Trevor Matthews returns to the HVAC School Podcast to discuss building tech confidence and personal growth in the HVAC and refrigeration industry. The conversation explores the transformative power of self-investment, continuous learning, and maintaining a positive mindset. Trevor shares his personal journey from a hesitant technician to a successful business owner, highlighting the importance of pushing beyond comfort zones and embracing continuous improvement.

Some fundamental mindset shifts are necessary for professional development. Trevor candidly discusses his early career struggles, including his initial fear of public speaking and technical challenges. He emphasizes that confidence isn't something that happens overnight but is built through consistent effort, studying, and maintaining a willingness to learn. The key to the growth mindset is to focus on personal progress instead of comparing your achievements to those of others, and it's a perspective that can dramatically impact professional and personal growth.

Self-investment consists of dedicating time to learning, staying physically and mentally healthy, and maintaining a positive attitude, and it can open up unprecedented opportunities. Many technicians have transformed their careers by adopting a growth mindset, continuously seeking knowledge, and being willing to step outside their comfort zones.

Key Topics Covered:

• Building professional confidence
• The importance of continuous learning
• Overcoming fear and self-doubt in technical careers
• Strategies for personal and professional growth
• Maintaining a positive mindset
• Investing in self-improvement
• Balancing work, health, and personal development
• The power of small, consistent actions
• Avoiding comparison with others
• Techniques for staying motivated
• Recommended resources for personal development

Recommended Resources Mentioned:

• Book: "Limitless" by Jim Kwik
• Book: "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
• Book: "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill
• Book: "Mastery" by Robert Greene
• Podcast: Hidden Brain
• Podcast: AC Service Tech

Check out Refrigeration Mentor at https://refrigerationmentor.com/ or email Trevor at [email protected]. 

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.

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the CPS Molecular Transformator and what it does.

The Molecular Transformator is a version of a tube-in-shell heat exchanger, which is a method of exchanging heat from one fluid medium to another fluid medium. Tubes containing a fluid pass through a shell containing water or glycol, and there is a heat exchange between that secondary fluid and the fluid being circulated in the tubes. In a Molecular Transformator, the fluid being circulated is recovered refrigerant, and the secondary fluid is water (in a bucket), which absorbs heat from the refrigerant and cools it down to make sure that the refrigerant enters the recovery tank as a liquid.

Refrigerant recovery machines have condensers inside of them, but they are quite small and don't hold a lot of refrigerant by design; many recovery machines use microchannel coils. A lot of the time, the refrigerant leaving a recovery machine is a liquid-vapor mix and too high-temperature; a lot of people run a hose over the tank or put it in a bucket of ice. The "Molecular Transformator" tries to settle the vapor molecules down into a liquid; it transforms the vapor molecules using the same mechanism as a tube-in-shell heat exchanger.

The main issue is that there will be leftover refrigerant in the Molecular Transformator after recovery. However, you can mitigate this problem with ball valves and proper purging. Do so responsibly to avoid venting refrigerant.

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.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Mike, a 20-year veteran from DITEK, a leading American manufacturer of surge protection devices based in Largo, Florida. The conversation begins with a brief discussion about recent hurricane impacts in the Tampa Bay area, where DITEK maintains its 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. Mike shares how the company, despite facing challenging weather conditions, continued its operations and maintained its commitment to American manufacturing.

The bulk of the discussion centers around surge protection technology and its critical importance in protecting HVAC systems and other electronic equipment. Mike provides an excellent analogy, comparing surge protectors to pressure relief valves for electrical systems. He explains how Metal Oxide Varistors (MOVs) work as semiconductors that create low impedance paths to ground when voltage exceeds certain thresholds. The conversation delves into the evolution of MOV technology, particularly the development of thermally protected MOVs that provide enhanced safety features.

The episode also addresses common misconceptions about surge protection, particularly the belief that surge protectors are primarily for lightning protection. Mike explains that while lightning strikes are a concern, especially in areas like Florida, approximately 65% of surges actually originate from within facilities themselves, often from equipment cycling on and off or other power quality issues. He emphasizes the importance of proper installation, particularly regarding ground connections and lead lengths, noting that every six inches of wire length can add about 100 volts to the clamping voltage of the device.

Key Topics Covered:

• DITEK's history and commitment to American manufacturing
• Basic principles of surge protection and how MOVs work
• Evolution of MOV technology and thermal protection features
• Difference between transient voltage and temporary overvoltage (TOV)
• Importance of proper grounding and lead length in surge protection
• Cascading surge protection strategy for comprehensive protection
• UL testing standards and voltage protection ratings (VPR)
• Common misconceptions about surge protection
• Impact of aging electrical infrastructure on power quality
• Importance of customer support and ethical business practices
• Installation best practices for surge protection devices
• Relationship between ground resistance and surge protector performance
• Types of surge protective devices (SPD) and their classifications

Learn more about DITEK at https://www.diteksurgeprotection.com/. 

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.

