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Tool Selection: Analog vs. Digital vs. Probes
Two Ways to Prevent Freezing in 90%+ Furnace Condensate Lines
Decoding Measurement Lingo
History of Thermometry and the Invention of Thermometers
Itโs All Relativeโฆ Humidity
The Heating Sequence of Operations and Onions
Electronic Expansion Valve Troubleshooting
The Best (and Worst) Ways To Duct a Dehumidifier
The Evolving Career of the HVAC Contractor: Embracing Change to Stay Ahead
How Air Conditioning Saved the Movies – Short #262
Just Do it! w/ Chad Simpson
Analyst vs. PM vs. Operations – Short #261
The Hidden Cost of Killing Radiant Load – Short #260
Balance Point Explained w/ Jim Fultz
Dehumidify with a Waterfall? – Short #259
What are User Requirements? w/ ELK
Static Pressure is like Blood Pressure – Short #258
How To Be a REAL Comfort Consultant
#hvac
Tech Tips:
The original tools of the trade were all analog: electrical meters, gauges, and even manometers (Magnehelic, anyone?). However, digital tools have also become a staple of the skilled tradesโwhere would most of us be without digital multimeters? And then probes also joined the fray with the rapid improvements to smartphone technology over the last 15โ20 […]
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This tech tip came from an email sent by Adam Blunkall, a Tennessee-based HVAC technician. He shared some tips to help prevent the issue of freezing in 90%+ furnaces in his market, and we appreciate his insight. Thanks, Adam! If weโre draining our 90%+ furnaces (or any condensing heating system) outside the structure in a […]
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Troubleshooting and commissioning are entirely data-dependent processes. How can you know that a system is undercharged unless you measure the superheat and subcooling? How can you know how much static pressure a blower motor has to overcome? In both cases, we use tools and measurements to help us determine the next steps. However, using the […]
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So, what is thermometry anyway? Thermometry is the scientific study of measuring temperature and has roots that date back to as early as 220 BC. During this time, Philo of Byzantium began to study the effects that temperature had on air. Specifically, he observed expansion and contraction caused by temperature change. He did this using […]
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Floridaโs got a lot of great qualities: some pretty neat wildlife, beaches all around, and theme parks. On the flip side, Florida also has hurricanes and a lot of humidity. As much of a pain as it might be for residents and contractors alike, humidity is one of my favorite topics.ย We see relative humidity (RH) […]
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Just like Shrek, I like to think about the heating sequence of operations as an onionโit has layers. And each layer builds upon the previous one. We have written previously in great detail about gas furnaces, from top to bottom. I want to focus today on why there is a sequence of operations and how […]
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Electronic expansion valves (or EEVs) are metering devices that youโll find in a variety of modern HVAC equipment, including heat pumps, VRF units, inverter mini splits, and chillers. This valve is electronic rather than mechanical and can precisely control the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator and optimize efficiency for heating and cooling units. Other […]
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There are a couple of really important things to understand when ducting a dehumidifier. Getting one or both of these things wrong can throw off your entire dehumidifier install. Instead of just telling you the different ways you can install a dehumidifier, letโs talk through some dehumidifier basics, which will help us understand why itโs […]
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This tech tip was written by Shelby Breger, co-founder of Conduit Tech. You can check out everything Conduit has to offer and learn more about that interesting platform and how it helps contractors at https://getconduit.com/. Thank you, Shelby! Before starting Conduit Tech, Marisa and I spent a year doing everything we could to learn about […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this short podcast episode, Bryan explores an interesting story in the history of HVAC: how air conditioning saved the movies. In the summer of 1925 in NYC, a new film was set to appear on the big screen… but the theater was stuffy with no fan that could cool down the sheer mass […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this candid conversation recorded live at the NCI Summit in Austin, Bryan Orr sits down with Chad Simpson, owner of Simpson Solutions, for an unexpectedly revealing discussion about the reality of building a successful HVAC business. What makes this episode particularly compelling is Simpson’s refreshing honesty about his struggles, failures, and the gradual […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this short business-oriented podcast, Bryan breaks down the differences between three commonly confused positions/roles: analyst vs. PM (project management) vs. operations. When you own or work in a small business, you might wear a lot of hats: estimating, writing proposals, troubleshooting, being a customer or coworker’s therapist, etc. This work can be organized, […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this short podcast, Bryan talks about the hidden cost of killing radiant load, especially when it comes to installing radiant barriers in attics. We sometimes get service calls about ducts sweating when they never used to sweat. If there are no problems with the system (i.e., the refrigerant charge, static pressure, airflow, supply […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ This comprehensive episode dives deep into one of the most critical yet misunderstood concepts in HVAC: balance point calculations for heat pump systems. Jim and Bryan break down the complexities of dual fuel systems, explaining why proper sizing and balance point calculations are essential for both comfort and efficiency. The discussion moves beyond basic […]
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๏ปฟ In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about history and HVAC science: how to dehumidify the air with a waterfall and how cold water became the first air conditioner. In 1902, Willis Carrier worked for a printing company in Brooklyn, New York. There was a huge humidity problem during the summer: the printing plant […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this comprehensive session, Eric Kaiser walks through the critical importance of establishing proper user requirements before making equipment purchases. Drawing from real-world experiences in the HVAC industry, he demonstrates how poor upfront planning leads to costly mistakes, buyer’s remorse, and multiple equipment purchases. The discussion covers everything from selecting simple tools like screwdrivers […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains the science behind a common HVAC simile: static pressure is like blood pressure. He covers the similarities and differences between measuring static pressure during a service call or maintenance and a doctor measuring your blood pressure at a checkup. Total external static pressure (TESP) should be measured […]
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๏ปฟ In this comprehensive episode, Bryan Orr sits down with Tim De Stasio to explore the world of comfort consulting and performance contracting in HVAC. Tim, who sold his contracting company to focus on this specialized field, shares his methodical approach to diagnosing home performance issues that go far beyond traditional HVAC troubleshooting. Working primarily […]
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