TXV, Airflow & the Refrigeration Cycle Fundamentals HVAC School 2026-09-26 | TXV, Airflow & the Refrigeration Cycle Fundamentals
New White-Rodgers Universal Hot Surface Ignition Module HVAC School 2023-09-15 | We look at the unique features of the 50E47U-843 Universal Hot Surface Ignition Module for #hvac and more by Copeland White-Rodgers. For more information about this product, visit hvacrschool.com/hsimodule.Similar to the other versatile White-Rodgers #universalcontrols, the 50E47U-843 replaces 325+ part modules for HSI modules, whether you're working with 24v, 120v, or 240v ignitors. You can use this universal HSI module in all sorts of gas-fired #heating appliances, including #hvacr equipment, pool heaters, boilers, and laundry equipment. It controls and receives inputs from all required components, including inducer fan motors, flame rods, pressure switches, and ignitors, with an easy-to-install harness. You can transfer your old wiring connections before removing your old module.Along with some of the other White-Rodgers universal furnace controls, you can program and diagnose the 50E47U-843 offline #furnacecontrol (and without having power to the module!) using the White-Rodgers Connect App, which uses NFC technology. You can select from several preloaded OEM settings in-app to program the module before installation. This module also displays the real-time flame current (DC microamps), which will give you an idea of how the flame rod and board are working together during diagnosis.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Manual J Load Calculations 3D HVAC School 2023-09-08 | In this 3D video, we show how to calculate heat losses and heat gains in a residential structure in accordance with ACCA Manual J, particularly a block load for an existing structure. We owe special thanks to Russ King, Ed Janowiak, Alex Meaney, and Adam Mufich for their contributions to this video.Heat and Comfort Basics 3D: youtube.com/watch?v=zVEkVL36Ni4&ab_channel=HVACSchool HVAC School Manual J Block Load Worksheet: hvacrschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Block-Load-Worksheet.pdf Kwik Model 3D: kwikmodel.com Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA): acca.org/home Load calculations require us to use math, and we can use Manual J software to do that work for us. However, we still need to obtain the data for the math in the first place; Manual J tells us which measurements we need to enter into the software for the load calculation. We can use Manual J to figure out block loads of an entire building or room-by-room calculations. Manual J may also be used in existing buildings or based on the plans of a new construction.When gathering data from walls, we need to know the area and the R-values of each material making up the wall, including drywall, insulation, and exterior building material. Higher R-values indicate better resistance to conduction; we can control the material thickness and insulation to minimize heat conduction into or out of a structure. You’ll need to deduct the studs, windows, and doors from the R-value of a wall. Partition walls between other indoor spaces, like a neighbor’s home or an unconditioned garage, have different temperature differences (delta T) than an exterior wall.To deduct the window area from the wall area, you’ll need to multiply the length and width of the wall and the length and width of the window(s) and subtract the product(s) of the window area from the wall area. The window will have its own calculated heat losses and gains due to its ability to allow for heat transfer via radiation. Heat gains via solar radiation will vary depending on the window placement and the time of day. We need to know the window size, material, framing, transparency number of panes, and placement of the windows to understand the U-factor, which is the inverse of the R-value; higher U-factors indicate higher rates of heat transfer. Roof overhangs can reduce incoming solar radiation, so we need to account for the height and depth of roof overhangs in our calculations. We should also know the roof type, pitch, and color.When accounting for exterior doors, we need to know the door size, material, and placement. We also need to know the elevation of the home and how many stories it is. The ceiling height and insulation (material and R-value) are also important for our Manual J calculations. Conduction also happens through the floors, so we must know about the material and possibly even the R-value of insulation (if applicable).When considering the impact of ductwork on heat gains and losses, we need to factor in duct location, insulation R-value (often R4, R6, or R8), and leakage (due to heat gains and losses via convection into or out of the ductwork). We also need to know if the air handler is in a conditioned or unconditioned space and how exhaust-only ventilation may be responsible for seasonal BTU gains and losses. Household appliances add heat, and Manual J has a default appliance heat load of 1200 BTUs. Electronics also add sensible BTUs, and dishwashers or laundry appliances may also add latent BTUs. We can also expect higher latent BTU gains in homes where occupants frequently run faucets, do laundry, or bathe/shower. Occupants add heat loads when they breathe or their bodies give off heat, usually about 200 latent BTUs per hour and 230 sensible BTUs per hour. Account for occupants by adding up the number of bedrooms and adding one (e.g., we would calculate a heat load for four occupants in a three-bedroom home).Appliances will not run all the time, and heat loads based on weather will vary throughout the year (and even throughout each day). There may also be more or fewer occupants than the load calculation accounts for at any given time, so we want to design homes to account for the most probable and common conditions, including the occupants’ lifestyle choices (see Table 6A).Once we have the data, we can finalize our load calculations with ACCA-approved Manual J software, like Kwik Model 3D as shown. You can also use HVAC School’s Manual J worksheet. Then, we can move on to equipment selection in accordance with ACCA Manual S.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
HVAC Commissioning on Steroids w/ Jim Bergmann & Chris Hughes HVAC School 2023-08-27 | During the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Jim Bergmann and Chris Hughes teamed up to give their humorously titled session, “HVAC Commissioning on Steroids Without the Pimples.” They talked quite a bit about commissioning tools like measureQuick and Trueflow and showed how someone could use them to test for return duct leakage.Leaking ducts, dirty blowers, and duct restrictions are common problems that cause poor airflow, but it's difficult to explain them to the customer in terms that they can understand. Moreover, those issues are some of the biggest enemies of performance and efficiency, more often than equipment age and poor maintenance. Even though airflow may seem good on the surface, low superheat, low suction pressure, and low head pressure indicate possible airflow problems. Return duct leakage can significantly reduce system capacity and efficiency. When we have leaky ductwork, we often have higher latent BTU gains, which reduces the sensible capacity (and the thermostat measures sensible heat). Return air leakage often comes from hot, humid unconditioned attics as opposed to unconditioned outdoor air, which makes up a good portion of supply air leakage.You can estimate the impact of return duct leakage using the Mixed Air Formula, which requires two mixed air probes and measureQuick. You'll need to know the duct leakage dry-bulb temperature and return air dry-bulb temperature, and you'll get the mixed air dry-bulb temperature. Even though the mixed air dry-bulb temperature may only differ from the return air temperature by only a few degrees, it has a significant impact on the evaporator coil by increasing the dew point, which reduces the efficiency and costs the homeowner more money. measureQuick will display the data picked up by your test instruments and estimate the leakage and capacity loss with its Duct Leakage Screening feature. By watching their full session, you can learn how to do that test and add some more game-changing commissioning strategies to your toolbox. TrueFlow integrates with measureQuick, and the apps alert the users when the measured airflow (TrueFlow) differs from the estimate (measureQuick), which indicates likely leakage and lets the HVAC contractor know that it's time to investigate the problem more thoroughly. The issue could also lie in improper probe placement, but most discrepancies occur due to duct leakage. When the two apps agree, then the user can be confident in the data and capacity.Equipment capacity differs from delivered capacity in that equipment capacity is produced at the equipment and doesn't necessarily make it to the conditioned space. Delivered capacity accounts for BTU gains and losses that happen in the ductwork. Proper commissioning and catching the causes of reduced delivered capacity bring a lot of value to the customer and reduce the likelihood of callbacks.measureQuick also has a vitals score based on measurements. The app shows the range of performance and identifies how the system measures up on those performance criteria. measureQuick also now reviews the performance of subsystems. It enables users to learn more about corrective actions, take photos to document a system, and use a geolocation feature to assist with documentation.When technicians purchase tools and software to help with advanced diagnostics, they have the right to price their services accordingly. We can be confident that our more thorough results justify a higher price tag, which you can set based on your gross revenue target. You can figure out your gross revenue target by accounting for your sales, job cost, gross profit, overhead, and net income. We can also communicate our results to customers with simple visuals that customers can understand, such as those in TrueFlow and measureQuick's reports.Jim and Chris also covered: Impacts of leaky return and supply ductworkHow to sell the value of the work you do - with confidenceUsing commissioning to catch issuesWorkflow and Illustration of Workflow and Diagnostic Test Methods ( ANSI / RESNET / ACCA / ICC 310-2020 )Establishing a commissioning process at your companySteve Rodgers and Bill Graber class on Supply Duct Leakage from 3rd Annual HVACR Training Symposium: youtube.com/watch?v=03QDvytGjSEBuy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Vacuum Practices for Large Jobs HVAC School 2023-08-13 | Matthew Taylor teaches the Kalos commercial HVAC/R professionals about Vacuum Practices for Large Jobs and does an evacuation demonstration (including pulling a vacuum on a water-filled pipe). This video is the final in our series on commercial HVAC/R pipefitting.After performing a nitrogen pressure test, you'll vent the nitrogen and prepare for your evacuation (deep vacuum). A vacuum pump creates an area of low pressure relative to the atmosphere; since molecules move from areas of higher pressure to lower pressure, unwanted air and water molecules will move out of the system and into the vacuum pump. Liquid water also boils off during evacuation. We use a very tiny unit of measure for evacuation, the micron (one-millionth of a meter of mercury column), and we need a gauge that can read microns. You should use a vacuum pump that can pull a vacuum as low as 50 microns when isolated from the system (micron gauge fastened to the pump). The pump should be sealed during storage to prevent oil contamination, and then you should use large-diameter hoses (more than 1/4") when pulling a vacuum. When you're dealing with a wet system, you can leave the gas ballast open to keep moisture from condensing in the vacuum pump oil. Using the gas ballast will cause smoke to leave the pump, which could fill the room and cause you to drain oil; it is also far less efficient to run with the gas ballast open for the full length of every evacuation.The vacuum pump oil should be clean and at the proper level for EVERY evacuation, and you may have to change the oil several times during a large market-refrigeration evacuation job. You can check the sight glass to see your oil level and cleanliness. If the level is low or the oil appears milky, you should drain out the old oil and replace it with clean oil.To pull a deep vacuum as deeply as possible, use a core removal tool with large hoses (not a manifold) and remove Schrader cores. To get the most accurate measure of your vacuum, connect your micron gauge as far away from the pump as possible. Then, you'll want to pull a vacuum below the manufacturer's recommended pressure (often 500 microns, but it can be as low as 200 microns for new systems). Once you've pulled a deep vacuum, valve off the pump and perform the decay test. The decay test will let you know if your system is clean, dry, and tight, and it can last anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days on large commercial HVAC/R equipment. During the decay test, the vacuum shouldn't "decay" past a certain threshold (usually 500 microns for new systems and 1000 for repairs on commercial HVAC/R equipment, though the threshold will vary by application).When you pull a deep vacuum, you will experience very quick gains at the beginning of the evacuation, and you will pull down a lot more slowly when you get closer to the target. You may have to valve off the vacuum and let the system stabilize before pulling down again, which is a best practice that descended from triple evacuation (we're just not breaking the vacuum with refrigerant or nitrogen). After valving off the vacuum pump, we can monitor the decay on apps like measureQuick.Once a system passes the vacuum test, you can charge it with refrigerant.Find another part of this class with Matthew Taylor on Pressure Testing Large Jobs here: youtube.com/watch?v=9VqlhaUQz5A&t=4sBuy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Pressure Testing Large Jobs HVAC School 2023-08-06 | Matthew Taylor gives a short presentation and performs a demonstration about nitrogen pressure testing for large jobs (commercial HVAC and refrigeration). Pressure testing with nitrogen will help you ensure that there are no leaks in systems with up to several hundred feet of tubing.Nitrogen is ideal for pressure testing because it's inexpensive, and its pressure doesn't respond significantly to changes in temperature. You can easily fill the entire system with nitrogen and determine if you have leaks in places you can't reach with a leak detector. You do NOT want to pressure-test a live system with refrigerant in it; you'll have to isolate the part you want to pressure-test.Before pressure testing, think through your application; you'll want to know if you have a new store, a new line set, new cases, or an active rack. Each one will require a unique approach. When starting the test, you'll want to make sure you have a gauge that you can leave attached to the system for a long time, sometimes upwards of 30 days for new systems; analog gauges are sometimes preferable for that reason, and they don't need to be perfectly calibrated as long as you can see that the pressure is maintained. The original pressure should be documented so that you will know how much the system has leaked when you return to it.When you pressurize the system, set the nitrogen regulator to the maximum test pressure as recommended by the manufacturer and apply a leak reactant (bubble solution) to the joints to check for bubbles and microfoam, both of which indicate leaks. When you've finished the test, you can release the nitrogen and either address the leaks and redo the pressure test or proceed with evacuation.