HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Bryan Orr
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Top 10 HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
What is Standard 310? w/ Eric Kaiser & Chris Hughes
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
05/30/24 • 60 min
Standard 310 is a technical workflow created by ACCA, ResNet, and ANSI for grading the installation of HVAC systems, typically in new home construction. It plays a crucial role in obtaining Energy Star certification, which can qualify homeowners for tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. The five steps of Standard 310 are design review, duct leakage test, total system airflow, blower fan watt draw, and refrigerant charge verification.
In this podcast episode, host Bryan Orr is joined by guests Chris Hughes and Eric Kaiser to discuss Standard 310 and its implications for HVAC contractors.
The standard aims to ensure that HVAC systems are installed correctly and operate as designed. The process involves a third-party HERS rater conducting various tests and measurements, which contractors need to be prepared for. Proper duct sealing, airflow settings, and refrigerant charging are critical for passing the assessments.
One of the challenging aspects highlighted is the refrigerant charge verification step. The standard requires either non-invasive testing (which has temperature limitations) or weigh-in verification with geotagged photos. Chris Hughes suggests manufacturers could develop more consistent commissioning protocols to streamline this process.
Topics covered in the podcast:
- Overview of Standard 310 and its five steps
- Importance for Energy Star certification and tax credits
- Role of HERS raters and HVAC contractors
- Duct leakage testing and proper sealing
- Airflow measurement methods
- Blower fan watt draw challenges
- Refrigerant charge verification options
- Need for consistent commissioning protocols
- Coordination and documentation required
- Future improvements to the standard
Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your virtual tickets for the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24. 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.
What is A2L Mitigation Going to Look Like? w/ Clifton B.
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
12/21/23 • 38 min
In this podcast, Bryan and Clifton discuss the upcoming transition to A2L refrigerants, like R-32 and R-454B, and what A2L mitigation is going to look like.
These mildly flammable refrigerants will be used in place of R-410A for residential air conditioning systems due to an HFC phase-down driven by legislation and international agreements. They explain what mitigation means with A2L systems - sensors will detect refrigerant leaks, and the system will shut off and turn on the blower fan to dissipate any leaked refrigerant. The mitigation helps minimize flammability risk.
They note the new A2L refrigerants contain no propane despite some misconceptions. The fundamentals of safe installation, service, and repair remain similar but will be absolutely required for A2Ls versus more loosely followed with previous refrigerants. Taking proper time and care is crucial. Bryan and Clifton then discuss the education, training, and resources available from ESCO Group to help contractors prepare for this transition.
Key topics covered:
- Upcoming transition to A2L refrigerants R-32 and R-454B
- Phase down of R-410A driven by legislation and international agreements
- Definition and purpose of mitigation used with A2L air conditioners
- Misconception that new refrigerants contain propane
- Fundamentals of safe installation and service remain similar but even more vital
- Taking the proper time and avoiding rushing is crucial for safety
- Education, training, and resources available from ESCO Group
- Preparing the HVAC industry for the refrigerant transition
- The yearly AHR Expo and HVAC Excellence Conference
You can learn more about ESCO Institute at https://www.escogroup.org/ and explore the HVACR Learning Network at https://hvacr.elearn.network/.
Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.
Check out our handy calculators HERE or on the HVAC School Mobile App (Google Play Store or App Store).
Checking a Heat Pump in Heat Mode - Short #178
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
11/07/23 • 14 min
In this short podcast, Bryan talks about checking the charge of a heat pump in heat mode. This skill will become more critical as ambient temperatures get cooler.
The most reliable way to check and set the charge regardless of operating mode and season is to weigh the charge. This method is most practical during installation and commissioning, and proper commissioning can prevent issues with charge levels later. Weighing the charge is recommended for big repairs, like major component replacements.