Bryan answers a listener-submitted question: "Am I toxic for caring?" He gives advice on how to maintain professional relationships while still maintaining very high standards of quality for your own work.

Having high standards is great, but it can be frustrating when you perceive coworkers as having lower standards than you. A poor-quality end product is fairly objective, but other ways of judging coworkers' standards are a lot more subjective and may vary by culture, and we end up judging the person rather than the work. While we should care about the objective outcomes of a job, we want to challenge ourselves when we start comparing others' work to our own unfavorably.

Judging others' work isn't inherently bad or "toxic," but it has to be controlled and done in service of something greater. When we confront others or judge their work, we need to make sure it comes from a place of professional pride (rather than personal pride) and personal humility.

As tradespeople, we don't always do the best work, either. In some mission-critical applications, we need to rely on workarounds to get a quick outcome. In those situations, it's a lot more important to be honest about what we're doing and the value we promise. When we find opportunities for our colleagues to do things better, we can offer advice in service of the job and allow the other person to take it or leave it; we don't get to decide that for others. We also have to acknowledge that people have different natural inclinations, and we'd be wise to respect those differences.

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.

Ruchir Shah joins the podcast to share his journey into HVAC education technology and the founding of SkillCat, a comprehensive training platform for skilled trades. As a five-time entrepreneur in educational technology, Ruchir's path to HVAC was influenced by his earlier work studying the BP oil spill and developing training solutions for oil and gas workers. When COVID-19 hit and many skilled workers found themselves displaced, he recognized a broader pattern of declining income for blue-collar workers over the past 50 years, which led to the creation of SkillCat.

The discussion delves into SkillCat's innovative approach to EPA 608 certification, making it more accessible and affordable at just $10 per month. Their platform uses phone-based testing with built-in security measures, achieving a 97-98% pass rate through comprehensive training. This system addresses traditional barriers like high costs, scheduling difficulties, and low pass rates that have historically made it challenging for people to enter the HVAC field.

SkillCat and HVAC School have started a partnership. This collaboration aims to transform HVAC School's extensive content library into structured, accredited courses within the SkillCat platform. The partnership represents a marriage of HVAC School's technical expertise and industry insights with SkillCat's educational technology capabilities, making high-quality HVAC training more accessible and organized for both individual technicians and contracting companies.

Key Topics Covered:

• SkillCat's origin story and mission to make trades education more accessible
• Revolutionary approach to EPA 608 certification testing and training
• Development of simulation-based training across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades
• Implementation of career pathing and progress tracking for technicians
• Importance of applied learning in trades education
• Features of SkillCat's apprenticeship program
• Integration of on-the-job assessments through the platform
• The role of educational technology in addressing the skilled trades shortage
• Continuous improvement approach based on user feedback
• Affordability and accessibility of trades education through mobile apps

You can learn more about SkillCat by searching for it in the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS), or you can visit their website at https://www.skillcatapp.com/. 

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.

In this short Q&A podcast, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about apps for doing proper loads. Fred specifically asks about apps or charts that can help an HVAC contractor determine the insulation value of a home without assuming numbers or drilling into walls during load calculations.

Load calculations account for all the ways that BTUs can enter or leave a home: conduction, convection, and radiation. Insulation prevents heat transfer via conduction, so it's important to the load calculation process. High-end HVAC design software like Wrightsoft and Kwik Model 3D will have these features built into them (based on the age and location of the home). ASHRAE's handbook also has tables and data with R-values and U-factors to help you out with Manual J load calculations.

RED Calc is an app that allows you to calculate a wall's R-value with measurements, including surface and air temperatures indoors and outdoors. This RED Calc software is available through the U.S. Department of Energy, as is REScheck. The DOE insulation fact sheet is also quite valuable, as are The Engineering Toolbox and materials straight from the insulation manufacturers.

The best way to get a comprehensive load calculation is to have a lot of tribal knowledge about how houses are built in your area, analyze energy bills, and combine tools like RED Calc with building performance tests.

RED Calc is available through the U.S. DOE at https://basc.pnnl.gov/redcalc. REScheck is available at https://www.energycodes.gov/rescheck. 

ASHRAE's resources are available at https://ashrae.org/technical-resources. 

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.

Bryan sits down with Jim Bergmann at the NCI Summit in Asheville, North Carolina, to discuss the latest developments in HVAC technology, training, and industry trends. 

The discussion delves into the evolution of MeasureQuick 3.0, highlighting the shift back to a more technician-centric approach. Jim explains how they've redesigned the software to put gauges front and center and implemented an AI-driven system to guide technicians through the process step-by-step. This renewed focus on the end-user experience aims to make the product more valuable for technicians and, in turn, more likely to be adopted as part of standard operating procedures in HVAC companies.

Jim and Bryan also explore the importance of understanding HVAC history and fundamentals. They discuss how revisiting old engineering books can provide valuable insights into the core principles of the industry, often explained in more accessible terms than modern textbooks. This approach to learning, combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge, is something both Jim and Bryan advocate for in technician training and development.

