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How to Eliminate Surprises on Install Jobs
The 1/7 (or 1/10) Rule for Oxy-Acetylene Torch Tips
Evaluating HVAC Tape Performance Under High Heat and Static Load (Part 1)
Oxy-Acetylene Torch Tips and BTUs
Using the Socratic Method to Meet Trainees Where They’re At
Stay On Your Game During Summer Service Calls
When Fear Gets On the Truck With You
Techs are Under Pressure
The “Bad” Contactor That Wasn’t
Q&A What Uninsulated Refrigerant Lines Really Cost You – Short #297
Outdoor Air & Ventilation Strategies with John Semmelhack, Ty Branaman & Tim De Stasio
Selecting a Replacement Motor – Short #296
Nailing a Job Interview w/ Refrigeration Mentor
Digital Tools and AI – “So Happy Together” – Short #295
HVAC Summer Service Calls: Rushing, Mental Fog & How to Stay on Your Game
The House Always Wins! A Class On Building Science Basics – Short #294
Compressor Failures, What and Why w/ Ty
Multi Position Valves and More – Short #293
#hvac
Tech Tips:
HVAC installs sometimes come with surprises. Some of them are good, like when you have a really nice customer who buys you lunch or leaves you a generous tip. But HVAC installs can also come with plenty of bad surprises, like a defective part, not enough space to install the unit, an incorrectly sized platform […]
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We already know that oxy-acetylene torches have a lot of safety considerations attached: don’t oil regulator threads, bubble-test your hoses, you get the picture. But there’s one more we haven’t really covered: the 1/7 rule (or 1/10 rule, based on the latest industry guidance). This commonly cited rule reduces the likelihood of flammable acetone coming […]
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When sealing ductwork or repairing HVAC insulation, the tape you choose dictates the long-term integrity of the system. Temperatures fluctuate wildly in attics and mechanical rooms, and the tape must be able to withstand these environments without degrading. To better understand how different professional-grade adhesives actually perform under elevated temperatures, we decided to put them […]
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Oxy-acetylene torch tip manufacturers publish charts that tell us the ideal applications for each tip size, which is quite useful on its own. After all, a small tip may be great for a ⅜” liquid line but would hardly make a dent in 2” commercial refrigeration piping. But we can also take the information from […]
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We’ve all probably been in this situation before (maybe in both people’s shoes at different points of our careers): A technician is on the job with their apprentice. The technician tells the apprentice where the probes go on the service ports and exactly what the superheat and subcooling are. The apprentice’s eyes glaze over, and […]
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The summer is a season of opportunity for HVAC technicians, and by opportunity, I mean a super high volume of service calls with a greater chance of callbacks. We’re based in Florida, so our techs have to deal with the combination of blistering heat and higher humidity. That combo can cause all sorts of problems: […]
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You know the feeling that sets in your chest before you finish reading that nine-word text: Hey you got a minute? I need some help. No details. No system description. Just that, from someone who doesn’t send that text unless they’ve already exhausted everything else. Let’s talk about that feeling. What’s Actually Happening to You […]
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The amount of pressure you're under depends on where you live. I live in Florida, so I'm very close to sea level. Therefore, the weight of the atmosphere is exerting exactly 14.7 pounds per square inch (PSIA) of pressure on every surface in every direction. There is no such thing as negative pressure—only pressure lower […]
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I wanted to share a recent “rediscovery” with you out of pure humility. I call it a rediscovery because it’s a basic fundamental I already knew, but it just hadn't come up recently enough to be top of mind until the other day. I found myself troubleshooting a single-pole Mars 91311 contactor. I had voltage […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a question from Evan about the true cost of uninsulated refrigerant lines, especially in terms of efficiency losses and decreased longevity. Insulation keeps refrigerant cold, usually in the suction line; it makes it harder for cool vapor refrigerant to absorb heat. (Expansion lines are also insulated.) When […]
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In this live-stream episode, Bryan is joined by Tim DeStasio, John Semmelhack, and Ty Branaman for a deep dive into residential ventilation — the often-overlooked “V” in HVAC. The group opens with quick life updates before launching into a wide-ranging conversation covering the three core ventilation strategies (circulation, extraction, and dilution), how tight home […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan covers the points to consider when selecting a replacement motor, particularly blower motors and condensing fan motors in residential and light commercial applications. Horsepower and amperage both matter for matching, but they are not the only items to consider. We also have to consider phase (three-phase vs. single-phase), […]
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In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Trevor Matthews from Refrigeration Mentor for a conversation focused entirely on nailing a job interview in the HVAC and refrigeration trades — whether it’s a technician’s very first shot at breaking into the industry or an experienced tech looking to move to a new company or specialty. Trevor […]
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This short podcast episode is Tyler Nelson’s Bry-X presentation from the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium: Digital Tools and AI – “So Happy Together.” Tyler is the Business Development Manager and Global Trainer at Sauermann Americas. Artificial intelligence (AI) is measured data, not an authority, and it will not replace techs. It may enhance […]
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In this episode, Bryan leads a live team meeting focused on getting technicians mentally and practically ready for the summer rush. He opens by asking the group to name what makes the season different, and the answers pile up quickly: higher call volumes, hotter attics, more irritable customers, and a nagging pressure to move […]
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In this short episode from the Bry-X stage of the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Tessa Murry gives a class on building science basics: The House Always Wins! Tessa is a building scientist who works with TEC. Tessa’s class is about how the house puts HVAC contractors in difficult situations. When people have indoor […]
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In this episode, Bryan sits down with compressor teardown specialist Ty Branaman for a deep dive into what really kills refrigeration and AC compressors. After some lighthearted banter, the conversation quickly turns technical: Ty has spent years cutting apart failed compressors on video, and he explains why that practice matters so much. As he […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about multi-position service valves and more valve types. Many typical residential systems have brass service valves with a hex cap and Schrader ports; access happens solely through the Schrader ports (where the cores are). Schraders are restrictive and prone to leaking, and they don’t have the ability […]
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