HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs Podcast Por Bryan Orr arte de portada

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

De: Bryan Orr
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HVAC School is the ever growing online source for real training topics for technicians in the Air-conditioning, Heating and Ventilation Fields. In the podcast, we will share recorded training, tech ride alongs, share challenging diagnostic scenarios. All to help make the industry, your company, and your truck a better place to be. Desarrollo Personal Economía Exito Profesional Éxito Personal
Episodios
  • What to Do in a Nuke Disaster - W/ Bill Nowicki

    What to Do in a Nuke Disaster - W/ Bill Nowicki
    Aug 28 2025
    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 at nuclear facilities. Bill shares his journey from nuclear plant evaluator to leadership trainer, now working internationally to help nuclear professionals develop their skills. His current podcast, "The Nuclear Leader," continues this mission alongside his passion project, "Navigating Mental Illness: Parent Stories." Bill provides an accessible explanation of nuclear reactor operations, using the analogy that "contamination is the poop and radiation is the smell" to help listeners understand the difference between radioactive material and radiation itself. He walks through the three-barrier system in nuclear plants: fuel cladding, reactor coolant system, and containment structures. The discussion covers how fission works, the controlled chain reaction process, and what happens when these systems fail, using examples from Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima to illustrate different failure modes. The episode explores the current nuclear renaissance driven by AI data centers and industrial companies seeking clean baseload power. Bill explains how private industry is now directly funding nuclear projects, bypassing traditional utility structures, with companies like Microsoft and ExxonMobil investing billions in new nuclear facilities. This represents a dramatic shift from the post-Three Mile Island era when nuclear construction essentially stopped in the United States. The core discussion focuses on updated emergency guidance that reverses previous recommendations. Instead of the old "shelter in place and shut off your AC" advice, the new guidance suggests keeping HVAC systems running while eliminating outdoor air intake. This approach recognizes that modern, well-sealed buildings with high-efficiency filtration can provide better protection by maintaining positive pressure and filtering recirculated air rather than allowing uncontrolled infiltration. Bill and Bryan discuss how building characteristics dramatically affect the best response strategy. High-performance homes with tight construction, MERV 13+ filters, and controlled ventilation systems offer significant advantages, requiring only the ability to shut off outdoor air intake. Conversely, older, leaky buildings may still benefit from complete system shutdown to prevent contamination circulation. The conversation highlights how lessons learned during COVID-19 about airborne contamination and filtration directly apply to nuclear emergency preparedness, emphasizing the importance of case-by-case analysis rather than one-size-fits-all approaches. Topics Covered Nuclear industry career paths - From Navy nuclear training to civilian plant operations and leadership rolesBasic nuclear physics - Fission process, chain reactions, and the difference between contamination and radiationNuclear plant safety systems - Three-barrier containment approach and historical accident analysisCurrent nuclear renaissance - AI-driven power demand and private industry investment in new reactorsEmergency preparedness evolution - How COVID-19 research influenced nuclear emergency HVAC guidanceBuilding performance factors - Impact of construction quality, filtration, and ventilation design on safetyHVAC system modifications - Importance of outdoor air shutoff capability and high-efficiency filtrationCase-by-case response strategies - Why building characteristics determine optimal emergency proceduresPodcasting journey - Early days of niche podcasting and building communities around specialized topicsLeadership development - International nuclear industry training and professional developmentPersonal stories - Navy submarine experiences and nuclear plant operational challenges Here is the full document from the DHS: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2425/ML24250A059.pdf Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android
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    51 m
  • Making Stuff Real - Short #254

    Making Stuff Real - Short #254
    Aug 26 2025

    In this short podcast episode about a bigger-picture topic, Bryan talks about making stuff real. He talks about how to make ideas, businesses, podcasts, and other large projects come to life based on his experiences with HVAC School, Kalos, and several other current and past projects.

    Understanding yourself and the thing you want to do is the first key to making things real. You need to be able to speak intelligently about a topic (without sounding pretentious); mastery isn't always the goal, but you need to have some level of understanding of the general topic and your own strengths and weaknesses. Starting a business requires you to acquire at least a working knowledge of software, compliance, insurance, licenses, and other items related to that particular business. You also want to avoid relying solely on someone else's vision or advice for your project.

