HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Lenny from Copeland to explore how one of the most respected names in HVAC and refrigeration is actively investing in the next generation of technicians. Lenny leads Copeland's aftermarket demand creation efforts, which includes everything from working with wholesale networks and trade shows to educational partnerships with schools and nonprofit organizations. The conversation covers a wide range of initiatives aimed not just at recruiting people into the trades, but at giving them the tools and confidence to thrive long-term in the industry. A major theme throughout the episode is Copeland's belief that workforce development is a shared responsibility across the entire industry chain — from manufacturers and parts suppliers to contractors and educators. Lenny describes how Copeland partners with organizations like SkillsUSA, Skills Canada, and the NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) to provide hands-on training opportunities and industry certifications to students in trade and tech schools. Copeland sends trainers to these competitions with mobile refrigeration simulators, where students troubleshoot real-world fault scenarios and receive detailed feedback afterward — making it both a competitive and educational experience. The episode also dives deep into Copeland's Train-the-Trainer program, a cornerstone of their work with NC3 partner schools. Rather than simply handing schools a curriculum and walking away, Copeland brings educators through an intensive one-week program covering HVACR system fundamentals, troubleshooting, and compressor operation — complete with hands-on activities, refrigeration simulators, and even compressor teardowns. The goal is to ensure that instructors can confidently deliver accurate, field-relevant material to their students. Lenny emphasizes that Copeland intentionally avoids "death by PowerPoints," preferring interactive, application-based learning that mirrors what technicians actually encounter on the job. On the technology side, the conversation highlights the newly unified Copeland Mobile app, which now integrates White-Rodgers tools alongside the existing Copeland suite. Features like Check and Charge, PT Pro, and Fault Finder help technicians quickly diagnose system issues in the field, while the AI-powered Scout tool allows users to query Copeland-approved engineering bulletins and product data for fast, accurate answers. Lenny and Bryan discuss why this kind of tightly controlled, manufacturer-backed AI is genuinely valuable — cutting through information overload so a tech on a rooftop can get the right answer quickly. The episode wraps up with details on the HVACR Tech Appreciation Day sweepstakes happening April 1 through June 30, where Copeland is giving away approximately $3,000 worth of tools as a thank-you to technicians across the industry. Topics Covered Lenny's role at Copeland and the scope of their aftermarket and education work How Copeland approaches workforce development as an industry-wide responsibility Copeland's involvement with SkillsUSA and Skills Canada — booths, judges, and mobile refrigeration training simulators The NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) partnership and how it connects trade schools to industry certifications Copeland's three-part curriculum: HVACR system fundamentals, troubleshooting, and compressor operation The Train-the-Trainer program — how Copeland educates educators to deliver consistent, field-ready instruction Hands-on learning philosophy: refrigeration trainers, scroll teardown kits, and compressor-in-a-suitcase tools available to schools Virtual reality scroll teardown in development to bring factory experiences to the classroom The newly integrated Copeland Mobile app — combining White-Rodgers and Copeland tools in one platform App features: Check and Charge, PT Pro (with altitude settings), Fault Finder, and the 30-year products catalog Scout — Copeland's AI tool that searches approved engineering bulletins and product data to answer field questions fast Why manufacturer-controlled AI is a practical and trustworthy resource for technicians The importance of retaining new technicians by giving them support systems so they aren't overwhelmed and don't wash out HVACR Tech Appreciation Day — June 22nd — and the sweepstakes giving away ~$3,000 in tools (vacuum pump, recovery unit, core removal tool, gauge sets) How to reach Copeland's Educational Services team: educationalservices.coldchain@copeland.com Accessing educator resources on Copeland's website and the Copeland Mobile app Copeland's Resources: Sweepstakes: Enter Copeland's HVACR Technician Appreciation Sweepstakes before June 30th, 2026 at hvacrschool.com/copelandsweepstakes. Copeland Mobile App: apps.copeland.com/copelandmobile Educator Resources: https://www.copeland.com/en-us/training-support Educational Services Email: educationalservices.coldchain@copeland.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 session from the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium in Florida, Eric "Elk" Kaiser delivers a comprehensive workshop on airflow testing and measurement. Eric opens by challenging technicians to think beyond simply pointing an instrument at a duct and reading a number. Before selecting any tool, he argues, professionals must understand exactly what they are measuring — whether that is velocity, pressure, volume (CFM), or the mass weight of air — and why each of those values matters for designing ductwork, sizing equipment, and delivering comfort to customers. The session sets the stage for a deeper technical conversation about the physics of air and how those physics affect measurement accuracy in the real world. A significant portion of the presentation focuses on air density and how it affects the accuracy of common industry formulas. Eric walks through the origin of the widely-used 1.08 and 4.5 airflow constants, explaining that they are derived from a theoretical "standard air" condition of sea level pressure (14.7 PSIA) and 0% relative humidity — conditions that virtually no technician encounters in the field. He demonstrates how changes in altitude, temperature, and humidity all shift air density, causing those constants to become variables. For technicians working at elevations above 2,500 feet, the density difference can exceed 10%, enough to significantly skew BTU calculations and equipment performance assessments if left uncorrected. Eric also walks through a real-world scenario involving measurements taken across an operating evaporator coil, where a 3.4% density shift between return and supply could easily be misread as duct leakage. The workshop then moves into a thorough survey of airflow measurement instruments and the specific conditions each one is best suited for. Eric covers vane anemometers (large and mini), hot wire anemometers, pitot tubes, flow hoods (passive and active/fan-powered), flow boxes, the temperature rise method, and the digital TrueFlow grid. For each tool, he discusses accuracy considerations, density correction requirements, velocity limitations, placement requirements, and common mistakes. He is candid about the limitations of manufacturer performance charts, sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how one manufacturer evaluated static pressure using a six-foot plenum and four averaging probes — conditions that bear no resemblance to a cramped residential closet with a coil slammed on top of the furnace. The takeaway is that no chart, regardless of source, should be trusted without understanding the conditions under which it was created. Throughout the session, Eric emphasizes a core professional philosophy: understand your instruments, understand their limitations, and understand what level of accuracy is truly needed for the job at hand. He introduces the concept of stacked inaccuracies — where instrument error combines with density correction error to produce readings that can mislead technicians into diagnosing problems that do not exist, or missing ones that do. He concludes with a strong endorsement of the digital TrueFlow grid for residential applications, highlighting its app-based forecasting feature that allows technicians to predict whether a new piece of equipment will work on an existing duct system before the installation begins. The session closes with audience Q&A covering topics such as using density-correcting instruments to compare supply and return readings, and measuring airflow in systems with multiple filter grilles. Topics Covered What airflow measurement actually captures: velocity, pressure, volume (CFM), and mass weight of air — and why the distinction matters The origin and limitations of the 1.08 and 4.5 airflow constants, and when technicians must correct for non-standard air conditions How air density changes with altitude, temperature, and humidity — including a 22% density drop from sea level to 5,000 feet elevation Real-world example: how a 3.4% density shift across an operating evaporator coil can be mistaken for duct leakage Instrument selection overview: large vane anemometers, mini vane anemometers, hot wire anemometers, pitot tubes, and in-duct flow devices Passive vs. active (fan-powered) flow hoods — accuracy differences and the importance of using residential hoods for residential applications Proper probe placement for in-duct measurements: ASHRAE guidelines, straight-run requirements, and how turbulence affects readings Duct traverses: log Chebyshev point averaging vs. timed traverse methods, and best practices for each Manufacturer performance charts and external static pressure testing: how lab conditions differ from field conditions and why charts can mislead Motor types (PSC, constant torque ECM, constant airflow ECM) and how motor behavior affects static pressure measurement and airflow setup Manometer selection: resolution, accuracy, auto-zeroing features, and why a precise-looking display does not equal an accurate reading Temperature rise method for estimating airflow: appropriate uses with electric heat, and limitations with gas furnaces Digital TrueFlow grid: application for residential retrofit work, CFM forecasting, and evaluating existing duct systems before equipment replacement Audience Q&A: density correction on supply vs. return readings, multi-grille TrueFlow workflows, and commercial system setup strategies You can watch the flow hood comparison video by TruTech Tools HERE. You can also check out all of the great free downloads and other resources TruTech Tools has to offer at https://trutechtools.com/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 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.