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Nitrogen and Torch Use HVAC School 2023-07-30 | Nathan Orr and Roman Baugh teach a segment of the Kalos pipefitting class, focusing on the importance of purging and flowing nitrogen during the brazing process. They also focus on torch use. This video is the second in a short series about pipefitting practices for commercial HVAC/R.Purging and flowing nitrogen while brazing displace oxygen and keep it out of the copper tubing, preventing the formation of cupric oxide inside the tubing. However, if left uncapped or unsealed, the tubing may be contaminated before brazing, and we should do a visual inspection to check for foreign objects or contamination. To reduce the risk of contaminating the copper tubing with shavings, we should clean the copper before we cut it, use a proper tubing cutter, and be careful not to let the burr or shavings fall in after deburring. Failure to deburr or ream the copper can cause turbulent flow in the lines, leading to possible vibration leaks. Complacency during the tubing preparation process often leads to errors.When it’s time to insert the tubing, the depth of the fitting should be equal to the tubing diameter. There should also be very little space between the tubing surfaces; wide gaps between surfaces lead to poor penetration due to insufficient capillary action.We purge systems with nitrogen to displace oxygen inside the tubing before brazing; purging requires a higher SCFH output than flowing. After purging, we flow the nitrogen at a much lower SCFH output to keep oxygen from going back into the tubing, and we keep flowing during the actual brazing process. Note that flowing nitrogen is NOT the same as pressurizing with nitrogen, and we’ll want to keep from sending nitrogen through live refrigerant circuits and components (like valves, compressors, etc.). If we don’t purge the system and flow nitrogen while brazing, we’ll get black scale buildup, which can be mistaken for burning the pipe at first glance; heating the joint doesn’t cause black scale (cupric oxide) buildup; brazing without flowing nitrogen does.Brazing often happens near heat-sensitive components, including valves. We must protect those with heat-blocking putty and wet rags to avoid damaging them. When working with valves with sensitive seals or gaskets, we should ensure that those are in the mid-seated position before we start brazing.The main two factors that will dictate torch selection are piping diameter and application (i.e., accessibility and clearances). Some torch tips are designed to help apply heat evenly in tight spaces, like the Cap’n Hook tip. Rosebud tips are ideal for applying heat over a relatively large area. Torch tips that are too small cannot adequately heat a joint and can lead to leaks in the future, and tips that are too big expend oxygen and acetylene too quickly.When we set oxygen and acetylene pressures, we have to make sure the regulators are shut off and that you know which gauges are for your tanks and which ones are for your hoses. Bubble test the connections and hoses for leaks, and be sure to set the tank pressures at the regulator instead of the handle.Flames come in three varieties: carburizing, neutral, and oxidizing. Carburizing flames have excess acetylene and have large secondary feathers; these can cause chemical reactions on the surface of the base metal, so we want to avoid using these flames. The neutral flame, which has an even mix of oxygen and acetylene, is the most desirable flame we can have. Oxidizing flames have too much oxygen, have a small cone, and lack a secondary feather; these flames can cause cupric oxide to build up inside the joint.The ideal brazing technique is to start by brazing the joint closest to the nitrogen source. To begin heating the joint, start by applying the torch to the male end of the connection and then gradually apply heat to the whole joint. The torch doesn’t melt the alloy, as it doesn’t enable the alloy to draw deep into the joint; instead, the base metal should be hot enough to melt the alloy. When copper is hot enough to melt the alloy, it turns a cherry red color. While you’re heating the joint, move the torch slightly to keep the heat evenly distributed, but try not to move the torch too much; otherwise, the joint might not heat up properly.Some common problems pop up when we’re dealing with joints that are too hot, joints that are too cold, or tubing gaps that are too wide. Proper tubing preparation and torch use will help you avoid these problems and their consequences, including leaks and pipe damage.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Brazing Techniques HVAC School 2023-07-23 | This video is a Kalos Services training class about basic Brazing Techniques. The class was primarily aimed at commercial pipefitters and is the first in a series of classes.The words "brazing" and "soldering" are sometimes used interchangeably, but soldering really occurs at temperatures below 840 degrees Fahrenheit, and brazing occurs at temperatures above 840 degrees. We may end up brazing or soldering when joining or repairing metal tubing; to join metal tubing, we need to heat the base material to the point where it's hot enough to melt a brazing alloy and draw it into the joint via capillary action. Some technicians are afraid to burn through the pipe and end up not heating the joint enough to draw the alloy in, especially if they mistake cupric oxide formation for a burnt pipe. Repairing requires us to create strong bonds over leaks by patching them and requires a different technique from joining.Copper-to-copper brazing is one of the most common and straightforward pipefitting tasks, as it uses a phosphorus-based alloy and does not require a separate flux. You cannot use phosphorus-bearing rods when brazing or soldering copper with dissimilar metals, as different base metals have different properties. Each metal will have different compatible alloys and fluxes, conductivity, and melting points. Copper has high thermal conductivity (relative to other metals) and a melting point of around 1950 degrees Fahrenheit. Alloys are filler metals, and we want to pick ones that are appropriate for the base metal(s) and as ductile as possible; alloys with higher silver content tend to be more ductile than ones with lower silver content. Flux helps the alloy flow and also keeps oxides from forming on the base metal.Oxides form on the base metal when oxygen combines with the base metal; in copper, temperatures above 900 degrees allow oxygen to combine with copper and form a black scaly substance called cupric oxide. These oxides make it difficult to create a good joint, and oxides inside the tubing can come off the tubing with POE oil, which makes the oxides clog filters and screens. Along with using an appropriate flux, purging the system with nitrogen before brazing and flowing nitrogen while brazing are the best practices to prevent oxides from forming in the tubing. Nitrogen displaces oxygen before brazing and keeps it out while you're brazing.To be safe while brazing and soldering, we need to keep a fire extinguisher handy at all times, keep the work area clean, and wear proper PPE (including safety glasses of an appropriate shade). Oiling regulator threads can also increase the risk of combustion, and it should never be done.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Livestream with HVAC School and Copeland: Exploring Filter Driers and System Clean Up HVAC School 2023-07-21 | Get ready for a fun and informative livestream on Exploring Filter Driers and System Clean Up tomorrow at 3PM Eastern, brought to you by HVAC School in collaboration with industry leaders Copeland. Our very own Bryan Orr will be hosting this session featuring Jim Fultz and Jim Hagl from Copeland. We will be diving deep into the nitty-gritty of the Copeland Filter Drier line and exploring best practices. Our experts will be on hand to answer the questions you've always had: What's in store with Copeland's upcoming brand realignment? What are the different types of driers in the Copeland line? How do we correctly select and size a drier? When should a drier be replaced? And many more... And that's not all! You'll have the chance to participate in the discussion LIVE. We'll be broadcasting via Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, so pick your preferred platform and make sure to tune in. To ask questions live, please activate StreamYard. To do this, simply click on the StreamYard link in the comments or chat section, authorize StreamYard to access your account, and you're all set to comment and participate. This will allow us to see your name when you comment during the broadcast. Mark your calendars for this exciting event on 7/20/23 at 2PM Eastern. You won't want to miss it! #HVACSchool #Copeland #FilterDrier #BestPractices #LiveStream #HVACExperts #streamyard Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Freezing in HVAC Systems 3D HVAC School 2023-07-06 | In this 3D video, we look at the causes and effects of freezing in HVAC systems (buildup of frost or ice on the equipment).Water freezes at 32°F or 0°F. When a surface, such as an evaporator coil, is below water’s freezing point and contains moisture, frost or ice may form on that surface. In many cases, freezing in HVAC systems starts at the evaporator coil and works its way out; freezing can happen when the suction saturation temperature stays below 32°F for an extended period of time.Some HVAC/R applications, such as commercial freezers and heat pumps in heating mode, need to operate under below-freezing conditions; the formation of frost or ice will hinder heat transfer over time, and periodic defrosting will be required. Evaporator coils in cooling mode should NOT freeze; when freezing happens, it will block system airflow. In general, evaporator coils will be about 35°F below the return air temperature. The rate at which freezing occurs will depend on the amount of moisture in the air, the length of time at which the evaporator coil temperature is below freezing, the temperature of the return air, the air velocity, and the overall coil design.When you encounter a frozen system, allow it to defrost completely before troubleshooting. You may allow the system to defrost by leaving it off with (or sometimes without) the blower running. In some cases, you may be able to use a heat gun or run the heat pump in heating mode for a short period. Be mindful of the water as the ice melts and take steps to prevent water damage.A low evaporator coil temperature may be caused by low load (low airflow and/or low indoor temperature), refrigerant undercharge, low outdoor ambient temperatures, blower issues, and refrigerant side restrictions. We can prevent low load by advising customers not to set their thermostats below 72°F in cooling mode on standard equipment. We can also prevent low airflow from being a factor by making sure we replace dirty filters and clean the evaporator coil and blower wheels as necessary. When freezing happens due to a low refrigerant charge or a restriction, we may also notice high superheat; in humid climates, freezing of this nature can cause the entire system to freeze up.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
How to Confidently Create a Duct Renovation Scope of Work w/ David Richardson HVAC School 2023-06-29 | This video is David Richardson’s presentation from the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium: “How to Confidently Create a Duct Renovation Scope of Work.” He explains how to create a duct renovation scope of work and incorporate them into your company services.Residential air balancing is largely a development of National Comfort Institute’s (NCI’s) late, great Rob Falke, and it was a major step forward for performance-based HVAC system design. Nowadays, we can think of HVAC systems as puzzles with four large pieces and several smaller ones each; the four broad categories are design, installation, verification, and communication. HVAC professionals bring life to the system during the installation; incorrect installations lead to premature system failure. Duct renovation is not easy work, but it is a profitable upgrade for homeowners. Older duct renovation practices started and ended with repairs, but we can give customers much better HVAC systems by following a detailed process of testing, diagnosing, and prescribing a solution before repairing. During the starting phase, perfectionism is a common obstacle for many technicians who worry about missing their airflow targets; we need to prioritize progress over perfection. Other obstacles include customers that are unwilling to purchase duct renovations, expensive tools, and the labor shortage. Scheduling can mitigate some of these, as seasonal price fluctuations (lower in shoulder seasons and winter) and lighter winter schedules can make duct renovation more attractive for your company and the customer.There are two duct renovation approaches: air upgrades and duct optimization. Typical air upgrade features at the equipment include reducing static pressure drop across the filter, improving duct fittings, system cleaning, adjusting fan speed, and charging/recovering refrigerant. Air upgrades in the ductwork include adding one oversized return duct and grille into a large area, using 8” ducts with balancing dampers, sealing leaky ductwork, supporting the ducts with proper strapping, replacing restrictive fittings, and upgrading the grilles and registers. Duct optimization requires us to customize an existing duct system so that it can deliver individual rooms’ BTU targets, often including the installation of balancing dampers and grille and register upgrades.Testing is the starting point for a duct renovation. You can get a solid start by performing airflow tests. Thermal imaging cameras are also useful tools to look for signs of building envelope leakage that needs to be addressed. The five basic rules for duct renovation are (1) don’t renovate ducts on oversized equipment, (2) involve the customer in the process, (3) focus on one thing, (4) get paid for the time and effort you put into your designs, and (5) use all the puzzle pieces (i.e., go through all of the testing and steps required to produce a duct renovation scope of work).As with the basic rules, there are five questions to ask about any duct renovation: (1) Why are you there? (2) What are you trying to accomplish? (3) What does the customer want you to solve? What is their pain? (4) What access do you have? (5) How many people need to be involved in the renovation (for communication purposes)?For best results, make sure you know your customers’ goals and let them make decisions. You’ll also need to make sure information is communicated effectively between salespeople and installers (and anyone else who is involved in a duct renovation). As you serve your customers, you may have to renovate some systems you installed due to improvements in technology and our understanding of HVAC design over time; duct renovations on systems you designed should not be free.David presents seven steps for a duct renovation: (1) perform a visual inspection of the entire system and the building, (2) measure the system to identify duct inefficiencies, (3) diagnose your readings, (4) conduct an interview with your customer, (5) communicate the scope of work to the customer and your team, (6) perform the duct renovation, and (7) test out and generate an assurance report.A visual inspection gives you the opportunity to find issues in plain sight that you’ll want to address. After your visual inspection, start taking readings of the HVAC system’s “vital signs,” including total external static pressure, component pressures (coil and filter pressure drops), duct pressures, fan airflow, and system airflow. You will use those readings to diagnose the problem. .Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
