HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs Podcast Por Bryan Orr capa

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

De: Bryan Orr
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 HVAC School is the ever growing online source for real training topics for technicians in the Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation Fields. In the podcast, we will share recorded training, tech ride alongs, share challenging diagnostic scenarios. All to help make the industry, your company, and your truck a better place to be. Desenvolvimento Pessoal Economia Sucesso na Carreira
Episódios
  • Gas & Combustion Safety w/ Bert

    Gas & Combustion Safety w/ Bert
    Jan 29 2026
    In this informative episode, Bryan and Bert dive deep into gas appliance safety and combustion analysis from the unique perspective of Florida HVAC technicians. While they humorously acknowledge that Florida's mild winters mean they don't work on gas furnaces daily, they make a compelling case that this actually makes their training even more critical. When technicians only encounter gas appliances occasionally, the stakes are higher—which is why they've developed rigorous protocols to ensure safety every single time. The conversation covers everything from the basics of gas leak detection to the nuances of carbon monoxide monitoring, combustion air zones, and proper venting. Bryan and Bert share real-world stories of dangerous situations they've encountered, from exploding pool heaters to improperly capped gas lines at vacation rentals. Their approach emphasizes that every gas leak is your problem when you're on site, regardless of why you were originally called out. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for both seasoned professionals working in gas-heavy markets and those who encounter these systems less frequently. Throughout the discussion, the hosts stress fundamental safety principles that apply across all markets: using your nose to detect leaks, understanding the difference between unspent gas and carbon monoxide, ensuring proper combustion air zones, and never ignoring warning signs like delayed ignition or flame rollout. They also tackle common misconceptions about equipment like flexible gas connectors, orphaned water heaters, and the real risks of cracked heat exchangers. The conversation wraps up with important reminders about company lockout/tagout procedures, the critical importance of low-level carbon monoxide detectors, and the tools every technician should carry. Bryan and Bert's candid, no-nonsense approach makes complex safety topics accessible while never losing sight of how serious the consequences can be when gas work goes wrong. Topics Covered Gas leak detection and response protocols - Why every gas leak on site becomes your responsibility, using your nose as the first line of defense, and never leaving a leak for someone else to fixCarbon monoxide safety and monitoring - Understanding CO as a combustion byproduct, the limitations of standard UL-rated detectors, and the critical importance of low-level CO monitorsCombustion air zones and depressurization - Identifying risks from sealed spaces, return air leaks, exhaust fans, and other equipment that can create dangerous negative pressureDelayed ignition and flame rollout - Recognizing warning signs, understanding causes, and why you should never ignore scorched wires or tripped rollout switchesProper gas line assembly and materials - Selecting appropriate materials for different environments, avoiding flexible connector failures, and ensuring proper sizingCombustion analysis fundamentals - Measuring CO levels in the flue, targeting air-free CO under 100 ppm, and understanding when adjustments are neededNatural draft vs. induced draft systems - Differences in safety considerations, orphaned water heaters, and the myth of oversized flue pipesVenting requirements and back drafting - Identifying improper venting, looking for evidence of back draft on water heaters, and ensuring proper flue designGas pressure testing and adjustment - When to adjust and when not to, reading data tags, and understanding that most flame problems are air-related, not gas pressureCracked heat exchangers in context - Why they're less common in warm climates, the role of proper airflow, and focusing on actual safety risks vs. edge casesTools and equipment recommendations - Combustion analyzers, personal protective CO detectors, combustible gas detectors, precision manometers, and low-level CO alarms Lockout/tagout procedures - Following company protocols, communicating clearly with customers, and balancing safety requirements with homeowner autonomy Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.
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    45 minutos
  • WHY SQUARE FOOTAGE ≠ TONNAGE - Short #276

    WHY SQUARE FOOTAGE ≠ TONNAGE - Short #276
    Jan 27 2026

    In this short podcast episode, Bryan dives a bit into equipment sizing rules of thumb and why square footage does NOT equal tonnage in today's world. Many rules of thumb exist in the industry, and one is a load calculation rule stating that you can size the HVAC for a house at 500 square feet per ton.

    Old houses are leaky and poorly insulated compared to new homes, which results in large energy loads but allows the homes to dry themselves out, as moisture could leak out before it could cause trouble indoors. Large loads and leaky envelopes made 500-600 square feet per ton a sensible rule.

    Homes built within the last few decades have a lot more insulation and are tighter, and they have smaller sensible heat loads. However, they're a lot more moisture-prone, especially when moisture can't escape via proper ventilation paths. The 500 square-foot rule of thumb overshoots the latent capacity and leads to short cycling due to oversized equipment. Enter ACCA Manual J, which presents a load calculation method that is very good, but it has barriers to entry; it is very rigorous, has a learning curve, and can be a hassle. One thing is clear, though: load management is key, especially latent load management.