In this episode, HVAC veteran Adam Mufich of National Comfort Institute (NCI) pulls back the curtain on one of the industry's most overlooked problems: the majority of residential HVAC systems in the United States are not delivering the correct amount of airflow. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, Adam opens up about his own journey from confident installer to humbled diagnostician, sharing the moment he started measuring his systems and realized how much he had been getting wrong. His candor and expertise make this a must-listen for any HVAC professional serious about doing better work. Adam walks listeners through a sobering picture painted by a Department of Energy study covering 44 research projects across the country. The data reveals that between 50 and 93 percent of systems tested moved less than the minimum 350 CFM per ton of capacity, and between 67 and 100 percent of systems leaked more than 100 CFM to the outside. Equipment oversizing is rampant, with some studies showing that up to 93 percent of systems exceed what Manual J calculations would call for. The ripple effects are enormous: compressor failures, blown blower motors, cracked heat exchangers, wasted energy, and homeowners who are simply not comfortable in their own homes. Adam argues that the single most powerful fix is also the most underused one — properly sizing the equipment in the first place. The bulk of the episode dives into two distinct approaches NCI teaches for addressing these problems. The first is the Air Upgrade, a targeted set of repairs focused near the equipment to reduce static pressure and increase fan airflow. This includes reworking the filter system (a commonly undersized 16x25x1 filter can triple the allowed pressure budget on its own), improving duct fittings with lower equivalent lengths, cleaning evaporator coils and blower wheels, adjusting fan speed, and sealing duct joints. The second approach is full Duct Optimization, a more comprehensive renovation that addresses the entire duct system, incorporates Manual D calculations, installs balancing dampers, improves insulation, and uses tools like flow hoods and MeasureQuick to verify that every room in the house is receiving the correct airflow and BTUs. Adam also spends time on the practical and human side of this work — how to talk to homeowners, how to prioritize what matters to them, and how to overcome the very real obstacles that keep technicians from doing thorough airflow work. He addresses everything from fear of opening walls (his solution: build relationships with drywall contractors and offer turnkey repairs) to the simple but powerful mindset shift of treating airflow as something to be measured, not felt with your hand. His closing message is clear: the tools and methods exist, the training is available, and virtually every house in the country has a problem worth solving. The only thing standing in the way is the willingness to do it right. Topics Covered The current state of the HVAC industry based on a DOE meta-analysis of 44 studies Why equipment oversizing is the number one contributor to airflow problems and how to address it How a 50 percent oversized AC system can increase energy consumption by up to 91 percent (per the ASME Journal of Sustainable Buildings) Tools for proper load calculations, including Ample Energy and Conduit apps Why most systems are not moving enough airflow and what the consequences are (heat exchanger failures, compressor failures, comfort complaints) Duct leakage to the outside and its effects on comfort, indoor air quality, and building pressurization The four pillars of NCI's approach: safe, healthy, comfortable, and efficient systems The Air Upgrade approach: targeted repairs near the equipment to reduce static pressure and increase fan airflow The Duct Optimization approach: full duct system renovation with balanced airflow to every room Static pressure profiling: taking four measurements (before/after filter and before/after coil) to pinpoint restrictions Static pressure budgets and how to use them to identify which part of a system is the biggest problem Fan Law 2 as a planning tool to predict system performance before making changes The TrueFlow Grid and its forecasting feature for planning equipment changes Filter sizing and its massive impact on total external static pressure Duct fitting equivalent lengths and how to reduce resistance near the equipment Sealing duct joints and why it adds static pressure that must be planned for The importance of rechecking and adjusting refrigerant charge after any airflow improvement Air balancing with a flow hood to verify delivered CFM at every register Measuring delivered BTUs using tools like MeasureQuick, JobLink, and NCI's ComfortMax workflow Overcoming obstacles: technician buy-in, access to ducts in walls, attic space limitations, and homeowner hesitation Building relationships with drywall contractors to offer turnkey duct repair solutions Why airflow is invisible and why measuring it is non-negotiable To learn more about NCI and its training offerings, visit https://www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com/. Watch Adam Mufich's previous symposium session, Fan Law 2 for Techs, at https://www.hvacrschool.com/videos/fan-law-2-for-techs-with-adam-mufich/. 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.