ACFM vs SCFM 3D HVAC School 2023-06-01 | In this 3D video, we show the differences between ACFM vs SCFM, also known as actual cubic feet per minute and standard cubic feet per minute, respectively. Both are means of quantifying airflow, but they show the difference between mass flow rate and volume flow rate.CFM represents cubic feet per minute, which can represent a 1’ x 1’ x 1’ box of air. The blower moves hundreds of these boxes per minute. That air may have varying temperature or humidity levels. The standard CFM (SCFM) conditions consist of air at 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit and 0% humidity at atmospheric pressure. A cubic foot of air will weigh 0.075 pounds under these conditions, but this weight will change when there are changes in temperature, pressure, and humidity. HVAC systems also move several boxes of air, with each one exerting force on the others.The air we breathe primarily consists of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), plus some trace substances. These molecules move faster when we apply heat, making them more spaced out and less dense, which reduces the weight of a cubic foot of air. Water vapor (humidity) weighs less than diatomic nitrogen and oxygen in the atmosphere, so higher humidity levels will reduce the weight of a cubic foot of air. Lower pressures, such as at high elevations, will make the air less dense, which will also decrease the weight of a cubic foot of air. For those reasons, the 400 CFM per ton rule of thumb is not applicable to all climates. We want to focus on maintaining a fixed mass flow rate, which accounts for the weight of each cubic foot of air. ACFM accounts for the weight of the air we’re moving to account for variations in humidity, altitude (pressure), and temperature. Arid climates are likely to have higher target ACFM rates, and humid climates are likely to have lower target ACFM rates. SCFM is a common reference point during the commissioning and testing of equipment, and ACFM is more likely to give us a nuanced idea of the pounds of air our systems are moving.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Air Flow Diagnostics w/ Joseph C Henderson HVAC School 2023-05-28 | This video is of a presentation at the 4th Annual HVACR Symposium: Air Flow Diagnostics w/ Joseph C Henderson. Recently, the industry updated its testing standards (SEER2, EER2, etc.) to account for the static pressure of ductwork; previous testing protocols didn’t consider the effects of static pressure in the ducts.ACCA Manual D is the industry standard of duct design, and Manual Zr deals with zoning (which depends on the integrity of the ductwork). Systems designed with Manual D tend to have better performance and airflow than systems that aren’t designed with Manual D in mind. When measuring and optimizing airflow, we can only expect better results if we use the proper test instrumentation, not just the “handometer.”In the ductwork, we have two main sources of pressure: velocity pressure and static pressure. Air is always trying to expand, so static pressure is exerted on the surfaces of the duct and creates resistance because ducts can’t expand. When the static pressure is too high, the blower motor can perform poorly and even fail prematurely. We want just enough static pressure to ensure that we have a solid throw of supply air and smooth, quiet return air.We can measure static pressure with manometers. Manometers measure pressure differentials, and we can use them with static pressure tips (pointed into the flow stream) to measure static pressure. A static pressure tip does not have a hole in it and is NOT the same thing as a pitot tube. Alternatively, you can insert a straight piece of tubing into the duct and point at a 45-degree angle WITH the airflow. You want to account for all sources of resistance when measuring static pressure, so you’ll want to account for the filter and the coil. The airflow should be straight, also known as laminar airflow. You will need 3–5 feet of straight duct to ensure that you achieve that laminar flow.You can also see how the motor is doing by taking an amp draw reading. Lower amp draws indicate that a PSC motor isn’t moving the full amount of air. Full load amps will indicate that the full amount of air is being moved, but it will not tell you if the static pressure is balanced. (Ideally, the return static should be lower than the supply static.) Variable-speed and X13 motors tend to be more efficient, but their airflow capabilities are similar to PSC motors, and they still have their static pressure limitations. Constant-torque motors will have a slight increase in amp draw before dropping. Constant-CFM motors will pull far more amps than X13 and PSC motors. PSC and X13 motors may only deliver air up to 0.5” of external static pressure, so you’ll want to make sure you start off with a maximum of 0.3” (0.1” on the return and 0.2” on the supply) so that the blower can handle additional resistance from coils and filters as they get dirty. Constant-CFM motors may maintain their set airflow up to 0.8”–1” of static pressure, and you can typically start off with 0.35”–0.5” of static pressure; when the motor has to ramp up too much to maintain a constant CFM, the efficiency takes a hit. Constant-CFM motors are appealing because they tend to be quiet and efficient, but they can get louder and more inefficient under higher static pressure conditions.To keep the static pressure down in the ductwork, you’ll want to make the trunk line as straight as possible. You’ll also want to keep flex ducts straight and tight to prevent compression, which adds resistance. Mitering the inside turns is also best practice to cut static restrictions (unless you have turning vanes). Be mindful of duct fittings, as they can significantly affect the static pressure restrictions.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Flammable Refrigerant Update HVAC School 2023-05-14 | Jason Obrzut, Don Gillis, and Dr. Chuck Allgood give a flammable refrigerant update at the 2023 HVACR Training Symposium. They talk about the latest news regarding regulatory updates and the transition to low-GWP A2L refrigerants.The AIM Act mandates the phasedown of high-GWP HFCs federally (state regulations may vary a little bit, but all of them will have an HFC phasedown); in the end, production will be decreased by 85%, meaning that there is not a total refrigerant phaseout. Recovery and reclamation will be crucial. R-32, an A2L refrigerant, has been used in window and package units, and R-1234yf has also been used industrially and in automobiles. Most A2Ls going to market will include those refrigerants and refrigerant blends. Installation and design standards will be tailored to the A2L refrigerants. A2Ls are nowhere near flammable as A3s, including propane.ASHRAE Standard 34 establishes a lettering and numbering system based on toxicity (A or B) and flammability (1, 2L, 2, and 3). Non-toxic refrigerants have the letter A, and toxic ones have the letter B. Non-flammable refrigerants under test conditions receive the number 1, mildly flammable receive 2L, moderately flammable receive 2, and highly flammable refrigerants receive 3. We have largely been working with A1 refrigerants, like R-22 and R-410A. A2Ls are non-toxic but propagate a small flame under test conditions; A2Ls are significantly less flammable than A3s, like hydrocarbons, which is evident in Dr. Chuck’s flask test. Flammability also depends on properties like the minimum ignition energy, the heat of combustion, and the burning velocity. A2Ls take a lot more energy to ignite than A3s, and their heat of combustion and burning velocity values are quite low by comparison. The industry is moving to A2Ls to minimize risk (as opposed to A3s). Systems for A3 refrigerants typically have smaller charges than other systems with lower flammability to minimize risk.We will start seeing new tanks with special safety features, including ones with spring-loaded pressure relief valves that can open and close automatically if the pressure gets too high. You’ll likely see left-handed threads on some tanks, and adapters may become available for them. Recovery tanks will also have a red stripe, and you can decommission tanks by puncturing them (not with a ruptured disc). Refrigerant tanks will come in neutral colors and have shrink wrap to prevent counterfeit refrigerant from entering circulation, and the refrigerant name will be labeled on the tank. Some of the best (albeit not required) practices for A1s will be required for A2Ls. These include purging the system with nitrogen, evacuation, and leak/pressure testing. Otherwise, the refrigerants have very similar pressures to R-410A, and working on systems with A2L systems will be similar to working on R-410A systems.You can email questions to Don at don.gillis@chemours.com. You may also check out Opteon’s website at opteon.com/en, AHRI’s Safe Refrigerant Transition Task Force at ahrinet.org/advocacy/safe-refrigerant-transition-task-force, and educational resources on ESCO Group’s HVACR Learning Network at https://hvacr.elearn.network/. Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Failed Compressors - Dont JUST REPLACE IT HVAC School 2023-05-11 | Bert teaches a class about failed compressors and what you should do when you encounter one; he also explains why you don't want to "just replace it."Acid can kill a compressor, and it is one of the most common causes of compressor death after replacement. Moisture contamination in the system mixes with POE oil to form acid, which degrades the oil's ability to lubricate the compressor and leads to premature failure. High heat and electrical burnout may also cause acid formation in the system.When you diagnose a compressor, you will want to follow an extensive diagnostic process, not just replace it. A thorough diagnosis will help you figure out if the system has acid. Some common signs of acid in the system include positive results on an acid test kit and a pungent odor when you remove your hoses.When addressing an acid problem, you will want to replace the compressor AND accumulator, do an acid flush or other form of acid treatment, and install a suction line filter drier (being mindful of the one-way flow and appropriate installation practices). You can either remove the contaminated line drier after 10-14 days or replace it with a fresh one after 10-14 days.Be mindful of system and condenser airflow when you diagnose a compressor; watch for inappropriate or multiple filters, damaged or improper ductwork, inappropriate blower settings, a dirty or clogged evaporator coil, a dirty blower wheel, or a dirty and impacted condenser. Poor airflow can cause high temperatures and pressures, which strain the compressor. Airflow issues at the evaporator can also prevent refrigerant from fully boiling off, which can lead to liquid going into the compressor and causing premature failure. It is important that you quote for these issues so that customers can make educated decisions.You'll also want to be mindful of the refrigerant charge and how it may contribute to early compressor failure. Low refrigerant charge can cause the superheat to be higher than usual; coupled with longer runtimes, a low refrigerant charge can be a problem when we're dealing with refrigerant-cooled compressors. We can use a P-T chart, do a standing pressure test, or weigh out the refrigerant to check for a low refrigerant charge. Leak detection can help you find a leak, which is a common cause of low refrigerant charge. It's also a good idea to be prepared to complete a full test after installing and starting up the new compressor.Electronic issues may also be involved in compressor failure. Failed capacitors, especially on hard start kits, can cause the system not to run; you will want to make sure that you have tested all of those accessories. If a compressor has a factory hard start kit, you will want to replace the hard start kit with the compressor; an aftermarket hard start kit may just need to be removed, not replaced. Pitted contactors, switch problems, poor connections, and wire damage can also cause the compressor to run continuously or short-cycle the compressor, both of which lead to early compressor failure.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Pressure Enthalpy Without Tears w/ Eugene Silberstein HVAC School 2023-05-07 | Eugene Silberstein teaches his class based on his book, "Pressure Enthalpy Without Tears," at the 2023 HVACR Training Symposium at the Kalos HQ in Clermont, FL. Eugene is the Director of Technical Education and Standards at ESCO and is a current co-author of the RACT manual.Many people are intimidated upon their first exposure to pressure enthalpy, and there are barriers to understanding that prevent us from troubleshooting systems. It's helpful to think of a pressure enthalpy diagram as a picture that represents an entire system and provides value to technicians. When you plot a pressure enthalpy diagram, you can get an idea as to whether a system is functioning as efficiently as designed.A pressure enthalpy chart can tell you about the system's net refrigeration effect (NRE), total heat of rejection (THOR), heat of compression (HOC), coefficient of performance (COP), mass flow rate per ton (MFR/ton), system mass flow rate (MFR), compression ratio, theoretical horsepower per ton (THP/ton), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER & EER2), Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER & SEER2), evaporator and condenser capacity (in BTUs/hour), and compressor volumetric efficiency (in CFM).To plot a system on a pressure enthalpy chart, you need to know the high-side pressure, low-side pressure, condenser outlet temperature, evaporator outlet temperature, and compressor inlet temperature. You're already picking up many of these readings when you measure superheat and subcooling, which you already do during a typical service or maintenance procedure.The vertical axis of a pressure enthalpy chart shows the pressure (in PSIA, not PSIG); therefore, horizontal lines represent constant pressure. If you are using gauge pressure, you will need to add 14.7 to your numbers to get the PSIA. The horizontal axis represents enthalpy, and the vertical lines on a pressure enthalpy chart represent constant enthalpy; enthalpy is a measure of the total heat content. The saturation curve or "thumbprint curve" on the pressure enthalpy chart represents the values on your P-T chart; the refrigerant in that range is a mix of liquid and vapor; anything to the left of the curve represents subcooled liquid, and anything to the right is superheated vapor. If a point is closer to the left edge of the saturation curve, it is mostly liquid but still a liquid-vapor mixture; points closer to the right edge of the curve are mostly vapor but are still at saturation. To the right of the curve, the lines that bend toward the x-axis outside of the saturation curve represent lines of constant temperature; other curved lines that trend slightly upward are lines of constant volume, and the more steeply upward-curved lines represent lines of constant entropy. A completed chart contains a parallelogram that represents the system. The compressor is represented by a diagonal line (of constant entropy) trending up and to the right. Typically, a horizontal line on top will represent the condenser, and a horizontal line on the bottom will represent the evaporator. A vertical line connecting the horizontal lines typically represents the metering device; the heat content stays the same, but the pressure and temperature change. The position of the parallelogram will indicate potential problems with the refrigerant charge. (Overcharged systems are up and to the left, and undercharged systems are down and to the right.) The shape and size of the parallelogram can also indicate airflow or metering device problems. When we use a pressure enthalpy chart to think about efficiency, we can think of the input-to-output ratio. High outputs from low inputs indicate higher efficiencies, whereas low outputs from high inputs indicate lower efficiencies. The coefficient of performance is an indicator of efficiency and is related to EER and SEER, and we can use the net refrigeration effect and heat of compression to think about performance and cost, respectively.To plot a system, start by drawing a horizontal line through the point with the condenser saturation temperature. Then, do the same for the evaporator saturation temperature. Locate the condenser outlet temperature right outside the curve and draw a vertical line that intersects both horizontal lines. Then, plot the evaporator outlet temperature and compressor inlet temperatures; use them to draw a diagonal line along a line of constant entropy.Learn more about Eugene's book at escogroup.org/training/pressureenthalpy.aspx. Use the code hvacschool22 or hvacschool23 to receive a 10% discount.