Zachary Ortwine Archives

Zachary Ortwine

Company name: Southeast Clean Air Solutions

Position: Owner

Zachary Ortwine is the owner of Southeast Clean Air Solutions and has 7+ years of full-time, field-based duct cleaning experience. He holds the following certifications:

National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA): Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) and Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS)

National Comfort Institute (NCI): Duct System Optimization, Residential HVAC System Performance, Residential Air Balancing Certified

He is also a 3x previous speaker for NADCA Fall Technical Conference, a NADCA Scientific Committee member, and serves as part of the ASCS and CVI Exam Writing task forces.

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Flex Ducts – Best Practices

Some techs and contractors swear that flex ducts are an evil invention and should never be used in ANY circumstance. I agree with what duct design legend Jack Rise said on the podcast a few years ago when I asked him about flex ducts: “There's a lot of problems with flex duct, there really is, and […]

What is a HSO (Non-Bleed) TXV/TEV?

There is a lot of misunderstanding about the HSO (hard shut-off) or “non-bleed” TXV (thermostat expansion valve) and what makes it shut off, why it exists, and how it “magically” opens. Once you understand the forces inside the valve, it is quite simple, obvious, and sadly devoid of any magic. The Three Forces The TXV […]

Grit and Grace of the Die-Hard Tradesperson

WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Die Hard (1988). If you’ve never seen the film and want to avoid spoilers, I suggest skipping this one or watching the movie first before you read this Christmas tech tip. Here’s a fun thing to do at Christmas dinner: start the debate as to whether Die Hard is […]

Podcast guest:

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Can You Coat Fiberglass?

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan interviews Zach about duct coatings and their applications in HVAC systems, particularly focusing on the Hardcast RE500 product. The discussion delves into the importance of proper duct coating applications and their benefits for both contractors and customers. Zach, who has extensive experience in duct cleaning […]

Duct Cleaning – How Long & How Often?

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 […]

Can Ducts Be Cleaned Ethically?

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 […]