But in many cases, we don't need to check the charge by hooking up gauges; we can check for proper operation by taking a few line temperature readings. Before carrying out any tests or taking readings, make sure the heat pump is defrosted and that you've carried out a full visual inspection. You can carry out a full delivered capacity test in either cooling or heating mode (without the electric heat strips energized) to determine how many BTUs the system is moving. Some simpler tests will require you to compare the discharge vapor line and suction line temperatures to the outdoor temperature and the liquid line temperature to the indoor temperature.
Manufacturers will give specific instructions for their units, including covering the condenser, and they may have charts to help you calculate system pressures based on indoor and outdoor temperatures. If you want to check suction pressure on the low side, you'll always use the common suction port, but you can take either discharge pressure or liquid pressure on the high side.
Bryan also covers:
- Critical charge
- Ductless system charging practices
- Some manufacturer-specific practices
- Indoor temperatures and system pressures
- R-22 rules of thumb
- Total discharge superheat
- Staging and capacity considerations
- Weighing out when in doubt
Read the tech tip about this topic at https://hvacrschool.com/checking-charge-heat-pump-winter/.
Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.
Check out our handy calculators HERE or on the HVAC School Mobile App (Google Play Store or App Store).
Heat Pump COP and Low Temp Lock Out
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
04/18/24 • 56 min
This episode of the HVAC School Live Stream covers the key concepts around heat pump efficiency and understanding the coefficient of performance (COP). Eric Kaiser from TruTech Tools and Jim Fultz from White-Rodgers provide valuable insights into how heat pumps operate and how to optimize their performance, especially in colder weather conditions.
The discussion begins by exploring the COP of heat pumps and how it compares to the efficiency of electric resistance heat. A COP above 1 means the heat pump is delivering more heat for the same amount of energy input compared to electric resistance heat. Many homeowners mistakenly believe they should switch to emergency heat once the outdoor temperature drops, thinking the heat pump is no longer efficient. However, even at very low outdoor temperatures, a well-designed heat pump can still operate with a COP above 1, making it a more cost-effective heating option than emergency heat.
The conversation then delves into the concept of the thermal balance point, which is the outdoor temperature at which the heat pump can no longer meet the heating load of the home. The guests discuss how to calculate this balance point and how to set up controls to optimize the use of the heat pump and any supplemental heating sources, such as electric resistance heat or a gas furnace in a dual-fuel system. They emphasize the importance of proper air distribution and avoiding blowing cold air directly on the occupants, which can be a common complaint with heat pumps.
Key Topics Covered:
- Coefficient of Performance (COP) and how it compares to electric resistance heat
- Efficiency of heat pumps at low outdoor temperatures
- Thermal balance point and how to calculate it
- Optimizing control settings to balance heat pump and auxiliary heat usage
- Importance of proper air distribution and avoiding blowing cold air directly on occupants
- Considerations for dual-fuel systems with both a heat pump and a gas furnace
- Best practices for programming thermostats and control systems to ensure optimal performance and comfort
Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.
Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.
Check out our handy calculators HERE or on the HVAC School Mobile App (Google Play Store or App Store).
Are EVs an Opportunity? - Short #222
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
12/17/24 • 9 min
In this short podcast, Bryan talks about electric vehicles and whether EVs present an opportunity for HVAC technicians. The residential sales lead at Kalos recently mentioned that keeping an EV in a conditioned garage is advantageous, and it's an upgrade we can offer our customers.
In hot weather, EV battery performance and health can be degraded. On top of that, the vehicle consumes power when the vehicle gets hot so that the A/C can control the climate inside the car and preserve the interior. Most people also charge their electric vehicles in the garage at night, so it would stand to reason that conditioning the garage can yield energy savings and improve vehicle longevity. Attic encapsulation above the garage is also an option to limit warm, moist attic air from leaking into the garage; HVAC upgrades can include using closed-cell foam to encapsulate the attic and install a dehumidifier in there.
Conditioning a garage requires you to think about insulation. In our market (Florida), block walls don't insulate very well. Even when we can't do very much with the walls, we can usually use some polyiso boards inside the garage. However, we could get some moisture challenges, and carbon monoxide could be an issue if combustion appliances are in the garage (like furnaces, water heaters, or gas-powered cars). We can recommend using heat pump water heaters, and we should quote a low-level CO monitor in cases when garages have a CO risk.
