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PODCAST

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

business careers

All Episodes

09:57

How Duct Tape Got Its Name (and Why It Shouldn't Be...

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/11/04

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how duct tape got its name and why it shouldn't actually be used on ducts. Duct tape is a versatile home DIY-fix tool, but despite its name, it wasn't initially made to seal ducts at all. In 1943, we were in the thick of World War II, and ammo shipments were sealed with wax and paper tape. These were often not durable or difficult to open. Johnson & Johnson developed a tape with rubber adhesive on a cotton duck cloth backing (which was already widely

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01:07:21

The Art of De-escalation

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/30

In this comprehensive discussion, Bryan and Bert tackle one of the most critical yet underdeveloped skills in the trades: conflict resolution and de-escalation. They argue that poor conflict management is one of the primary reasons technicians lose jobs, damage team dynamics, and limit their career advancement. The conversation explores both customer-facing conflicts and internal team disputes, offering practical strategies grounded in real-world experience. The hosts distinguish between rational

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08:45

Legionnaires' Disease: The Cooling Tower Killer -...

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/28

In this spooky Halloween short podcast episode, Bryan tells the story of the cooling tower killer: Legionnaires' disease. In the summer of 1976, the nation celebrated its bicentennial anniversary. The American Legion was holding its 58th annual convention at the Bellevue Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. In the days following the convention, doctors in Philadelphia started noticing dozens of Legionnaires in their hospitals with high fevers, chills, coughs, and difficulty breathing. Their symptoms

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01:03:12

Group Training - What We Have Learned

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/23

In this episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with Bert and Leanna to discuss Kalos's first official cohort apprenticeship program, dubbed the "Launch Program." What started as Bryan's persistent idea—one that the team initially resisted as too expensive and logistically challenging—evolved into a transformative three-month training experience that brought 15 green apprentices through intensive classroom, lab, and field work across HVAC, electrical, and building automation systems

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07:23

How Air Conditioning Saved the Movies - Short #262

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/21

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explores an interesting story in the history of HVAC: how air conditioning saved the movies. In the summer of 1925 in NYC, a new film was set to appear on the big screen... but the theater was stuffy with no fan that could cool down the sheer mass of people packed into the room. People were uncomfortable, and theater attendance plummeted in the summer. The movie industry struggled to fill seats in the summer. Willis Carrier, who had solved humidity problems in

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55:58

Just Do it! w/ Chad Simpson

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/16

In this candid conversation recorded live at the NCI Summit in Austin, Bryan Orr sits down with Chad Simpson, owner of Simpson Solutions, for an unexpectedly revealing discussion about the reality of building a successful HVAC business. What makes this episode particularly compelling is Simpson's refreshing honesty about his struggles, failures, and the gradual transformation from a struggling contractor making $8 an hour to running a $28.5 million operation with healthy profit margins. Simpson's

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11:53

Analyst vs. PM vs. Operations - Short #261

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/14

In this short business-oriented podcast, Bryan breaks down the differences between three commonly confused positions/roles: analyst vs. PM (project management) vs. operations. When you own or work in a small business, you might wear a lot of hats: estimating, writing proposals, troubleshooting, being a customer or coworker's therapist, etc. This work can be organized, and problem-solving roles include analysts, project managers (PMs), and directly responsible individuals (DRIs). Sometimes, the same

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54:35

How to REALLY get S&!# Done! w/ Nate Agentis

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/09

In this powerful episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan sits down with Nate Agentis, third-generation plumber and author of Get Shit Done: How to Build a Strong Team, A Profitable Business, and a Lasting Legacy. Their conversation explores the intersection of personal health, business success, and meaningful leadership in the trades industry. Nate's journey from technician to business owner wasn't easy. After his grandfather built the family plumbing business from nothing, only to lose it to

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09:24

The Hidden Cost of Killing Radiant Load - Short #260

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/07

In this short podcast, Bryan talks about the hidden cost of killing radiant load, especially when it comes to installing radiant barriers in attics. We sometimes get service calls about ducts sweating when they never used to sweat. If there are no problems with the system (i.e., the refrigerant charge, static pressure, airflow, supply air temperature, and blower speeds are all good), this type of situation can be a head-scratcher. Ask a customer if they've made any changes to the attic or equipment

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48:51

Balance Point Explained w/ Jim Fultz

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/10/02

This comprehensive episode dives deep into one of the most critical yet misunderstood concepts in HVAC: balance point calculations for heat pump systems. Jim and Bryan break down the complexities of dual fuel systems, explaining why proper sizing and balance point calculations are essential for both comfort and efficiency. The discussion moves beyond basic definitions to provide practical guidance that contractors can immediately apply in the field. The conversation begins with fundamental

