HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan opens this conversation with Ty Branaman, Head of Training at the GRIT Foundation, by digging into a question that anchors everything else in the episode: what is trades education actually for? Ty's answer is unambiguous — it's about people, not information. He describes his own struggle with traditional, reading-heavy instruction and explains how that personal experience shaped his teaching method, one built around making concepts visible, relevant, and hands-on. Bryan builds on the idea, arguing that education is too often treated as a simple transfer of information when it's really a deeply human exchange, a kind of gift passed from one person to another through real, physical, kinesthetic experience rather than passive reading or watching.
From there, the conversation turns to artificial intelligence, the central topic of the episode. Ty is careful to clarify that he isn't anti-AI; he uses it daily to clean up grammar, soften prickly emails, and refine images. His concern is specifically about AI replacing the human elements of teaching — the mentor a student looks up to, the instructor who visibly cares whether someone actually learns. Bryan adds a related warning about AI confidently producing false information, citing examples from law and HVAC alike, and introduces the idea of an "AI human sandwich," where human creativity starts the process, AI assists in the middle, and a human vets and rehumanizes whatever comes out the other end.
Much of the discussion circles back to Ty's long-standing frustration with PowerPoint-driven training, and how AI threatens to make that problem worse by adding a synthetic avatar to read slides aloud instead of fixing the underlying issue. He recounts being written up at a previous job for skipping a PowerPoint lecture to take students into the lab, and shares a favorite teaching memory from Kalos, where an instructor named Burt used the Socratic method to walk trainees through assembling Unistrut by hand. Stories like the blower-wheel, set-screw lesson — where students learn far more by struggling through a mistake than by hearing the right answer recited to them — reinforce the episode's larger argument: hands-on repetition simply cannot be replaced by slides or scripts.
The episode closes on the mission of the GRIT Foundation and the broader case for investing in human mentors rather than administrative shortcuts. Ty and Bryan talk about the cost and effort behind genuinely human-made training videos from creators like Craig Migliaccio and SkillCat, contrasting that investment with how easily AI could fake the same content for far less. Bryan shares a personal story about teaching basic electrical work in Haiti and the unforgettable reaction of an elderly student who lit up the moment her circuit worked, while Ty reflects on the mentors who shaped his own career. Both agree that AI can support trades education, but it can never substitute for a person who genuinely cares whether someone learns.
Topics Covered
Why trades education is fundamentally about people, not the transfer of information
Where AI genuinely helps: grammar and tone, reassembling ideas, image editing, and basic legal or HR research
The line Ty draws — using AI to assist a person is fine, using it to replace one is not
The risk of AI confidently presenting false information, and why everything still has to be fact-checked
Bryan's "AI human sandwich" framework for using the tool responsibly
Ty's long-running critique of PowerPoint-heavy training and how AI avatars make the problem worse
Classroom stories: getting written up for skipping a PowerPoint, the blower-wheel set-screw lesson, and Bert's Socratic-method exercise with Unistrut at Kalos
The GRIT Foundation's commitment to hands-on, mentor-led learning over app-based or AI-generated content
The human effort behind training videos from creators like Craig Migliaccio and SkillCat
Personal mentorship stories, including a memorable lesson in Haiti and the mentors who shaped both guests' careers

 
Learn more about the GRIT Foundation at https://www.thegritfoundation.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 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.
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In this short Q&A podcast episode, Bryan answers a question from Evan, a licensed mold assessment consultant, about system oversizing: What can be done when an HVAC system is oversized to control humidity and keep occupants comfortable?
The extent of the problem will depend on how badly the equipment is oversized, whether it has any turn-down or staging, and how the latent capacity is set up. To make the equipment work as best as it can, reducing the airflow to about 350 CFM per ton can help, as well as properly setting up dehumidification modes. The downside to slower airflow is a likely increase in cabinet and duct sweating.
In brand-new houses, it may be possible to swap the condenser (though it may be unlikely with the recent refrigerant change) and then drop airflow at the air handler. You can use AHRI's data to look for a possible match and then check the manufacturer's expanded performance data to verify whether a new condenser is a match. 
It's also possible to decouple the latent and sensible loads by installing a dehumidifier. However, completely decoupling the loads is not always practical, as a properly-sized HVAC system is the main source of dehumidification (and the dehumidifier fills in the gaps). Dehumidifiers need to be installed properly (with the supply ducted into the supply duct). 
Intentionally derating the equipment's cooling capacity, such as via reheat, will turn it into a better dehumidifier, but you're still adding sensible BTUs and need to be aware of the consequences of that, including higher power bills. You can use electric reheat, remove insulation, or remove shades from windows. Using a smaller compressor until the system can be replaced and downsized would achieve a similar effect but comes with other negative consequences.
Right-sizing equipment, load-matching, and managing air movement and heat transfer are ultimately the keys to preventing moisture problems.
 