It's important to make sure the garage remains separate from the rest of the house even when we do these upgrades. Keeping the garage separate helps prevent chemicals from getting into the airstream, especially yard chemicals or cleaners.
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.
Analog vs. Digital Sine - Short #179
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
11/21/23 • 7 min
In this short podcast, Bryan breaks down the differences between analog and digital sine waves.
Analog readings deal with an unlimited number of values; they are very precise and can have any number of decimals. As a result, the alternating current (AC) analog sine readings have very smooth curves when we read them on an oscilloscope (in the US, we see 60 peak-and-valley cycles per second because the frequency is 60 hertz).
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and ECMs work with digital outputs instead. The alternating current (AC) input is flattened out and then replicated as a direct current (DC) digital output that mimics an analog sine wave using technologies like pulse-width modulation (PWM). Digital outputs appear as a series of steps on an oscilloscope, but PWM doesn't output different "steps" of voltage. PWM just changes the length and frequency according to the duty cycle (percentage of the time energized or unenergized). Digital scrolls turn on and off very often, and the time they spend "on" is the duty cycle, which determines how it stages up and down.
While ECM motor modules usually won't work with regular motors, VFDs can run with typical motors and modify sine waves. These sine waves don't have a smooth curve, but the digital waves can be smoothed out while voltage and current are modified. If VFD-driven motors aren't designed or shaft-grounded properly, electrical discharge machining (EDM) can happen with high-frequency voltage spikes, which can damage the shaft and bearings.
Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.
Check out our handy calculators HERE or on the HVAC School Mobile App (Google Play Store or App Store).
EER in the Field - Short #231
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
02/18/25 • 12 min
In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) and SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and how to calculate EER in the field.
EER and SEER are ratings that we often see on equipment (as are SEER2 and EER2) based on a ratio of an output to an input. Whereas coefficient of performance (COP) is a direct ratio of watts out to watts in, EER and SEER account for BTUs and watts. EER and SEER indicate the cooling capacity (in BTUs) we get from the watts we put in.
The ratio changes based on field conditions, and EER2 and SEER2 have more realistic test conditions than EER and SEER (the static pressure for systems rated below 65,000 BTUs per hour was 0.1"wc for EER and SEER, and it is now 0.5"wc for EER2 and SEER2, which is much closer to average field conditions).
To determine EER, you have to figure out BTU production and stack it against your wattage. You'll need to know your delta enthalpy (delta H), multiply it by the CFM, and then multiply the product of those by 4.5 to get your BTU output. A calculator on apps like measureQuick can help you find out your delta H, but you'll need a proper wet-bulb temperature before you can do that. You can determine CFM with a TrueFlow grid or manufacturer's blower charts.
Finding watts can be a challenge with ECMs and inverter-driven systems; it's not as simple as volts x amps, and you will need a meter that can measure power factor and take readings from the condenser fan, compressor, and blower motor. That wattage becomes the number you divide into BTUs to get the EER. SEER is averaged over a season, HSPF is for heating instead of cooling, and you can convert the BTUs to watts (by multiplying by 3.41) and determine the ratio of watts out to watts in.
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
STOP Overthinking! - QA Short #204
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
07/30/24 • 9 min
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 called Occam's Razor). We can always start with the most obvious or simplest possible answer. We can become mindful of our tools, such as by making sure our seals are intact, and we become masters of the obvious.
Perfecting little things (and micro-tasks) can help you become more familiar with the tools you use and the equipment you work on, and you start to develop a bigger-picture understanding of your craft. Cleaning the equipment and organizing your tool bag goes a long way; you can unlock the ability to zoom out and spot mistakes that you otherwise wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
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.