In this candid team meeting, Bryan — a founder of Kalos Services and a veteran of residential HVAC — gathers his install crew to have an honest conversation about what goes wrong on the job. With summer around the corner and the workload about to spike, Bryan circles back to his roots in residential HVAC to lead a round-table discussion on the pain points his technicians face every single day. Rather than pointing fingers, he opens the floor for every team member to voice the specific frustrations that slow down their installs, and what emerges is a surprisingly consistent list: size and clearance problems, missing small materials, incomplete job photos, and last-minute schedule changes that leave crews scrambling before they even pull out of the shop. Bryan draws on his own humble origins as a one-man operation hauling equipment on a Gladiator trailer — doing installs, service calls, and waste runs all in the same day — to remind his team that chaos is not inevitable; it is the byproduct of poor process. He is refreshingly self-aware, admitting that he was a very bad installer who routinely showed up with equipment that did not fit the space. That honesty sets the tone for the entire session: this is not a lecture about accountability, but a collaborative problem-solving conversation about building repeatable systems that prevent the same mistakes from happening over and over again. As Bryan frames it, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result — and right now, the team is living that cycle. The heart of the session focuses on a three-phase planning framework: what should be done the night before a job, what should happen at the shop before the crew leaves, and what needs to occur during the first 30 minutes on-site. Bryan emphasizes that skipping proper measurements and job photos should carry the same weight as failing an inspection or leaving a refrigerant leak — because the downstream cost is just as real. He breaks down the two categories of mistakes that are truly unacceptable for any installer: refrigerant leaks from improper brazing, and water leaks from poorly executed drain lines. No amount of clean workmanship makes up for either of those failures, and he walks the crew through the non-negotiable steps — pressure testing and bubble solution on every single joint — that prevent them. Bryan wraps up by tying individual preparation habits to the bigger picture of company growth. He acknowledges that last-minute installs and mid-job equipment runs may never fully disappear, but that investing 15 minutes the evening before and 30 minutes on arrival creates a compounding tipping point effect — over time, the crew gains back hours, reduces surprises, and frees up the time that matters most: commissioning the system properly. Checklists, he argues, are not about turning skilled tradespeople into robots; they are about transferring institutional knowledge to the next generation of technicians and ensuring that nothing critical gets overlooked, no matter how many times you have done the job before. Topics Covered Common install-day problems surfaced in a round-table with the install crew Equipment size and clearance issues — why measurements matter before the truck leaves the shop The critical role of detailed job photos in preventing on-site surprises Missing small materials (wire nuts, spray foam, surge protectors, breakers) and how to stock proactively Scope and de-scope review: aligning the proposal with the homeowner before work begins Bryan's three-phase planning framework: the night before, at the shop, and on arrival Why refrigerant leaks and drain-line failures are the two non-negotiable mistakes to eliminate Pressure testing and bubble solution as a standard, every-joint practice The role of checklists in training new technicians and preserving institutional knowledge Handling last-minute installs and the logistics of getting equipment to the job site Condenser access obstacles — bushes, parking, property layout — and how to communicate with homeowners Faulty or missing parts out of the box and strategies for catching them early Panel rework and surprise platform rebuilds: planning for the unexpected How improved preparation leads to better commissioning time at the end of every job Building a culture of process over blame — poor planning is a system problem, not a people problem 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.

In this episode, Brad Cooper — second-generation HVAC technician, educator at Arkansas State University-Beebe (ASUBB), and CMHE-certified professional with HVAC Excellence — breaks down geothermal systems for everyday HVAC technicians. Brad brings a grounded, no-hype perspective to a technology that has long intimidated many in the trade. His central message is simple: if you already understand heat pumps and air conditioning, you already have most of the knowledge you need to service geothermal units. The only real difference, as Brad explains, is swapping air for water, a fan for a pump, and a condenser for two heat exchangers. Brad opens with a compelling real-world story: a customer with two malfunctioning geothermal units called a company for help, but because the technicians were unfamiliar with geothermal systems, they replaced both units with air-to-air equipment — costing the customer $25,000 and stripping them of the significant efficiency benefits geothermal provides. This kind of outcome is exactly what Brad wants to prevent. He urges technicians not to shy away from geothermal work the way past generations were told to avoid flex duct or mobile homes, but instead to approach these systems with the same confidence and diagnostic mindset they bring to any HVAC call. A major portion of the episode is devoted to practical diagnostics — specifically, how to use a pressure probe and a temperature probe on the water side to calculate GPM flow, BTU output, and system efficiency using a straightforward chart. Brad walks listeners through the math: a gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, multiplied by flow rate and delta T, gives you a reliable BTU reading — all without expensive equipment. He also covers the flush cart, the one specialized tool you'll eventually need for water-side work, and explains that most geothermal calls don't require it at all — the majority of failures are standard heat pump issues like bad capacitors, clogged drain lines, or faulty thermostats. Brad closes with an encouraging, community-minded message: you don't need to go it alone. He encourages technicians to build a network of mentors — someone like a "Paul and a Barnabas" — who can guide them through unfamiliar territory in the field. He also highlights key industry resources, including IGSHPA (International Ground Source Heat Pump Association) for training and certification, GeoFlow for parts and materials, and his brother's company, EDGE Geo Supply, for tools and field training. Brad himself offers his personal phone number and email for anyone with questions, reinforcing that the geothermal community is accessible and willing to help. Topics Covered • Brad's background as a second-generation HVAC tech and his role at ASUBB and HVAC School • Why geothermal systems intimidate technicians — and why they shouldn't • The core analogy: air-to-air vs. geothermal (air → water, fan → pump, condenser → two heat exchangers) • A $25,000 cautionary tale: replacing working geo units out of fear and unfamiliarity • Geothermal efficiency: constant EER ratings vs. seasonal SEER ratings and why seasons don't affect geo performance • BTU fundamentals: what a BTU is and how to calculate BTU output on the water side • Tonnage review: 1 ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour, melting a ton of ice in 24 hours • Water weight and flow math: 8.34 lbs/gallon, calculating GPM and BTUs with delta T • Using a two-probe setup (pressure + temperature) and a field chart to diagnose water-side performance • The flush cart: what it is, when you need it, and why most jobs won't require it • Common heat pump-side failures in geo units: capacitors, low-pressure switches, evaporator coils, bad thermostats • Common water-side failures: bad pump, low water, dirty water, frozen loop field • How antifreeze/glycol affects heating load and BTU output — and when to add it • Responding to frozen loop fields during extreme cold events (ice storms in Arkansas and Texas) • Humidity control advantages of geothermal in high-humidity climates vs. high-efficiency air-to-air units • Selecting the right system: geo isn't for every home or every situation • Open-loop options: pulling water from lakes or rivers and utility company incentives • Closed-loop installation considerations: drilling costs, lot size, and buried line depths • Building a mentor network for field support (the "Paul and Barnabas" principle) • Industry resources: IGSHPA for training and certification, GeoFlow, and Edge Geo Supply 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.

