Podcasts about Refrigeration

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we cover electricity basics for refrigeration technicians - using and checking a meter, electrical safety, and key terms including voltage (electrical pressure), current (flow of electrons), resistance (opposition to flow), and Ohm's Law. We'll also review electrical terminology and walk through circuits, finding breaks in the path, the difference between series and parallel circuits, AC vs DC, conductors vs insulators, open/closed/short conditions wiring diagrams. Strong electrical fundamentals are critical for refrigeration technicians and will help you reduce troubleshooting time, callbacks, and jobs stress. In this episode, we discuss: (00:47) Meters And Electrical Basics (02:21) Voltage Current Resistance (05:18) Ohm's Law (06:16) Power Watts And Horsepower (08:10) Circuits And Breaks (10:01) Series Vs Parallel (11:46) AC Vs DC Power (14:05) Open, Closed And Shorts (15:39) Wiring Diagrams And Electrical Safety Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 371. A 6-Step Process for Faster Electrical Troubleshooting Episode 323. Electrical Troubleshooting 101 Episode 259. CO2 Experts Live: Electrical Troubleshooting with Rusty Walker

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about why the technicians who consistently invest in themselves are the ones who level up the fastest. Technical skills are only one part of becoming a great refrigeration technician—communication, customer service, leadership, problem-solving, and personal development all play a major role. I'll share real-world examples of technicians who have grown into leadership roles, built new areas of business, and even outgrown their companies by putting their careers ahead of simply doing their day jobs. We'll also discuss the value of mentorship, structured learning, finding your biggest knowledge gaps, and deliberately working on the things that make you uncomfortable. In this episode, we cover: (03:00) The Skills Beyond Technical Troubleshooting (04:00) Moving From Technician To Manager (05:00) Why Mentorship Can Accelerate Your Learning (06:00) Learning From Other Technicians' Experience (07:13) Developing Communication And Customer Service Skills (08:00) Dealing With Difficult Customers And Repeat Service Calls (10:00) The Difference Between Average And Great Technicians (12:00) Using Manuals And Resources To Solve Problems (13:00) Building Your Own Learning Library (16:00) Putting Your Career Ahead Of Your Job (17:00) Building A Broader Portfolio Of Refrigeration Skills Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 39. Invest In Your Refrigeration Knowledge Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 392. Transitioning From Technician to Manager: Building Leadership Skills in Refrigeration with Todd Ernest of Climate Pros

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about the growing skills and knowledge gap in the refrigeration industry and why that gap represents a massive opportunity. With more experienced technicians retiring, increasingly complex equipment and new technologies like CO2 and A2Ls entering the field, the demand for highly skilled refrigeration technicians continues to grow. We talk about specialization, learning controls, startups and commissioning, becoming more resourceful, and building the skills that allow refrigeration technicians to solve harder problems and command higher wages. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) The Growing Refrigeration Skills Gap (02:00) Why Refrigeration Technicians Are In High Demand (04:00) The Versatility Of A Refrigeration Technician (06:00) Why Refrigeration Skills Create Career Opportunities (08:00) Specializing In CO2, Controls And A2Ls (12:00) Identifying Your Biggest Skill Gaps (14:00) Learning Controls  (16:00) Why Modern Refrigeration Systems Are More Complex (22:00) The Importance Of Mentorship And Asking Questions (24:00) Specialization In Startups And Commissioning (28:00) Adapting To New Refrigeration Technology (30:00) Why Refrigeration Is A Recession-Resistant Career (32:00) Adapting To The Next Generation Of Technicians (34:00) The Opportunity Ahead For Refrigeration Technicians Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 364. Addressing Technician Shortages & Oil Analysis Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart

Registration is now open for University of Idaho Extension's inaugural Fresh Pack Potato Symposium.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm sharing some of the tips, resources and materials refrigerators should be checking out to learn refrigeration faster. These tips and resources need to be utilized both on that job and after work, things like manuals, processes, checklists, and investing in additional training after hours. We'll also discuss documenting service call steps, reviewing for missing details, and using on site data AI to refine concise checklists and get to the root of issues. These are the keys that the best techs use to stop guessing on service calls and solve issues faster and more confidently. In this episode, we cover:  (01:51) Writing Things Down to Learn (02:43) Repetition Builds Mastery (03:14) CO2 Procedures Step by Step (05:16 Teaching Like a Mentor (07:08) Building A Framework for Any System (08:55) Using AI in Refrigeration (09:57) Knowing Normal Data (11:20) Building Habits That Stick Helpful Links & Resources: BOOK: Atomic Habits by James Clear Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart

