#tools

Tech Tips:

As a small business owner in the 21st century, I have recently been exposed to the overwhelming amount of new technologies and processes that I could use within my business. In the last few years, there has been a surge of software and connected tools that are entering the marketplace. All of them promise to […]

Negative Superheat? Time to Check Your Tools

I was fresh out of school, working as an apprentice at my first real HVAC job, and I was listening in on a shop conversation between a few techs. They were talking about finding so many overcharged systems. One of the techs turns to me and says, “I had a unit yesterday that was so […]

Skills in the Toolbag

The old adage goes: “When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” For some techs I know, even having a hammer can be challenging. I was pretty new in business, and my first real “employee” hire in the HVAC part of Kalos was my brother, Nathan. Many of you know him, […]

Other Great Sources

You may not know this, but the HVAC School podcast began before the website. When I started the podcast, I never intended to create a website, but there was more demand for quick tech tips than the podcast could hold. So, we started hvacrschool.com. In the same way, I never set out to create a […]

Quick, Easy, and Efficient at the NAVAC Booth

The VCRT redesigned + More w/ Fieldpiece

In this podcast, Bryan chats with Tony Gonzalez of Fieldpiece about their latest innovations for service tools, including the redesigned VCRT, as well as the training resources they offer. They start off discussing Fieldpiece's philosophy of developing solutions for technicians' real pain points, not just making products. Understanding workflows and obstacles lets them design better tools. […]

Engineers vs. Technicians w/ Bill Spohn

If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE. In this episode of the podcast, we talk to Bill Spohn from TruTech Tools about how TruTech Tools got its start and some of the ways that techs and engineers approach problems differently. Bill Spohn is a […]

Tool and Instrumentation Selection

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30 Minutes or Less and You Only Have…

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How to Evacuate an AC system, Full Vacuum Procedure

Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

This episode of the HVAC School podcast dives deep into the often-overlooked but critical topic of water issues in HVAC systems. Bryan and Bert discuss the various causes of water leaks and condensation problems, and they explain how to prevent them. They emphasize that water damage is not an inevitable part of HVAC systems and that with proper attention to detail and understanding of the underlying causes, most issues can be prevented.

“Spidey Sense” refers to a heightened situational awareness that allows technicians to anticipate and prevent water-related problems. Common water-related problems include drain backups, improper trap depth, and freezing issues, and Bryan and Bert provide practical advice on how to identify and address these problems. The conversation also covers the importance of proper installation techniques, including the correct placement of float switches, insulation of copper lines, and the pitching of secondary drain pans.

Bryan and Bert highlight the need for technicians to think critically about the root causes of water issues rather than relying on quick fixes or common misconceptions. They debunk myths such as thermostats being set too low and causing freezing, and they emphasize the importance of addressing underlying airflow problems. They also discuss the challenges of condensation in humid climates and the importance of setting proper customer expectations.

Key topics covered in the podcast include:

Common causes of water leaks in HVAC systems
The importance of proper drain installation and maintenance
Freezing issues and their real causes
Secondary drain pan installation and common mistakes
The role of static pressure in drainage problems
Condensation issues on outdoor units and in humid climates
The importance of proper insulation for copper lines and drains
Best practices for installing and connecting float switches
Debunking myths about thermostat settings causing freezing
The need for critical thinking and thorough investigation of water issues

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.