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Introducing Sensi Touch 2 - The Privacy-First Smart Thermostat HVAC School 2023-05-04 | Bryan introduces the Sensi Touch 2 smart thermostat for #HVAC. He covers its capabilities, including its ability to connect to up to 15 room sensors and its privacy-first approach to data collection and storage. Learn more about the Sensi Touch 2 at hvacrschool.com/touch2.The Sensi Touch 2 is thin and sleek, has a bright display, and comes in white and black versions. It also helps you monitor your system performance by generating usage and efficiency reports. In addition, it will allow customers to receive alerts and maintenance reminders. The actual thermostat has all of the typical control terminals, including ACC+ and ACC- to allow you to connect accessories like dehumidifiers. You may also purchase the common wire kit if there isn't an existing common wire.The Sensi Touch 2 integrates with the Sensi app, which allows you to set up the Sensi Touch 2 and receive data in a single platform. You can also add your company information to the thermostat via the app, which lets your customers know who to call when they receive an alert or reminder. The app also allows you to set schedules and has optional geofencing capabilities.Sensi room sensors measure temperature and humidity, allowing customers to prioritize certain rooms or seek a balance across multiple rooms.Unlike some other manufacturers that may sell user data for marketing purposes, the Sensi Touch 2 will not sell the data that it collects, and the company has a privacy pledge.If you're interested in becoming an #HVACpro and want to learn more about #contractor branding for the #SensiTouch2 #smartthermostat, visit hvacrschool.com/sensi.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
How A Typical Refrigeration Cooler Works - Pump Down Refrigeration in 3D HVAC School 2023-04-30 | In this 3D video, we show how a typical refrigeration cooler works and focus on pump down refrigeration. This video is narrated by Corey Cruz (BadTXV on TikTok) and shows the refrigeration cycle and automatic pump down for a medium-temp R-404A walk-in cooler.Automatic pump down is a common control strategy used in refrigeration. It automatically pumps refrigerant on the low side of the system into the condenser and receiver whenever there isn't a call for refrigeration; common scenarios include the defrost cycle and when the box temperature has been satisfied. Pumping a system down protects the compressor by preventing refrigerant migration during the off cycle and keeping vapor refrigerant from cooling and condensing to a liquid in the compressor. Liquid refrigerant in the compressor can severely damage the compressor, including causing mechanical wear and flooded starts.An automatic pump down system has three main control components: thermostat, liquid line solenoid, and low-pressure controller.The thermostat is typically mounted at or near the evaporator head unit in the box. Its sensor reads the return air temperature. The thermostat's relay contacts close on a rise in temperature, causing power to pass through the contacts to the liquid line solenoid.The liquid line solenoid (or pump down solenoid) is installed on the liquid line of the system and may be at the evaporator or condenser. During a call for refrigeration, the liquid line solenoid will be energized and will open to allow the flow of refrigerant. It closes during the off cycle and prevents refrigerant flow. The receiver, liquid line filter drier, and sight glass usually come before the liquid line solenoid; a receiver stores excess refrigerant, a liquid line filter drier removes contaminants, and a sight glass will let you know if there is a full line of liquid going to the liquid line solenoid and metering device.The low-pressure controller is installed at the condenser and will be wired in series with the contactor coil. It will cut in or out based on pressure conditions. When setting the cut-in and cut-out setpoints, you will need to consult the manual and be aware of the refrigerant used in the system. To obtain the cut-out setting, subtract the differential from the cut-in setting.When the box temperature rises above the thermostat set point, the thermostat relay's contacts will close and allow power to travel to the liquid line solenoid, which will then open and allow refrigerant to pass to the evaporator. With refrigerant flowing and the pressure rising, the pressure on the low side should then exceed the cut-in setting on the low-pressure control. The contactor coil should then close, completing the circuit and allowing the compressor and condenser fan motors to start operating. During the off cycle, this process is reversed, and the contacts open to remove power to the liquid line solenoid.Pump down begins with the compressor and condenser fan still running. When the suction pressure reaches the cut-out setting, the contacts in the pressure controller open and de-energize the contactor coil, turning the compressor and condenser fan motors off.Many medium-temperature applications don't have a defrost clock and merely defrost during the off cycle. 120v single-phase line power will energize the evaporator fans, liquid line solenoid, and thermostat; the evaporator fans will continue running during the off cycle, and it will supply power to the terminals and their respective wires to the components on the low side of the system. The condenser will receive 208v three-phase power. When the box setpoint is satisfied, or the system is in defrost, the thermostat will prevent power from energizing the liquid line solenoid. Refrigerant will not pass to the evaporator coil, and excess refrigerant will collect in the liquid line receiver. The pressure will drop on the low side of the system; the pump down procedure will continue until the pressure reaches the cut-out setting. The power will then be removed from the compressor and condenser fan motors.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Blower Door Test w/ Chris Hughes HVAC School 2023-04-26 | Chris Hughes, Dustin Cole, and A-Team Adam show how to do a real-life blower door test on a house.Chris starts by doing a depressurization blower door test. He installs a speed controller to let the fan cruise itself. He sets the square footage of the house and opts to view the ACH50, or air changes per hour under the test pressure conditions. (ACH represents air changes per hour under normal conditions.) The test conditions allow us to set a baseline and interpolate those measurements and draw a line on a graph when we do multipoint tests. You can connect the TEC Auto Test app to the gauge on a TEC blower door, run the tests according to the standards you set in the app, and receive a report through the app.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Measuring Duct Leakage To Outside HVAC School 2023-04-23 | Chris Hughes from The Energy Conservatory (TEC), Adam Mufich, and George Hughes show how to measure duct leakage to the outside using a blower door. This test is also know as DLTO (Duct Leakage To Outside)Measuring the duct leakage to the outside requires us to use a blower door and a duct blaster. The thermal envelope should be -25 Pascals in reference to the outdoor pressure, and all registers and return grilles should be masked. The test creates something of an air barrier due to the neutralization of pressures; some of the duct leakage stays in the thermal envelope, and not all leakage goes outdoors. Duct leakage that stays inside the thermal envelope leaves occupants with discomfort, but leakage to the outdoors leaves occupants feeling uncomfortable and leaves the building vulnerable to moisture problems.To get the house down to -25 Pascals, you must start the blower door under all of the correct parameters. For this video, the blower door must be set to depressurize inside the building and be configured for a model-3 fan. Once you hit "play" the first time, you want to start the baseline and change the flow to 25 CFM before hitting "play" again. You'll also want a gauge on the duct blaster; you can set the cruise to 0 Pascals and turn on your speed controller. That selection ramps up the duct blaster to pull the duct system under -25 Pascals of pressure to match the building envelope pressure. When the pressure reaches 0, the CFM reading will show you the leakage outside the thermal boundary (leakage to the outdoors). In this case, we're losing 60 CFM to the outdoors.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Finding Target Superheat HVAC School 2023-04-20 | Bert teaches the Kalos techs some strategies for finding target superheat on systems with fixed-orifice metering devices (not TXVs). Whenever we take readings, we should start by knowing what we want our readings to look like; we should know what to expect of a system that is working properly so that we can recognize abnormalities in our readings. Superheat is an especially critical reading because it can let us know a system's risk of flooding the compressor, if the evaporator coil is being fed efficiently (as opposed to overfed or underfed), and the evaporator load, and it can help us diagnose problems with TXVs (on TXV systems). We can measure superheat on the suction line or discharge line, but those superheat values are very different and can tell us different things about the system. Suction line superheat readings that are too high can indicate that we are starving the evaporator, and low superheat readings can indicate that the system is feeding too much refrigerant into the evaporator coil (or that the coil is otherwise not absorbing heat sufficiently). When you have a metering device problem, like a wide-open TXV, the saturation point is a lot higher than it should be because the pressure stays higher and keeps the evaporator coil warmer.To find our target superheat, we need to take the outdoor dry-bulb temperature (sensible heat) and the return wet-bulb temperature (sensible heat + latent heat). You will need a psychrometer, a target superheat calculator (such as on hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School app), and a manufacturer target superheat chart; measureQuick can help you take these measurements. Once you know your target superheat, you can set the charge accordingly.A common rule of thumb is to achieve a 10-degree target superheat for fixed-orifice systems, but the target is variable because the superheat isn't constantly monitored and manipulated by the metering device (unlike a TXV system). On a fixed-orifice system, the target superheat will decrease as the outdoor dry-bulb temperature increases.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Simple, Easy Thermostat Install with White-Rodgers 70 Series HVAC School 2023-04-16 | Bryan goes over all the features of the White-Rodgers 70 Series thermostats for #hvac, including contractor branding opportunities, and demonstrates a simple, easy thermostat install. The WR 70 Series thermostats come in programmable, non-programmable, conventional, and heat pump varieties.You can get your company name and phone number on the thermostat with contractor branding; to get contractor branding, visit procontractorbranding.com, select the thermostat type you'd like to brand, and upload your logo or fill in your company's name and phone number. You will receive an imprint number that you can take to your local distributor, and they will order thermostats with your branding information; you must order a minimum of 12, and the printing and shipping are free.The White-Rodgers 70 Series thermostats are exceptionally user-friendly. These thermostats come with easy-to-find mode selector switches on the side of the thermostat. They are also easy to install, as they come with level bubbles for easy mounting. Programmable thermostats can also easily have their programming disabled and operate the same as non-programmable thermostats; they come with internal selector switches for the most common operating options. As with all thermostat installations, the first step of the process is to disable the power. Then, you'll want to identify all of the conductors before you start wiring anything up. Once you identify the conductors and make sure you have all of them, you can read the manual and begin installing the thermostat, which can take as little as 5 minutes. The thermostat comes with screws, drywall anchors, and good-quality batteries. Start installing the thermostat by aligning it with the hole; then, you may start putting the screws in. You can then trim the conductors as needed and connect them to the thermostat appropriately. Once the face is back on, you can put batteries in the thermostat and go through the installer setup (if needed), including minimum and maximum temperatures.Be sure to let us know how #contractorbranding has turned out for your company and what you think of the #70series #thermostat!Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Practical Training on Manometers HVAC School 2023-04-09 | Bert teaches a practical training class on manometers. In air conditioning applications, we commonly use manometers to measure static pressure, but they may also measure gas pressure in furnaces and pool heaters.Static pressure refers to the pressure acting on the inner surfaces of the ducts in HVAC systems, and it is affected by airflow resistance; we can think of static pressure as an indicator of airflow. The filter and the coil are also sources of airflow resistance, so we often see static pressure drops across those components. Static pressure may either push against the ductwork (positive, on the supply side) or pull against it (negative, on the return side). Manometers measure this static pressure in inches of water column.We can find the total external static pressure (TESP) by placing one manometer probe above the filter and another just above the blower and adding the readings to see how much airflow resistance that blower has to overcome. You can compare the measurement with the TESP on the data tag, which shows the static pressure conditions under which the unit was tested by the manufacturer. The MERV rating on the filter can affect your return static pressure reading; higher MERV ratings can reduce the static pressure on the return side; we can test the actual resistance by measuring static pressure across both sides of the filter: in the return and between the filter and the coil. Dirty coils or filters can reduce the supply static pressure and will make the TESP low if you measure static pressure before the filter in the return, which can be a misleading airflow indicator. Evaporator coils will always cause a pressure drop, but clean coils usually cause a pressure drop of less than 0.1 inches of water column, so a large amount of soil can increase that pressure drop significantly.Manometers have pressure probes with holes on the side; the probes should point in the opposite direction of airflow to yield the most accurate readings. When using a manometer as a diagnostic tool, you can take readings with and without the filter to see how much it may be contributing to the static pressure drop. We typically want to see a static pressure of less than or around 0.5" WC; once we reach 0.8" WC or higher, we start to see reduced blower motor efficiency, shorter blower lifespans, and more issues. You can also use manometers to locate duct restrictions; collapsed ducts will cause the static pressure to skyrocket as the airflow reaches the restriction, but visual inspections may be more useful if you suspect that the ducts may have collapsed. If you want to figure out the static pressure drop across the coil and place your manometer probe before the filter or immediately before the blower (above the coil), you will have negative static pressure. Some diagnostic apps may have trouble calculating TESP readings in those locations, so you may have to do the math yourself to figure out the pressure drop across the coil.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
