HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Glycol secondary loop systems are showing up in more and more grocery stores, and in this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Max, one of the company's lead startup techs and its in-house subject matter expert on glycol skids. Max explains what these systems are, why clients are choosing them for retrofits, and what it takes to commission one without taking a live store down. The big picture: a traditional DX rack chills a water and propylene glycol mix in a heat exchanger, and that glycol is pumped around the store to cool the medium-temperature cases. The conversation starts with the "why." Reduced refrigerant charge inside the building, keeping flammable or higher-GWP refrigerants out of the sales floor, regulatory pressure, and zero-emissions initiatives all push clients this way. Max is upfront that efficiency isn't one of the reasons at this scale, since the extra heat exchange step, lower suction temperatures, and pump energy all cost something. He also covers the trade-off in reliability: case-level controls are simple, but a fault in one of the skid's main valves can take out every case at once, so techs have to move fast. From there, Max walks through the skid itself, from the brazed plate heat exchanger, VFD-controlled pumps, and air separator to the expansion tank, strainers, suction guide, controller, and EEV drivers. He then covers flow control with balance valves, defrost strategy, and the importance of proper vents and drains in the piping. The two get into the details of startup and commissioning, and some key takeaways include pressure testing instead of pulling a vacuum, filling and purging air, and verifying that the refrigerant-side valves are wired and driven correctly so a swapped valve doesn't flood the rack. The back half of the episode is practical field advice. Max shares how to recognize air in the loop, why store humidity and dew point matter so much for case performance, which specialty tools and fittings he carries, and how to handle glycol mixing and top-offs. Topics Covered What a glycol secondary loop system is, and how it differs from direct expansion Why retrofits are happening: refrigerant charge reduction, safety, EPA regulation, and zero-emissions goals Efficiency penalties at small scale, and why efficiency isn't the driver How glycol behaves in the coil: no latent exchange, a temperature gradient, and frost patterns Reliability trade-offs: simple case controls versus centralized, mission-critical valves Staging a retrofit so the store stays open, including pre-piping, pre-testing, and pipe cleaning Brazing versus soft solder, and whether nitrogen flow matters with glycol Skid components: heat exchanger, VFD pumps, air separator, feeder tank, expansion tank, strainers, and suction guide Controller inputs, EEV drivers, and emergency mobile chiller connections Balance valves (automatic versus manual) and defrost methods, including off-time and electric Fluid distribution: pitching pipe for air and drainage, plus vents and drains Propylene versus ethylene glycol, the 35% mix, freeze point, and why more glycol hurts heat transfer CO2 as a secondary fluid for low-temperature applications Commissioning steps: electrical checks, pressure testing, filling, purging, and testing valve operation Proving performance: flow, glycol concentration, temperature, and superheat on the rack side Troubleshooting air in the system and pressure changes as glycol chills Store humidity, dew point targets, and case performance Heat reclaim using glycol loops Tools: PT ports, manometers, female-to-female hoses, refractometer, and transfer pumps Service tips: distilled water, matching glycol brands, and glycol safety This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan sits down with Chris Howells, senior training manager at AprilAire, to talk about what really makes a filtration system perform. Chris has nearly thirty years in the industry, including fifteen as a technician, and brings a field-first perspective on why filtration is more than just "a filter." Bryan also admits up front that his own contracting company is looking to put more high-efficiency filters into the field, so this conversation doubles as a practical learning session. The discussion starts with a common misconception: that a "thicker" filter is simply a filter with thicker media. Chris explains that what matters is surface area, face velocity, and pressure drop, not the width of the cabinet. They cover why using the full face of the filter is one of the easiest wins, how a poorly designed return can load just one section of the media, and why a high MERV rating does not automatically mean high resistance. Cabinet design, media construction, and overall system design all play a role, and modern ECM blowers make low static pressure more important than ever. From there, the conversation turns to bypass air and measurement. Chris describes how AprilAire's cabinets use top and bottom rails and a self-seal