In this action-packed live stream episode of HVAC School, host Bryan is joined by Eric Kaiser, Ty Branaman, and Roman Baugh for a continuation of a deep-dive conversation on vacuum practices — picking up where a previous episode left off with Andrew Greaves and Jim Bergmann. The team sets out to both reinforce the foundational best practices every HVAC technician should follow and to explore some genuinely uncharted scientific territory around how vacuum gauges actually work, how refrigerant contaminates micron gauge readings, and what really happens to moisture inside a system when temperatures drop below freezing. A central revelation of the episode is Eric's explanation that modern electronic vacuum (micron) gauges do not actually measure pressure directly — they measure heat transfer and translate it into a pressure reading. Because these gauges are calibrated to nitrogen or air, the presence of refrigerant vapor in a system (which has roughly three times the heat conductivity of nitrogen) can cause the gauge to display a falsely high reading. This means a technician could believe the system still has poor vacuum when it may actually be further along than indicated — or, more concerning, that a system appears to have passed vacuum when contamination is still present. The team acknowledges that controlled experiments are needed to quantify exactly how much refrigerant affects the reading, and they commit to designing those tests. The conversation then pivots into the physics of water at the triple point — the precise pressure (4,580 microns) and temperature (32°F) at which water can exist simultaneously as solid, liquid, and vapor. Eric walks the audience through a phase diagram built from International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam data, explaining that once pressure drops below the triple point, liquid water no longer exists. Any moisture in the system either sublimes directly from solid ice to vapor or remains frozen. This has major practical implications: a system with ice inside can still pull down to a very deep vacuum, but will not pass a decay test until that ice is fully sublimated — which requires both sufficient vacuum depth and available heat energy. The colder the ambient environment, the deeper the vacuum must go to create the temperature differential needed to drive sublimation. The episode wraps with an illuminating discussion on refrigerant oils — specifically the differences between POE (polyolester) and PVE (polyvinyl ether) oils and how each interacts with moisture in fundamentally different ways. POE chemically bonds with water through hydrolysis, breaking down into acid and alcohol and permanently degrading the oil. PVE, on the other hand, physically traps moisture through surface tension and can hold up to twice as much water as POE, but remains chemically stable. This distinction affects vacuum strategy, dryer sizing, and long-term system reliability — particularly in VRF and cold-climate heat pump systems where compressor oil management is far more complex. Topics Covered Core vacuum best practices refresher: large hoses, removing valve cores, skipping the manifold, using clean pump oil, micron gauge placement, and decay testing Why micron gauges measure heat transfer — not pressure — and how refrigerant vapor causes false-high readings on the gauge The impact of refrigerant retained in compressor oil on vacuum accuracy and the potential role of nitrogen sweeps in displacing refrigerant molecules Triple point science: what happens to moisture when pressure drops below 4,580 microns and why liquid water no longer exists below that threshold How ice inside a system can allow a deep vacuum pull-down while still failing a decay test, and what that means for cold-climate HVAC work The role of heat during evacuation: why adding heat accelerates moisture removal and how deep vacuum increases temperature differential to drive sublimation Cold-climate challenges: vacuum pump limitations, micron gauge accuracy at low temperatures, and the physics of dry air in freezing environments Triple evacuation and nitrogen purging: whether nitrogen disrupts oil pockets, displaces refrigerant, or both — and why the team wants to test it Nitrogen tank quality concerns: the possibility that low-grade nitrogen could introduce moisture and whether an inline dryer would help Using system flush chemicals: why Ty cautions against flushing agents and the risks of adding additional chemicals that break down oil POE vs. PVE oil chemistry: how POE undergoes hydrolysis when exposed to moisture (creating acid) versus how PVE physically traps water without chemical breakdown Dryer strategy for large commercial systems, VRF, and VRV: filter dryer sizing, core pulls, oil sampling, and why an "oil dialysis machine" would be a game-changer Plans for future controlled experiments: testing refrigerant effects on micron gauges, ice behavior at various temperatures, and vacuum performance in cold climates Industry influence over time: how community-driven knowledge sharing has already shifted vacuum and refrigerant practices over the past decade Whether you're a residential technician looking to sharpen the fundamentals or a commercial refrigeration specialist wrestling with VRF oil contamination, this episode delivers both practical takeaways and a front-row seat to the scientific inquiry that drives best practices forward. As Bryan puts it: "Don't wait for us — if you want to do the experiment, be part of the conversation." 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.

In this special live panel session recorded at the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium, the three founders of Kalos Services — Bryan Orr, his father Robert (Bob) Orr, and uncle Keith Huntington — sit down together to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary and answer questions from the audience and online attendees. Hosted by Bert, the conversation blends humor, hard-earned wisdom, and surprising candor about what it actually takes to build and sustain a trades business over two decades. From humble beginnings with $100,000 in startup capital to managing multi-million-dollar commercial contracts today, the founders pull back the curtain on the messy, unpredictable, and deeply human reality of entrepreneurship in the skilled trades. A recurring theme throughout the panel is that starting a business requires far more than technical skill — it demands grit, personal support, and an almost stubborn refusal to outspend your income. Bryan shares a raw, memorable story about living in a double-wide trailer with seven kids while Kalos was already nine years old, choosing to improvise a drainage workaround rather than take on debt he couldn't afford. The founders agree that the number-one ingredient for small business survival is grit — the ability to wake up the next morning after a terrible day and take the next step anyway. Robert adds a philosophical note that extreme negative emotions in business are almost never accurate; they pass, and tomorrow tends to look better than the night before suggested it would. One of the most discussed topics in the panel is how to motivate technicians to care about quality — not just revenue targets. Bryan makes a pointed distinction: if you build a compensation system optimized purely for money, you attract people who are only motivated by money. Instead, he advocates building a culture where belonging is tied to quality of work. Practical tools like daily photo-posting of installs in Google Chat, public shout-outs for great work, and peer commentary create an environment where craftspeople hold each other to a standard — not because they're forced to, but because it's who they are. Keith echoes this, emphasizing that most technician frustration stems not from laziness but from unclear systems and expectations set by leadership. When people don't know what's expected, they disengage — and that's a leadership problem, not a people problem. The panel also dives into the nuances of running a family business, with all three founders offering surprisingly candid takes. Keith notes that the key to 20 relatively friction-free years has been that all three founders are "120 degrees different" from each other — their strengths don't overlap, so they rarely fight over territory. Bryan adds that healthy family businesses require the ability to have real conflict for the sake of mission, not just harmony. He also speaks to the importance of organizational structure when family members are involved: his own son Gavin, at 21 years old, works at Kalos but reports through multiple layers of management precisely so Bryan doesn't micromanage him. The session closes with reflections on the riskiest moments in the company's history — and Bryan's honest admission that four weeks prior to the symposium ranked among the most stressful, as large promised contracts delayed in paperwork can shake even an established business to its core. Topics Covered Expanding HVAC services into electrical and plumbing — what technicians can realistically do and when to partner with specialists The real prerequisites for going out on your own: craft knowledge, personal support system, and financial discipline Why grit — not capital or credentials — is the single most important ingredient for small business survival How to attract technicians who genuinely care about quality, not just technicians who chase commissions Using internal tools like Google Chat to reinforce a culture of craftsmanship and peer accountability The danger of building systems that look great on paper but don't survive contact with real-world field conditions Advice on contractor mentoring programs — how to absorb outside coaching without losing your own identity and standards Lessons from running a family business: complementary roles, honest conflict, and the importance of organizational separation How Kalos Services grew from $100,000 in startup capital to a multi-trade general contractor over 20 years The role of visionary vs. operator personalities in a founding team, and why both are essential The founders' biggest career mistakes — including owning full responsibility for a six-figure grocery store power outage Why private equity growth models don't translate to owner-operated trades businesses Hiring to fill your weaknesses: from permitting to office management, delegating what you hate frees you to lead Recommended training resources: HVAC School, Ty Craig / Skill Cat, Ruth King, ESCO, and Dirk Nauman Why the riskiest stage of business is never behind you — it scales with the size of your contracts 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.