In this episode, Bryan sits down with Mike Pastorello, owner of Refrigeration Technologies, and Ashley Lins, director of education and brand management for Viper, to talk about the company's roots, its newest product launches, and where the brand is headed next. This podcast focuses on "The Lab" and how it integrates field technicians with product development. Refrigeration Technologies was built on a "for techs by techs" philosophy after John, an HVAC technician with a chemistry background, began inventing products to solve his own field problems. Now, technicians are using their field problems to inspire innovation in the Refrigeration Technologies lab, and the Easy Dose is the first product that was developed, tested, and distributed via the "Lab" initiative.  The team also discusses chemical safety in their approach to products and what's really inside products like the Viper Pan & Drain Treatment and Nylog. This episode contains embedded sponsor messages from Refrigeration Technologies, Carrier, NAVAC, Fieldpiece, and AHR Expo 2027. Resources: Refrigeration Technologies AHR Expo HVAC School calculators Submit a podcast question Learn about the GRIT Foundation Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 8th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium.

Learn more about Leon on LinkedIn and Bueno Analytics Website: Bueno Analytics In this episode we're, joined by Leon Wurfel, Founder of Bueno Analytics, to discuss refrigeration leak detection, particularily as it pertains to forthcoming new regulations in the industry. Leon dives into how leak detection is evolving as codes and regulations change, including AIM (American Innovation and Manufacturing) Act, as well as new software, improving issue prioritization, helping predict high-temp alarms. He also discusses how Bueno grew from commercial building energy-efficiency analytics into grocery refrigeration through a long partnership with Woolworths, and shares advice for technicians to get a login and use innovative analytics tools to reduce after-hours callouts.  In this episode, we cover: (00:49) Leak Detection Is Changing (06:32) Modern Leak Detection Models (07:50) Seasonal Receiver Level Basics (11:15) Reducing Leaks And Predicting Alarms (13:12) Cutting After Hours Callouts (15:52) Using Data To Sell Maintenance (19:58) Stopping Energy Drift (21:53) Setpoint and Alarm Drift (22:41) Knowing the Normal Baseline (25:07) Manual Inspections (29:07) Older Controls (33:14) AI Tools in Refrigeration Helpful Tools & Resources: Bueno LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buenoanalytics/ Video Testimonial from Woolworths: https://buenoanalytics.com/video-testimonial-woolworths-refrigeration-management/   Episode 334. 10-Point Rack Preventative Maintenance Checklist Episode 263. The Importance of Understanding Trend Graphs with Andrew Freeburg Episode 213. Supermarket Refrigeration Preventative Maintenance with Andrew Freeburg Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

Can you believe we didn’t really discover vitamin C until the 1930’s? Well, Nile Foster, knew what to do with it. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Before we get into today’s episode, word from our sponsor, which is, well, it’s us, but we’re highlighting ads we’ve written and produced for our clients. So here’s one of those. [Handyside Ad] Dave Young: Welcome back to The Empire Builders Podcast. Dave Young here alongside Stephen Semple. And Steven has just told me what today’s topic is and made the assumption that it’s probably something from my childhood and sort of… We were more Tang kids than Hi-C. Stephen Semple: Okay. Dave Young: So Hi-C is the topic and I’m probably a little old maybe because it was the little Hawaiian guy, right? Their TV- Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: … commercials were the little Hawaiian guy with the pow or something like he’d come and I remember what he would do, saki or something, but he was kind of an obnoxious little mascot. But this is a orange drink or a fruit drink for kids that had some vitamin C in it, which made it a health food. Stephen Semple: Basically. Dave Young: Yeah. But I was the Apollo generation, so the fact that the astronauts drank Tang- Stephen Semple: Yeah, that was the- Dave Young: … all I really wanted was some Tang. Stephen Semple: You wanted Tang? Dave Young: Mm-hmm. Stephen Semple: All right. Well, Hi-C is actually kind of a surprising story because it’s actually a story about a company that built a product around a technological