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 8th 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.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, Bryan sits down with Kelsey Hei and Andy Fox from 3M Filtrete to pull back the curtain on what really goes into a quality air filter. Most homeowners — and even some contractors — think of air filters as simple screens that catch dust, but as this episode makes clear, modern filter technology is anything but simple. From proprietary nonwoven fiber structures to electrostatic charging that turns fibers into "magnets" for microscopic particles, the science behind a great air filter is both fascinating and critically important for equipment health and the air we breathe every day.
The conversation digs deep into why MERV 13 has become the gold standard recommendation from organizations like the EPA and CDC — especially in the wake of COVID-19 and worsening wildfire seasons across the country. While higher MERV ratings deliver better particle capture, they can also mean higher pressure drop, which strains HVAC equipment. This is where Filtrete's MPR 1900 filter stands out: it achieves MERV 13 performance while maintaining a pressure drop comparable to most MERV 8 filters — roughly half that of leading competitors. That balance between filtration efficiency and airflow resistance is something 3M has spent over 35 years engineering.
One of the most compelling segments focuses on real-world testing. Rather than relying solely on lab data, 3M runs extensive in-home studies — placing filters in dozens of homes during Minnesota winters, then retrieving and analyzing them to measure real-life efficiency and pressure drop. This commitment to real-world validation ensures Filtrete's claims hold up in the messy, variable conditions of actual homes, not just controlled lab environments. Bryan and the guests also discuss how overloaded or collapsed filters can cause serious equipment issues, including frozen coils and system shutdowns in extreme cases — underscoring why filter quality and regular replacement matter enormously.
The episode wraps with practical advice for contractors and homeowners alike: if you're installing a new system, push for a four- or five-inch filter slot to maximize surface area, lower ongoing pressure drop, and extend filter life. For existing one-inch slots, the MPR 1900 is the top pick. The Filtrete Smart App is also highlighted as a handy tool for setting filter change reminders and monitoring local air quality — making it easier than ever for consumers to stay on top of their indoor air health.
Topics Covered
·       3M Filtrete's history — 35+ years of indoor air quality innovation, owning the full manufacturing value chain from raw fiber to finished filter
·       The three pillars of air filter design — Efficiency, pressure drop, and air filter lifetime — and how they must be balanced
·       Nonwoven media explained — Why random fiber orientation captures particles more effectively than woven fabrics
·       Electrostatic charging technology — How fibers are engineered to attract and trap microscopic particles
·       Charge stability over time — Shelf life testing and real-world in-home studies to verify long-term performance
·       Why MERV 13 matters — EPA, CDC, and ASHRAE recommendations; effectiveness against bacteria, viruses, allergens, and wildfire smoke
·       Pressure drop and airflow — How high-resistance air filters strain equipment, raise energy bills, and can cause system failures
·       MPR 1900 spotlight — MERV 13 filtration at MERV 8 pressure drop, with publicly available data through the California Energy Commission
·       California Energy Commission database — Publicly available pressure drop and efficiency data on every filter sold in the U.S.
·       Pleats and surface area — Why having more pleats equals better dust-holding capacity and a longer filter life
·       Frame strength and bypass prevention — How structural integrity affects real-world performance over the filter's lifespan
·       MPR rating system explained — Microparticle Performance Rating: Filtrete's system focused on capturing the smallest, hardest-to-catch particles
·       Exceeding ASHRAE minimums — Filtrete's MERV 11, 12, and 13 filters all capture significantly more fine particles than the minimum standard requires
·       One-inch vs. four/five-inch filters — Why thicker filters are ideal for new installs and how to maximize one-inch slot performance
·       Energy consumption impact — How pressure drop affects fan wattage, system efficiency, and real annual utility costs
·       The Filtrete Smart App — Set filter change reminders at 30/60/90 days, store filter sizes, and get local air quality alerts
 
Learn more about Filtrete's air filters at filtrete.com or download the Filtrete Smart App on your Android or iOS smartphone. 
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 8th 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.

In this short podcast from the 8th HVACR Training Symposium's Bry-X stage, Ken Davis shares his experience as an HVAC contractor who has brought vital experience from high-performance medicine to High-Performance HVAC. Ken's experience comes from developing high-reliability organizations (HROs).
An HRO has a low fail rate in an industry where high fail rates aren't tolerated due to catastrophic consequences, such as in medicine, nuclear, and aviation industries. This model can also be applied to relatively low-risk industries, like HVAC, to help businesses perform better. Ken had the idea to use the HRO model when he witnessed a traumatic medical emergency and co-founded an air medical program that brought trauma management methods from the hospital to the field. These methods bought time to transport patients to the hospital and improved survivability outcomes; they could also be applied to relatively low-stakes HVAC work and produce better outcomes.
One of the key aspects of developing an HRO is to use checklists for complex tasks. Interactive checklists help people think through the procedure and see what they may have forgotten. They also make mistakes visible and show how change is possible; the HVAC professional just needs to have the desire to do better, which can be screened for during the hiring phase by searching for work ethic and personality over experience. 
As HVAC professionals, in addition to creating detailed checklists, we can start by getting better at the basics, such as evacuation, airflow measurement, and utilizing software tools like measureQuick. Load calculations are also important, as is the use of software to make sure they're accurate and aid with proper equipment selection. Improving ductwork also has the potential to produce much better outcomes for customers, regardless of whether you use flex or sheet metal ductwork. We can also use advanced tools and testing methodologies (like zonal pressure diagnostics and blower door tests) to sell upgrades that verifiably improve customer indoor air quality, such as dehumidification and better filtration.
 
