BACK
Brownouts and How They’re Killing HVAC Equipment
CAT Ratings on Electrical Multimeters
AHRI Performance Data vs. Manufacturer Expanded Performance Data (and When to Use Each)
Field Guide to Crankcase Heaters
What Makes a Thorough Comfort Consultation
Compressor Failure: Diagnosis and Replacement Checklist for Residential and Light Commercial Equipment
Scroll Compressors in a Changing Regulatory Landscape
Ducting Ventilating Dehumidifiers
Measuring RTU Curbs with Adapters in Place
Humidity, Airflow, and Refrigeration
The Finned-Tube Coil – Short #269
Are Two Are Better Than One: Understanding Tandem Compressors
The Tech That Tried to Beat the Compressor – Short #268
VRF, Ductless and Humidity Control w/ Roman
The History of the Thermostat – Short #267
Tech Support Highs and Woes w/ Roman
The Current War – Tesla, Edison & Westinghouse – Short #266
An R-454B Ramble w/ Elliot
#hvac
Tech Tips:
HVAC technicians typically focus on diagnosing issues related to mechanical wear, refrigerant leaks, or control problems within the equipment. However, damage can also originate from external sources. For instance, a failed control board might be attributed to internal shorts or rubouts. Yet, the root cause could be external, such as the voltage spike that can […]
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If you have a multimeter for HVAC work, you most likely have a meter with a CAT III rating on it. Some might also be rated for CAT II at higher voltages or CAT IV at lower ones—or both, like this model of the UEi DL599 from our Multimeter 101 for HVAC 3D video. In […]
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Equipment selection may seem like a pretty straightforward process: look at the data plate, find the tonnage that’s close to your Manual J calculation’s total load, and you’re good to go, right? The problem with that approach is that a 3-ton unit won’t deliver 36,000 BTUs per hour like it says on the data tag. […]
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Crankcase heaters are a critical but often overlooked component in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Their function is simple but vital: to prevent liquid refrigerant from migrating into the compressor crankcase during the off-cycle. A missing or failed crankcase heater is a leading cause of premature compressor failure. This guide covers why they're necessary, how […]
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This tech tip is based on an HVAC School podcast episode with Tim De Stasio. Tim has written several articles about HVAC design on his blog, several of which he has been generous enough to share with HVAC School. Tim’s focus is on humid climates, and moisture mitigation is one of his main focuses in […]
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Special thanks to Ty Branaman and Bert Testerman for their work and feedback on this tech tip about compressor failure diagnosis and replacement. A PDF checklist that covers all of the procedures in this tech tip can be found at http://www.hvacrschool.com/compressor-replacement-checklist. Important Note Before You Begin Industry data indicates that up to 30% of compressors […]
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This tech tip is based on an HVAC School podcast episode about scroll compressors and new refrigerants with Jeff Kukert and Tom Fesenmyer from Copeland. Jeff is the senior technical trainer, and Tom is the manager of technical services. You can listen to the original podcast HERE, and you can explore Copeland’s vast selection of […]
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This tech tip was written with the guidance of Nikki Krueger, the Director of Marketing & Business Development at Santa Fe Dehumidifiers. Nikki has been a longtime contributor to HVAC School as a recurring podcast guest and presenter at the HVACR Training Symposium. Most of the illustrations and instructions for ducting ventilating dehumidfiers came from […]
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Each commercial rooftop unit (RTU) needs to be mounted to a curb. A curb supports the RTU and provides openings for the supply and return ductwork (which can be massive compared to what we see in residential and light commercial HVAC). Occasionally, we’ll need to do an RTU changeout and put in a bigger or […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan and Nathan dive deep into the challenges of humidity control in grocery stores and other refrigerated environments. While the conversation takes several entertaining detours (including discussions about morning radio shows, Indian weddings with elephants, and imaginary lava-heated homes), the core content provides valuable insights for […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan explores the history of the finned-tube coil, which is what we use for heat exchange in air-source air conditioners and heat pumps. Air-source HVAC systems have copper tubes threaded through thin metal fins. This design was optimized to ensure the greatest possible surface area for heat exchange to […]
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In this comprehensive episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr sits down with three experts from Copeland to demystify tandem and trio compressor systems. Joining him are Gina Kahle (Multiples Engineering Manager with 12+ years at Copeland), Tyler Daniels (Product Management team member), and James Stevenson (Technical Sales veteran with 28 years […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan tells the story of the technology that tried to beat the compressor… and still may someday. We associate cooling with refrigerant… and all the things that come with it, including compressor noise, oil, recovery machines and tanks, leaks, superheat, and regulations. However, there is a means of providing […]
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In this comprehensive episode, Bryan and Roman dive deep into one of the most challenging topics in modern HVAC: making VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) and ductless systems perform effectively in humid climates like Florida. The conversation tackles a common misconception that inverter-driven equipment automatically handles humidity well simply because it can “turn down.” Roman […]
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In this short podcast, Bryan gives another history lesson and goes over the history of the thermostat. Before 1883, automatic temperature control simply did not exist; we shoveled fuel into the furnace and opened windows. If a room got too hot in a commercial building, the janitor would go downstairs to choke the draft […]
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In this candid and comprehensive episode, Bryan sits down with Roman to tackle one of the most frustrating yet crucial aspects of the HVAC industry: technical support. What starts as a conversation about their own tech support nightmares quickly evolves into a deep dive examining the entire ecosystem—from manufacturers and distributors to technicians and […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan is back for yet another history lesson. This time, the subject is the current war with Tesla, Edison, and Westinghouse. The current war was fought in the late 1800s with lightbulbs, electrocutions, and a World's Fair that dazzled the entire world. Edison didn't necessarily invent the lightbulb, but […]
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In this raw and unfiltered episode, Bryan sits down with Elliot, a senior service tech and newly minted install supervisor, to discuss the realities of working with R-454B refrigerant in the field. What starts as a technical discussion about the new A2L refrigerant quickly evolves into a candid conversation about industry frustrations, manufacturer accountability, […]
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