Other Great Sources

September 20, 2017

You may not know this, but the HVAC School podcast began before the website. When I started the podcast, I never intended to create a website, but there was more demand for quick tech tips than the podcast could hold. So, we started hvacrschool.com.

In the same way, I never set out to create a podcast network, but here we are. I find that there are more topics than I can fit into one site or podcast, so the Blue Collar Roots Network was born to allow other really smart people to do what they do best. You can still hear the HVAC School podcast in all the usual spots, and it will publish just as often with all the same great types of HVAC/R training topics, but here are some new options for you.

Building HVAC Science is a podcast by Trutech Tools CEO Bill Spohn. The show covers building diagnosis, test and balance, advanced measurement, design, and many other important topics to the trade. The latest episode is on IAQ and you can listen HERE. You can also listen and subscribe HERE.

Service Business Mastery is an in-depth look at what it takes to run a successful service business by successful business owners and managers. The latest episode is on dealing with negative reviews online. You can also listen and subscribe HERE. Service Business Mastery also has a YouTube channel, which you can visit HERE.

The Tools Pros podcast goes deep into all of the tools of the trade with honest reviews, as well as general discussion about uses and applications for tools. The latest episode is on tool bags and vehicle organization. You can also listen and subscribe HERE. The Tool Pros also have a YouTube channel with shorts about different tools, live streams, and other content, which you can visit HERE.

—Bryan

#blue collar roots #building science #business #tools

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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.

Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory discuss TEC’s TrueFlow technology and its crucial role in predicting airflow issues in the sales process, particularly for heat pump retrofits. They explain how the TrueFlow app helps contractors accurately measure both static pressure and airflow in existing systems, enabling them to predict whether proposed equipment changes will work effectively. This is especially vital when considering the growing trend of replacing gas furnaces with heat pumps, as the airflow requirements can differ significantly.

The conversation delves into a detailed example of replacing an 80% efficient 48,000 BTU furnace with a heat pump. They demonstrate how the airflow requirement would nearly double from 652 CFM to 1,200 CFM, potentially causing the static pressure to quadruple due to Fan Law 2 principles. This dramatic increase could lead to significant performance issues if not properly addressed during the system design phase. The experts emphasize that using TrueFlow during the sales process allows contractors to identify potential problems and necessary modifications before installation rather than discovering issues during callbacks.

The discussion also covers the ideal workflow for system assessment and sales, starting with customer comfort evaluation and proper load calculations. It’s important to reduce loads through envelope improvements when possible, particularly in cold climates where heat pump retrofits are becoming more common. Proper system sizing often means going smaller rather than larger, contrary to common industry practices, and the worst HVAC systems are often found in expensive custom homes rather than tract housing.

Key Topics Covered:

TrueFlow technology and its role in system forecasting
Fan Law 2 and its impact on static pressure when changing airflow
Heat pump retrofit challenges and considerations
The importance of accurate load calculations
Dual fuel systems as a solution for cold climates
The relationship between airflow and static pressure
Sales process integration of technical measurements
Common issues with oversized equipment
The importance of envelope assessment
Methods for reducing system loads
Proper duct sizing and modification strategies
The role of proper filter sizing and selection
The benefits of flat-rate pricing for duct modifications
Training resources and support available for TrueFlow users

Check out TEC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@energyconservatory, and you can visit TEC’s website at https://energyconservatory.com/.

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Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.