#hvac

This is a quick tip from the “Expansion Valves – What Does and Doesn't Matter?” livestream on our YouTube channel featuring Joe Shearer, Matthew Taylor, and Corey Cruz. As metering devices, TXVs can adjust the size of their orifice to maintain a constant superheat. Some TXVs are set to maintain a specific superheat from the […]

This is a quick tech tip derived from a short podcast episode in response to a question by one of our viewers, Gunther. You can listen to that episode HERE. If you would like to submit a question for the podcast, you can submit a voice recording on Speakpipe at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.   Restaurants are commercial facilities […]

I’m installing the HVAC system for a house that is being completely gutted. It has vaulted ceilings throughout, and a small attic area was designated for mechanicals. The duct system can’t go in the attic because there basically isn’t one. The engineer intended the equipment to go in the attic mechanical space, and then the […]

This is a quick tip from the “Expansion Valves – What Does and Doesn't Matter?” livestream on our YouTube channel featuring Joe Shearer, Matthew Taylor, and Corey Cruz. It’s time to talk about brazing again! Even though rehashing “flow nitrogen” and “use a wet rag” gets a little old, bad TXVs and callbacks also get […]

There are several neighborhoods in my area with two—and three-story townhomes with zoning, and I always wonder how long those systems will survive. Zoning can be notoriously hard on HVAC equipment if not set up properly. A single-stage system running full tilt with half the airflow it was designed for because a zone is closed […]

“Did you do a Manual J?” “Did you run a Manual S on that?” “What does Manual D say?” If you’ve asked any design-related questions on the internet in the last several years, you’re probably familiar with these questions. But how does one “do” a Manual T? I bought Manual T last year and gave […]

This tech tip features a diagnostic flowchart by Genry Garcia. Thanks, Genry! The name of this document, “The MAD Room,” was chosen as a nod to the MAD-AIR study completed by John Tooley and Neil Moyer, presented in 1989. The teachings from that document played an instrumental role in creating the following diagnostic workflow. Disclaimer […]

There is not much worse than having a service call where you can’t figure out where the water is coming from or where it came from before you got there. I have spent many hours scratching my sweaty head in attics while I stared into the riser of a drain line, waiting for water to […]

Sometimes, you just get lucky. Sometimes, you get sent out to install a unit in a closet! Although these types of installs have their challenges, at least for me, they have appeared easier on the surface. There is no return ductwork, as the unit sits on a platform. We are rarely disconnecting ducts in the […]

In this insightful podcast episode, Bryan and Dre discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing young technicians in the HVAC industry. They explore the growing interest among young people in trades like HVAC, noting a shift away from traditional four-year college paths. The conversation highlights the satisfaction that comes from working with one's hands and […]

In this short podcast, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about duct smoke detector facts and wiring. He focuses on Honeywell duct smoke detectors (namely the D4120W), but there are some general best practices that can be applied to most duct smoke detectors. The power supply may be 24v or 120v AC or DC and may […]

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan and guest Jesse Stewart from NAVAC discuss the generational divide in the HVAC industry and the importance of embracing new technologies and processes. They explore the challenges faced by both experienced technicians who may be set in their ways and newcomers to the trade who need […]

  In this short podcast episode, Bryan dives into soft start & solar technology, which often work together. He also talks about how we can install ductless systems in homes that rely on solar power. Soft starts are NOT hard starts. Hard starts add more current to the start (auxiliary) winding, which creates a stronger […]

   In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr welcomes Matt Bruner to discuss the concept of a “summer survival guide” for HVAC professionals. They explore strategies for maintaining work-life balance during the busy summer season and share personal experiences on prioritizing family and personal well-being while managing the demands of […]

 In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question: How do inverter air conditioners work? Inverter-driven systems have variable capacity to match loads. We can provide cooling or heating BTUs to match the needs of the space without overcompensating or undercompensating and causing temperature swings. Load matching also helps us get better efficiency […]

 In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, host Bryan Orr interviews Tim De Stasio, an experienced HVAC practitioner and consultant. Tim shares his journey in the HVAC industry, from his early days in vocational school to running his own contracting business for 12 years. He now focuses on consulting, design, and contractor training, […]

 In this short podcast episode, Bryan shares some strategies for teaching communication confidence, which may come in handy if you have newer techs who feel nervous or struggle to communicate with other people. The main way to build confidence is to get them to talk in the first place. Scripts and roleplay scenarios during […]

 This episode focuses on understanding and effectively utilizing various refrigeration system charts and measurements for troubleshooting and diagnostics. Joey Henderson, an HVAC veteran and trainer, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience on this topic. Joey starts by discussing the challenges he faced early in his career when trying to make sense of the […]