Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Bryan Orr at AHR Expo 2026 as he sits down with Andrew Greaves from NAVAC for an in-depth discussion about vacuum pump gas ballast operation, maintenance, and moisture management.
In this deep dive, Andrew breaks down common misconceptions about the gas ballast valve and explains its true purpose. Learn why it's NOT for priming your pump or making hoses easier to remove – discover the real science behind keeping moisture in vapor form during evacuation.
Key Topics Covered:
The truth about gas ballast function and when to use it
How moisture affects vacuum pump oil and performance
Understanding two-stage rotary vane pump operation
Proper vacuum pump maintenance and oil change intervals
Gas ballast valve service and rebuild kits
When opening the ballast actually helps vs. hurts performance
Andrew uses NAVAC's interactive classroom approach to visually demonstrate how gas flows through first and second stage pumps, why oil degradation happens with moisture contamination, and how to properly maintain your vacuum pump tools.
Whether you're experiencing pump overheating on wet systems or just want to understand the science behind proper evacuation practices, this technical session delivers practical knowledge you can apply immediately.
Learn more: navacglobal.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 at AHR Expo 2026 as he sits down with Andrew Greaves from NAVAC for an in-depth discussion about vacuum pump gas ballast operation, maintenance, and moisture management.
In this deep dive, Andrew breaks down common misconceptions about the gas ballast valve and explains its true purpose. Learn why it's NOT for priming your pump or making hoses easier to remove – discover the real science behind keeping moisture in vapor form during evacuation.
Key Topics Covered:
The truth about gas ballast function and when to use it
How moisture affects vacuum pump oil and performance
Understanding two-stage rotary vane pump operation
Proper vacuum pump maintenance and oil change intervals
Gas ballast valve service and rebuild kits
When opening the ballast actually helps vs. hurts performance
Andrew uses NAVAC's interactive classroom approach to visually demonstrate how gas flows through first and second stage pumps, why oil degradation happens with moisture contamination, and how to properly maintain your vacuum pump tools.
Whether you're experiencing pump overheating on wet systems or just want to understand the science behind proper evacuation practices, this technical session delivers practical knowledge you can apply immediately.
Learn more: navacglobal.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).