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08:24

Dehumidify with a Waterfall? - Short #259

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/30

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about history and HVAC science: how to dehumidify the air with a waterfall and how cold water became the first air conditioner. In 1902, Willis Carrier worked for a printing company in Brooklyn, New York. There was a huge humidity problem during the summer: the printing plant got damp, causing paper to swell and ink to smudge. Carrier realized that he could wring water out of the air if he brought the air's temperature below the dew point. His solution was

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01:19:21

What are User Requirements? w/ ELK

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/25

In this comprehensive session, Eric Kaiser walks through the critical importance of establishing proper user requirements before making equipment purchases. Drawing from real-world experiences in the HVAC industry, he demonstrates how poor upfront planning leads to costly mistakes, buyer's remorse, and multiple equipment purchases. The discussion covers everything from selecting simple tools like screwdrivers to complex HVAC system installations for residential and commercial applications. Eric

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10:02

Static Pressure is like Blood Pressure - Short #258

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/23

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains the science behind a common HVAC simile: static pressure is like blood pressure. He covers the similarities and differences between measuring static pressure during a service call or maintenance and a doctor measuring your blood pressure at a checkup. Total external static pressure (TESP) should be measured every time you perform service or maintenance on a unit. The exact test port location will vary between air handlers and furnaces; the coil adds

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01:10:15

How To Be a REAL Comfort Consultant

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/18

In this comprehensive episode, Bryan Orr sits down with Tim De Stasio to explore the world of comfort consulting and performance contracting in HVAC. Tim, who sold his contracting company to focus on this specialized field, shares his methodical approach to diagnosing home performance issues that go far beyond traditional HVAC troubleshooting. Working primarily in the humid coastal North Carolina market, Tim has developed a thorough process that treats the house as a complete system rather than just

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10:13

Non-bleed TXVs and Hard Starts - Short #257

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/16

In this short podcast episode, Bryan talks about non-bleed TXVs and whether they need hard starts. A non-bleed (hard shutoff) TXV is a metering device that shuts off during the off cycle; it closes shut when there is no superheat. This strategy prevents refrigerant migration, especially in cases where we have long line sets. Liquid refrigerant stays in the condenser and is kept out of the evaporator, suction line, and compressor crankcase. When we have a non-bleed TXV, the compressor may have a hard

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40:28

Scroll Compressors & New Refrigerants w/ Copeland

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/11

In this essential episode, Bryan sits down with Jeff and Tom from Copeland to dive deep into the world of scroll compressors and the critical topic of refrigerant compatibility. As the HVAC industry navigates new refrigerant standards and regulations, understanding how compressors are specifically designed and optimized for different refrigerants has never been more important. The conversation begins with a comprehensive overview of refrigerant classifications, focusing on the A1, A2L, and A3

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10:21

Leaky Ducts = Sweaty Houses - Short #256

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/09

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how leaky ducts can lead to sweaty, uncomfortable houses. Moisture issues are common all across humid and "green-grass" climates in the United States. Hot, unconditioned attics and crawl spaces also often have high dew points, which can cause moisture problems in those spaces. Plants also release moisture, so agricultural communities also have those special considerations. There are several HVAC and building design factors that can prevent or worsen

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41:44

Is Starting an HVAC Business Smart?

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/04

In this insightful episode of the HVAC School podcast, Bryan Orr sits down with successful small business owner Matt Bruner to discuss how to build and maintain a thriving HVAC business without the typical stress and overwhelming challenges that many entrepreneurs face. Matt, who has been running his own HVAC company for about two and a half years, shares his refreshingly honest perspective on small business ownership and debunks many of the common myths about entrepreneurial stress. Matt's

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15:05

The Downside to Intentionality - Short #255

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/09/02

In this business and building-oriented short podcast episode, Bryan discusses the limitations and downsides of intentionality. He also talks about the differences between people who act, think, and work quickly and those who are a bit slower, more detailed, and more methodical; there are upsides and downsides to both. People often talk about being intentional, but those intentions have little impact on the world unless they lead to action. Intentionality feels productive, but it doesn't make a

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50:43

What to Do in a Nuke Disaster - W/ Bill Nowicki

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs ·

2025/08/28

In this fascinating episode, Bryan welcomes back longtime friend and nuclear industry veteran Bill Nowicki to discuss a recently released document from DHS and NUSTL that provides new recommendations for HVAC operations during nuclear events. Bill brings over 40 years of nuclear experience, starting as a 19-year-old Navy nuclear operator (after being deemed "not ready for the grill" at Friendly's restaurant) and progressing through various roles, including lead engineer on critical control systems

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853 results

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