

The conversation reveals critical insights about what makes training effective in the trades. Both trainers emphasize the importance of hands-on experience over lecture, with Bert noting his biggest mistake was spending an entire day lecturing on refrigerant circuits before showing apprentices actual equipment. The most successful exercises involved real-world scenarios, like Leanna’s mock dispatch day where apprentices handled service calls from start to finish, including customer communication. The program also incorporated broader trade skills beyond HVAC—carpentry, ladder safety, and tool confidence—recognizing that many young workers today lack the tactile experience that builds confidence in using tools and solving problems independently.

Perhaps most importantly, the discussion highlights the value of verification and confidence-building over knowledge dumping. Bert learned that making diagnostic exercises too complex early on destroyed apprentice confidence, while starting simple and building up created self-motivated learners. The cohort model’s unique advantage lies in its competitive yet supportive environment, where apprentices can gauge their progress against peers who started at the same level, creating natural motivation to improve. While expensive and demanding, the program represents a long-term commitment to developing well-rounded tradespeople who can think critically and solve problems—not just perform repetitive tasks.

Topics Covered:

The origins and initial resistance to implementing a cohort-style apprenticeship program
Structuring a 90-day training program with classroom, lab, and field components
The critical importance of planning and having adequate instructor support
Selecting apprentices: key traits including self-motivation, adaptability, and humility
Balancing lecture, hands-on training, and real-world field experience
The power of verification and skills checklists over pure knowledge transfer
Teaching broader trade skills (carpentry, ladder work) to build overall confidence
Creating realistic scenarios like mock service calls for soft skills development
Managing group size and the challenges of keeping all apprentices engaged
The role of confidence-building in safety and long-term success
Starting simple with diagnostic exercises and building complexity gradually
Using field feedback and peer comparison as motivational tools
The cost and commitment required to run effective cohort training programs

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Group Training – What We Have Learned

Search Episodes

Group Training – What We Have Learned

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Check our latest Tech Tips

Gluing Tubing Insulation Another Ob-NOx-ious Combustion Product Drains and Double Traps

VIPER SNIPER UNIVERSAL AEROSOL TRIGGER SPRAYER

VIPER SNIPER UNIVERSAL AEROSOL TRIGGER SPRAYER The Viper Sniper is an ergonomic trigger sprayer that fits all standard aerosol cans. Designed for comfort and control, it reduces finger fatigue and delivers a smooth, consistent spray, especially in those hard-to-reach areas. Features quick-attach side clips for easy, secure use. Compatible with all standard aerosol cans —including Viper Aerosol Coil Cleaner and Coil Coating Spray. Fits Any Aerosol Can Full Hand Ergonomic Grip Easily Clips On and Off 2 Sprayers per pack

VENOM PACK CONDENSER PURE CONCENTRATE COIL CLEANER

VENOM PACK CONDENSER PURE CONCENTRATE COIL CLEANER Venom Pack Condenser Cleaner is a high foaming pure concentrate liquid designed to tackle the toughest soils. The proprietary blend of specialty detergents will liquify heavily embedded grease and grime to restore heat transfer and increase the efficiency of the coil.

Viper Condensate Pan and Drain Treatment

Viper Condensate Pan and Drain Treatment Viper Condensate Pan and Drain Treatment is a sprayable gel. It coats the pan, p-trap and drain piping with a lubricative film to improve flow and prevent future soil adhesion. The slow dissolving enzyme gel will outperform and outlast conventional tablets and strips.

Nylog Blue Gasket -Thread Sealant for AC/R Systems

Nylog Blue Gasket -Thread Sealant for AC/R Systems One drop of Nylog on your rubber hose gaskets prior to attaching your core tools, hoses or vacuum gauge will assure that things do not bind or leak during evacuation. Derived from refrigeration grade lubricants. Non-hardening, non-drying fluid which bonds tenaciously to many different substrates. Typically, one drop of Nylog can be stretched about three feet before breaking.

NAVAC

Find out more about the Innovative NAVAC line of Vacuum Pumps

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