media overhang to force air through the filter, backed by a 10-year clean coil guarantee. He and Bryan stress using the right tools, including a dual-port manometer and a proper static pressure probe, and checking pre-filter and post-filter pressure drop against manufacturer performance data at around 500 feet per minute. Chris also debunks the idea that deeper media is always more restrictive, pointing out that a typical retail one-inch pleated filter can raise pressure drop dramatically compared with a basic fiberglass filter. The final stretch is about communication and growth. Chris and Bryan share simple, natural questions technicians can use to start air quality conversations without sounding like a sales pitch, and they encourage listeners to stay curious and keep asking "why." Chris closes with resources for learning more, including AprilAirPartners.com and the AprilAire Academy, and mentions that the Santa Fe and UltraAire product lines are now part of the AprilAire family. Topics Covered Why "thicker" filters are really about surface area, face velocity, and pressure drop Using the full face of the filter and avoiding uneven loading How filters affect blower performance, system capacity, and equipment protection Why filtration is a high-value upgrade compared with bulbs and modules AprilAire's new high-efficiency product line and its three-layer media design Reducing bypass air with rail design, self-sealing media, and the 10-year clean coil guarantee Measuring static pressure correctly and using manufacturer pressure drop charts Sizing media cabinets by CFM and face velocity instead of what fits under the air handler Common myths about MERV ratings and restriction Conversation starters that help technicians talk about indoor air quality How to learn more through AprilAirePartners.com, the AprilAire Academy, and local distributors This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources AprilAire Partners HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan welcomes back Bill Spohn to talk about carbon monoxide and a troubling trend in the alarms being sold online. They start with the basics: the difference between a standard UL 2034 alarm and a true low-level CO monitor. UL 2034 alarms were designed to avoid nuisance calls, so they can stay silent through long exposures at relatively low concentrations. Low-level monitors are far more sensitive and can warn you that something is brewing before it becomes a life-threatening emergency. Bill explains why that gap matters, walking through how carbon monoxide displaces oxygen on hemoglobin, why it lingers in the body, and why children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions are especially vulnerable. Bryan adds the troubleshooting angle: a UL 2034 alarm is the safety net that keeps people from dying, but low-level monitoring helps you find and fix a problem early, much like catching a refrigerant leak before the system is flat. The conversation then turns to the main story. Bill bought a pair of inexpensive alarms advertised as both low-level and UL 2034 compliant, which is a contradiction, since the two cannot be the same device. They arrived with no instructions, no model number, and no visible certification control number, and they closely resembled a product tied to a Consumer Product Safety Commission warning covering roughly 375,000 units and 91 reported failures to alarm. Bill traces the marketing back to what appears to be a single factory selling under many brand names, backed by a virtual office address, a fake firefighter endorsement, and a flood of promotional emails. Bryan and Bill close with lessons for technicians, consumers, and manufacturers alike. Be skeptical when price and performance seem too good to be true, verify who is behind a brand, and remember that claiming to meet a standard is not the same as being independently certified. They also urge established manufacturers to be humble, test claims thoroughly, and make sure published specifications reflect how their sensors actually perform. Topics Covered Low-level CO monitors versus UL 2034 alarms, and why they are not interchangeable How the 1990s Chicago nuisance-alarm events led to the UL 2034 standard Why standards built around healthy adult males leave gaps for vulnerable people How carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin and why it accumulates in the body Why "CO leak" is the wrong phrase: carbon monoxide is created, not transported Online alarms claiming to be both low-level and UL 2034 compliant The Consumer Product Safety Commission alert and the 91 reported failures to alarm Red flags: no instructions, no model number, no certification mark, a virtual-office address, and a fake endorser What the alarm test button actually checks (the circuit and horn, not CO response) The challenge of validating alarms without accessible CO test kits How to vet unfamiliar brands, including using AI to research price, company history, and website age Sensor signal smoothing and why muted low-end readings can mislead users A call for manufacturers to test in the field and for honest specification claims Why price alone should never drive the purchase of life-safety devices This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, White-Rodgers by Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

