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
Escúchala gratis

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
  • Building Science at the Kitchen Table: Using Testing to Close the Sale

    Building Science at the Kitchen Table: Using Testing to Close the Sale
    Apr 2 2026
    Recorded live at the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, this episode brings together Roman from HVAC School and building science practitioner Brynn for a deep-dive conversation on one of the most pressing challenges in the HVAC industry: how contractors can use building science principles not just to solve problems, but to communicate value and close sales at the kitchen table. With 26 years of industry experience and 15 years of consistently applying building science in his contracting business, Brynn shares the process his team has refined to help homeowners understand their comfort problems — and confidently invest in the right solutions. Central to the conversation is the idea that testing — not guessing — is the foundation of a great HVAC business. Brynn outlines his team's "big three" diagnostic approach: starting with indoor air quality testing, followed by a load calculation using a LIDAR tool, and finishing with a duct evaluation. These three steps give technicians the data they need to tie findings directly to a homeowner's stated concerns. Rather than overwhelming customers with spreadsheets and raw numbers, the goal is to present information in a way that connects with their lived experience — validating that their hot rooms, cold spots, or humidity discomfort are real, measurable problems with real, measurable solutions. Brynn's team can complete a full load calculation in as little as 20 minutes on-site, a capability that routinely impresses homeowners and sets them apart from competitors. The episode also tackles the business case for slowing down. Rather than rushing technicians through six to eight calls a day, Brynn's company reduced daily call volume to two to four, giving technicians time to perform thorough diagnostics. The result? Ticket sales increased, replacement opportunities grew organically, and install callbacks dropped to a remarkable half of one percent, compared to an industry average closer to ten percent. Roman and Brynn agree that adopting building science practices isn't about overhauling your business overnight. The key is to start with one skill — like combustion testing or airflow measurement — master it, embed it in company culture, and build from there. Over time, these small habits compound into a business that delivers on its promises every time. Beyond the technical content, the conversation wraps with a heartfelt discussion about workforce development and the GRIT Foundation, a nonprofit working to reintroduce skilled trades exposure to young people. With shop classes having largely disappeared from schools across the country, Brynn and Roman emphasize the importance of giving children the chance to discover a passion for hands-on work. Brynn's team hosted a GRIT camp in Detroit, and one participant has since enrolled in HVAC college — a reminder that sparking curiosity early can change the trajectory of a young person's life. Contractors interested in Brynn's training programs and building science bootcamps can find more information at HVACTrain.com. Topics Covered The culture and community of the HVACR Symposium and why first-time attendees always come backWhy building science can feel intimidating to contractors — and how to simplify it for customer conversationsBrynn's "big three" on-site diagnostics: indoor air quality testing, load calculation, and duct evaluationHow to ask the right questions first — understanding the customer's pain before running testsUsing data to validate homeowner concerns (hot rooms, cold spots, humidity issues) rather than dismissing themCompleting a full load calculation in 20 minutes using LiDAR tools and tablet softwarePresenting test results with third-party references (EPA, American Lung Association) to build trustWhy oversized HVAC equipment is the rule, not the exception — and what the data shows across thousands of homesThe business case for slowing down: fewer daily calls, better diagnostics, higher ticket sales, fewer callbacksReducing install callbacks from an industry average of ~10% to just 0.5% through building science practicesHow to implement building science incrementally: start with one practice, make it a habit, then build from thereUsing platforms like measureQuick and Smart Probe for ongoing performance verificationMitigating legal and financial risk on larger residential and multi-family projects through proper documentationBuilding a word-of-mouth reputation that eliminates the need for active marketingThe GRIT Foundation: reintroducing skilled trades to young people and inspiring the next generation of HVAC professionalsWhere to find Brynn's contractor bootcamps, online classes, and workforce development seminars at HVACTrain.com Learn more about Brynn's education opportunities at https://www.hvactrain.com/. 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 ...
    Más Menos
    36 m
  • Hard Lessons w/ Roman, Tim D., Nathan O. and ELK

    Hard Lessons w/ Roman, Tim D., Nathan O. and ELK
    Mar 31 2026

    Join industry veterans Tim De Stasio, Roman Baugh, Eric Kaiser, and Nathan Orr as they share their most memorable HVAC lessons learned the HARD WAY. This unfiltered conversation from the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium reveals the real stories behind costly errors, dangerous situations, and valuable HVAC training moments that shaped their careers.

    What You'll Learn:

    • Critical refrigerant handling mistakes and their consequences
    • Combustion safety lessons that could save lives
    • Chemical safety protocols every technician must know
    • Equipment installation errors and how to avoid them
    • Real-world troubleshooting failures and solutions

    From seized compressors and ruptured refrigerant lines to dangerous gas leaks and combustion incidents, these HVAC professionals hold nothing back. Each story comes with crucial HVAC/R lessons that can help you avoid making the same mistakes.

