#hvac

This tech tip recaps the livestream by the same name, featuring HVAC School contributors Matt Bruner and Adam Mufich, as well as special guest Steve Cook from Hisense. You can watch that livestream on our YouTube channel HERE. We also owe special thanks to Roman Baugh, who added some extra information on the topic.  Communicating […]

A manual J load calculation will require you to input the U-value for the windows or “fenestrations” on the house. Fenestration is a fancy construction word for window. Figuring out the U-value and SHGC of a window on an existing home is very difficult. But first, let’s dive into what the terms U-value and SHGC […]

This tech tip recaps the livestream by the same name, featuring HVAC School contributors Matt Bruner and Adam Mufich and special guest Ty Branaman. You can watch that livestream on our YouTube channel HERE and visit Ty’s at https://www.youtube.com/@love2hvac. While 80% gas furnaces are relatively commonplace in the Southeastern United States, where HVAC School is […]

This tech tip reviews the live stream by the same name aired on November 1st, 2023. You can watch the full live stream HERE. We want to give special thanks to the guests: Jim Bergmann, Jim Davis, Tony Gonzalez, Louise Kellar, Bill Spohn, and Tyler Nelson! Gas furnaces (or any combustion equipment) create a controlled […]

As the evening approaches on this All Hallow's Eve, Reformation Day, or Halloween (depending on your preference), let us take a moment to focus on some of the truly terrifying elements of our trade—because the scariest stories are TRUE. Real Ghost Stories  The year was 1921, and a wealthy family purchased a new home in […]

Last year, I bought my first combustion analyzer. I had just started my own company and felt the additional weight of responsibility to sit down and determine the best way to verify that the furnaces I was servicing were working safely. In the past, the most extensive testing I had done was a visual inspection […]

This article will cover how to collect field data for walls on an existing home for an ACCA Manual J calculation. In full disclosure, I had never collected any field data for a Manual J before I wrote this article. Many of the methods discussed were suggested by HVAC technicians and contractors in an online […]

Starting to work on a Manual J load calculation can feel extremely overwhelming. How do we know what to focus on? What does normal look like? What if I’m way off on something and install way too big or small of a unit? On a practical level, what is the payback or value of spending […]

A few weeks ago, I spent several days redoing a duct system and replacing a furnace for a friend. I had static pressure readings from before the system was replaced, and with the new furnace that I had picked out, I had created a static pressure budget and felt confident I could significantly lower the […]

 In this short podcast, Bryan talks about how to pay close attention to airflow issues and use your “spidey sense” when you're doing a visual inspection or commissioning a system. He also covers some causes of common airflow problems and some services and upgrades you can offer to your customers. The skill of being […]

In this episode, Bryan and Bert dive deep into the world of low voltage wiring in HVAC systems. They discuss common mistakes, best practices, and troubleshooting techniques that technicians and contractors should be aware of when dealing with control wiring. The conversation begins with a focus on mechanical issues, such as running wires in places […]

In this short podcast from our Q&A series, Bryan answers a viewer question and implores you to STOP overthinking in the trade! He also shares a parable and some tips to help stop overthinking, especially if you're just starting out in the trade. In many cases, the simplest assumption is the right one (this is […]

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 […]