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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
Returns – Passive? Active? Sizing? w/ Adam & Matt
Fan of Fans – Short #250
Keys to VRF Maintenance w/ Roman
Maintenance Mindset – Short #249
IAQ, Ethical Selling & Building Better Techs w/ Brynn Cooksey
Crankcase Heaters – Short #248
The Contactor Reimagined w/ Copeland
Capacitor Testing and Replacement – Short #247
Cold Coil vs. Desiccant Dehumidification
#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 episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Adam and Matt to tackle one of the most misunderstood aspects of HVAC system design: return air systems. The conversation dives deep into the common myths surrounding returns, particularly the widespread belief that adding returns to rooms will automatically improve comfort […]
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If you're a fan of fans, this is the podcast for you! In this short podcast episode, Bryan shares how installing ceiling fans can be a smart HVAC design strategy (even though he wasn't a fan of fans!). Ceiling fans break the “don't blow air on people” rule we usually refer to in duct […]
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In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Roman Baugh, a leading VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) specialist and co-host of the VRF Tech Talk podcast, for an in-depth exploration of VRF system maintenance. The conversation begins with some lighthearted back-and-forth before shifting to the technical realities of maintaining VRF […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan explores the maintenance mindset. Maintenance procedures require a different skill set from troubleshooting, especially the customer service mindset and dedication to execution. Good maintenance is important, and it may be “boring” to some techs, but it provides value and is worth doing well. Clients purchase maintenance plans for […]
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In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan welcomes back Brynn Cooksey from Air Doctors and HVAC U to discuss critical topics facing the HVAC industry today. Brynn brings his unique perspective as both a successful contractor in southeast Michigan and an industry educator who has made the transition to focusing primarily on […]
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In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about crankcase heaters, including their different types, what they do, and when we need to use them. Crankcase heaters usually come in belly band varieties, but some can be inserted into the sump of the compressor. As their name suggests, crankcase heaters heat the crankcase when the […]
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In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan welcomes back Jim to discuss the groundbreaking SureSwitch contactor technology from Copeland. This isn't just another incremental improvement – it's a complete reimagining of how contactors should work in modern HVAC systems. Jim brings his expertise and even demonstrates the technology with a special cutaway […]
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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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