Some people light up when they find a difficult electrical problem. Others want a wrench in their hand or take real satisfaction in a beautifully planned installation. Those differences can shape how we learn, what frustrates us, and where we find satisfaction in HVAC work. Bryan and Bert explore three overlapping tendencies in the trades: the technician, the mechanic, and the craftsman. In their framework, technicians gravitate toward diagnosing problems and understanding hidden causes. Mechanics engage with the physical work of repairing and assembling equipment. Craftsmen bring careful preparation, spatial planning, and pride in the finished result. Most people have some of each, and experience can build skills across all three. The conversation also covers comfort with chaos and Bryan's distinction between moralizers, who feel a strong pull toward how things should be, and normalizers, who work readily with conditions as they are. Both approaches have strengths and blind spots, especially when a job needs a mix of planning, troubleshooting, and execution. For owners, trainers, and field leaders, the practical question is how to recognize what energizes a person and give them opportunities to use it. Bryan and Bert discuss apprentice training, promotions that move people away from work they enjoy, and the value of building crews with complementary strengths. They close with mentorship and gratitude for the people whose abilities make our own work possible. Key Takeaways Observe apprentices across different tasks. Troubleshooting, assembling a training board, and hands-on installation can reveal different interests. Notice the questions people ask, the work they stay absorbed in, and the details they care about. Separate ability from inclination. A person can develop a skill and still find that work draining. Talk about what brings energy and satisfaction before assuming the next promotion is the right fit. Pay attention to frustration. Uncertainty, interrupted preparation, repetitive work, and physical challenges affect people differently. Use those patterns to start better conversations about training, support, and job assignments. Build complementary teams. A crew benefits from people who can diagnose, people who readily tackle the physical work, and people who plan and execute careful details. Recognize the contribution each person makes. Value mechanical skill alongside technical knowledge. Bryan makes the case that the willingness and ability to get physical work done deserve more recognition as information becomes easier to access. Make room for mentorship. Experienced tradespeople can multiply their impact by helping others develop similar strengths, even as the physical demands of daily fieldwork become harder to sustain. Chapters 00:00 — Three ways to thrive in the trades 10:10 — Chaos tolerance and work preferences 12:45 — Moralizers and normalizers 18:15 — What craftsmen care about 22:15 — Ability, energy, and burnout 24:00 — Recognizing strengths in apprentices 31:20 — The changing value of mechanical skills 39:35 — Building teams with complementary strengths 44:25 — Mentorship and a longer career in the trades 46:05 — Appreciating your strengths and your teammates This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, Fieldpiece, and the 2027 AHR Expo. Resources HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode from the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Alex Meaney delivers a live conference talk he calls "Airflow Serenity," built around the idea of knowing which duct problems are worth chasing and which changes will actually move the needle for a customer. He opens by describing and reframing how technicians identify airflow problems, including the "complementary failure" situation where both the ductwork and the equipment are improperly sized. The way we communicate with homeowners plays a massive role in how well we can identify these problems. The time spent learning about a homeowner's comfort complaints is a sales tool in itself. The middle of the talk is where the technical takeaways come in, including how to measure system airflow with anemometers, manometers with static pressure probes & a blower chart, and the TrueFlow Grid. The main engineering takeaway is that friction, not duct size alone, governs airflow, and that friction increases with the square of velocity — so relatively small increases in duct size or reductions in restriction along the path can produce outsized gains. There are several practical, low-cost fixes technicians can make: pulling slack out of flex duct, adding return capacity, using proper transitions and radius fittings instead of abrupt ones, avoiding compound fittings, and making sure supply plenums have a proper end cap rather than dead-ending against a wall. These can be bundled into a system replacement. