BACK
Scroll Compressors in a Changing Regulatory Landscape
Ducting Ventilating Dehumidifiers
Measuring RTU Curbs with Adapters in Place
Voltage Protection Devices
HVAC in Nuclear Emergencies
A2L Refrigerant Sensors: Understanding False Alarms from Off-Gassing
Refrigeration Communication Troubleshooting Using Oscilloscopes
Preventing Heat Illnesses in the BLAZING Summer Heat
What is RS-485 Communication?
Superheat in Heat Mode: Why Heat Pumps Get Weird – Short #274
What We Learned From NCI Duct / Balancing Training
HVAC Systems for Architects: Making Sense of the Alphabet Soup – Short #273
Sizing Breakers and Conductors (for HVAC) – Have Things Changed?
Absorption Cooling – The Rise and Fall and Rise – Short #272
Combustion Analysis w/ Tony G.
Residential vs. Commercial HVAC Sales
When Ammonia Ruled the World – Short #270
Humidity, Airflow, and Refrigeration
#hvac
Tech Tips:
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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As HVAC technicians, our responsibilities extend beyond the mechanical and refrigerant systems. The electrical power supply is an often-overlooked factor in equipment longevity. Protecting an HVAC system from damaging voltage fluctuations is a strategic step that reduces service calls and enhances the reliability of our installations. This guide will discuss the importance of voltage protection […]
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This tech tip is based on a podcast episode with Bill Nowicki about the latest DHS guidance on HVAC use in nuclear emergencies. You can listen to that podcast HERE. Bill has 45 years of experience in the nuclear industry, starting with his Naval career, and he also has a few podcasts of his own. […]
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As the HVAC industry transitions to refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP), A2L refrigerants like R-454B are becoming more common. These refrigerants are classified as “mildly flammable” and require the installation of A2L refrigerant leak detection sensors in many applications to ensure safety. While these sensors are essential for detecting actual refrigerant leaks, HVAC […]
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This tech tip is the final installment in our short series on using oscilloscopes to troubleshoot communicating systems. This time, we're focusing on troubleshooting communication issues in commercial refrigeration systems. Imagine this scenario: you've got a refrigeration system acting up, and the comms network, whether it's LON or MOD-bus, seems a bit flaky. Let me […]
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This tech tip about preventing heat illnesses covers information and resources from the Cleveland Clinic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). HVAC School is NOT an official OSHA training resource, and although these safety tips are […]
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This tech tip about RS-485 communication is the third installment in a four-part series about oscilloscopes. It's a primer for the final installment about using an oscilloscope for diagnosis. I owe a special thanks to Jeremy Smith for sharing the information on Danfoss and for sparking my curiosity surrounding this type of communication. Let's talk […]
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Videos:
Podcasts:
In this short podcast, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question and explains why heat pumps get a bit weird: when it comes to superheat in heat mode. He also explains how we can move heat from outdoors to indoors, even in temperatures below freezing (cold temperatures just have less heat, not zero heat). In order […]
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In this engaging and informative episode, Bryan sits down with Elliot to discuss his recent training experience with the National Comfort Institute (NCI), covering two intensive courses on duct system optimization and residential air balancing. The conversation offers valuable insights for HVAC professionals looking to improve their technical skills and provide better service to […]
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In this short podcast, Bryan answers a question submitted to HVAC School by an aspiring licensed architect who wanted to learn more about the many different types of HVAC systems. The three main buckets of HVAC systems are air-to-air, water-source, and air-to-water. Air-to-air systems move air around to remove heat from one space, and […]
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In this essential episode, Bryan Orr sits down with Elliot, the residential install supervisor at Kalos Services, to unpack a critical issue that's causing confusion among HVAC technicians, electricians, and inspectors alike: the new standards for breaker and conductor sizing on inverter-driven equipment. The conversation was sparked by Elliot's frustrating experience of having two […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan goes on another history journey, retelling the story of the rise and fall and rise of absorption cooling. Some of the first HVAC/R engineers cooled buildings with fire; they used absorption refrigeration, which ran on heat instead of electricity. In the early 1800s, French scientist Michael Faraday showed that […]
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In this comprehensive training session from the symposium, Tony Gonzalez, Training Director at Fieldpiece, delivers an engaging and practical guide to combustion analysis for HVAC technicians. With 25 years of experience at Fieldpiece—from warehouse worker to training director—Tony brings both technical expertise and real-world application to this 50-minute interactive session focused on the company's […]
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In this candid conversation, Nathan and Bryan dive deep into the often-misunderstood world of sales in the construction and HVAC trades. Nathan, who has transitioned from fieldwork to spending roughly 60% of his time in sales, offers a unique perspective on why sales professionals are necessary despite the skepticism they face from tradespeople. The […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan takes us on a history journey back to when ammonia ruled the world. In the mid-1800s, before R-12, many inventors and scientists experimented with vapor-compression refrigeration systems to make ice. They used a variety of refrigerants in their patents, including ether, ethyl ether, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methyl […]
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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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