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3 Ways to Reduce Compression Ratio in a Heat Pump
Best Practices to Conserve A2L Refrigerants in a Shortage
High-Pressure vs. Low-Pressure Shell Scrolls: A Deeper Dive
Should the Float Switch Break R or Y?
Don’t Drive Drowsy
Flex Ducts: Peeling Back the Layers
Solving Delta T
Don’t Fall for Unsafe Practices: Heights in HVAC
Non-Invasive Testing: A Smarter Approach to System Diagnostics
Capacitor Testing and Replacement – Short #247
Cold Coil vs. Desiccant Dehumidification
Learning Better – Short #246
Intro to The Sigma Capacitor
What’s up with Refrigerant & System Regulations w/ Copeland
TXV Troubleshooting – Short #245
Learning and Teaching GRIT w/ Ty Branaman
Band-Aids, Hacks, and Ethics – Short #244
Why VRF Compressors Die w/ Roman
Understanding Dual Fuel
Why Home Performance and HVAC are One
The Quality Installation Conundrum
The Devil is in the Data
#hvac
Tech Tips:
We’ve talked about compression ratio a lot over the years. Compression ratio is the number you get when you divide the absolute head pressure (PSIG + 14.7) by the absolute suction pressure (PSIG + 14.7). It measures the efficiency of a compressor, and lower numbers indicate that the compressor is moving more refrigerant while consuming […]
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If you own your HVAC company or are involved in management, you may have realized that our industry is currently facing a shortage of new A2L refrigerants, particularly R-454B and R-32. Our own company has faced limited availability and long lead times, mainly due to supply chain disruptions and the increased demand now that our […]
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I want to share something that came up in a recent discussion with Roman Baugh about VRF systems, and it made me realize I might have had a blind spot regarding scroll compressor designs. We were talking specifics, and he brought up high-pressure shell compressors. My immediate thought was, “Hold on, aren't scrolls low-pressure shell […]
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There are three things we never discuss at the dinner table: religion, politics, and which wire to break with your float switch. A float switch fills with water whenever there is a drain backup, and it breaks power to one of the low-voltage wires. We clearly want the HVAC system to stop producing more condensate, […]
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Being in an industry that requires a lot of travel—local or regional—can be a great thing for people who enjoy driving. It also comes with several more risks and opportunities for roadway accidents than someone who just has a round-trip commute to a single location every day. We’re all aware of the issues of texting behind […]
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A few times in the past, we’ve heard the phrase “the house is the biggest duct” because of the way air moves through it. Well, we can take it a step further and see that there are similarities that go just beyond air movement. A building has several layers to keep things like moisture, heat, and […]
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Delta T is the difference in temperature between two points of the same medium. It is commonly used by scientists and engineers to analyze the amount of heat transfer in a system. In general HVAC terms, it is the measurable change in temperature between an air input and air output. However, it could also be […]
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DISCLAIMER: HVAC School is NOT an official OSHA safety training resource! Although we provide safety tips in good faith, neither this tech tip about the hazards of working at heights nor any other training on our website is a substitute for safety training from an authorized OSHA training source. Many things may deter people from […]
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This tech tip about non-invasive testing comes from a post in the HVAC School Facebook group by Ed Janowiak. Ed is the Manager of HVAC Design Education at ACCA, a longtime friend of HVAC School, and an educator who does a lot of great work for the industry. Thanks, Ed! This past Thursday, I taught […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this short podcast episode, Bryan goes through the process of testing and replacing a run capacitor. Run capacitors provide continuous phase-shifted current to the start winding, allowing the motor to run in the right direction and with the appropriate amount of torque. These capacitors are needed in most of the single-phase PSC motors […]
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In this comprehensive episode of the HVAC podcast, Bryan hosts an in-depth discussion about dehumidification technologies with two industry experts: David Schurk, National Sales Manager for Innovative Air Technologies, and Nikki Krueger from Santa Fe Products. The conversation explores the fundamental differences between compression refrigeration dehumidification and solid desiccant systems, providing valuable insights for […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about learning styles and gives some tips for “learning better” and getting more out of continuing education opportunities. The first step to getting more out of educational opportunities is to know your learning style. There are three main styles: visual, kinesthetic (hands-on), and auditory. Most tradespeople will […]
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Sharon Goepferich from Cool Air Products joins the podcast to discuss cutting-edge capacitor technology and innovative HVAC solutions in an introduction to the Sigma capacitor. Sharon brings a decade of industry experience, having worked extensively with capacitors and HVAC components while traveling across the country to educate technicians and contractors. The conversation begins with […]
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In this insightful episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan sits down with Jennifer Butsch, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Copeland, to discuss the rapidly evolving regulatory environment affecting the HVAC industry. With eight years of experience at Copeland and a background spanning codes, standards, and regulatory affairs, Jennifer provides a unique perspective […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan walks through some common thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) troubleshooting scenarios. Many of the same principles apply to troubleshooting electronic expansion valves (EEVs). These dynamic metering devices maintain a constant superheat. Troubleshooting does NOT start and end with the TXV. First, you need to inspect components (especially filters, ductwork, […]
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In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr and guest Ty Branaman have an in-depth, hands-on conversation about the philosophy, structure, and impact of GRIT Camps—workshops designed to introduce kids to the trades through immersive, practical experiences. The episode opens with reflections on a recent successful GRIT Camp in New Jersey, […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about band-aids, hacks, and ethics. He explores ethical “band-aid” solutions and how to charge for them. He also covers the difference between patching up equipment ethically and unethical repairs. Temporary fixes and ugly permanent fixes fall into the ethical gray area for a lot of people, especially […]
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In this episode, Bryan and Roman dive deep into the world of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, focusing on the persistent issue of compressor failures. VRF technology has evolved, and it has seen a major rise in the North American market since the early 2010s. Roman shares his passion for VRF, tracing its origins […]
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Events:
NOTE: If you cannot view the recording, the video may still be processing. The maximum wait time is 24 hours. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
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NOTE: If you cannot view the recording, the video may still be processing. The maximum wait time is 24 hours. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
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NOTE: If you cannot view the recording, the video may still be processing. The maximum wait time is 24 hours. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
Read more
NOTE: If you cannot view the recording, the video may still be processing. The maximum wait time is 24 hours. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.
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