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.

In this episode of the HVAC School Podcast, host Bryan sits down with Lenny from Copeland to explore how one of the most respected names in HVAC and refrigeration is actively investing in the next generation of technicians. Lenny leads Copeland's aftermarket demand creation efforts, which includes everything from working with wholesale networks and trade shows to educational partnerships with schools and nonprofit organizations. The conversation covers a wide range of initiatives aimed not just at recruiting people into the trades, but at giving them the tools and confidence to thrive long-term in the industry.
A major theme throughout the episode is Copeland's belief that workforce development is a shared responsibility across the entire industry chain — from manufacturers and parts suppliers to contractors and educators. Lenny describes how Copeland partners with organizations like SkillsUSA, Skills Canada, and the NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) to provide hands-on training opportunities and industry certifications to students in trade and tech schools. Copeland sends trainers to these competitions with mobile refrigeration simulators, where students troubleshoot real-world fault scenarios and receive detailed feedback afterward — making it both a competitive and educational experience.
The episode also dives deep into Copeland's Train-the-Trainer program, a cornerstone of their work with NC3 partner schools. Rather than simply handing schools a curriculum and walking away, Copeland brings educators through an intensive one-week program covering HVACR system fundamentals, troubleshooting, and compressor operation — complete with hands-on activities, refrigeration simulators, and even compressor teardowns. The goal is to ensure that instructors can confidently deliver accurate, field-relevant material to their students. Lenny emphasizes that Copeland intentionally avoids "death by PowerPoints," preferring interactive, application-based learning that mirrors what technicians actually encounter on the job.
On the technology side, the conversation highlights the newly unified Copeland Mobile app, which now integrates White-Rodgers tools alongside the existing Copeland suite. Features like Check and Charge, PT Pro, and Fault Finder help technicians quickly diagnose system issues in the field, while the AI-powered Scout tool allows users to query Copeland-approved engineering bulletins and product data for fast, accurate answers. Lenny and Bryan discuss why this kind of tightly controlled, manufacturer-backed AI is genuinely valuable — cutting through information overload so a tech on a rooftop can get the right answer quickly. The episode wraps up with details on the HVACR Tech Appreciation Day sweepstakes happening April 1 through June 30, where Copeland is giving away approximately $3,000 worth of tools as a thank-you to technicians across the industry.
Topics Covered
Lenny's role at Copeland and the scope of their aftermarket and education work
How Copeland approaches workforce development as an industry-wide responsibility
Copeland's involvement with SkillsUSA and Skills Canada — booths, judges, and mobile refrigeration training simulators
The NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) partnership and how it connects trade schools to industry certifications
Copeland's three-part curriculum: HVACR system fundamentals, troubleshooting, and compressor operation
The Train-the-Trainer program — how Copeland educates educators to deliver consistent, field-ready instruction
Hands-on learning philosophy: refrigeration trainers, scroll teardown kits, and compressor-in-a-suitcase tools available to schools
Virtual reality scroll teardown in development to bring factory experiences to the classroom
The newly integrated Copeland Mobile app — combining White-Rodgers and Copeland tools in one platform
App features: Check and Charge, PT Pro (with altitude settings), Fault Finder, and the 30-year products catalog
Scout — Copeland's AI tool that searches approved engineering bulletins and product data to answer field questions fast
Why manufacturer-controlled AI is a practical and trustworthy resource for technicians
The importance of retaining new technicians by giving them support systems so they aren't overwhelmed and don't wash out
HVACR Tech Appreciation Day — June 22nd — and the sweepstakes giving away ~$3,000 in tools (vacuum pump, recovery unit, core removal tool, gauge sets)
How to reach Copeland's Educational Services team: educationalservices.coldchain@copeland.com
Accessing educator resources on Copeland's website and the Copeland Mobile app
 
Copeland's Resources:
Sweepstakes: Enter Copeland's HVACR Technician Appreciation Sweepstakes before June 30th, 2026 at hvacrschool.com/copelandsweepstakes. 
Copeland Mobile App: apps.copeland.com/copelandmobile 
Educator Resources: https://www.copeland.com/en-us/training-support
Educational Services Email: educationalservices.coldchain@copeland.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 8th 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.