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HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

By: Bryan Orr
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About this listen

 HVAC School is the ever growing online source for real training topics for technicians in the Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation Fields. In the podcast, we will share recorded training, tech ride alongs, share challenging diagnostic scenarios. All to help make the industry, your company, and your truck a better place to be. Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Tech Support Highs and Woes w/ Roman

    Tech Support Highs and Woes w/ Roman
    Nov 20 2025
    In this candid and comprehensive episode, Bryan sits down with Roman to tackle one of the most frustrating yet crucial aspects of the HVAC industry: technical support. What starts as a conversation about their own tech support nightmares quickly evolves into a deep dive examining the entire ecosystem—from manufacturers and distributors to technicians and sales reps—and how each player can improve the support experience. Roman opens up about his recent tech support struggles, including having to search Russian websites just to find service manuals for major brand equipment. This leads to a broader discussion about the fundamental problem: as HVAC equipment becomes increasingly complex with proprietary controls and advanced technology, manufacturers have simultaneously made it harder to access the information needed to service that equipment. The conversation highlights how the old "I never called tech support" mentality of veteran technicians is no longer viable when you're dealing with VRF systems, building automation, and equipment-specific protocols that require specialized knowledge. The hosts emphasize that good documentation isn't just helpful—it's essential, and manufacturers who hide behind "brand protection" are actually damaging their reputation in the long run. The episode doesn't just complain about problems; it offers real solutions. Bryan and Roman discuss what technicians need to do before calling tech support (hint: know your superheat, subcooling, and basic electrical readings), what makes great tech support personnel, and why investing in these roles pays dividends. They share inspiring examples of distributors and reps who go above and beyond, like the Johnstone team in Louisiana who actively seek out field experts when manufacturers can't provide answers. The conversation also touches on why tech support and education roles are chronically underpaid, and how properly compensating and supporting these positions could transform the industry. Perhaps most importantly, the hosts emphasize that everyone in the HVAC ecosystem is working toward the same goal: keeping end clients comfortable and satisfied. When manufacturers, distributors, reps, contractors, and technicians recognize this shared objective and work collaboratively rather than defensively, everyone wins. The episode concludes with practical advice for sales professionals, including the importance of ride-alongs and adopting the "I got it" mentality that turns good salespeople into indispensable partners. Topics Covered Service Manual Accessibility: The critical need for manufacturers to make documentation easily searchable and available online, not hidden behind outdated processesManufacturer Responsibilities: Why "protecting the brand" often backfires and how transparency builds loyaltyTechnician Preparation: What basic measurements and troubleshooting steps should be completed before calling tech supportTech Support Personnel: The importance of properly compensating and supporting tech support staff to reduce burnout and turnoverDistributor and Rep Excellence: How the best wholesalers and reps go beyond just forwarding emails to actively solve problemsThe "I Got It" Sales Approach: Why taking ownership of customer problems is the key to building lasting relationshipsCross-Brand Part Referencing: The need for universal parts cross-referencing across sister brands and product linesField Ride-Alongs: Why B2B sales professionals should spend at least one day per month in the field with techniciansLegacy Product Support: The frustration when manufacturer partnerships dissolve and orphaned equipment becomes unsupportableAI in Tech Support: Why throwing technology at support problems without understanding the root issues is a waste of money 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 7th 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.
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • The Current War - Tesla, Edison & Westinghouse - Short #266

    The Current War - Tesla, Edison & Westinghouse - Short #266
    Nov 18 2025

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan is back for yet another history lesson. This time, the subject is the current war with Tesla, Edison, and Westinghouse.

    The current war was fought in the late 1800s with lightbulbs, electrocutions, and a World's Fair that dazzled the entire world. Edison didn't necessarily invent the lightbulb, but he made it commercially viable by inventing the infrastructure needed to make it work; electricity worked one way and performed well in small cases. However, voltage drop was a problem with direct current (DC) circuits; Edison was okay with decentralized (localized) power generation with centralized control under the Edison Electric Light Company.

    Tesla proposed a system using alternating current (AC), which could be sent hundreds of miles with minimal loss thanks to a transformer (which could step down high voltages from the utility source). AC power steps up at the utility and then down at several points between the utility source and the end user. This vision was at odds with Edison's DC system. Tesla, who had worked under Edison, sold his patents to George Westinghouse.

