From Resi Tech to Industry Leading Refrigeration Trainer w/ Brett Wetzel

Brett Wetzel joins the podcast to talk about his journey from resi tech to industry-leading refrigeration trainer.

Brett is best known for his educational content, but he is also the manager of technical troubleshooting and training at CoolSys. The skills gap is widening, and CoolSys was inspired to create a solution to that problem. Brett's goal is to offer training that provides education and a sense of community all at once. Since he likes to keep his training simple and establish a solid foundation for his students, one of Brett's favorite training practices includes going over a system's P&ID diagram with his students before even looking at it. He focuses on classroom engagement and keeping trainees interested.

Brett does regional training sessions and has written technical documentation to help technicians. As he has shifted from a field role to a full-time educator role, he has noticed that he has had more time at home. CoolSys focuses on commercial and industrial refrigeration, including system components, racks, and controls.

The transition from residential HVAC to commercial HVAC and refrigeration requires an inquisitive mind and a drive to keep learning. Independent learners tend to do particularly well. There is an additional step that people will have to take when they move from fieldwork to education; communication skills and the ability to keep students engaged are crucial.

Brett and Bryan also cover:

CoolSys's training plans
First lessons for refrigeration and HVAC trainees
Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS) in training
New technologies and energy efficiency in CoolSys training
Reading and independent learning
The ever-changing nature of the HVAC/R trade
Mentorship
Practical skills and training
CoolSys technical library

Check out CoolSys at https://coolsys.com/ to learn about the company and some job opportunities. You can also email Brett at bwetzel@coolsys.com or listen to the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast (YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@advancedrefrigerationpodca9389).

Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

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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.