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Ducting Ventilating Dehumidifiers
Measuring RTU Curbs with Adapters in Place
Voltage Protection Devices
HVAC in Nuclear Emergencies
A2L Refrigerant Sensors: Understanding False Alarms from Off-Gassing
Refrigeration Communication Troubleshooting Using Oscilloscopes
Preventing Heat Illnesses in the BLAZING Summer Heat
What is RS-485 Communication?
A2L Dissipation Boards and Leak Sensors
Leaky Ducts = Sweaty Houses – Short #256
Is Starting an HVAC Business Smart?
What to Do in a Nuke Disaster – W/ Bill Nowicki
Making Stuff Real – Short #254
Is HVAC School Worth It?
Split-Phase vs. 3-Phase – Short #253
IAQ for the HVAC Technician w/ Brynn Cooksey
Bi-metal & Magnetic Switches – Short #252
Fan Law 2 for Techs w/ Adam Mufich
#hvac
Tech Tips:
This tech tip was written with the guidance of Nikki Krueger, the Director of Marketing & Business Development at Santa Fe Dehumidifiers. Nikki has been a longtime contributor to HVAC School as a recurring podcast guest and presenter at the HVACR Training Symposium. Most of the illustrations and instructions came from Santa Fe's Ultra V […]
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Each commercial rooftop unit (RTU) needs to be mounted to a curb. A curb supports the RTU and provides openings for the supply and return ductwork (which can be massive compared to what we see in residential and light commercial HVAC). Occasionally, we’ll need to do an RTU changeout and put in a bigger or […]
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As HVAC technicians, our responsibilities extend beyond the mechanical and refrigerant systems. The electrical power supply is an often overlooked factor in equipment longevity. Protecting an HVAC system from damaging voltage fluctuations is a strategic step that reduces service calls and enhances the reliability of our installations. This guide will discuss the importance of voltage […]
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This tech tip is based on a podcast episode with Bill Nowicki about the latest DHS guidance on HVAC use in nuclear emergencies. You can listen to that podcast HERE. Bill has 45 years of experience in the nuclear industry, starting with his Naval career, and he also has a few podcasts of his own. […]
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As the HVAC industry transitions to refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP), A2L refrigerants like R-454B are becoming more common. These refrigerants are classified as “mildly flammable” and require the installation of A2L leak detection sensors in many applications to ensure safety. While these sensors are essential for detecting actual refrigerant leaks, HVAC technicians […]
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This tech tip is the final installment in our short series on using oscilloscopes to troubleshoot communicating systems. Imagine this scenario: you've got a refrigeration system acting up, and the comms network, whether it's LON or MOD-bus, seems a bit flaky. Let me introduce you to oscilloscopes—more specifically, a PC version called the PicoScope 2204A. […]
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This tech tip about preventing heat illnesses covers information and resources from the Cleveland Clinic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). HVAC School is NOT an official OSHA training resource, and although these safety tips are […]
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This tech tip about RS-485 communication is the third installment in a four-part series about oscilloscopes. It's a primer for the final installment about using an oscilloscope for diagnosis. I owe a special thanks to Jeremy Smith for sharing the information on Danfoss and for sparking my curiosity surrounding this type of communication. Let's talk […]
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The HVAC industry's ongoing shift towards eco-friendly solutions continually introduces new challenges and learning opportunities. A2L refrigerants are at the forefront of this transformation, offering a lower global warming potential (GWP) than many of the refrigerants we’ve been using. They’re also mildly flammable, meaning they require some enhanced safety measures. One of these is the […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how leaky ducts can lead to sweaty, uncomfortable houses. Moisture issues are common all across humid and “green-grass” climates in the United States. Hot, unconditioned attics and crawl spaces also often have high dew points, which can cause moisture problems in those spaces. Plants also release moisture, […]
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In this insightful episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with successful small business owner Matt Bruner to discuss how to build and maintain a thriving HVAC business without the typical stress and overwhelming challenges that many entrepreneurs face. Matt, who has been running his own HVAC company for about two […]
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In this fascinating episode, Bryan welcomes back longtime friend and nuclear industry veteran Bill Nowicki to discuss a recently released document from DHS and NUSTL that provides new recommendations for HVAC operations during nuclear events. Bill brings over 40 years of nuclear experience, starting as a 19-year-old Navy nuclear operator (after being deemed “not […]
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In this short podcast episode about a bigger-picture topic, Bryan talks about making stuff real. He talks about how to make ideas, businesses, podcasts, and other large projects come to life based on his experiences with HVAC School, Kalos, and several other current and past projects. Understanding yourself and the thing you want to […]
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In this comprehensive discussion, Bryan sits down with Brad Cooper, an experienced HVAC instructor from Arkansas, and JD Kelly, a trade school graduate, to tackle one of the most pressing questions in the HVAC industry: Is trade school worth it? Rather than offering a simple yes or no answer, the trio dives deep into […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan breaks down the differences between split-phase and 3-phase power in HVAC systems. Split-phase is a form of single-phase power, and it's common in residential HVAC. Three-phase power is more common in commercial and industrial applications. Single-phase power uses only one of the three phases of power produced by the […]
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In this episode from the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Brynn Cooksey, a home performance contractor from Michigan and technical training business owner, reveals how indoor air quality (IAQ) testing transformed his contracting business from a commodity service into a profitable specialty. Cooksey shares his proven methodology for turning IAQ into an “instant profit […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers some basics on bi-metal and magnetic switches. Bi-metal switches are made of two dissimilar metals that are bonded together and are often integrated into motors. When the temperature changes, the metals bend. In an overload circuit, they're designed to bend and open the circuit in an overheat […]
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In this educational session, Adam from National Comfort Institute (NCI) delivers a comprehensive deep dive into Fan Law 2 and its practical applications for residential HVAC systems at the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. Adam begins by establishing the fundamental concepts of CFM (cubic feet per minute) and static pressure, explaining how these measurements […]
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