Is Dual Fuel the Answer? w/ Tom Buescher
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
01/18/24 • 37 min
In this HVAC School podcast, Bryan and Tom Buescher with Copeland discuss dual-fuel heat pump systems as an intermediate step towards more sustainable heating solutions.
They talk about the overall goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from residential heating and cooling, which accounts for over half of home energy use. While heat pumps can provide higher efficiency, simply switching everyone to electric isn’t realistic in the short term. Factors like grid capacity, infrastructure, and consumer comfort have to be considered.
Dual fuel systems allow for a hybrid approach - utilizing heat pumps to provide the bulk of heating, with gas heating as a backup for the coldest stretches. This arrangement allows more heat pumps to be adopted now while still ensuring warmth and meeting consumer expectations. It bridges the gap during this transitional period as grids adapt to more renewable generation.
Key topics covered:
- Tom’s industry background
- The role of location - dual-fuel makes the most sense in northern climates zones 3-5 currently
- Electrical factors - service capacity, indoor air temp, wiring
- Existing home challenges - ductwork, insulation
- Staged operation of dual fuel systems
- Role of hybrid approaches during transitions
- New universal controls and thermostats enabling these dual-fuel setups
Overall, Bryan and Tom have a nuanced discussion about creating real progress incrementally, meeting consumer needs alongside policy goals. Considering both environmental and practical perspectives is key.
Visit Copeland’s website at https://www.copeland.com/en-us and Sensi at https://sensi.copeland.com/en-us. You can also watch our new install video featuring the Sensi Touch 2 at https://hvacrschool.com/videos/sensi-touch-2-install/.
Learn more about the 5th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/Symposium24.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.”
Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HVACS.
Check out our handy calculators HERE or on the HVAC School Mobile App (Google Play Store or App Store).
Heat Pumps + Inverters w/ Joey H
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
08/17/23 • 44 min
Joey Henderson returns to the podcast to talk about heat pumps and inverters.
The reversing valve, defrost cycles, and auxiliary heat can cause confusion for people who have primarily worked with furnaces or straight-cool A/C systems. Heat pumps use defrost cycles and bring on the auxiliary heat when the coil is ice-bound, which can present a challenge; we need to maintain cold coils without going into defrost all the time.
Even though heat pumps were significantly less effective in years past, we will still see reduced performance in very cold conditions with the newer inverter-driven systems. Proper design, installation, and commissioning will also help occupants get the best performance out of their heat pumps.
Inverters offer plenty of advantages for the cooling aspect of heat pumps, too, especially when it comes to achieving longer runtimes for dehumidification. They can also float their coil temperature, much like how refrigeration systems can use floating suction or head pressure. Condensate assemblies absolutely must be run properly to prevent backed-up drains and other related problems. Liquid line sizing and proper commissioning are also especially crucial for ductless inverter-driven systems.
Joey and Bryan also discuss:
- Heat pump training and the electrification initiative
- Balance point
- Defrost strategies and universal defrost boards
- Dual-fuel systems
- Heat pump stigmas
- Blower door testing in various climate zones
- Surge protection and voltage monitoring
- How inverters work
- Occupant lifestyles and latent loads
- Zoning and duct design for inverter-driven systems
- Critical charge
- Line length for ductless systems
Check out Joey's training, social media, and contact information at https://joejoehvac.com/. You can also check out Craig Migliaccio's book about mini-splits at https://www.acservicetech.com/mini-split-book.
Learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium or buy a virtual ticket today at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
If you have an iPhone, subscribe to the podcast HERE, and if you have an Android phone, subscribe HERE.
Check out our handy calculators HERE.
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FAQ
How many episodes does HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs have?
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs currently has 795 episodes available.
What topics does HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs cover?
The podcast is about Training, Hvac, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Business and Careers.
What is the most popular episode on HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs?
The episode title 'VRF and VRV Piping and Installation Overview' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs?
The average episode length on HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs released?
Episodes of HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs are typically released every 4 days.
When was the first episode of HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs?
The first episode of HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs was released on Sep 16, 2016.
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