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Tech Tips:

Different Ignitor Types and How They Work
In the furnace sequence of operation, the ignition sequence happens after the safeties have been checked, the inducer fan comes on, and the pressure switch closes. The ignition sequence begins with the ignitor. This part provides the heat needed for combustion (remember: a fire needs heat, oxygen, and fuel), and the ignition process looks a […]
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The VOCs Lurking Under Your Customersโ€™ Sinks (and In Many Other Spots)
In HVAC, we have a few infamous indoor air quality monsters that bring terror to our customersโ€™ homesโ€”gases, particles, and organisms that wreak havoc on indoor air quality (and may contribute to moderate to severe health problems). The big one is carbon monoxide (CO), which we all know is deadly. Although not deadly by itself, […]
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Another Ob-NOx-ious Combustion Product
As we do fall maintenance and head into the heating season, combustion analysis becomes a big deal. (Itโ€™s always kind of a big deal, but now itโ€™s a really big deal.) First and foremost, it tells us how much carbon monoxide (CO) is produced by burning. CO can make people ill, contribute to cognitive deterioration […]
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How to Replace a Condensing Fan Motor
Service calls about condensing fan motor failure are quite common. Even though fan motor replacement is a standard procedure for residential split systems, it requires careful attention to safety and detail.ย This article will give you a step-by-step guide showing how to replace a condensing fan motor. Along the way, we will also explain a few […]
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Design and Performance Challenges of Air-Source Heat Pumps Across Diverse Climatic Conditions
This tech tip was inspired by Alex Meaney and Ed Janowiakโ€™s session at NCIโ€™s High-Performance Summit 2025: โ€œGood Design Isnโ€™t a Buffet: The Importance and Interconnection of Manuals J, S, and D.โ€ Alex is a building science expert who worked at Wrightsoft (now MiTek) for several years before launching his consulting firm, Mean HVAC Consulting […]
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Brownouts and How They’re Killing HVAC Equipment
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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CAT Ratings on Electrical Multimeters
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 onesโ€”or both, like this model of the UEi DL599 from our Multimeter 101 for HVAC 3D video. In […]
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AHRI Performance Data vs. Manufacturer Expanded Performance Data (and When to Use Each)
Equipment selection may seem like a pretty straightforward process: look at the data plate, find the tonnage thatโ€™s close to your Manual J calculationโ€™s total load, and youโ€™re good to go, right? The problem with that approach is that a 3-ton unit wonโ€™t deliver 36,000 BTUs per hour like it says on the data tag. […]
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Field Guide to Crankcase Heaters
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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Videos:

Podcasts:

20 Years in Family Business from the Kalos Founders
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this special live panel session recorded at the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium, the three founders of Kalos Services โ€” Bryan Orr, his father Robert (Bob) Orr, and uncle Keith Huntington โ€” sit down together to celebrate the company’s 20th anniversary and answer questions from the audience and online attendees. Hosted by Bert, […]
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Permanent Load Reduction As a Sales Driver – Short #284
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ This short podcast episode is Jeremy Begley’s Bry-X session from the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium: “Permanent Load Reduction in HVAC โ€“ The Hidden Driver of Long-Term Sales.” Some common customer complaints we hear as HVAC contractors include high humidity, high electric bills, noise, and uncomfortable rooms. The typical HVAC solution is to change […]
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Cold Climate Evacuation Livestream – Pandora’s Box
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this long-awaited live episode of HVAC School, host Bryan Orr reunites with three industry veterans โ€” Jim Bergmann of measureQuick, Roman Baugh (Kalos), and Andrew Greaves of NAVAC โ€” to tackle one of the most pressing and underaddressed challenges in modern HVAC: performing refrigerant recovery and system evacuation in extreme cold-weather conditions. The […]
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Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks w/ Let’s Be Techs
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Johnny, the creator behind the popular social media channel โ€œLetโ€™s Be Techs.โ€ Johnny brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the table, having spent his first 13 years in residential HVAC before transitioning into commercial refrigeration. He shares his unconventional path […]
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Heat In….Heat Out: All About Heat Transfer w/ Joe Joe The HVAC Man – Short #281
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ Join Joey Henderson LIVE from the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium in Florida! This essential training breaks down the science of heat transfer into practical field techniques every technician needs. What You’ll Learn: Understanding sensible heat (dry bulb) vs latent heat (wet bulb) removal Why airflow matters Heat transfer diagnostics BEFORE pulling out gauges […]
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Building Science at the Kitchen Table: Using Testing to Close the Sale
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ Recorded live at the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, this episode brings together Roman from HVAC School and building science practitioner Brynn for a deep-dive conversation on one of the most pressing challenges in the HVAC industry: how contractors can use building science principles not just to solve problems, but to communicate value and […]
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Hard Lessons w/ Roman, Tim D., Nathan O. and ELK
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ๏ปฟ Join industry veterans Tim De Stasio, Roman Baugh, Eric Kaiser, and Nathan Orr as they share their most memorable HVAC lessons learned the HARD WAY. This unfiltered conversation from the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium reveals the real stories behind costly errors, dangerous situations, and valuable HVAC training moments that shaped their careers. What […]
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Better Seen than Viewed w/ Jim Bergmann
๏ปฟ In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, host Bryan reconnects with Jim Bergmann of measureQuick after nearly three years apart. The reunion is anything but ordinary โ€” Jim opens up about a serious battle with non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma that sent him through not one but two rounds of chemotherapy, ultimately requiring a cutting-edge CAR-T cell […]
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Symposium – What Good Techs Do Different W/ Data
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ Discover what separates elite HVAC technicians from average ones in this eye-opening session from the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium. Shelby Breger, co-founder of Conduit Tech, and Jim Bergmann, President of measureQuick, reveal what good HVAC techs do differently with data and how they leverage data to transform their diagnostics, commissioning, and service work. […]
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