The Integrated Furnace Control For Every Service Van HVAC School 2023-04-02 | Bryan and Bert unbox and install THE integrated furnace control for every service van: the White-Rodgers 50M56X-843 IFC. This IFC comes with a hot surface igniter, can be easily configured with the WR Connect app, and replaces over 550 OEM parts for systems with PSC and ECMx motors. Learn more about the 50M56X-843 at hvacrschool.com/wrhsi.Inside the box, you will find the actual control, the 120v silicon nitride hot surface igniter, mounting screws, mounting screws, mounting standoffs, spade terminals, and an instruction sheet. You can configure the control without a power source before installation using near-field communication (NFC) technology with your smartphone. The White-Rodgers Connect app allows you to configure the control using the cross-reference part numbers.Prior to installation, shut off the power and confirm that there is no power going to the unit. Then, you can remove the old board; it is a good idea to take a picture of the board prior to removal so that you can see how everything was plugged in, but the unit's wiring diagram will also come in handy. Once you have configured the board using the WR Connect app, you may begin installing the control by using the mounting standoffs and screws to mount the IFC in the unit. Once the IFC is in place, you can begin wiring it in. The box comes with wiring instructions to help you wire the transformer, neutral, and low-voltage wiring. Then, you can add the plugs. The board doesn't require you to use harnesses; you can simply plug the OEM plugs into the control. If you install the control on a system with a PSC blower, you'll plug wiring into the top of the control; wires for ECMx blower motors will be plugged into the right side of the control. The control also has one low-voltage plug where all of the low-voltage wires connect, allowing every low-voltage wire to be connected and disconnected from the control all at once via the plug. The board also allows for a two-stage setup on units that require it.The board has a digital display, allowing it to show error codes easily. The board face contains a list of error codes and run codes, which allows you to understand the status of the board. With the board in place and fully configured, you can install the hot surface igniter.Once the board and igniter are installed, you may test the unit. When you restore power, the IFC will take a moment to understand the OEM's logic and adapt to its current application. Then, the furnace will go through its sequence of operations. The digital display shows the operating mode (heating or cooling) and reports the flame sensor microamp reading.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Demystifying the Thermostatic Expansion Valve w/ Jim Jansen HVAC School 2023-03-30 | This video is of a presentation from the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium: “Demystifying the Thermostatic Expansion Valve” w/ Jim Jansen from Parker-Sporlan. He also talks about the role of the distributor and goes over some Sporlan TXV designs.The refrigeration circuit has four key components: compressor, condenser, metering device, and evaporator. We can use a few different types of metering devices, including thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs or TEVs). TXVs have a sensing bulb and capillary tube, which make up the powerhead. The valve itself has an inlet and an outlet, a diagram, two push rods, a pin working in conjunction with a port, and a closing spring that adjusts the inlet size. Some of them come with a removable strainer assembly to help control contamination. A few valves have a stem that allows you to adjust them.The TXV responds to the temperature at the evaporator outlet to modulate the orifice size. The sensing bulb will pick up the suction line temperature and apply pressure to the diaphragm accordingly, which provides an opening force. A closing force that acts against the opening pressure is provided by the spring and an external equalizer. The orifice size is determined by the way these three forces act on the valve. TXV manufacturers typically want to prevent inlet pressure from acting on the valve.TXVs control superheat by controlling the size of the orifice—and the way it meters refrigerant. Adjustable valves allow you to control preload from the spring, which doesn’t change the valve capacity but does allow you to control the superheat that the TXV aims to maintain. We want to make sure the superheat allows us to maximize capacity without flooding the evaporator.Some TXVs have bleed ports, which allow inlet high-side pressure to bypass the part of the valve that regulates the incoming refrigerant pressure. This feature comes in handy when the compressor has a low starting torque; it allows the high and low sides of the system to equalize on the off cycle. You will want to make sure that you don’t replace non-bleed TXVs with one that has a bleed port or vice versa.Valves may be internally or externally equalized. Internal equalization requires the valve to sample evaporator pressure, typically at the outlet fitting of the expansion device. External equalization requires a third fitting on the valve for an equalization line that samples pressure on the suction line. Mounting the valve properly will allow you to tap into the suction line properly, and it will allow you to get solid contact with the suction line to control the superheat most effectively.Residential HVAC superheat values tend to be within the 8 to 12-degree (Fahrenheit) range, and evaporator temperatures may be as high as 52 degrees or as low as 40 degrees depending on the manufacturer. Commercial refrigeration evaporator temperatures can reach subzero temperatures (Fahrenheit). Common issues with TXVs include starving, overheating, or hunting. Starving results in high superheat, and overheating results in low superheat (or none). Hunting refers to excessive modulation and may indicate problems with your TXV setup. TXVs may also leak and prevent the bulb from responding to the suction line temperature; leaking valves need to be replaced.Distributors help mix the vapor and liquid coming out of the TXV, and there is an additional pressure drop associated with them. Systems with distributors require externally equalized valves.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Heat and Comfort Basics 3D HVAC School 2023-03-26 | This 3D animation goes over heat and comfort basics, especially as those things relate to heat transfer in residential structures and HVAC systems.Heat losses occur when heat leaves a structure, and heat gains occur when heat enters a structure. When there are significant heat losses, a furnace or heat pump adds BTUs of heat to compensate for those losses. When there are significant heat gains, an A/C system or heat pump removes BTUs to balance out the gains. BTUs (British thermal units) are units of heat equivalent to the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Heat transfer occurs in three different ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction occurs when two substances of different temperatures make direct contact with each other; the hotter object will transfer its heat to the cooler object until both objects are at the same temperature (equilibrium). We use insulation to oppose conduction and reduce the rate of heat transfer. Convection occurs when molecules of fluids (vapors and liquids) move and bring their heat with them. Our homes experience temperature changes due to convection when we have gaps or cracks in the structure or leave windows or doors open; we refer to air movement via these sources as infiltration and exfiltration. Radiation occurs when objects give off or absorb heat via electromagnetic waves. When the sun shines on surfaces in the home through glass windows, the room gets warmer because the heat from the sun's electromagnetic waves passes through the glass and warms the surfaces in the room. Our bodies also give off heat via radiation, which is why you feel cooler when you stand near a cold wall; your body gives off heat to the cooler surface of the wall.Heat can be sensible or latent. Sensible heat is heat that we can measure with a thermometer, and latent heat cannot be measured because it refers to the heat required to complete a phase change (the temperature does not change). It takes 1 BTU to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, but it takes about 970 BTUs to change a pound of 212-degree liquid water to 212-degree water vapor. There is a lot more energy involved in phase changes than mere temperature changes; the latent heat required to change solid ice to liquid water or vice versa is the latent heat of fusion (144 BTUs), and the latent heat required to change liquid water to water vapor or vice versa is the latent heat of vaporization (~970 BTUs). Larger heat sources (including flames or electric heat) transfer more heat than smaller ones, meaning that they transfer more BTUs and can make phase changes happen more quickly.Latent heat is important for HVAC applications because most HVAC systems in temperate or humid climates also remove moisture from the air. Many people will notice that cooler air sinks and warmer air rises. Cooler air is denser than warm air, which perpetuates the common but slightly misleading idea that "heat rises;" heat itself doesn't rise or fall. Warm air will rise and go into the return, where it will pass over the evaporator coil. The refrigerant in the evaporator coil can absorb a lot of heat because it is boiling and requires a large number of BTUs to complete its phase change to a vapor. As heat transfer happens, some of the moisture in the air will also condense on the coil; the coil must be cold enough to be below the dew point for this to happen. We can calculate how much heat enters and leaves a home by using ACCA Manual J. This manual allows us to use local climate conditions and consider the structure to design an HVAC system tailored to a home's BTU gains and losses. However, the real conditions may vary due to human activities, especially because our bodies add heat to structures via conduction (touching surfaces), convection (movement), and radiation. Humans also add latent heat when they exhale. Heat gains added by humans or animals in a structure are known as internal gains.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Callback Prevention w/ Bert HVAC School 2023-03-22 | In Callback Prevention w/ Bert he goes over some of his top callback prevention tips with the Kalos techs. He covers some bad habits and goes over the attitude, training, and knowledge necessary to prevent callbacks.We can prevent callbacks by focusing on our mindset; having the willingness and taking the time to close out everything completely stops us from making silly, preventable mistakes during service. Managing our habits and having the right knowledge/skills are important, but the mindset allows us to keep perfecting our work and staying positive over the years.It's also possible to have a great mindset and bad habits, like poor organization habits, or you can have a great mindset and lack the training or experience needed to complete a job without a callback. Those can hold you back temporarily, but a positive mindset can help you overcome those obstacles. When we combine a positive mindset with good habits, we lay down patterns of work that keep us in the right mindset to prevent callbacks. Habits include things we do at work as well as before and after work. Making a habit of checking a call the night before and doing a final walkthrough before leaving the job can help you prevent callbacks. On the other hand, allowing head trash to accumulate is a symptom of a negative mindset and can also hold you back significantly, especially as you spend more time in the industry. A negative mindset will keep you from enjoying your job, makes you susceptible to making mistakes that result in callbacks, and creates a cycle of negativity.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Volume Flow Rate vs Mass Flow Rate w/ Jim Bergmann HVAC School 2023-03-16 | Jim Bergmann from measureQuick compares volume flow rate and mass flow rate as those topics relate to air movement in HVAC/R. This video was shared with us by Adam from HVAC Overtime; you can subscribe to HVAC Overtime at youtube.com/@HVACOvertime.One of the most fundamental equations that drive the work we do is Q = mass x specific heat x ΔT. This is the equation we use to find BTUs. We can use a similar equation to figure out how many pounds of air we're moving if we already know how many CFM we're moving. Air density will affect the mass of the air and CFM, so that requires us to differentiate between standard CFM (SCFM) and the actual CFM (ACFM). ACFM differs from SCFM in that it factors in the effects of relative humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure on the mass of the air. Depending on the type of fan you have, you may really have a variable mass flow rate with a constant volume.SCFM measurements are based on air at sea level, 68.3 degrees Fahrenheit, and 0% relative humidity (0.075 lbs/ft cubed). Higher relative humidity levels will reduce the density of the air, as water (H2O) is lighter than nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2), which make up most of our air. MeasureQuick's ACFM accounts for those humidity changes as well as pressure and temperature deviations from the sea-level, 68.3-degree standard.Fans move a constant volume of air (SCFM), but the mass flow rate (ACFM) is much more variable based on location and climate. You can also use a psychrometric chart to help you with ACFM. The line of specific volume for 68.3 degrees and 0% relative humidity on a psychrometric chart also happens to be the inverse of the 0.075 lbs per ft cubed, which is the SCFM. (The ACCA manuals use SCFM for equipment design.)ECMs work off RPM and torque; changes in air density affect the torque and affect ECM outputs. Since we're cooling the mass of the air, not the volume, it also helps to think about ACFM beyond ECM outputs.