HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Craig Migliaccio discuss why you maybe don't want to buy new tools.

Whenever you get new tools, you have to account for a learning curve and potential change …

In this podcast episode, we find out how Craig Migliaccio became "AC Service Tech." He makes educational materials and has even written a book. You can check out his website HERE and his YouTube chan…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan and Craig Migliaccio discuss the skills and knowledge you should have to start in the HVAC industry.

Of course, basic mechanical skills and knowledge are importan…

In this podcast episode, Bryan and Trevor Matthews of Emerson Canada discuss strategies for controlling liquid refrigerant in A/C and refrigeration systems. They also read through the AE22-1182 bulle…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the TXV power element or power head. He explains what it does and why it's important.

A TXV power element threads onto the top of the valve, and it's …

In this episode, Bryan and Alex Meaney talk about value engineering. They discuss what it means to value engineer better when it comes to construction projects.

Value engineering is about finding way…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the placement of the TXV sensing bulb. He also explains how it affects the opening force on the TXV.

The TXV sensing bulb (or sensor on an EEV) provid…

In this podcast episode, Bryan, Erich Vinson, and Anthony Marino talk about dealing with difficult customers in the HVAC industry.

When working with customers in general, it is best to make eye conta…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how hydrostatic pressure can build up in refrigerant cylinders and present a hazard to technicians.

Your refrigerant cylinders have tare weight and water…

In this podcast episode, Bryan, Trevor Matthews, and Jim Dick from Emerson give us all an introduction to industrial refrigeration. Jim works with contractors to provide tech support. He also does th…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the strategies we can use to prevent refrigerant migration during the off cycle.

We often see refrigerant migration when the compressor is lower than …

In this podcast episode, Eric Mele joins Bryan for some weird transformer talk. They discuss corner-tapped transformers and some thought experiments.

We hadn't been able to get our heads around corne…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan compares internal and externally equalized valves. He also covers how forces act upon the TXV.

Equalization does not happen on the off cycle. When we talk about e…

In this podcast episode, Bryan talks with Bill Spohn about his most recent project, SpohnHome. SpohnHome explores Bill's journey in custom home performance.

Projects are complicated because so many t…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about some tips you can use when working with a multi-position service valve.

A service valve will have a line connection, which connects the valve to your …

In this podcast episode, Bryan and Trevor Matthews from Emerson talk through scroll compressors in commercial refrigeration equipment.

Scroll compressors are not a monolith; although they all functio…

In this episode, Bryan and Bert talk about soft skills. They also discuss why soft skills are important in highly technical trades.

Bert's class defined "soft skills" as communication skills; these c…

In this podcast episode, Bryan and Jim Bergmann talk about gas furnace diagnosis and inspection. They cover the ins and outs of furnace assessment.

A gas furnace diagnosis requires a few important me…

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about the differences between pitot tubes and static pressure probes. He also explains how each one works.

People often mix up static pressure probes and pi…

In this podcast episode, Bryan and Nathan discuss balancing evaporators in a multi-coil circuit. They specifically focus on using the TXV to do so.

When we say "balancing evaporators" in a multi-coil…