    Whether you're a seasoned technician or just starting your HVAC career, these hard-earned insights will help you work safer, smarter, and more professionally.

    Remember: The best lessons are often learned the HARD WAY by others. Learn from these experiences so you don't have to repeat them!

    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.
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Better Seen than Viewed w/ Jim Bergmann

    Better Seen than Viewed w/ Jim Bergmann
    Mar 26 2026
    In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, host Bryan reconnects with Jim Bergmann of measureQuick after nearly three years apart. The reunion is anything but ordinary — Jim opens up about a serious battle with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma that sent him through not one but two rounds of chemotherapy, ultimately requiring a cutting-edge CAR-T cell immunotherapy treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Jim shares the remarkable medical journey of having his T cells extracted, genetically modified in a Maryland lab, and reintroduced into his body to permanently attack cancer cells. Now past the critical six-month remission milestone, Jim is back, healthy, and more motivated than ever to push the HVAC diagnostics industry forward. From his medical comeback, the conversation transitions naturally into what Jim loves most: the world of HVAC diagnostics and the evolution of measureQuick. After years of defending a per-use pricing model that the market simply didn't embrace, Jim candidly admits the old model wasn't working. With the help of business partner Eric Preston (formerly of TruTech Tools), the team overhauled the software's pricing structure in February — a move that has since driven 90%+ customer retention and accelerated growth significantly. The new focus is squarely on "time to value," streamlining workflows so technicians reach key diagnostic reports faster than ever before. A significant portion of the episode dives into how measureQuick is thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence. Rather than chasing AI trends, Jim and his team — including AI specialist Ben Reed — took a deliberate approach: identifying the precise areas where AI genuinely helps technicians without creating distractions. The standout use case is label identification, where AI reads equipment labels and auto-populates system profiles. Jim is refreshingly candid about AI's limitations in HVAC diagnostics, explaining that the field variability of real-world systems (varying line set lengths, mismatched equipment, non-standard airflow conditions) makes purely AI-driven diagnostics unreliable. Instead, measureQuick leans on first-principle modeling and non-dimensional mathematics to generate objective, data-driven results. The episode closes with a thought-provoking discussion about the state of the HVAC industry at large. Bryan and Jim tackle the growing influence of private equity consolidation, the persistent problem of technicians skipping probe deployment, the difference between clearing faults and actually fixing them, and the importance of commissioning and retro-commissioning equipment to manufacturer design intent. Throughout it all, the conversation is anchored by a shared belief: that measuring everything — in business and on the job — is the foundation of genuine, lasting improvement. It's a must-listen for any HVAC professional or business owner who wants to understand where the industry is headed. Topics Covered Jim's cancer diagnosis: non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma and the progression from standard chemo to aggressive relapseCAR-T cell immunotherapy explained: how T cells are extracted, genetically modified, and reintroduced to fight cancer permanentlyJim's recovery at the Cleveland Clinic and surpassing the critical six-month remission milestoneNeurotoxicity as a side effect of CAR-T therapy and what that experience was likeThe pivot away from measureQuick's per-use pricing model and the dramatic improvement in retention after switchingThe "time to value" philosophy driving measureQuick's new hybrid workflow interfaceHow measureQuick is integrating AI — and where AI falls short in real-world HVAC diagnosticsLabel identification as the most practical current AI application in field diagnosticsWhy AI is highly sycophantic and the danger of relying on subjective, internet-sourced training data for HVAC decisionsThe power of measureQuick's proprietary measurement data and target zones as a foundation for AI summariesFirst-principle modeling and non-dimensional mathematics: why brand-agnostic diagnostics workThe importance of deploying all nine probes on every air conditioning service callBenchmarking vs. commissioning vs. retro-commissioning: the three layers of equipment assessmentDesign temperature difference: measuring evaporator and condenser delta-T as engineering benchmarksHow ECM motors mask airflow problems — and why that leads to premature motor failure and higher energy costsThe two "elephants in the room": incomplete probe deployment and clearing faults without fixing themWhy clearing a fault in measureQuick without addressing the root cause is like putting duct tape over a check engine lightHow poor installation practices in high-growth markets (Florida, Texas, Arizona, Las Vegas) have created widespread system deficienciesThe role of private equity in HVAC consolidation and why many PE firms add cost without adding valueWhy implementing field measurement systems like measureQuick is the ...
    Más Menos
    34 m
Todas las estrellas
Más relevante
I've listened to a few other hvac podcasts lately and they are painful. This one is actually really really good.

Really good!

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.
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

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.
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

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.
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

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.
I’m new to the trade and love the way you explain it.
Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Se ha producido un error. Vuelve a intentarlo dentro de unos minutos.
Ver más opiniones