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Thermal Imaging in HVAC: Theory & Practice w/ Bill Spohn & Eric Kaiser HVAC School 2023-03-13 | Eric Kaiser and Bill Spohn team up to give their HVACR Symposium presentation about thermal imaging theory & practice in HVACR applications. They highlight the uses and limitations of thermal imaging to set realistic expectations for using it.Thermal imaging is especially useful for making temperature comparisons because it helps us and our customers visualize the temperature differences between multiple points. A thermal imaging camera looks at surface temperatures by picking up infrared waves and turning them into visual light images, so it can’t “see” temperatures through glass or other surfaces.When you’re using thermal or IR cameras, you need to make sure you can use them safely; you don’t want to stick your hand inside of operating equipment and can use tripods, wireless technology, etc., to keep yourself safe. You also want to be aware that certain surfaces respond differently and must make a few corrections for some surfaces. Setting the span and the level is also important for the proper use of a thermal imaging camera; the level sets the range for the color palette on your screen, and the span is the differential; these will determine how the camera interprets temperature, especially when measuring reflective surfaces with low emissivity. Unlike span and level, focus cannot be changed in software, so you must make sure your image is focused before you take it.You’ll also want to follow a pattern or path to keep track of your work. Most importantly, you’ll want to know what your equipment should look like under normal operating conditions vs. abnormal conditions so that you can verify problem areas. You will want to make sure that your pictures are in focus.Thermal imaging cameras can be useful for helping you identify heat in electrical components and could help you identify a loose connection. However, the camera could also be picking up a heat source near the electrical parts, including your own body heat.A thermal imaging camera can show you purely thermal images, fusion images (thermal and visible), and visible. It is important to use the visible image as a reference to the thermal image, as the thermal images could show reflected heat signatures of people or things that aren’t actually in the frame. A picture-in-picture image mixes a larger visible image with a smaller thermal image; in these images and fusion images, the alignment is critical.Thermal imaging is a valuable tool for qualitative data and allows you to compare surface temperatures quite effectively, but it can get tricky when you get into quantitative measurements because of the emissivity. Emissivity allows us to evaluate a surface’s ability to emit heat (vs reflect it) compared to a perfect black body, which has an emissivity of 1; all other emissivity values are less than 1. Tape can have a different emissivity than the metal you’re measuring, so you need to keep that in mind when you’re trying to take pictures of things with two different thermal masses. When you’re dealing with reflective surfaces, you can put a target spot on the surface with a known emissivity in the editing phase. Thermal and fusion images are exceptionally good at helping you find loose electrical connections, misaligned belts, air leakage, and overheating (poorly lubricated) bearings. Temperature differentials between the indoors and outdoors as well as level and span adjustments can make these issues easier to see. You can also use thermal imaging cameras on entire buildings to see which spots are hotter than others.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Contaminant Controls System Clean-up With Filter Driers w/ Jim Jansen HVAC School 2023-03-09 | Jim Jansen from Parker-Sporlan gives his presentation, “Contaminant Controls System Clean-Up with Filter Driers,” at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. He explains the parts and functions of filter driers and covers some Sporlan products.The basic refrigeration circuit includes an evaporator, compressor, condenser, metering device (which comes in many varieties), and the tubing between those main components. Even large DX refrigeration systems have those components (though often with multiple evaporators or compressors and other ancillary components). Contamination happens when we get unwanted material in an unwanted location; it can happen in many different ways and often disrupts the proper operation of the controls in a refrigeration system. Filter driers in various locations can help protect the system components from contamination.A filter drier on the liquid line is often positioned close to the metering device (and liquid line solenoid in circuits that have those). These filter driers catch contaminants to ensure that only oil and refrigerant circulate through the system, not acids, wax, or varnish. Moisture is a common source of contamination, and acids can form from it as well. Catch-All is Sporlan’s brand of liquid line filter drier.As a result, filter driers contain a desiccant core to remove moisture, acid, or wax from the system via adsorption; the desiccant material will dictate what the desiccant can remove, and these materials include molecular sieve (water), activated alumina (acid), and activated carbon (wax or oil). Different desiccant types also have different pore structures, which also contribute to contaminant removal. Sporlan makes replaceable cores of all materials.Filter driers are often used to help clean up a system after a burnout. When you suspect a burnout, an acid test kit (manufactured by several companies including Sporlan) will let you compare an oil sample to a color chart that confirms or denies the presence of acid. Using moisture indicators can also help prevent the formation of acid before the system experiences a burnout.Suction filters go on the suction line and may offer optional bypass; these can protect your compressor and stay in the system for an extended period of time. Suction filter driers, on the other hand, tend to be used immediately after burnout for cleanup and are not permanent components.Liquid line filter driers will need to be added or replaced when there is a new system installation or replacement, the system is opened, the pressure drop exceeds 5 PSI, there is moisture or acid in the system, and after burnout cleanup. An oversized liquid line filter drier should be installed during cleanup, and severe compressor burnout should also warrant the installation of a suction filter drier. To remove a filter-drier, use a proper tubing cutter whenever possible, and you’ll want to use the typical brazing best practices when brazing a new one in.Many filter driers can remove contaminants as small as 20 microns in diameter; being able to remove these tiny contaminants will have a significant impact on the lifespan of the bearings in the compressor. Abrasive particles as small as 5 microns in diameter can reduce bearing life. Sporlan also makes oil filters to protect reciprocating and scroll compressors from contaminants in the oil. However, we don’t want to remove moisture with the oil filter because that could dry out the oil, so we want to make sure we’re removing system moisture from the refrigerant in the liquid line.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
White-Rodgers Integrated Intelligent Valve Retrofit Kit HVAC School 2023-03-06 | Bryan gives a product overview of the White-Rodgers Integrated Intelligent Valve Retrofit Kit (50I56D-905). Like other White-Rodgers products, the Integrated Intelligent Valve Retrofit Kit is a universal part that replaces many OEM controls; this control works for ICP and Lennox brands.This kit replaces outdated first-generation smart valve systems with a modern, reliable gas valve, control board with selectable OEM blower delay DIP switches, and 120v hot surface igniter with a flame sensor. The kit also has a fault recall feature and allows for advanced diagnostics with standard furnace troubleshooting. This kit is a cost-effective solution and comes with a 5-year warranty.Compared to its competitors, the White-Rodgers Integrated Intelligent Valve Retrofit Kit comes with everything in the box, including a durable silicon nitride igniter and reliable standard mechanical gas valve, and it has a longer warranty, comes with a fault recall feature, and is generally more cost-effective.To learn more about the White-Rodgers Integrated Intelligent Valve Retrofit Kit and watch the official installation guide, visit hvacrschool.com/intelligentvalve. You can also use the White-Rodgers app to look up more information or visit our partner page at hvacrschool.com/partner/emerson-white-rodgers/intelligent-valve-retrofit-kit/.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Electrification Panel w/ Bill Spohn, Jim Bergmann and Kimberly Llewellyn HVAC School 2023-02-28 | The 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium hosted an Electrification Panel with Kimberly Llewellyn (METUS), Bill Spohn (TruTech Tools), and Jim Bergmann (measureQuick). They answered audience questions and discussed some possible opportunities and areas of concern as the HVAC industry faces electrification.The conversion to electrical vehicles and appliances is inevitable, and that will likely result in a shift toward heat pump technology in the United States, among other technologies like heat pump water heaters. However, there isn't really a solid definition of what electrification entails, and many contractors have reported that their customers haven't asked them about it yet. When it comes to educating customers, the industry needs to be able to give non-technical answers about the benefits of electrification and what they can expect from electric appliances and HVAC equipment.Electrification has brought a lot of frustration to the trade, especially because the movement is largely being led by smart, well-intentioned people who are, unfortunately, out of touch with the realities of the HVAC industry. Mass electrification may strain communities and make for a rocky transition if it happens too quickly. The industry as a whole also doesn't have the skill set to install electric heat pumps that maintain comfort the same way that a furnace or A/C system can. Improvements to our tool technologies can help, but we need to train HVAC professionals to install heat pumps correctly for the tools to reach their full potential. Hybrid solutions could help, but there may be energy costs associated with those systems. However, dual-fuel systems have the potential to offer long-term savings and provide a backup system for extreme weather in retrofit systems. Sometimes, the buildings need to be improved; insulation and other sorts of modifications could support heat pump technologies by upgrading the building envelope. Duct leakage is a significant problem in many HVAC systems, and heat pumps won't function as they should when the duct leakage is significant. In many places, the building envelope and electrical infrastructure need to be upgraded. The supply chain issues and costs of upgrading the infrastructure are also current challenges to electrification.In places where natural gas is cheap, there may not be a clear benefit to installing heat pumps for your customer. However, the savings tend to be gradual, and mass electrification isn't happening everywhere all at once. In areas that still use steam boilers (which have dynamic losses), heat pumps can support existing technologies in shoulder seasons, especially if they're used in lieu of an A/C system. Energy banking could support electrification efforts, but it could be relatively limited to commercial HVAC. The lack of training is a tricky challenge to tackle, especially amid a race to the bottom from a pricing standpoint. Certification is also tricky due to the lack of consistent, mandatory standards in the industry. Even though there are some organizations that set standards, those standards are largely voluntary. In too many cases, technologies like measureQuick are seen as a burden rather than a tool; however, technicians who understand the value of their work and take pride in it will be more likely to embrace those technologies and the literature at their disposal. When people feel like they can make a difference, we may see a change in morale and a shift for the better, but we're just not there yet.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Educating & Training Gen Z w/ Ty Branaman HVAC School 2023-02-19 | Ty Branaman gives some of his insight about educating & training Gen Z. He gave this presentation at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, and you can still buy tickets to access all sessions virtually.To be able to educate, train, and recruit Gen Z, we need to be able to understand them. Their interests and communication styles differ from the generations before them because they grew up in different environments. Previous generations also tend to romanticize the past, including previous generations’ work ethics, which leads them to have a negative outlook on the new generation; this is a pattern we’ve seen for over a century, and we must be careful not to slap that label onto Gen Z. At the end of the day, Gen Z is here to stay, and they’re just people who deserve to be viewed with empathy and open-mindedness.Generation Z is especially connected and tends to be adept with technology, but they’ve been exposed to more school violence than previous generations. Gen Z has also experienced two major economic recessions, which have shaped their outlook, and they want to make sure they have job stability, flexibility, and good compensation. That means the HVAC industry needs to think about how Gen Z employees are compensated, especially if they also have to buy tools and can earn almost as much money in a food service or retail job. Gen Z needs a career path and frequent evaluations with specific feedback. Those things show that HVAC business owners care about Gen Z and are invested in their well-being. Gen Z’s world moves quickly, and the HVAC industry will need to adapt to that. Instead of being interested in being told WHAT to do, Gen Z also tends to want to know WHY they should do something. That combination of practices will be more likely to keep Gen Z-ers interested in their work if they decide to enter a career in HVAC; they want to be in charge of their life and be treated with respect.Members of Gen Z tend to be more individualistic and are more likely to choose nontraditional postsecondary paths; they want to write their own stories and understand that a traditional 4-year college education isn’t always the right choice for them. As they learn more skills, they learn and grow, and they are likely to find a trades job that suits them and be fulfilled by a skilled trades career. Part of that job fulfillment comes from responding to events that are important or require a sense of urgency, and they want their good work to be acknowledged.Connectivity is important to Gen Z, and we would be wise to embrace their enthusiasm to share their work on social media or make videos of their workmanship. When they take pictures or make TikToks of their work, they’re showing people that the trades are cool, which can help with the recruiting aspect of educating and training Gen Z. Embracing diversity will also help the HVAC/R trades recruit Gen Z, especially as more women and other traditionally underrepresented groups want to start getting into the trades. When we respect people who have different backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics, we can work together to get jobs done. Gen Z is more culturally diverse than previous generations, and we would be wise to embrace that diversity and welcome people from all walks of life.Consistent positive communication will be crucial when it comes to keeping Gen Z. Being able to set expectations for incoming Gen Z-ers, welcome them, and show them a possible career trajectory will go a long way. The same courtesy we show our customers should also be shown to our fellow tradespeople. As long as we’re empathetic and appreciate Gen Z-ers for their unique abilities and good work ethic, the HVAC/R industry will have a better time recruiting, educating, and training them.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