In this long-awaited live episode of HVAC School, host Bryan Orr reunites with three industry veterans — Jim Bergmann of measureQuick, Roman Baugh (Kalos), and Andrew Greaves of NAVAC — to tackle one of the most pressing and underaddressed challenges in modern HVAC: performing refrigerant recovery and system evacuation in extreme cold-weather conditions. The conversation was sparked by a real-world observation from technician Chris Hughes, who relocated from Louisiana to Minnesota and quickly discovered just how different — and difficult — cold-climate HVAC work can be. What follows is an honest, science-heavy, and often humorous deep dive into a problem the industry has largely ignored. The episode centers on the growing prevalence of cold-climate heat pumps, especially inverter-driven systems capable of operating at extremely low outdoor temperatures. As these systems become the primary heating source in cold regions, technicians are increasingly being called to make repairs — and perform evacuations — in sub-zero conditions. The group walks through why this is such a challenge, examining the fundamental physics that make pulling a proper vacuum nearly impossible once temperatures drop below 40°F. The conversation draws heavily from refrigeration science principles that, as Jim Bergmann bluntly points out, were largely left out of HVAC trade education over the past several decades. One of the most compelling moments of the episode is Andrew Greaves' introduction of the "heat provocation test," a term he coins on the spot to describe a technique for verifying whether moisture has truly been removed from a system by observing micron gauge behavior after applying external heat to cold-soaked components. This sparks a rich debate between Jim and Andrew about where moisture actually concentrates in a system — in the line set vs. the outdoor unit — and whether heat can realistically reach those areas in a real-world installation. The panel ultimately agrees that heat is the only viable tool when you absolutely must complete a job in cold conditions, but that prevention and scheduling remain the gold standard. The episode closes with a fascinating dive into the phase diagram of water, specifically the concept of the "triple point" and how it governs moisture behavior at low pressures. Andrew uses a whiteboard diagram to explain why, below 4,500 microns, moisture can only exist as vapor or solid — not liquid — and why that makes sublimation the only removal pathway when heat is absent. Jim adds nuance by describing the self-refrigerating cycle that occurs during deep vacuum pulls, a phenomenon that makes the problem progressively worse the deeper you pull without adding heat. The group wraps up with practical field takeaways and a promise to revisit the topic, including the potential role of nitrogen purging and triple-evacuation techniques in cold-weather scenarios. Topics Covered The rise of cold-climate heat pumps and why they demand refrigerant work during cold seasons Why evacuation becomes extremely difficult — or impossible — below 40°F ambient temperature The physics of moisture removal: heat energy, vapor pressure, and molecular movement Jim Bergmann's real-world demonstration pulling a vacuum to 135 microns on a wet system and still failing the decay test Andrew Greaves' "heat provocation test" — using external heat sources to verify dryness after evacuation The debate over where moisture concentrates: outdoor unit vs. line set Why mini-split manufacturers don't allow permanent desiccant dryers — and workarounds using temporary bypass configurations VRF systems and how shell dryers can be temporarily added and then removed post-evacuation The self-refrigerating cycle: how pulling a vacuum on ice makes the system progressively colder and more resistant to drying Phase diagram of water: the triple point (~4,580 microns) and why liquid water becomes unstable below it Why sublimation is the only moisture removal pathway below the triple point Gibbs free energy and its role in determining which phase (solid, liquid, vapor) a substance will occupy Hot nitrogen purging as a method for carrying moisture out of open line sets Push-pull recovery technique to maximize refrigerant removal in cold conditions The challenge of vapor recovery in cold weather — leaving multiple pounds of refrigerant behind Practical field solutions: insulated tarps, portable propane heaters, belly band heaters, heat guns Dry ice cold-trap brainstorm as a creative moisture capture method The dual-fuel argument: why Jim advocates for backup heating as the real long-term solution How rapid industry growth in the mid-20th century led to mechanics being trained instead of engineers, losing foundational science in the process Why this topic matters more now than ever as cold-climate compression refrigeration becomes mainstream You can watch the original livestream on YouTube HERE. Learn more about the book Review of Vacuum for Service Engineers or purchase it from TruTech Tools. 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.