    Then, curiosity and exploration are key; you need to get practice and immerse yourself in the work to get an understanding of the process and your strengths and weaknesses. It's okay if your work doesn't look good; you just need experience, not affirmation, early on.

    Hiring good people also matters; these people don't need to be perfect, but they need to be growth-oriented and reliable. You'll also likely work with people who are poor fits before finding the right person for your business or project. When you have the right people on your team, you need to be consistent, communicate clearly, pay well and on time, and provide plenty of meaningful work.

    Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

    Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

    Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

    Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android
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    17 m
  • Is HVAC School Worth It?

    Is HVAC School Worth It?
    Aug 21 2025
    In this comprehensive discussion, Bryan sits down with Brad Cooper, an experienced HVAC instructor from Arkansas, and JD Kelly, a trade school graduate, to tackle one of the most pressing questions in the HVAC industry: Is trade school worth it? Rather than offering a simple yes or no answer, the trio dives deep into the nuanced factors that determine whether trade school provides real value for aspiring HVAC technicians. The conversation begins with Brad's unique perspective as both a field technician with over 20 years of experience and a current instructor who transitioned to teaching five years ago. His father's business background and the common frustration of having to "go behind people and fix stuff" motivated Brad to enter education, believing that proper training from the start could eliminate many field problems. JD brings the student perspective, having attended trade school while working full-time, which gives him insight into both the challenges and benefits of formal HVAC education. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on what to look for when evaluating trade schools. The guests emphasize that the investment in laboratory equipment and facilities often reflects the school's commitment to the program - you can tell immediately upon walking into a lab whether the institution truly prioritizes HVAC education. They stress the importance of accreditation, particularly from organizations like HVAC Excellence, which provides regular oversight and ensures schools meet industry standards. The conversation reveals that accreditation isn't just about having a certificate on the wall; it represents a school's willingness to submit to external scrutiny and maintain educational quality. The discussion also addresses the critical balance between theoretical knowledge and practical application. All three speakers agree that the most valuable trade school experiences combine classroom learning with real-world field exposure through partnerships with local contractors, apprenticeship programs, or internship opportunities. They emphasize that instructor quality matters more than having the latest equipment - a humble, field-experienced teacher who can adapt to different student skill levels and learning styles proves far more valuable than someone with extensive theoretical knowledge but limited practical experience. Topics Covered School Evaluation Criteria Laboratory equipment quality and investment levelsAccreditation importance (particularly HVAC Excellence)Modern tools vs. traditional equipment balanceManufacturer partnerships and industry connections Instructor Qualifications Field experience vs. teaching credentialsImportance of humility and adaptabilityManaging diverse skill levels in the classroomStorytelling and practical application methods Program Length and Structure Comparison of certificate programs vs. associate degreesBenefits of two-year programs for comprehensive learningIntegration of on-the-job training and apprenticeshipsRealistic expectations for different program lengths Hands-On Learning Importance of repetition and practical experienceManaging consumable materials and budget constraintsReal-world equipment exposure vs. lab simulationsPeer mentoring and collaborative learning approaches Student Readiness and Expectations Managing diverse student backgrounds and skill levelsRealistic employer expectations for graduatesThe value of combining school with field experiencePersonal responsibility in education and continuous learning Industry Connections Importance of school-contractor partnershipsField trip opportunities and manufacturer relationshipsBridging the gap between classroom and real-world applicationThe role of apprenticeships in comprehensive training Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android
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    43 m
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valuable information for techs by techs right on. Perfect title for Podcast. Looking forward to applying for the scholarship. I'm interested in the apprenticeship and learning the trade.

Relevant Topics

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I've listened to a few other hvac podcasts lately and they are painful. This one is actually really really good.

Really good!

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Bryan Orr is a great instructor. He is very knowledgeable. He has experts from various parts of the industry as guests. He goes above and beyond to give back to the HVACR industry. he has helped me to become a better technician. so grateful for the content he provides.

amazing HVACR podcast

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The podcasters are easy to listen to, not hard on the ears. The HVAC & related material are always informative & applicable. I appreciate these audios.

Informative & Enjoyable

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I’m new to the trade and love the way you explain it.
Thank you so much.

Thank you.

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Great educational speakers and great industry information. Would highly recommend to anyone in HVAC industry. Also has great plugs for great industry tech.

Great educational speakers and great industry information.

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