The conversation then shifts to the challenges and opportunities in the HVAC industry, particularly in light of the push for electrification and the adoption of heat pump technology. Jim emphasizes the critical need for proper evacuation techniques and moisture removal in systems, especially for cold-climate heat pumps. He stresses the importance of standardized processes and documentation to ensure consistent quality in installations and maintenance.

Topics covered in the podcast:

• MeasureQuick 3.0 updates and user interface improvements
• The importance of technician-centric product design
• Partnerships between MeasureQuick and organizations like NCI
• The value of understanding HVAC history and fundamentals
• Challenges and opportunities in adopting heat pump technology
• The critical importance of proper system evacuation techniques
• Standardizing processes for HVAC technicians in the field
• The role of technology in attracting younger workers to the HVAC industry
• The benefits of attending industry events like the NCI Summit
• The ongoing need for collaboration and knowledge sharing in the HVAC community

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.

In this short podcast episode, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about an HVAC system that won't dehumidify. This question was submitted by a homeowner with a Carrier heat pump with an attic air handler that cools but won't dehumidify on the hottest days of summer. One of the past companies that serviced the system added charge, but the problem wasn't resolved.

This case doesn't seem to be a sizing issue, as the insufficient dehumidification is happening on the hottest days. Normally, sizing issues happen during the edge seasons when temperatures aren't as high as in the summer, but the dew points are still high. 

Bryan's first recommendation is to use measureQuick to evaluate the delivered capacity and determine the sensible heat ratio (SHR) by comparing sensible BTUs to latent BTUs. High SHRs are associated with less effective dehumidification and more effective sensible BTU removal.

Then, we have to determine that airflow is properly dialed in. Typically, lower fan speeds are associated with better dehumidification; 350 CFM per ton is typical of humid climates. In the case of two-speed or variable-speed equipment, we should verify that it is staging up and down properly. 

On the ventilation side, a duct leakage test is recommended. Proper use of exhaust ventilation, like bath fans and kitchen exhaust, is also critical. Structural leakage and MAD-AIR are also worth checking if a company can measure those, though those are premium services that are usually more expensive.

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.

Bryan Orr and Steve Rogers dive deep into measuring power consumption in HVAC blower motors, particularly focusing on the differences between PSC (Permanent Split Capacitor) and ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) technologies. The discussion stems from a question raised at an educators' conference about the accuracy of clamp-on meters in measuring blower motor watt draw, as specified in the ACCA Standard 310.

Steve shares insights from extensive testing conducted with different types of motors and power meters. The tests compared PSC motors with constant torque and constant airflow ECM motors across various static pressure conditions. One key finding was that two out of three field-available clamp-on meters tested were capable of accurately measuring true power at levels expected in residential blower motors. However, one meter showed significant inaccuracy at low power levels, highlighting the importance of carefully reviewing meter specifications before use.

The conversation delves into the concept of power factor and its crucial role in understanding the true power consumption of ECM motors. Steve explains that ECM motors often have a low power factor (around 0.6), which can lead to misconceptions about their efficiency if only the current draw is measured. The discussion emphasizes the need for proper measurement techniques, including simultaneous voltage and current readings with the blower door on, to accurately assess motor efficiency.

Key topics covered in the podcast:

• Differences between PSC and ECM motor technologies
• Importance of power factor in measuring true power consumption
• Accuracy of field-available clamp-on meters for power measurement
• Impact of static pressure on motor performance and efficiency
• Misconceptions about ECM motor efficiency and longevity
• Proper measurement techniques for assessing blower motor watt draw
• Relationship between duct system design and motor efficiency
• Implications of ACCA Standard 310 for HVAC installations
• Challenges in comparing constant torque and constant airflow ECM motors
• The role of control algorithms in ECM motor performance
• Importance of understanding meter specifications for accurate measurements

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.

In this short Q&A podcast, Bryan answers a listener-submitted question about sizing heat pumps for heat load in heating mode, something that we haven't talked much about in the past due to the greater need for cooling in our market.

In most cases across the country, a heat pump's heating loads will be greater than the cooling loads. There is a greater swing between the desired temperature and the actual temperature in heating mode than in cooling mode (in terms of sensible BTUs). We don't want to oversize for cooling because of its lower efficiency, comfort, and humidity control due to the shorter runtimes. (However, oversizing for cooling loads is far less of an issue in arid climates.)

We don't want to oversize the heat pump to meet the heating load when we'll far exceed the cooling load. However, that's not much of a concern for the opposite scenario in which we oversize for heating to meet the cooling load. We can add auxiliary heat, such as electrical heat or natural gas in dual fuel setups, to help us meet the heating load; we don't have those same options in cooling. Variable-capacity systems can also be beneficial in scenarios where heating and cooling loads are massively different.

Bryan is excited about future opportunities for standby cooling and heating capacity, such as in the case of a heat pump heat recovery chiller system with buffer tanks. In the meantime, we have to design for vastly different heating and cooling loads and may have to oversize for one or the other.

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.

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.