constraint and then had to pivot as the technology eliminated that constraint, which is kind of similar to Swiss Miss. Remember when we did Swiss Miss, there was a couple of these technological changes that forced them to pivot. So Hi-C was launched in 1946 and originally as Hi-C orange. And then of course, as they added a bunch of other flavors, things like that, they eliminated the word orange from it. And it was created by Niles Foster in Florida and in 1954, it was acquired by Minute Maid for approximately $40 million. So they did really quite well. And it’s estimated that they were doing $5 million in sales at the time. And then in 1960, Coke buys Minute Maid and Hi-C now finds itself with bigger distribution. So today Hi-C is a Coca-Cola brand. For generations of kids, it was this brightly colored fruit drink that we all grew up with. And frankly, if you ever ate at a McDonald’s, there’s reasonable chance that you had a Hi-C there. But Hi-C started with essentially a problem. And the problem was this, how do you give Americans orange juice when most Americans can’t easily store orange juice? Dave Young: Ah, okay. Stephen Semple: Even though it was launched in 1946, our story actually starts in the 1930s. Here’s the thing that I kind of found interesting is that basically vitamin C had only been identified as a vitamin in the early 1930s. Dave Young: So people are still getting scurvy or? Stephen Semple: Well, people knew that you should be having fruit, but they didn’t identify- Dave Young: Vitamin C. Stephen Semple: … vitamin C specifically. So vitamin C was discovered as a vitamin in the early 1930s. And then in 1941, the National Research Council published the first recommended dietary allowance. So for the first time, Americans were given specific guidance on nutrition, including vitamins. “Here’s how much you should consume.” So nutrition was now something that could be measured and that created interesting marketing opportunity because instead of simply saying, “This is good for you,” we can now say, “This gives you your daily allotment of vitamin C.” Dave Young: Your recommended daily allowance. Yeah, yeah. Stephen Semple: There you go. And this becomes important because along comes Niles Foster who’s working in Florida. Florida has lots of oranges, but there’s a problem. Orange juice is not the breakfast staple we think of today because fresh oranges were seasonal, fresh juice did not travel well, and storing and distributing juice was a huge problem. If you wanted orange juice, what happened in those days, you squeezed it yourself. Dave Young: Okay. So you got to get oranges to people. Yeah. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So he sees this opportunity. Could he create this affordable orange-based drink that tasted good, could sit on a grocery shelf, didn’t need to be frozen, and provided the nutritional benefit as outlined in the guidelines? Dave Young: Gotcha. Okay. Stephen Semple: So essentially what Foster did is he developed an orange drink made from water, sugar, orange juice, concentrate, a bunch of different citrus oils and fortified it with vitamin C. Dave Young: All right. And canned it? Stephen Semple: Well, the other challenge was vitamin C, which is ascorbic acid, is tart. Dave Young: Yeah. It would eat through a can. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So he had to play around a lot with the formulation and also a lot of it was adding certain oils and things like that. So basically you could put it in a can. Dave Young: Gotcha. Okay. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So he created this convenient, inexpensive, shelf-stable orange drink with vitamin C. Dave Young: All right. Then way earlier than I figured. Stephen Semple: Yeah. And what should he call it? He called it Hi-C Dave Young: Because it had high concentration of vitamin C. Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: Okay. Stephen Semple: And it’s funny because normally having the benefit built directly into the brand name is often not good because if he called it high concentration of vitamin C, Hi-C was kind of, while it’s sort of what it was at the same time, it was such a simplification of the name. I though it was great. Dave Young: Yeah. And it locks in that benefit, so it’s easy to understand, but it also just has a cool feel, like you say it pretty easily. Yeah. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So he knows a product, but he needs to make it. And he’s not a wealthy guy. He couldn’t finance factories and things along that line. So he took a page from Coke and he licensed it. But here’s the problem with taking a canned drink national. America’s big. Shipping heavy cans filled with liquids thousands of miles is expensive. So his expansion model was basically contract packers around the country. Hi-C provided the formulation and the standards, but local and regional processors could produce the product. But the other thing he allowed them to do was produce the product closer, not only closer where the markets could be sold, but he also allowed them to do regional things. So in other words, if you’re a place that had lots of strawberries, you could do a strawberry version of Hi-C. Dave Young: Okay. That’s really interesting because you give up a certain amount of control there. I mean, a lot. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So for example, one of the first ones to do it was a co-packer in Geneva, Ohio, which did, because there’s lots of grapes growing there, did a grape drink one. So Hi-C developed a grape drink. And then there was a Michigan operator who did apples and cherries. So it led to all these Hi-C flavor variations. Dave Young: Well, see, and this is another key point about why I didn’t become a Hi-C fan as a child. Nebraska had corn and beef and nobody wants either of those in a drink. Stephen Semple: Could be. Dave Young: I mean, a warm cup of boullion is all right sometimes. Stephen Semple: Now, here’s what things get interesting. So Foster is building out Hi-C, getting it popular and whatnot, and there’s a technological revolution. Refrigeration ownership explodes. Dave Young: Okay. Yeah. Stephen Semple: So remember, the problem was no refrigeration made, canned juice. But by the 1950s, refrigerators were almost in every household, right? Yeah. So that changed what food companies could sell, and guess what ended up happening? Dave Young: Stay tuned. We’re going to wrap up this story and tell you how to apply this lesson to your business right after this. [Using Stories To Sell] Dave Young: Let’s pick up our story where we left off, and trust me, you haven’t missed a thing. Stephen Semple: In 1950s, refrigerators were almost in every household, right? Yeah. So that changed what food companies could sell, and guess what ended up happening? 1946, along comes Minute Maid shipping frozen concentrated- Dave Young: Orange juice. Yeah. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So now family… Right. And then along comes Tropicana. Anthony Rossi starts processing citrus in Florida and he creates this flash pasteurization and you got Tropicana Pure Premium. So now you’ve got all these competitors coming in competing with Hi-C, and essentially the technology was eliminating the need for Hi-C. Dave Young: Yeah. Stephen Semple: This is a pivotable moment. Hi-C could no longer win by simply saying, “We make orange juice convenient.” Dave Young: All right. Stephen Semple: Right? Dave Young: So what was their next pivot? Stephen Semple: Yeah. Dave Young: Because they’re still around. Stephen Semple: Yes. So what Hi-C leaned into is something that competitors weren’t owning. It wasn’t just simply orange juice. It was fun plus flavor, plus convenience, plus vitamin C. The brand advertised aggressively, aggressively the fun factor, and the other combinations of juices that there were. So in 1954, Minute Maid comes along and acquires the company, and then, as I said, then Coca-Cola came along and acquired Minute Maid, so it’s now all part of the Coca-Cola machine, and it continues to expands flavors. It’s got orange pineapple, pineapple grapefruit, Florida Punch, peach, grape, apple cherry, all these sorts of things. So it’s less reliant on orange juice and it’s really a fruit drink brand. Dave Young: So I want to fact check myself on something I said earlier. That little Hawaiian guy, that was Hawaiian Punch, not Hi-C. Stephen Semple: Oh, that was Hawaiian Punch. Okay. Dave Young: Right? Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: But yeah, that’s what popped into my head. Stephen Semple: Right, but one example they did really well on the kids’ flavor, characters, all the other stuff is in 1987, Hi-C created Ectocooler as a promotion tie-in with the real Ghostbusters, and it was supposed to be temporary, but it was loved so much that it ran for quite a while as people are drinking this gobbly, gooey, green looking looking stuff. So Niles Foster started Hi-C to solve a practical problem involving orange juice nutrition and shelf stability that then later got technology, took all that away, but kids are still drinking it because along the way, the product was able to pivot and the brand has continued to survive. Dave Young: I don’t want some orange juice. I don’t want a glass of orange juice. I want something fun as a kid. Stephen Semple: But I think the thing is, the first lesson was the innovation, right? But then the second thing was they didn’t confuse the solution with the business. When refrigerators came along, they couldn’t look at themselves as being, “We’re in the shelf stable orange juice business.” Instead, they’re able to go, “We’re in the fruit drink business.” Dave Young: Well, and then they figured out juice boxes, right? They figured out how to put this stuff into individual servings. Stephen Semple: Yes. Dave Young: That had to be big because now you can put it in a lunchbox. Stephen Semple: Yes. But the product survived. They were able to change their thinking away from the original problem they were