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Different Ignitor Types and How They Work
The VOCs Lurking Under Your Customersโ Sinks (and In Many Other Spots)
Another Ob-NOx-ious Combustion Product
How to Replace a Condensing Fan Motor
Design and Performance Challenges of Air-Source Heat Pumps Across Diverse Climatic Conditions
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
How to Make Online Training That Does Not Suck – Short #286
The Vacuum Deep Dive: Microns, Moisture, and Molecular Science
Surge Protection for HVAC – Short #285
20 Years in Family Business from the Kalos Founders
Permanent Load Reduction As a Sales Driver – Short #284
Cold Climate Evacuation Livestream – Pandora’s Box
Troubleshooting Tips and Tricks w/ Let’s Be Techs
Heat In….Heat Out: All About Heat Transfer w/ Joe Joe The HVAC Man – Short #281
Building Science at the Kitchen Table: Using Testing to Close the Sale
#hvac
Tech Tips:
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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In HVAC, we have a few infamous indoor air quality monsters that bring terror to our customersโ homesโgases, 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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As we do fall maintenance and head into the heating season, combustion analysis becomes a big deal. (Itโs always kind of a big deal, but now itโs 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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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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This tech tip was inspired by Alex Meaney and Ed Janowiakโs session at NCIโs High-Performance Summit 2025: โGood Design Isnโt 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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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 onesโor 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 thatโs close to your Manual J calculationโs total load, and youโre good to go, right? The problem with that approach is that a 3-ton unit wonโt 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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Videos:
Podcasts:
๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this short podcast, Ruchir Shah and Dan Riggs from SkillCat talk about how to make online training that does not suck! They talk about how to develop training that is relevant to the trades and can be applied in real-world trade work. The skill gap is widening in the trades, especially as shortages […]
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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this action-packed live stream episode of HVAC School, host Bryan is joined by Eric Kaiser, Ty Branaman, and Roman Baugh for a continuation of a deep-dive conversation on vacuum practices โ picking up where a previous episode left off with Andrew Greaves and Jim Bergmann. The team sets out to both reinforce the […]
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๏ปฟ This short podcast is from the Bry-X stage of the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium: Cheryl Klein’s “Surge Protection for HVAC.” Cheryl is with DITEK, a veteran-owned company based in Florida, and has extensive knowledge of whole-home surge protection and HVAC-specific surge protectors. HVAC systems may have their lifespans reduced by power surges (tens […]
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๏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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๏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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๏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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๏ปฟ๏ปฟ In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Johnny, the creator behind the popular social media channel โLetโs 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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๏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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๏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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