In this special collaborative episode between the Building HVAC Science Podcast and HVAC School, host Bryan Orr sits down with his father and co-founder Robert Orr (Kalos) and Bill and Billy Spohn, the father-son duo behind TruTech Tools, for an in-depth conversation about the realities of running, transitioning, and ultimately passing the torch in a family-owned business. What makes this episode particularly compelling is that both pairs are actively living through their own succession journeys in real time, offering listeners an unusually candid and personal look at the emotional, structural, and cultural dimensions of handing off a business you helped build from the ground up. The conversation begins with each participant sharing where they stand today. Bill Spohn Sr. is transitioning into semi-retirement as CEO and co-owner of TruTech Tools, which has tripled in revenue since his son Billy joined the company in 2018. Billy Spohn has stepped into the role of President and co-owner, focusing on working on the business rather than in it. Robert Orr, co-founder of Kalos alongside Bryan, has similarly stepped back after a formalized three-year succession plan, with Bryan now holding majority ownership and day-to-day control. Together, these four men represent two different approaches to the same deeply human challenge: what does it really mean to let go of something you built, and how do you do it in a way that honors both the past and the future? A major theme throughout the episode is the emotional weight of identity and transition that founders and long-time leaders rarely talk about openly. Both Bill Spohn Sr. and Robert Orr reflect candidly on how much of their personal identity has been wrapped up in their respective companies, and how surprising it has been to grapple with the shift from decision-maker to advisor. Robert speaks movingly about health challenges, including having suffered strokes, that accelerated his thinking about succession and mortality. The group explores how no amount of business planning fully prepares you for the emotional reality of stepping back, and yet both men express genuine peace and gratitude for how their transitions have unfolded. The honesty in these reflections is rare and refreshing, especially in business media that often skips the messy human middle. The discussion also digs deeply into the operational and cultural infrastructure that makes a successful handoff possible. TruTech Tools implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) starting in 2022, a framework that Billy says was one of the greatest gifts his father could have given him before assuming leadership. EOS brought role clarity, accountability structures, and regular team rhythms that transformed how the company functions. Bryan and Robert took a more organic approach at Kalos, leaning on trust, a shared value system, and clearly defined responsibilities that evolved over years of working side by side. Both companies emphasize that clarity and accountability are non-negotiable, regardless of company size, and that culture is not a poster on the wall but a reflection of how leaders actually behave when things get hard. The episode closes with practical advice for other family business owners navigating similar journeys. Key takeaways include starting the conversation early, building an advisory board outside the company, making public commitments to accountability, investing in business reading and peer groups, holding regular family meetings so that everyone understands the plan, and above all, prioritizing emotional health and the ability to have hard conversations before they become festering resentments. Bryan offers a memorable point: intelligence gets beaten by emotional regulation and patience every day. The group is unanimous that succession planning is not a single event but a thousand small handoffs, and the best time to start preparing is well before you feel ready. Topics Covered Introductions: Bryan Orr (Kalos), Robert Orr (Kalos co-founder), Bill Spohn Sr. (TruTech Tools CEO), and Billy Spohn (TruTech Tools President) TruTech Tools 3x revenue growth since Billy joined in 2018 The emotional side of letting go: identity shifts, loss of relevance, and the unexpected grief of stepping back from a business you built Moving from decision-maker to advisor: how both Bill Sr. and Robert are navigating this transition Legacy vs. transactional business: building to keep versus building to sell, and the stewardship mindset The baton handoff metaphor: why succession is a thousand small transitions, not one dramatic moment Robert Orr on health challenges (strokes) that accelerated his thinking about succession planning EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) at TruTech Tools: what it is, how it was implemented over two years starting in 2022, and why Billy credits it as the single biggest gift for his leadership journey Role clarity and accountability charts versus traditional org charts Quarterly employee check-ins as an alternative to annual reviews How Kalos grew organically without a formal EOS framework, and the value of building structure around trust and shared values GWC framework from EOS: Gets it, Wants it, Capacity to do it Kalos hitting 400+ employees and the challenges that come with scale Culture preservation through succession: how core values survive a leadership change Faith-based principles in business culture: loving your neighbor, leading with grace, clarity as kindness The concept of stewardship: feeling responsible for a business rather than simply owning it Separate job descriptions for CEO vs. President at TruTech Tools and why it mattered for the whole team Bryan on having five family members working at Kalos and maintaining clear boundaries between family and professional roles Advice for family businesses: start early, overcommunicate, make public commitments, seek outside advisors Building a small advisory board outside the company for outside perspective Recommended resources: business peer groups, books on succession planning, and the EOS/Traction framework by Gino Wickman The importance of family meetings for keeping non-active family members informed and aligned Forgiveness and reconciliation as a foundation for healthy family business relationships Having hard conversations proactively so tension does not carry into family life Bill Spohn Sr.'s closing reflection on what comes after stepping back, and the importance of preparing for your next chapter in life Resources mentioned: Traction by Gino Wickman Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark Winters Succeeding by Albert Ciuksza Good to Great by Jim Collins Family Business Succession: The Final Test of Greatness by Aronoff, McClure, & Ward Process! by Mike Paton and Lisa Gonzalez The Business Transition Handbook by Laurie R. Barkman Who Comes Next? Leadership Succession Planning Made Easy by Mary C. Kelly & Meredith E. Powell Predictive Index (personality/behavioral assessment tool used at Kalos) University of Pittsburgh business peer group for entrepreneurs (referenced by Billy) Family business advisory boards and outside mentors Visit TruTech Tools at https://trutechtools.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 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.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Johnny, the creator behind the popular social media channel "Let's Be Techs." Johnny brings a wealth of hands-on experience to the table, having spent his first 13 years in residential HVAC before transitioning into commercial refrigeration. He shares his unconventional path into the trade—starting out building houses before being recommended to an HVAC contractor—and how the lack of quality mentorship early in his career motivated him to create educational content for technicians. His videos, which began as a fun hobby and a way to teach his helper remotely, have since grown exponentially across TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, and continue to attract technicians hungry for practical, real-world knowledge. The bulk of the episode is a deep dive into real-world troubleshooting strategies, covering everything from the very first moments you arrive on a job site to diagnosing complex intermittent electrical faults. Bryan and Johnny both emphasize the value of using your senses before reaching for specialty tools—listening for surging liquid lines, feeling condenser airflow with your hand, and visually inspecting service valves for oil before removing caps. They share a mutual philosophy that the best technicians are those who can step back, assess the big picture, and narrow down the problem systematically rather than immediately jumping to assumptions about charge levels or component failures. A significant portion of the conversation centers on low-voltage electrical diagnostics, an area where both techs have noticed major changes over the last several years. Bryan and Johnny discuss the rise of contactor coil failures, transformer overload from aftermarket add-ons like UV lights and zone dampers, and the clever use of a contactor in place of a fuse as a low-cost short-finder tool. They also revisit the concept of "tattletale" fuses and resettable fuses, comparing their reliability and appropriate applications. Throughout these discussions, both hosts bring in personal war stories that make the technical content feel grounded and immediately applicable to everyday service calls. The episode wraps up with discussions on thermal imaging cameras, scroll compressor anomalies, and a memorable consulting story from Barbados involving a VRF system. Johnny and Bryan also touch on the importance of sharing knowledge openly in the trades, pushing back against the gatekeeping mentality that leaves newer technicians struggling to find reliable information. Both agree that the comment sections of field-focused videos have become a valuable community resource—a place where techs teach each other, correct each other, and build a collective knowledge base that benefits the whole industry. Topics Covered Johnny's background: from construction to HVAC apprenticeship to commercial refrigeration How "Let's Be Techs" started as a fun hobby and grew into a major social media presence Using your senses first: listening, looking, and feeling before pulling out specialty tools Checking service valves for oil and inspecting caps/seals before connecting gauges Walk-in cooler first-response checklist: fans, thermostat display, suction line frost, liquid line surging Feeling condenser airflow direction to diagnose dirty or clogged coils Identifying capacitor and contactor issues from the moment you approach residential equipment The rise of contactor coil failures and how location-based dirty power contributes Transformer overload: understanding the 40 VA / 24V current rating and why a 5-amp fuse doesn't protect windings Aftermarket add-ons (UV lights, dampers, zone systems) overloading low-voltage circuits Float switches fusing closed from excess current draw The contactor-as-short-finder trick: a DIY alternative to the Short Pro tool Adding individual circuit fuses ("tattletale" fuses) for isolating intermittent low-voltage shorts Resettable (popper) fuses: reliability issues and why 3-amp versions outperform 5-amp versions Contextual diagnostics: thinking about when and why a fuse blew (weather, season, recent activity) The 225°F discharge line rule for monitoring compressor health Scroll compressor oddities: running backwards, check valve failures, and starting under equalized pressure VRF system quirk: electronic expansion valves staying open when power is cut to one air handler Thermal imaging cameras: practical applications in the field including electrical panels, motors, condenser coils, and compressor racks Using black tape (gaffer's tape) to improve thermal imaging accuracy on shiny surfaces Megohmmeter use for finding wire shorts that are intermittent but close to failing The importance of anti-gatekeeping: sharing knowledge freely and learning from community feedback Follow Johnny on social media as "Let's Be Techs" on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. 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.

