LIVE From the ACCA Conference 2024

This episode was recorded live on location at the 2024 ACCA conference in Orlando. Bryan starts by interviewing Marissa Reddy, a co-founder of Conduit Tech, a software company providing load calculation and sales tools for HVAC contractors.

Marissa shares insights into what it takes for contractors to successfully adopt new technology in their businesses. She emphasizes the importance of having support at multiple levels of the company, a willingness to thoroughly learn the new software, and providing feedback to the developers. Marissa stresses that Conduit actively seeks input from contractors to continue improving their product's workflow integration.

In the second segment, Bryan talks to Martin Hoover, the incoming chair of ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). Martin discusses the value ACCA provides through training, advocacy, and facilitating peer group interactions. He highlights how ACCA conferences allow contractors to learn from industry leaders and gain valuable perspectives in the hallways between sessions.

The episode covers a range of topics relevant to HVAC contractors, including:

Adopting new technology and providing productive feedback to software developers

Assessing whether a new product will truly transform your workflow based on customer testimonials

The benefits of joining ACCA, such as training, advocacy, and peer networking opportunities

Challenges facing the industry like labor shortages and rising costs

The importance of understanding your financials and pricing for future costs

Preparing for the transition to A2L refrigerants and associated changes

Whether you're a contractor looking to improve your business or a technician striving for success, this episode offers valuable insights from industry experts on leveraging resources, adopting new tools, and positioning yourself for the future of HVAC.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.

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Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Check out our handy calculators or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.

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#acca #challenges #conduittech #hvac #Load Calculation #sales tools #technology #training

Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

Marisa Reddy

Martin Hoover

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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/.

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

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.