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Lifetime of HVAC/R w/ John Pastorello – Short #279

By John Pastorello Bryan Orr

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In this short podcast episode from AHR Expo 2026, Bryan sits down with John Pastorello for a discussion about the latter’s lifetime of HVAC/R. John was a chemist and an HVAC technician before founding Refrigeration Technologies in 1987, and he received the HVAC Tactical Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026.

Prior to entering the trade, John was a chemist in a lab. He applied for and was hired by an HVAC company when he realized the financial opportunity in the trade. He eventually owned a contracting business, but he didn’t truly make his HVAC/R chemistry debut until 1987 with Big Blu. When he noticed problems with existing liquid leak reactants and inaccurate electronic leak detectors, John developed Big Blu in his kitchen (with the help of his local library and patent office for research) and tested it in the field.

Big Blu was the first Refrigeration Technologies product, and it was the only one for a while. He then developed Nylog in the early 1990s while developing a different product. After falling down research rabbit holes and doing lots of trial and error, he eventually realized the product’s potential as an assembly lubricant, and Nylog became an official Refrigeration Technologies product.

Even as Refrigeration Technologies continues to grow and has received several purchase offers, it remains a family business. John’s son, Mike, became a mechanic but eventually decided to return to the business, and he runs it to this day. John’s career culminated with the HVAC Tactical Lifetime Achievement Award, which is a testament to the service, education, and mentorship he has shared with the HVAC/R industry.

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