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources Mean HVAC Consulting & Design (Alex's website) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Louise Kellar of UEi Test Instruments for a deep dive into getting more out of a digital clamp meter than the basic volts, amps, and ohms most techs rely on every day. The tool in the spotlight is UEi's High Accuracy Clamp Meter (HAC), which is accurate when dealing with the low current draws common on modern condenser fan and blower motors and is critical for reliable wattage and capacitor-under-load testing. The podcast also walks through a series of lesser-used but valuable meter functions, including microamp measurement for flame rectification testing, diode testing for diagnosing boards on mini-splits, the Low Z setting for eliminating ghost voltage readings and safely bleeding capacitors, and the safety-locking temperature toggle that prevents technicians from accidentally crossing voltage and thermocouple leads. Bryan and Louise also cover common mistakes, such as not knowing when to use continuity or resistance and auto-ranging mistakes, as well as some crucial takeaways about true RMS measurements, temperature settings, and CAT safety ratings. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources UEi products, manuals, and resources HVAC Multimeter Skills: Continuity vs. Resistance & Diode Testing (video) CAT Ratings on Electrical Multimeters (tech tip) HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this live episode, Bryan sits down with Jim Bergmann of measureQuick and NAVAC trainers Zane and Jesse Stewart for a deep, technician-focused conversation about advanced refrigerant recovery. The group covers diverse system types and environments, including low-ambient recovery. Recovery machines cannot pump straight liquid, which we need to be mindful of during service. That said, vapor-only recovery works fine for small charges, but push-pull recovery becomes worthwhile once a system holds more than roughly ten pounds of refrigerant. Refrigerant and tank contamination, as well as general safety (including tank fill limitations), are a couple of other field challenges worth considering in our recovery best practices. Some best practices to take away from this episode include attaching to the vapor side of the tank (and inverting it), pulling Schrader cores, using large hoses instead of manifold gauges, and keeping the recovery tank cool to eliminate restrictions. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, Copeland, Santa Fe Dehumidifiers, and TruTech Tools. Resources: Don't Overfill Recovery Tank Cylinders the Easy Way Recovery Tank Safety Recovery Tank Capacity Push-Pull Recovery Recovery Best Practices w/ NAVAC HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Mike Pastorello, owner of Refrigeration Technologies, and Ashley Lynds, director of education and brand management for Viper, to talk about the company's roots, its newest product launches, and where the brand is headed next. This podcast focuses on "The Lab" and how it integrates field technicians with product development. Refrigeration Technologies was built on a "for techs by techs" philosophy after John, an HVAC technician with a chemistry background, began inventing products to solve his own field problems. Now, technicians are using their field problems to inspire innovation in the Refrigeration Technologies lab, and the Easy Dose is the first product that was developed, tested, and distributed via the "Lab" initiative. The team also discusses chemical safety in their approach to products and what's really inside products like the Viper Pan & Drain Treatment and Nylog. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, Fieldpiece, and AHR Expo 2027. Resources: Refrigeration Technologies AHR Expo Careful With Cleaners HeatShield Demo HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

400 CFM per ton is useful—until it isn't. In this episode, Bryan and Ty take on one of the trade's favorite rules of thumb. It can be a reasonable starting point for many systems under moderate, near-sea-level conditions, but it is not a universal target. Proper airflow depends on actual delivered capacity, sensible and latent load, air density, climate, manufacturer data, and what the system is supposed to accomplish—not just the tonnage stamped on the cabinet. They explain why dry-climate and high-altitude applications may require more volume airflow, why humid applications often use less coil airflow to improve moisture removal, and why mass flow matters more than volume alone. They also cover nominal versus actual capacity, suction-line pressure drop, equipment-specific performance at 208 V, Manual S and expanded performance data, and field verification with measureQuick and the TrueFlow® Grid. The takeaway is simple: use the rule as scaffolding, then measure the system and follow the equipment data. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, and Filtrete. Resources: Not All CFM Are Created Equal Impacts of Decreasing Evaporator Airflow Troubleshooting With DTD AHRI Data vs. Manufacturer Expanded Performance Data Bypass Dehumidification Airflow Design HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