Recorded live at the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, this episode brings together Roman from HVAC School and building science practitioner Brynn for a deep-dive conversation on one of the most pressing challenges in the HVAC industry: how contractors can use building science principles not just to solve problems, but to communicate value and close sales at the kitchen table. With 26 years of industry experience and 15 years of consistently applying building science in his contracting business, Brynn shares the process his team has refined to help homeowners understand their comfort problems — and confidently invest in the right solutions. Central to the conversation is the idea that testing — not guessing — is the foundation of a great HVAC business. Brynn outlines his team's "big three" diagnostic approach: starting with indoor air quality testing, followed by a load calculation using a LIDAR tool, and finishing with a duct evaluation. These three steps give technicians the data they need to tie findings directly to a homeowner's stated concerns. Rather than overwhelming customers with spreadsheets and raw numbers, the goal is to present information in a way that connects with their lived experience — validating that their hot rooms, cold spots, or humidity discomfort are real, measurable problems with real, measurable solutions. Brynn's team can complete a full load calculation in as little as 20 minutes on-site, a capability that routinely impresses homeowners and sets them apart from competitors. The episode also tackles the business case for slowing down. Rather than rushing technicians through six to eight calls a day, Brynn's company reduced daily call volume to two to four, giving technicians time to perform thorough diagnostics. The result? Ticket sales increased, replacement opportunities grew organically, and install callbacks dropped to a remarkable half of one percent, compared to an industry average closer to ten percent. Roman and Brynn agree that adopting building science practices isn't about overhauling your business overnight. The key is to start with one skill — like combustion testing or airflow measurement — master it, embed it in company culture, and build from there. Over time, these small habits compound into a business that delivers on its promises every time. Beyond the technical content, the conversation wraps with a heartfelt discussion about workforce development and the GRIT Foundation, a nonprofit working to reintroduce skilled trades exposure to young people. With shop classes having largely disappeared from schools across the country, Brynn and Roman emphasize the importance of giving children the chance to discover a passion for hands-on work. Brynn's team hosted a GRIT camp in Detroit, and one participant has since enrolled in HVAC college — a reminder that sparking curiosity early can change the trajectory of a young person's life. Contractors interested in Brynn's training programs and building science bootcamps can find more information at HVACTrain.com. Topics Covered The culture and community of the HVACR Symposium and why first-time attendees always come back Why building science can feel intimidating to contractors — and how to simplify it for customer conversations Brynn's "big three" on-site diagnostics: indoor air quality testing, load calculation, and duct evaluation How to ask the right questions first — understanding the customer's pain before running tests Using data to validate homeowner concerns (hot rooms, cold spots, humidity issues) rather than dismissing them Completing a full load calculation in 20 minutes using LiDAR tools and tablet software Presenting test results with third-party references (EPA, American Lung Association) to build trust Why oversized HVAC equipment is the rule, not the exception — and what the data shows across thousands of homes The business case for slowing down: fewer daily calls, better diagnostics, higher ticket sales, fewer callbacks Reducing install callbacks from an industry average of ~10% to just 0.5% through building science practices How to implement building science incrementally: start with one practice, make it a habit, then build from there Using platforms like measureQuick and Smart Probe for ongoing performance verification Mitigating legal and financial risk on larger residential and multi-family projects through proper documentation Building a word-of-mouth reputation that eliminates the need for active marketing The GRIT Foundation: reintroducing skilled trades to young people and inspiring the next generation of HVAC professionals Where to find Brynn's contractor bootcamps, online classes, and workforce development seminars at HVACTrain.com Learn more about Brynn's education opportunities at https://www.hvactrain.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 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.