    At this time, we measure energy efficiency in terms of metrics like SEER, but the future is pointing to peak load management as the answer: getting the right power draw at the right moments instead of high general efficiency. Modernizing hot deck-cold deck systems with steady-state, constantly running systems might be the way to go, especially if we utilize energy storage and modern variable-speed technologies.

    The new rule of thumb is to think like a building scientist and apply new tools to concepts that have stood the test of time. Low peak loads and steady-state operation are often the way to go with high latent loads in homes built to the most recent building codes and standards.

    Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

    Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

    Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.
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    13 minutos
  • EPRs and Rack Refrigeration w/ Matthew Taylor

    EPRs and Rack Refrigeration w/ Matthew Taylor
    Jan 22 2026
    Matthew Taylor delivers an expert-level presentation on EPRs, building on his previous work on parallel rack systems. While his earlier content focused on the similarities between air conditioning and refrigeration, this session explores what makes commercial refrigeration unique—particularly the critical role of EPRs in maintaining optimal operating conditions across multiple evaporators running at different temperatures. This presentation was shared at the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. The discussion begins with a fundamental review of the refrigeration cycle in a typical supermarket setting, where 30 to 80 evaporators may share a common suction line. Matthew explains why EPRs are essential: when multiple cases need to operate at different temperatures (ranging from -13°F for frozen foods to 24°F for fresh products) but all connect to the same compressor rack, EPRs become the solution that makes this possible. Without them, cases would cycle on and off constantly, creating efficiency nightmares, oil management problems, and potential food safety issues. Matthew walks through the mechanical principles of various EPR types, from the high-efficiency Sporlan SORIT valve with its pilot-operated design to the Parker A8 valve that can be installed directly in the store. He also addresses the industry's shift toward electronic EPRs, particularly the CDS modules that offer temperature-based control rather than just pressure regulation. Throughout the presentation, Matthew emphasizes practical considerations: how EPRs affect compressor staging, oil system pressure, defrost cycles, and ultimately, the core product temperatures that determine food safety. The session includes real-world troubleshooting insights and addresses common misconceptions about setting superheat on systems with EPRs. This technical presentation provides HVAC professionals with the knowledge needed to understand, diagnose, and service EPR-equipped refrigeration systems confidently. Matthew's approach demystifies a component that many technicians find intimidating, breaking it down into understandable principles while highlighting the critical role EPRs play in modern commercial refrigeration efficiency and reliability. Topics Covered Basic Refrigeration Cycle in Supermarket Applications – Understanding parallel rack systems with 30-80 evaporators sharing common suction and liquid linesOil Management Systems – Oil separators, oil reservoirs, oil regulators, and the critical pressure differential required for proper oil flowCompressor Staging and Capacity Control – How parallel rack compressors operate as multi-stage units to match system load efficientlySaturated Suction Temperature (SST) – Why racks are designated by temperature (e.g., "13-degree rack" or "-13 degree rack") and how this relates to the coldest evaporator requirementTemperature Difference (TD) Engineering – The relationship between evaporator temperature and case leaving air temperature, typically 10 degrees in traditional systemsEPR Fundamentals – Why EPRs are necessary to maintain different evaporator pressures on cases operating at various temperatures while connected to a single rackMechanical EPR Types – Comparison of Sporlan SORIT valves (pilot-operated, low pressure drop) versus Parker A8 valves (self-contained, higher pressure drop)Electronic EPR Systems – Modern CDS modules and other electronic controls offering pressure control, temperature control, or hybrid approachesSystem Stability and Load Management – How proper EPR settings prevent compressor hunting, reduce energy consumption, and protect oil management systemsSubcooling Requirements – Why liquid receivers eliminate natural subcooling and how mechanical subcoolers restore it before expansion devicesCore Product Temperature – The critical relationship between runtime, EPR settings, and food safety in refrigerated cases Dual-Temperature Applications – Converting medium-temp cases to low-temp operation (like holiday turkey displays) using EPR pilot solenoidsSuperheat Setting Procedures – Why EPRs must be overridden to 50-100% open position when setting TXV superheatHigh Glide Refrigerants – Special considerations for setting EPRs with refrigerants that have significant difference between dew point and bubble point temperatures Troubleshooting Philosophy – Understanding EPRs and TXVs as independent systems that don't directly affect each other due to non-critically charged liquid receiver systemsPressure Drop Considerations – How EPR pressure losses (0.5-2 psi depending on type) affect compressor suction setpoints and energy efficiencyElectronic Control Integration – Various controller brands and approaches to managing electronic EPRs, from pressure transducers to temperature sensors and PID algorithms 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...
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    55 minutos
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