Tech Tips

No matter what trade you work in, you will need to use a concrete anchor at one time or another. Here are some mistakes I have seen (and made) that you will want to avoid: Not knowing your concrete Is it a concrete block hollow cell? Poured cell? Concrete slab? What is the PSI? Not […]

I've always liked old books. Think about an old printing press somewhere in Chicago or Boston or Scranton, Pennsylvania. Imagine workers with their hands covered in ink up to their elbows, setting type while giant machines of iron, steel, and brass stamp out a book page by page. Then those pages go on to be […]

Before we convert temperature scales, let's take a step back and think about what temperature is in the first place. Temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy of the random microscopic motions of the constituent microscopic particles, such as electrons, atoms, and molecules. Translation: Temperature is the average “movement energy” of the molecules in […]

As of January 1, 2026, refrigerant regulations in the United States have undergone YET ANOTHER big shift. Per Subsection H of the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in December 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially expanded leak repair and recordkeeping requirements to a […]

This is a recap of the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium session, with a few key themes and takeaways. If you missed the symposium but find some topics of interest in this tech tip, you can still purchase a virtual ticket at hvacrschool.com/symposium. You must be logged in to your account with a ticket to […]

This tech tip was heavily inspired by one aspect of Rick Sims’s 2021 HVACR Training Symposium session titled “Conductsation.” The entire presentation is worth a watch, but the advice in “Conductsation” and this tech tip are tailored to hot, humid climates. The contents of this tech tip may NOT work for colder climates. Dr. Allison […]

An important rating on motors is the AMBIENT  temperature rating at which the motor can operate. This rating refers to the temperature of the air around the motor, not the temperature of the motor itself or even the temperature of the outdoor air, since the motor is often in a condenser air stream that is at […]

I didn't install this unit. First off, attic installations are among my least favorite applications from the standpoints of serviceability, system longevity, and a laundry list of other items. Here in Florida, it's just a bad idea due to the high humidity and temperature in a vented attic and the condensation issues that can and […]

The thermal balance point is the point at which a heat pump can move heat into the home at the same rate the home loses its heat. Above this point, the heat pump will not need any additional help to heat the home. But below it, the heat pump will need auxiliary heat with it […]