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, host Bryan reconnects with Jim Bergmann of measureQuick after nearly three years apart. The reunion is anything but ordinary — Jim opens up about a serious battle with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma that sent him through not one but two rounds of chemotherapy, ultimately requiring a cutting-edge CAR-T cell immunotherapy treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Jim shares the remarkable medical journey of having his T cells extracted, genetically modified in a Maryland lab, and reintroduced into his body to permanently attack cancer cells. Now past the critical six-month remission milestone, Jim is back, healthy, and more motivated than ever to push the HVAC diagnostics industry forward. From his medical comeback, the conversation transitions naturally into what Jim loves most: the world of HVAC diagnostics and the evolution of measureQuick. After years of defending a per-use pricing model that the market simply didn't embrace, Jim candidly admits the old model wasn't working. With the help of business partner Eric Preston (formerly of TruTech Tools), the team overhauled the software's pricing structure in February — a move that has since driven 90%+ customer retention and accelerated growth significantly. The new focus is squarely on "time to value," streamlining workflows so technicians reach key diagnostic reports faster than ever before. A significant portion of the episode dives into how measureQuick is thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence. Rather than chasing AI trends, Jim and his team — including AI specialist Ben Reed — took a deliberate approach: identifying the precise areas where AI genuinely helps technicians without creating distractions. The standout use case is label identification, where AI reads equipment labels and auto-populates system profiles. Jim is refreshingly candid about AI's limitations in HVAC diagnostics, explaining that the field variability of real-world systems (varying line set lengths, mismatched equipment, non-standard airflow conditions) makes purely AI-driven diagnostics unreliable. Instead, measureQuick leans on first-principle modeling and non-dimensional mathematics to generate objective, data-driven results. The episode closes with a thought-provoking discussion about the state of the HVAC industry at large. Bryan and Jim tackle the growing influence of private equity consolidation, the persistent problem of technicians skipping probe deployment, the difference between clearing faults and actually fixing them, and the importance of commissioning and retro-commissioning equipment to manufacturer design intent. Throughout it all, the conversation is anchored by a shared belief: that measuring everything — in business and on the job — is the foundation of genuine, lasting improvement. It's a must-listen for any HVAC professional or business owner who wants to understand where the industry is headed. Topics Covered Jim's cancer diagnosis: non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma and the progression from standard chemo to aggressive relapse CAR-T cell immunotherapy explained: how T cells are extracted, genetically modified, and reintroduced to fight cancer permanently Jim's recovery at the Cleveland Clinic and surpassing the critical six-month remission milestone Neurotoxicity as a side effect of CAR-T therapy and what that experience was like The pivot away from measureQuick's per-use pricing model and the dramatic improvement in retention after switching The "time to value" philosophy driving measureQuick's new hybrid workflow interface How measureQuick is integrating AI — and where AI falls short in real-world HVAC diagnostics Label identification as the most practical current AI application in field diagnostics Why AI is highly sycophantic and the danger of relying on subjective, internet-sourced training data for HVAC decisions The power of measureQuick's proprietary measurement data and target zones as a foundation for AI summaries First-principle modeling and non-dimensional mathematics: why brand-agnostic diagnostics work The importance of deploying all nine probes on every air conditioning service call Benchmarking vs. commissioning vs. retro-commissioning: the three layers of equipment assessment Design temperature difference: measuring evaporator and condenser delta-T as engineering benchmarks How ECM motors mask airflow problems — and why that leads to premature motor failure and higher energy costs The two "elephants in the room": incomplete probe deployment and clearing faults without fixing them Why clearing a fault in measureQuick without addressing the root cause is like putting duct tape over a check engine light How poor installation practices in high-growth markets (Florida, Texas, Arizona, Las Vegas) have created widespread system deficiencies The role of private equity in HVAC consolidation and why many PE firms add cost without adding value Why implementing field measurement systems like measureQuick is the missing link for PE-owned and independent shops alike The legacy mode vs. new mode toggle in the upcoming measureQuick update — no forced UI changes for existing users How measureQuick helps newer technicians become productive faster and helps seasoned technicians be more consistent The importance of presenting diagnostic findings to homeowners and helping them understand what the numbers actually mean Learn more about measureQuick at https://measurequick.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 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.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Jeff Staub, Director of OEM Sales for Danfoss North America, to explore one of the most rapidly evolving frontiers in the HVAC and refrigeration world: thermal management for AI data centers. With nearly 30 years of industry experience spanning technical support, application engineering, and product development, Jeff brings deep expertise on how the explosive growth of AI chip technology is reshaping data center cooling architecture — and creating major new opportunities for HVAC professionals, contractors, and facility managers alike. A central theme of the conversation is heat recovery — specifically, how the enormous amounts of heat generated by high-density GPU chips in modern data centers can be captured and repurposed rather than simply rejected into the atmosphere. Jeff explains that while heat recovery itself is not a new concept (supermarkets have used reheat coils and heat reclaim for decades), its application in AI data centers presents fresh challenges and possibilities. The heat coming off liquid-cooled server chips typically runs around 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit — useful, but not immediately at the temperature needed for most end applications like domestic hot water or space heating. Boosting that heat using heat pumps or feeding it into district energy systems, boiler pre-heat loops, vertical farms, or multifamily housing developments are among the most promising strategies being explored around the world. Jeff highlights a significant contrast between Europe and the United States in how heat recovery is being adopted. In Europe, where district energy networks are widespread, data centers can plug directly into community heating infrastructure — and projections suggest that 80% of European data centers will incorporate heat recovery in the near future. In the US, the picture is more fragmented: while opportunities exist at universities, hospitals, urban mixed-use developments, and facilities co-located with nuclear power plants, the economics are trickier. Key sticking points include who owns the capital expenditure for heat recovery modules and heat pumps, and who ultimately benefits from the recovered heat. Bryan and Jeff discuss how innovative ownership models — with landlords, municipalities, or co-tenants sharing infrastructure — are beginning to unlock these opportunities, and how co-generation arrangements with power stations present exciting long-term potential. The episode wraps up with highly practical guidance for HVAC contractors and facility managers looking to break into the data center space. Jeff encourages technicians not to be intimidated: the fundamentals of vapor compression, chiller systems, and fluid flow that HVAC professionals already know transfer directly to data center work. The key additions are familiarity with large centrifugal and screw compressors, variable frequency drives on pumps, glycol loop management, and central distribution unit (CDU) architectures. Bryan emphasizes that the boundary between HVAC and plumbing will continue to blur as secondary fluid pumping becomes more prevalent — and that staying curious and investing in ongoing training (through manufacturer programs like Danfoss Learning, Carrier University, and others) is the best way to ride this wave rather than get left behind. Both hosts agree: AI data centers are not going away, and the technicians who keep them cool will be indispensable. Topics Covered The evolution of data center cooling — from direct vapor compression on chips, to air-conditioned server rooms (CRAC units), to today's liquid cooling and chiller-loop architectures Why AI GPU chips generate unprecedented heat densities, with individual server racks approaching 250 kW to 1 MW of heat output What heat recovery means in the data center context: capturing hot water (90–100°F) off chip cooling loops instead of rejecting it to outdoor air The concept of 'heat quality' — why low-temperature waste heat is abundant but difficult to use directly, and how heat pumps solve the temperature-lift challenge Real-world heat recovery applications: district energy systems, boiler pre-heat, vertical farms, multifamily housing, hospitals, and universities Europe vs. the US: why district energy adoption makes heat recovery far more common in European data centers, and what the US can learn Business model challenges: who pays for heat recovery infrastructure, and how co-location, municipal incentives, and landlord ownership models can unlock value Co-generation opportunities: feeding recovered heat back into steam turbines at co-located nuclear or power plants How heat recovery makes heat pump technology more viable by raising the source temperature and reducing compression ratio Danfoss's role in data center thermal management — from compressors and drives to plate heat exchangers, CDU flow control, and prepackaged heat recovery modules Refrigerant transitions and what they mean for data center cooling (R-410A to R-454B, CO2 transcritical systems, potential two-phase refrigerant direct-to-chip cooling) The convergence of HVAC and plumbing trades in a world of secondary fluid pumping and isolated refrigerant charges Absorption chiller technology as a potential future use case for low-grade waste heat Advice for contractors: how existing chiller and refrigeration skills translate to data center work, and what new competencies to build Career and training resources: Danfoss Learning, manufacturer universities (Carrier, Trane, McQuay), and leveraging AI tools for self-education The importance of redundancy and uptime in mission-critical data center environments — and what that means for service response expectations Learn more about Danfoss at danfoss.com/learning 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.