trying to solve, and they were able to pivot away from that and do other things. I though it was interesting because it paralleled a lot of the Swiss Miss challenges, right? Dave Young: Sure. Yeah. You have to be able to react and adjust and pivot. I mean, pivot is just, “Hey, conditions have changed. What are we going to do to keep the company alive?” Stephen Semple: Technology in this case, technology has come along and removed the problem that we were originally trying to solve. So what do we do now? Dave Young: Yeah. So what about your childhood? Did you drink Hi-C? Did they have it up in the northern reaches of Canada? Stephen Semple: Oh, yes. Yes, we did. So I definitely remember Minute Maid Orange Juice because I remember making the orange juice and you’d wait for the plop. That plop. Dave Young: Took a long time for that giant frozen chunk of juice, and then you had to use a big wooden spoon to crush it and mash it into the water. Hi-C would be a lot more convenient. Stephen Semple: I definitely remember Minute Maid. And then I remember apple juice being kind of the other thing. I don’t think we had Hi-C around much. We were not big on things that had sugar added in my household when I was growing up. Dave Young: I think what my mom was doing was… I remember chewing a lot of vitamin C tablets. Stephen Semple: Right. Dave Young: So I think she was just getting us our vitamin C in a different way and we weren’t on the Hi-C path. Stephen Semple: Right. But it’s funny, I do remember the odd time when we’re talking about Hawaiian Punch. I do remember the odd time Hawaiian Punch making its way into the household. Dave Young: Yeah, this stuff was always just too sweet for me. I like sweet stuff, but the sweet drinks, a little too much sometimes. Stephen Semple: Yeah. So again, and this is an example of… It’s interesting when we think about technology, and there’s always the obvious things that technology is going to impact, but it’s interesting that we’ve now done a couple of food businesses where these food businesses were created because of either technological challenges or technological changes. It’s very easy when we see technology coming to see the things it’s going to eliminate. It was easy if we’re sitting here in the 1930s, economists in the 1930s at the beginning of what we call the second industrial revolution. At that point, something like 33% or 35%, something like that, of people work directly in the agricultural industry. And so it was very easy for economists to go, “The economy’s screwed because these jobs are going to all disappear.” And they were right, they did, because today it’s what? 5% of people work directly in agricultural industry. Dave Young: Yeah, yeah. Stephen Semple: But what’s often hard to see is what are all the new opportunities that happen? I was reading somewhere that if we go from 1920 and we go from 1920 to the year 2000, something like 60% of the jobs that we do didn’t exist. And some of them are ones that are surprisingly… like heating and air conditioning repairman. That job didn’t exist. We don’t think about that as being an opportunity that was created by the industrial revolution, right? Dave Young: Yeah, for sure. Stephen Semple: And this is the reason why some of these predictions can be hard to call, but also the reason why you’ve got to keep your eyes open to the opportunities. Dave Young: All right. Hi-C. Cheers. Stephen Semple: Hi-C. Dave Young: Cheers to you and may Coca-Cola carry the brand forward proudly or whatever. Stephen Semple: There we go. Dave Young: I don’t know. I don’t know if I… They don’t need our help. Stephen Semple: I’m not feeling the enthusiasm. Dave Young: They’re probably not listening to The Empire Builders Podcast to get their advice on how to manage the Hi-C brand, but it’s fun looking at it. Thanks, Stephen. Stephen Semple: Thanks, Dave. Dave Young: Thanks for listening to the podcast. Please share us, subscribe on your favorite podcast app and leave us a big fat juicy five star rating and review at Apple Podcasts. And if you’d like to schedule your own 90-minute empire building session, you can do it at empirebuildingprogram.com.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're taking a step back to talk about what it really takes to become a great refrigeration technician - the mindset and troubleshooting habits that separate technicians who simply change components from technicians who understand systems, find root causes, and solve harder problems with confidence. I'll also share practical troubleshooting principles and a preview of some major upcoming things for our Refrigeration Mentor Academy. In this episode, we discuss: (00:53) Why CO2 Refrigeration Knowledge Matters (04:40) Being a Parts Changer vs A Skilled Tech (07:36) TX Valve and Airflow Checks (12:21) Numbers Tell The Story (14:23) Heat Reclaim Troubleshooting (21:30) Pattern Recognition and Fast Tracking Learning (28:05) Academy Sneak Peek (31:28) Mentoring and Using AI  Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster Episode 299. Basic Refrigeration 101 Episode 295. A Compressor Story: The Key to Faster Troubleshooting