WetRag HeatShield w/ Mike with Viper HVAC School 2023-02-08 | Bryan talks about the new WetRag HeatShield w/ Mike Pastorello with Refrigeration Technologies at AHR 2023. The HeatShield is a recent addition to the Viper product line, and it was recently showcased on our channel at youtu.be/D-MlNYq3lz4.The HeatShield is the original idea that inspired WetRag, and it has since been revisited and developed into an upcoming product. It is a double-layered carbon fabric that contains Teflon-coated fiberglass thread, making it a durable, reliable surface protector to use while brazing. The material is also absorbent, allowing it to get wet and absorb even more heat, and it is machine-washable.Bryan and Mike also talk a bit about the Refrigeration Technologies wipes that can remove paint, nail polish, mastic, Nylog, and grease. The wipes contain moisturizers and are gentle on the hands.Refrigeration Technologies is a company that heavily gives back to the trade and makes safe, high-quality products. If you don't have Refrigeration Technologies products available in your local supply house, be sure to ask your local distributors to stock those products.Learn more about Refrigeration Technologies products at refrigtech.com/.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Jim Bergmann and Joe Medosch talk Heat Pumps and Much More HVAC School 2023-02-08 | Jim Bergmann and Joe Medosch join Bryan to discuss heat pumps, measureQuick, and much more LIVE at AHR 2023. They also discuss Jim's open letter about electrification.Jim's position is that if electrification is embraced, the HVAC industry will face a major challenge because many technicians simply don't have enough knowledge of the heat pump design, installation, and service fundamentals. One of the alternative solutions is to incorporate hybrid systems consisting of heat pumps and gas heat, not straight cool air conditioning and gas heat; heat pump technology has been improving lately to become more comfortable, so hybrid systems are solid replacements. Joe also sees opportunities for us to tighten the building envelopes on the building science side.Some markets that are pushing for change have milder climates and better building infrastructure than other areas of the country, meaning that the negative effects of mass electrification are being overlooked. Mass retrofitting and electrification simply won't work in several markets right now.Jim and Joe have recently been developing partnerships between measureQuick and other industry organizations, including ACCA, NCI, Fieldpiece, and Energy Star; they are adding features related to those partnerships to the app and focusing on standardization to inform and promote quality installation. Even though measureQuick isn't necessarily in the training business, the partnerships with NCI and TruTech Tools help bridge the education gap and teach technicians critical field skills while letting each organization focus on its core competencies.Some new tool integrations and workflows have recently been added to measureQuick as well. New tools include a range of combustion analyzers, giving technicians the ability to mix and match their Bluetooth tools. The accuracy across brands is almost identical. Even though supporting the industry comes at a cost, measureQuick is handling the growth well by constantly testing its new features on live equipment to make sure the calculations are error-free and that the app creates a seamless user experience. The goal is to make the app intuitive to use and educational for its users, and Jim and Joe are focusing on video tutorials and onboarding to make the workflow easy to understand. The hope is that measureQuick will help technicians identify ways to optimize a customer's HVAC system, which may boost sales in the long run.Learn more about measureQuick at measurequick.com or contact Joe Medosch by emailing joe@measurequick.com.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
HVAC School and HVACR School Epic Battle HVAC School 2023-02-08 | I met a guy at AHR that I knew and didn't know it. This year, AHR 2023 witnessed an epic battle between HVAC School (hvacschool.com) and HVACR School (yours truly).Crawford Engelking founded hvacschool.com before HVAC School existed, and he is active on Instagram today at instagram.com/hvac_school/. Crawford has a short-term HVAC school in Washington State to help deal with the labor shortage and successfully train technicians by offering hands-on learning and real troubleshooting experience. Crawford's training focuses on all sorts of equipment and pays special attention to the electrical fundamentals and wiring; this training focuses on real diagrams and components, starting with a standing pilot and gradually working on more complicated assemblies in real-world settings.Check out the original HVAC School at hvacschool.com/. You can also send Crawford an email at hvacschool@hvacschool.com or hvacschool@comcast.net.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Tony G. w/ Fieldpiece LIVE at AHR Talking Training and Combustion HVAC School 2023-02-08 | Tony G. w/ Fieldpiece joins Bryan for a chat at AHR 2023; this time, they're talking about training and combustion, and they share some general thoughts about the event.Fieldpiece makes quality tools due to their engineers' philosophy; they develop solutions to problems, not just products, which means they aim to understand the real-life field applications of the tools they develop. Fieldpiece also develops training programs that aim to prepare new technicians to enter the field. The programs train contractors and technicians to use best practices, but there are also some programs aimed at distributors to make them more technologically proficient. When everyone in the supply chain has some degree of technical proficiency, they can understand each other's work and communicate with each other. Fieldpiece has also partnered with SkillsUSA to promote trades education to young people and give out scholarships. It also has its own relatively new online training program, Fieldpiece University. The idea is to give technicians and contractors just-in-time education. Tony also talks a bit about the Fieldpiece ambassador program, which is a network of independent trainers who get trained on Fieldpiece products; these ambassadors will also take a course with Eugene Silberstein at ESCO to develop their teaching skills. (If you are interested in working with a Fieldpiece ambassador, send an email to training@fieldpiece.com.)Some new products on the market include Fieldpiece's combustion analyzer. The product development team has worked to reduce the cost of maintaining the combustion analyzer over its lifespan and maximize its uptime; Fieldpiece uses patented technology to seal the oxygen and CO sensors upon powering off the analyzer, which prevents degradation over time. The sensors are also replaceable in the field and can be calibrated by Fieldpiece without sending the entire tool back to the manufacturer. There is also no need for a water trap in Fieldpiece's new combustion analyzer.Tony also talks about combustion analysis as an added service for markets that don't have a lot of gas furnaces (but that may have gas pool heating and some degree of gas heating). Fieldpiece's training and product development efforts make informed combustion analysis possible. The Fieldpiece CAT85 can also measure draft pressure and contains a dual-port manometer to allow technicians to measure gas pressure or static pressure all in one tool.Tony also answers an audience question about older heated diode leak detectors' ability to detect the new refrigerants. Fieldpiece leak detectors are indeed capable of picking up new refrigerants. Heated diode leak detectors must be replaced over time due to sensor degradation. Infrared sensors are typically less likely to pick up false positives and have longer lifespans, and the sensitivity does not degrade over time.Learn more about Fieldpiece University at fieldpiece.com/fieldpiece-university/. You can learn more about Fieldpiece in general at fieldpiece.com or on YouTube at youtube.com/@FieldpieceProducts.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
LIVE Hydronics Talk w/ Cody from Caleffi HVAC School 2023-02-07 | Cody Mack from Caleffi joins Bryan live at AHR Expo 2023 to talk about hydronics. Cody is Caleffi's National Training Manager and focuses on training people to work with hydronic technologies to fill the knowledge gap between the retirees and the new blood in the trade.As with furnaces and heat pumps, many of the hydronics issues are due to installation faults and a lack of proper commissioning. Some issues also arise due to a lack of hard skills, which highlights the need to master the fundamentals to be successful. Caleffi's training covers basics, including boiler piping, but it also focuses on the accessories beyond the actual appliance and piping. The training focuses on best practices and the "why" behind the structure and science of hydronics.Three-way mixing valves, which mix hot and cold water to yield the desired water temperature in hydronics and plumbing applications, are common sources of confusion for techs. The location of circulators and the sizing of these mixing valves are crucial for proper operation in hydronics applications, as pressure drops due to improper sizing or circulator location matter a lot more in hydronics than in plumbing. Improperly sized solenoid valves in various HVAC/R applications also pose similar challenges.Decarbonization is driving innovation at Caleffi, especially as the demand for heat pumps and alternative fuels has skyrocketed. There has also been quite a bit of innovation on the plumbing side, especially when it comes to backflow prevention, pressure backing breakers, pressure-reducing valves, and more. On the hydronics side, Caleffi has been focusing on pressure-independent control valves, especially for commercial operations.You can learn more about Caleffi, its products, and its educational resources at https://www.caleffi.com.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
LIVE Alex w/ MINOTAIR All-in-One HVAC/D Unit HVAC School 2023-02-07 | Bryan interviews Alex from MINOTAIR about the all-in-one HVAC/D Unit. It is a super innovative system for higher-performance ventilation, filtration, and more.The MINOTAIR equipment works like a ducted heat pump but has some twists that make it exceptionally efficient; it captures heat from dry air and moisture, working with three heat sources and using less electricity to remove more heat. The PENTACARE HVAC/D unit is typically used for multi-family buildings, but it works in single-family residential structures as well. It's a large, self-contained box with four ports that is installed in a similar way as an HRV with 8-inch ductwork. It takes a zonal approach to comfort that controls moisture and sensible heat with a compressor, similar to a heat pump, and it brings in fresh air. These units also come with a MERV 8 and a MERV 15 filter. MINOTAIR also has a refurbishment program that replaces poor-quality older unit materials with hardier new materials.You can learn more about the PENTACARE and other MINOTAIR products at minotair.com/.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
LIVE Test and Balance from a Field Pro HVAC School 2023-02-06 | Bert interviews Santiago from Georgia Balance live at AHR Expo 2023 in Atlanta. Santiago is a field pro who talks a bit about his test and balance method; his company, Georgia Balance, services the entire Southeastern USA.Santiago and Bryan talk about pressurization problems, especially in restaurants and janitorial closets with dry P-traps in their floor drains and imbalanced ventilation air. When buildings are under negative pressure, it can be difficult to open the door, and odors may persist.Santiago starts his testing and balancing process by looking at the unit. He then starts putting together a test plan and accounting for dampers. He measures system airflow and ventilation airflow by measuring the fresh air intake, and he also does duct traverses with pitot tubes. He takes the average velocity and multiplies it by the area to get the airflow. You must put together a good report in order to balance the airflow properly; otherwise, you risk causing problems like pressurization issues or an inability for the coil to remove as much heat as possible.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
AHR Intro W/ Corey From Bad TXV HVAC School 2023-02-05 | Bryan and Corey (Bad TXV) prepare for AHR 2023 in Atlanta with this intro stream. They talk about their excitement for AHR 2023, social media, and future content. You can follow Corey on TikTok at tiktok.com/@badtxv or on Instagram at instagram.com/official_badtxv/.This year, Corey is the presenter of the HVAC Tactical Hidden Gem award, which recognizes content creators without a mainstream following. Last year, Corey won the HVAC Tactical Hidden Gem award for his TikTok platform. Corey's TikTok is full of short, spontaneous videos that document his daily life as a service technician, especially in commercial and market refrigeration. HVAC School will soon be releasing a 3D refrigeration video featuring Corey Cruz. The AHR Expo lasts 3 days and is a massive event with many vendors and their booths, educational sessions, podcast pavilions, and panels. If you're at AHR Expo, you can visit the HVAC School booth at B4529. Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
