Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Bryan Orr from HVAC School for an exclusive booth visit at AHR Expo 2026, where he sits down with John Pastorello, the legendary founder of Refrigeration Technologies. In this inspiring interview, discover 50 years of HVAC innovation straight from the man who revolutionized leak detection and created industry-standard products like Big Blue.
What You'll Learn:
How a field technician's frustration with leak detection sparked a company
The origin story of Big Blue bubble leak detector and why it changed the industry
John's transition from chemist to HVAC technician to manufacturer
The fascinating development of Nylog and how discarded oil & gas research became an HVAC game-changer
Why John Pastorello received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 AHR Expo
Insights on staying independent: the truth about private equity in HVAC manufacturing
Real research before Google: libraries, patent offices, and kitchen table experiments
About John Pastorello:
Starting as an air conditioning service mechanic in the early 1970s, John combined his chemistry background with field experience to solve real problems technicians face daily. Founded in 1987, Refrigeration Technologies has made the Inc 5000 list as one of America's fastest-growing manufacturers for four consecutive years—a testament to innovation-driven growth.
Featured Products Discussed:
Big Blue Bubble Leak Detector
Nylog Gasket & Thread Sealant
Viper Refrigerant Leak Detector
This AHR Expo 2026 interview covers everything from 1970s HVAC contracting to modern manufacturing excellence, offering valuable lessons for technicians, contractors, and business owners alike.
More About Refrigeration Technologies:
Website: refrigtech.com
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
Join Bryan Orr from HVAC School for an exclusive booth visit at AHR Expo 2026, where he sits down with John Pastorello, the legendary founder of Refrigeration Technologies. In this inspiring interview, discover 50 years of HVAC innovation straight from the man who revolutionized leak detection and created industry-standard products like Big Blue.
What You'll Learn:
How a field technician's frustration with leak detection sparked a company
The origin story of Big Blue bubble leak detector and why it changed the industry
John's transition from chemist to HVAC technician to manufacturer
The fascinating development of Nylog and how discarded oil & gas research became an HVAC game-changer
Why John Pastorello received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 AHR Expo
Insights on staying independent: the truth about private equity in HVAC manufacturing
Real research before Google: libraries, patent offices, and kitchen table experiments
About John Pastorello:
Starting as an air conditioning service mechanic in the early 1970s, John combined his chemistry background with field experience to solve real problems technicians face daily. Founded in 1987, Refrigeration Technologies has made the Inc 5000 list as one of America's fastest-growing manufacturers for four consecutive years—a testament to innovation-driven growth.
Featured Products Discussed:
Big Blue Bubble Leak Detector
Nylog Gasket & Thread Sealant
Viper Refrigerant Leak Detector
This AHR Expo 2026 interview covers everything from 1970s HVAC contracting to modern manufacturing excellence, offering valuable lessons for technicians, contractors, and business owners alike.
More About Refrigeration Technologies:
Website: refrigtech.com
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