In this episode, Bryan Orr sits down with Ty Branaman for a wide-ranging conversation about what it really takes to be a good on-call technician. They open by reminiscing about how dispatch technology has evolved over their careers — from pagers, radio codes, and outdated paper map books to MapQuest, early GPS units, and today's 24-hour dispatch systems. That trip down memory lane sets up the episode's central theme: while the tools have changed, the mindset needed to succeed on call has not. Both hosts agree that being on call can be genuinely enjoyable when a technician learns to embrace the autonomy, the bigger paychecks, and the quieter, less stressful roads that come with nights and weekends. A major thread running through the discussion is self-discipline and long-term thinking. Bryan and Ty encourage younger techs to treat on-call money as an opportunity rather than spending cash — saving and investing overtime pay instead of financing trucks, boats, or other lifestyle upgrades. They share stories about the financial traps of seasonal trade work, the value of staying in a consistent routine even at 2 a.m., and how cutting corners under fatigue is often what leads to injuries or callbacks. Ty compares a disciplined on-call tech to a pilot running through a pre-flight checklist: the process matters just as much in the middle of the night as it does at noon. The conversation also digs into customer relationships and judgment calls in the field. They talk candidly about the difference between genuine emergencies and entitled or overblown complaints, and how companies that over-market "24/7 service" can create unrealistic customer expectations. Bryan shares a story about temporarily misting a struggling condenser to get an elderly client through a brutal heat wave, using it to illustrate the kind of judgment-based, get-them-by fix that defines old-school on-call work — as opposed to always pushing for a full sale. Safety boundaries, cutting corners responsibly, and the excitement of solving unpredictable problems on the fly are all discussed as part of what makes the work rewarding despite its challenges. Finally, Bryan and Ty turn to advice for company owners and service managers. They emphasize building fair, well-communicated on-call rotations, respecting technicians' personal time, and charging appropriately for after-hours work so that both customers and technicians value it. Ty argues that the industry needs to reframe HVAC work as a skilled trade rather than commodity labor, and that companies should be careful not to chase more emergency calls than their technician pool can sustainably handle. The episode closes with reflections on career growth, mentorship, and the kindness that comes from helping teammates cover on-call shifts for one another. Topics Covered The evolution of dispatch: pagers, radio 10-codes, paper map books, and early GPS Why on-call work can be enjoyable: autonomy, higher pay, and quieter roads The hardest part of on-call: getting called back out after coming home Customer expectations, entitlement, and the impact of "24/7 service" marketing Saving and investing on-call earnings instead of overspending on trucks and boats Staying in routine and following checklists even late at night to avoid callbacks Sleep, hydration, and avoiding excess caffeine while working on-call shifts Judgment calls and temporary fixes to get customers through emergencies safely Knowing your personal safety and ethical limits when cutting corners Career paths with less on-call demand: maintenance roles, installation, stationary engineering Reframing HVAC service as a skilled trade rather than commodity labor Building fair, well-communicated on-call rotations to prevent technician burnout Mentorship, teamwork, and covering shifts for coworkers with families Subscribe to Ty's YouTube channel, @love2hvac. Learn more about the work we're doing with Ty at the GRIT Foundation at https://www.thegritfoundation.