    Edison began a propaganda campaign against AC power, emphasizing its dangers. However, Tesla harnessed the powers in his lab to demonstrate its potential; while impressive, it didn't necessarily prove the safety to the public. The Chicago World's Fair was the battleground of the current war: both Edison and Westinghouse submitted bids, and the latter's was half the price. The World's Fair was lit purely by AC power and proved its usefulness to the world (primarily to Westinghouse's financial benefit). DC faded into obscurity as a means of powering cities, and although Edison was a showman and salesman, his invention was upstaged when it mattered most.

    However, DC made a comeback over a century later, particularly with the rise of electronics, LED drivers, and solar power. It can now move power over ultra-long distances, too.

    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 7th 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.
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    15 mins
  • An R-454B Ramble w/ Elliot

    An R-454B Ramble w/ Elliot
    Nov 13 2025
    In this raw and unfiltered episode, Bryan sits down with Elliot, a senior service tech and newly minted install supervisor, to discuss the realities of working with R-454B refrigerant in the field. What starts as a technical discussion about the new A2L refrigerant quickly evolves into a candid conversation about industry frustrations, manufacturer accountability, and the practical challenges technicians face with the latest refrigerant transition. With four years of hands-on experience, Elliot brings fresh perspectives on everything from charging procedures to equipment reliability issues. The conversation takes an honest look at the R-454B rollout, which Bryan describes as a massive industry failure. Unlike typical manufacturer talking points, this episode dives into real problems technicians are experiencing: extended charging times, subcooling drift, and equipment component failures. Bryan and Elliot discuss how R-454B systems can take up to an hour to stabilize compared to the 15-20 minutes they were accustomed to with R-410A. This isn't just an inconvenience—it's affecting how technicians approach charging procedures and follow-up visits. The episode also explores theoretical explanations for R-454B's unusual behavior. Bryan presents two hypotheses about why the refrigerant takes so long to reach equilibrium: either density differences between R-32 and R-1234yf are causing stratification in the condenser, or one component is settling at the top and acting like a non-condensable. While admitting he's "not a mathy details guy," Bryan encourages field technicians to investigate these phenomena using thermal imaging cameras and careful observation. This practical, boots-on-the-ground approach to understanding new technology exemplifies the podcast's commitment to real-world problem-solving. Beyond technical discussions, the conversation touches on broader industry issues, including the politics behind refrigerant selection, manufacturer warranty support (or lack thereof), and the challenges faced by contractors trying to maintain fair pricing while dealing with new equipment failures. Bryan and Elliot also address the reliability concerns with new A2L safety components like dissipation boards and refrigerant sensors, noting that while failure rates aren't dramatically higher than other components, they represent additional potential failure points that weren't previously necessary. Topics Covered R-454B Charging Behavior: Extended stabilization times (up to 1 hour vs. 15-20 minutes for R-410A) and subcooling drift over timeField Charging Strategy: Why technicians are intentionally undercharging slightly and relying more on line length specificationsA2L Safety Components: Dissipation boards and refrigerant leak sensors—their function, failure rates, and nuisance alarmsRefrigerant Stratification Theory: Potential explanations for delayed equilibrium involving density differences and non-condensable behaviorIndustry Politics: The R-454B vs. R-32 debate, GWP legislation, and lobbying efforts that shaped current refrigerant standardsManufacturer Accountability: Warranty support issues, untested components, and the financial burden on contractorsRecovery and Reuse Concerns: Questions about blend consistency when recovering R-454B and tank contamination issuesFuture of HVAC: Discussion of heat recovery chillers, secondary fluid systems, and emerging refrigerant-free technologiesPressure Testing Requirements: New legislation requiring extended pressure tests and improved brazing practicesPractical Field Advice: Using thermal imaging to diagnose condenser behavior and verify proper refrigerant distribution 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 7th 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.
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    40 mins
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Learning every day, can't get enough of this podcast. The more I learn, the more I realise how much I don't know

Learn HVAC on the go

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Always a good host and great interviews . i might have watched all your episodes ever.

HVAC God

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