New Viper Heat Shield Pad HVAC School 2023-02-05 | Bert the trainer and Kyle introduce the NEW Viper WetRag Heatshield pad from Refrigeration Technologies. The flame-resistant Heatshield pad is flame-resistant and withstands temperatures up to 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the perfect protector for the air handler while Kyle is brazing after replacing the evaporator coil. You can also get it wet for added heat absorption and flame resistance (it can be used wet or dry). The pad folds around the line set or filter drier and can cover the heat-sensitive PVC of condensate drains.Refrigeration Technologies will officially release the Heatshield soon, and you'll be able to find it at a supplier near you.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Top Takeaways HVACR SYMPOSIUM 2023 HVAC School 2023-01-29 | Bert brings you Top Takeaways from HVACR SYMPOSIUM 2023. He interviews several symposium attendees, including some speakers and sponsors, to hear about some of their 2023 symposium highlights and tips.Ty Branaman was a returning speaker at this year's symposium. He keeps coming back because he enjoys seeing so many dedicated people come together to learn and connect with each other. Ty's top tip for people in the industry is to never stop learning. He's always learning about airflow and feels that the symposium challenges him to keep learning and growing.Dr. Allison Bailes spoke at this year's symposium and enjoyed seeing so many field professionals come to the symposium with the intent of putting everything they've learned into practice. Dr. Bailes's tip is not to believe everything you're told and to consider the bigger picture. Longtime contributor Eric Kaiser enjoys learning new things, seeing old friends, meeting new friends, and having great conversations at the symposium. His top tip is to throw your ego out the window and be willing to learn. His wife, Rachel, is also amazed by how much the attendees want to learn and how engaged they are.RACT manual co-authors Jason Obrzut and Eugene Silberstein are excited to see attendees who want to leave the trade better than they found it. Andy Holt, Bill Spohn, and Mike Pastorello also shared their symposium highlights in this video.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Universal Heat Pump Defrost Board Install HVAC School 2023-01-26 | Bert installs the Emerson White-Rodgers Universal Heat Pump Defrost Board (47D01U-843) on a Carrier heat pump. It is a single-stage universal defrost control that replaces a wide range of OEM parts and can be configured to do time/temperature or demand defrost.The Emerson White-Rodgers single-stage universal defrost board comes with the outdoor temperature lockout thermostat, an LED display, short-cycle and brownout protection, self-tapping screws, and sensors in the box. It also has error code recall, so you can see recent error codes. The cross-reference chart is located on the packaging and contains several brands and model numbers.Bert starts by plugging in the thermostat wiring, outdoor temperature sensor, and coil temperature sensor to the board straight out of the box. Before working on the unit, he makes sure the power is off. Then, he takes a picture of the layout so that he can remember how the wiring is configured and what the OEM board's orientation was. In some cases, the OEM will have a thermostat sensor that will be rendered obsolete by the outdoor and coil temperature sensors of the Emerson White-Rodgers universal board. He then mounts the board with the self-tapping screws to secure the board in the best possible orientation. With the board in place, Bert secures the unit's thermostat wires to the corresponding wires on the board with wire nuts. The board allows you to stop the thermostat from bringing on auxiliary heat in some scenarios, so you can break the auxiliary heat signal through the defrost board; you would include the brown wire at the WIN terminal. Otherwise, you would just secure the white wire at the WDX2 terminal under the wire nut. With the low-voltage wiring hooked up, Bert begins wiring the safeties, contactor, and reversing valve. He uses wire nuts on those connections as well, though male spades may also be used. There is also a loss of charge pressure switch in the circuit, which hooks up to the low-pressure switches and will open when there are conditions that resemble low refrigerant charge. Bert makes sure that the fan relay is wired so that it is energized constantly with the high voltage. Then, Bert puts the sensors in optimal locations; the outdoor temperature sensor should be away from direct sunlight, and the coil sensor should make contact with the coil. When everything is in place, Bert cleans up his wiring with some zip ties.With the board fully wired in, Bert restores the low-voltage control power. The board flashes H, indicating that it's in heat (H) and in time delay (flashing). He cancels any calls for heating and cooling and goes through the options until he reaches OE, which allows him to configure the board to match the original manufacturer's defrost cycle. He sets it to 1, which is the setting for Carrier units, and describes the various manufacturer settings compared to the default Emerson White-Rodgers settings. The customizable codes on the LED display include Er (error), Fr (fault recall), OE (quick setup), and then the individual configuration options: dF (defrost type), Et (enable temperature), tt (termination temperature), SS (short-cycle time), r (reversing valve power), Sd (reversing valve shift delay), dt (maximum defrost time), hL (auxiliary heat lockout), Lt (low-temperature compressor cutout), rt (random start delay), LP (low-pressure switch on/off), HP (high-pressure switch on/off), and Bo (brownout protection on/off).Then, Bert tests the system operation to make sure the heat pump will actually switch to defrost mode; he bypasses the time delay and forces defrost. He also runs the unit and heat mode without the fan to cause frost to appear on the coil, which causes the unit to go into defrost by shifting into cooling mode and sending hot discharge gas through the coil. When you're working on systems with these defrost boards, Bert recommends doing a visual inspection and testing the sensors by ohming them out.Check out our recent video all about heat pump defrost at youtube.com/watch?v=R_gNKOapR7I&ab_channel=HVACSchool.Buy your virtual tickets or learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Eugene Silberstein and Jason Obrzut from ESCO have a Conversation with Bert HVAC School 2023-01-21 | Eugene Silberstein and Jason Obrzut from ESCO Institute (and RACT manual co-authors) were two speakers at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. In this video, they have a conversation with Bert about the event and also share some valuable practical tips for HVAC techs.Jason and Eugene visited the symposium because the attendees have a common vision to leave the trade better than they found it, and they were impressed with the high-level questions and curiosity of the attendees. Eugene's session was about pressure enthalpy, drawing from his book, Pressure Enthalpy Without Tears. He taught people how to read a pressure enthalpy chart and use their understanding of pressure enthalpy as a troubleshooting tool in the field and to gain a better understanding of the HVAC system. His goal is to teach technicians to seek more knowledge about the "how" and "why" of the systems they work on every day. He recommends that technicians become consumers of information; we have information available to us 24/7 and owe it to ourselves to take advantage of that and use it to educate customers.Jason led a session about low-GWP refrigerants and some of the upcoming changes they're bringing to the industry; Don Gillis and Dr. Chuck Allgood from Chemours were also on that panel. Jason was impressed with the attendees' knowledge of the refrigerant transition. He recommends that technicians "Google responsibly;" he encourages us to learn how to identify trustworthy sources and dubious ones so that we can be sure we're getting the correct information.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Emerson White-Rodgers demonstrates New Integrated Furnace Controls Universal Replacement HVAC School 2023-01-21 | At the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Bert checks in with Jim Fultz from Emerson White-Rodgers, who demonstrates the capabilities of the new 50M56X-843 Integrated Furnace Controls Universal Replacement. The two also say a few words about the Emerson White-Rodgers Universal Premium Flame Sensor and All-Spark ignition module.The new board essentially combined the best qualities of two previously released boards, the 50M56U-843 (single-stage HSI integrated furnace control for PSC motors) and the 50X57-843 (single-stage HSI integrated furnace control for X13 motors). It can replace furnace controls for systems with PSC or X13 motors (550+ cross-references) without all the harnesses; the control can configure everything that is plugged into it without you worrying about harnesses or DIP switches. The 50M56X-843 also allows thermostat wires to plug into it directly and has test pins for flame sensing. It also has an LED display that shows exactly what is happening; it can alternate between showing the operating mode and the operating current, so you don't need to use a meter to test your flame sensor. The LED display will also show the error code when the board detects a problem.These boards work well with Emerson White-Rodgers Universal Premium Flame Sensor, which comes with a cross-reference chart you can use to bend or cut it to replace over 1000 OEM parts.Like the Emerson White-Rodgers All-Spark, the 50M56X-843 also uses near-field communication (NFC) technology for quick and easy configuration through the WR Connect app on your smartphone. You don't need an internet connection, cellular data, or power to the control to configure it with your smartphone. The app can also let you adjust the cool, heat, or fan settings on/off and offers a diagnostics tab. Learn more about the 50M56X-843 at climate.emerson.com/en-us/shop/1/white-rodgers-sku-50m56x-843.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Andy Holt from Outdoor University has a Conversation with Bert HVAC School 2023-01-21 | Andy Holt from Outdoor University has a conversation with Bert about life and the HVAC trade. The 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium was Andy's first, and he talks a bit about his session on soft skills as well.Andy is a 3rd-generation contractor who eventually combined his passion for HVAC training and love of the outdoors to create Outdoor University, his training and consulting business. Even though Andy does teach some hard skills at Outdoor University, his two-day educational course in the great outdoors focuses heavily on soft skills, work-life balance and improving personal obstacles (the 24-hour man), and psychic income. He tells Bert about some of his training tools and philosophies that really drive home the fact that we're in a "people business."Andy also has a pricing software system called Silver Bullet. It's a retail price proposal system to help technicians come up with four prices, including financing options, after assessing the repairs that must be made.Customers are not interested in our tools; they compliment us based on how we made them feel. Andy's classes and tools teach us how to work with different personality types and think like a customer.Andy's top tips help technicians deal with their personal lives, especially when it comes to setting a good example for their children. He also incorporates some psychology into his life lessons and training; he promotes logical thinking, positive self-talk, and forgiveness.Learn more about Outdoor University at toprate.com/camp.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Parker Sporlan Demonstrates ZoomLock Fittings HVAC School 2023-01-21 | Bert checks in with Mallory David from Parker Sporlan at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium as she demonstrates the use of braze-free ZoomLock MAX and ZoomLock PUSH fittings. ZoomLock MAX is the press-to-connect fitting, and ZoomLock PUSH is the push-to-connect fitting.ZoomLock PUSH fittings come in two varieties: removable and optimized. The removable style has a plastic lip, allowing it to be removed even after installation with a proper tool, and has an O-ring that is compatible with R-22. PUSH fittings can withstand up to 870 PSI, meaning that leaks are most likely caused by improper installation rather than the fittings themselves.ZoomLock MAX fittings are rated to withstand 700 PSI. The tool and jaw provide three points of pressure before, after, and on the O-ring, giving you a leak-free seal every time. For best results, clean the copper tubing before adding the ZoomLock fitting, preferably with Scotch-Brite. You'll also want to check for ridges on the copper, which may create leak points for the refrigerant. It's also best to use a depth gauge and mark the tubing with a Sharpie. Then, you just push on the fitting until it clicks. Then, you align the O-ring with your pressing tool and press it to make a leak-free seal.ZoomLock also has pre-made flare fitting options available; these can especially come in handy on ductless installations.Learn more about ZoomLock at http://solutions.parker.com/flame-free.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Dr. Allison Bailes Discusses His New Book HVAC School 2023-01-20 | Bert talks to Dr. Allison Bailes from Energy Vanguard, who discusses his new book about building science, "A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?" Dr. Bailes also talks a bit about the session he led at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, ''Solving the Ventilation Puzzle."When a house has gaps, the air that could enter could be low-quality air from crawl spaces, garages, etc. Instead, an airtight house allows us to control ventilation better, which can help us create conditions with higher indoor air quality. Ventilation is just one piece of the IAQ puzzle, and airtightness and source control are key parts of that. Source control requires us to remove sources of poor indoor air quality. Moisture control is another key element, meaning that we have to remove humidity in humid climates and add just the right amount in dry climates. Filtration is another key part, especially by using MERV 13 filtration with a minimal pressure drop across the filter; proper sizing is crucial. Dr. Bailes also gives some tips for success in the industry, including questioning things you've been told and making sure you keep learning.Check out Dr. Bailes's book at energyvanguard.com/book-house-needs-breathe-or-does-it.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposium.Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com/.
Tony Gonzalez Introduces New Fieldpiece Combustion Analyzer HVAC School 2023-01-20 | Bert speaks with Tony Gonzalez at the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. In this video, Tony talks a bit about the tried and true Job Link tools and also introduces the all-new Fieldpiece combustion analyzer!Tony spoke at the symposium about leveraging wireless technology to make troubleshooting and diagnosis easier; he talked about how technology did not replace knowledge but adapted and made readings more reliable, accurate, and able to be taken simultaneously, saving time in the field. Fieldpiece Job Link tools allow technicians to take multiple accurate measurements for faster diagnosis wirelessly. The Job Link manometers also come with independent pressure sensors, meaning that you can measure two separate pressures, not just a differential between two points.The Job Link product line also comes with highly accurate RapidRail temperature clamps, which clamp to the refrigerant lines, incorporate the copper's conductivity into the readings, and are more accurate than K-type thermocouples.Fieldpiece also recently introduced two versions of its combustion analyzer. These models are aimed at maximizing uptime and reducing tool maintenance costs over time. The tools' sensors are sealed from the air upon the tool's shutdown, preventing degradation and allowing them to last up to four years. The sensors are also replaceable in the field. The CAT85 model also has a hydrocycle pump that condenses flue gases and spits the condensation out into the flue, which eliminates the need for a water trap.Learn more about Fieldpiece products at fieldpiece.com/.Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposiumRead all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com
Andrew Greaves Demonstrates NTB7L Power Tubing Bender HVAC School 2023-01-20 | At the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Bert catches up with Andrew Greaves from NAVAC, who demonstrates the use of NAVAC's new NTB7L Power Tubing Bender. Andrew gives an overview of the tool and uses it to bend some copper tubing. He also shows some other NAVAC products.NAVAC's NTB7L Power Tubing Bender is a cordless tool, just like the battery-operated flaring tool and tubing expander. These compact, highly portable tools make it easy for technicians to shape copper tubing in the field. The NTB7L can consistently bend 7/8" tubing and get about 100 bends out of a single battery charge.The NTB7L comes with one T-bar that works for tubing anywhere from 1/4" to 7/8"; different sizes can be achieved with adjustable guides. When it's time to back the tubing out of the tool, the plate rises and pops the tubing out for easy use. The finished product is wrinkle-free and can be deburred, flared, or swaged immediately after being bent. There is also a reverse bending attachment, which comes in handy when making an inside bend isn't practical in the field, especially if the tubing is in a tight area.Check out Andrew's YouTube channel @AKHVAC. Learn more about the 4th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at hvacrschool.com/symposiumRead all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com