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 8th 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 episode, Bryan sits down with Leilani for an introduction to GRIT Camps — the hands-on program that brings skilled trades exposure to youth ages 12–17 through community events led by working tradespeople. Leilani explains that a GRIT Camp pairs recruited mentors with students for a day of modules covering safety, carpentry, electrical, brazing, and plumbing, including torch work, PVC and copper fitting, and disassembling HVAC components. Students also learn to read a jobsite-style blueprint and receive a six-in-one screwdriver to take apart and explore. Bryan and Leilani emphasize that while GRIT supplies the curriculum, guides, and structure, the host — typically a contracting business or trade organization — owns the event: recruiting students and mentors, securing a venue, and building real community connections around the day. A large portion of the conversation walks through who does what. Hosts provide the facility, materials (plywood, 2x4s, copper, PVC, and more, all detailed in GRIT's guide), and lunch for up to around 30 people, plus a local host facilitator to coordinate logistics and serve as GRIT's point of contact. Mentors must be certified skilled tradespeople who complete GRIT's required video course and pass a background check before working with students; volunteers who don't interact directly with kids are not required to undergo a background check. GRIT, in turn, supplies the camp curriculum, host and mentor guides, registration and marketing materials, badges, student blueprints and PPE, background check coordination, and on-site program leadership from staff like Ty, GRIT's head of training, who typically arrives the day before to walk the facility with the host. Bryan and Leilani also dig into planning specifics: camps run from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., cap out at 16 students with a two-students-per-mentor ratio (so eight to nine mentors for a full camp), and generally need 10 to 12 weeks of lead time to hit deadlines for mentor certification, materials gathering, and student registration. They cover the realities of choosing a torch and joining system — MAPP gas and propane versus oxyacetylene for brazing, and why oxyacetylene can't be used for the popular aluminum-repair activity — along with commonly overlooked items like correctly sized Forstner bits, spare drill batteries, extension cords, and pre-cut lumber. They close with guidance on budgeting (camps typically run $1,500 to $5,000), sourcing a sponsored lunch, handling allergies, inviting community press, and what makes a camp genuinely successful: preparedness paired with passion from both mentors and hosts. Topics Covered What a GRIT Camp is and which skilled trades are covered (safety, carpentry, electrical, brazing, plumbing) Camp roles: host, host facilitator, mentor, students, and volunteers What hosts are responsible for providing: facility, materials, and lunch What GRIT provides: curriculum, guides, registration, marketing, background checks, and on-site leadership Required mentor certification course and background checks Ideal space setup, table stations, and indoor/outdoor considerations Student and mentor ratios (16 students max, two students per mentor) Planning timeline: 10–12 weeks of lead time and key deadlines Confirming a camp date and the host interest assessment process Recruiting students and mentors, including waitlists and communication Choosing a torch and joining system: MAPP gas/propane vs. oxyacetylene brazing Commonly overlooked or underestimated materials and tools Safety planning, PPE, and emergency preparedness Estimated costs and ways to offset them through sponsorships Lunch planning and handling food allergies Community and marketing value for hosts Policies on parents and visitors attending What makes a GRIT Camp successful Learn more about the GRIT Foundation or contact us at https://www.thegritfoundation.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 8th 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.

Join Roman Baugh, Craig Migliaccio (AC Service Tech), and Jim Fultz for an unfiltered conversation about training mistakes, teaching pitfalls, and educational failures in the HVAC industry. Recorded live at the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium, this candid discussion reveals what experienced educators wish they knew when they started. Learn from their mistakes so you don't have to make the same ones! Topics Covered: The biggest mistake: talking instead of hands-on learning Why attention spans matter (hint: it's not 50 minutes!) How to read your audience and adapt your teaching style The power of letting students struggle and problem-solve Avoiding "death by PowerPoint" in HVAC training Making education engaging for the TikTok generation Why sequence of operation matters more than troubleshooting The importance of mentorship and accepting feedback The HVAC/R Training Symposium session is perfect for: HVAC instructors looking to improve their teaching methods Trade school educators seeking better student engagement Technicians who train apprentices Anyone interested in effective HVAC education strategies What NOT To Do in HVAC Training: Don't lecture for hours without breaks Don't focus only on PowerPoint presentations Don't ignore different learning styles Don't forget hands-on, kinesthetic learning Don't try to cover everything in one session Don't be afraid to admit mistakes and learn from feedback Check out Craig's books and training at https://www.acservicetech.com/. Connect with Jim on LinkedIn. 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 8th 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.