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here This is the first of a 2-part episode in our "CO2 Unfiltered" series where we're joined by Massimo Pellizzari, Senior Commissioning Engineer at Daikin, for an in-depth look at Daikin's two-stage CO2 condensing units. Massimo explains the design philosophy behind these systems, how they differ from traditional refrigeration equipment and the best practices for installation, commissioning, evacuation, charging and servicing. Whether you're new to CO2 or looking to sharpen your troubleshooting skills, this episode is packed with practical insights to help technicians work more faster and more confidently with CO2 condensing units. In this episode, we discuss: (03:10) Why CO2 condensing units are becoming more common worldwide (05:30) Daikin's two-stage CO2 condensing unit lineup (07:15) Swing compressor technology and compressor design (09:45) Oil in CO2 systems (11:45) Two-stage compression and reducing discharge temperatures (17:30) Controller features, monitoring and diagnostics (24:00) Refrigerant charge calculations and piping design software (33:30) Factory testing, vibration protection and installation considerations (38:30) Service valves, access points and system maintenance (49:30) Pressure testing and evacuation procedures (50:55) Opening EEVs and solenoid valves during evacuation (51:00) Refrigeration-grade CO2 and refrigerant purity (53:10) Proper CO2 charging procedures and overcoming the triple point (57:30) Service ports, valve design and final technician tips Helpful Links & Resources: Massimo in LinkedIn Daikin Episode 414. Breaking the Stigma and Learning to Love CO2 Episode 180: Developing your CO2 Knowledge into Experience Episode 146: CO2 Technical Training with Brett Wetzel

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here This episode includes highlights from a recent live Refrigeration Mentor Community meetup where we covered real-world CO2 rack issues, system tuning, troubleshooting, and startup strategies, sharing practical techniques we've learned in the field. We covered gas cooler fan tuning, transcritical operation, oil separator maintenance and service valve tips. This meetup featured experienced CO2 technicians Patrick Gregory, Noah Walker, Andrew Freeburg, Billy Carlson and others sharing valuable insights that can help fellow technicians diagnose problems faster, improve system performance, and learn from the experience of others.  In this episode, we discuss: (02:15) Fine-tuning CO2 racks (05:20) Gas cooler fan control strategies (09:00) Rack tuning (12:00) Why every CO2 system requires its own tuning strategy (16:00) Oil separator filter replacement and diagnosing oil trip issues (18:00) Proper rack pump-down procedures (20:00) Service valve troubleshooting (23:45) Common ball valve issues Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 382. Why Techs Get Stumped on Supermarket Racks (How To Fix It) Episode 250. Service Call Stories and Troubleshooting Tips with Andrew Freeburg Episode 163. A Pro's Handbook for Effective Refrigeration Troubleshooting

A Kiwi apprentice is set to appear on the world stage in a competition showcasing trade skills. The WorldSkills competition in Shanghai tests the world's best in a range of skills from banking to cyber security and retail sales. 22 year old Campbell Brown from Papamoa will be competing to be crowned the world's best refrigeration and air conditioning specialist. Campbell Brown spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-31-20261790 SOUTH HOLLANDJeff Bliss reports a refrigeration fire in Boyle Heights has released a toxic stench and caused an explosion in local rat and insect populations. Residents remain displaced due to overpowering toxic aftereffects. Simultaneously, a massive heat dome and hurricane-driven surf are hitting the Southwest. L.A. County lifeguards performed nearly 1,200 rescues last Saturday, facing dangerous conditions and substance abuse issues on crowded beaches escaping the intense heat. (1)Jeff Bliss notes Governor Gavin Newsom is preparing for a 2028 presidential run, but past controversies are resurfacing. A Vanity Fair article by Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his former mistress and the wife of his then-campaign manager, accuses Newsom of being "careless" and "cruel" during their 2007 affair. His wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is also being criticized for shaming Rippey-Tourk, leading to questions about the Newsoms' commitment to women's advocacy. (2)Richard Epstein examines New York City's proposed "pied-à-terre tax," which targets non-primary residences but threatens middle-class and working homeowners. Epstein argues the tax is unfairly structured, hitting condominiums at five times the rate of houses. The complex valuation process creates a "vicious circle" that could plummet property values. Consequently, wealthy residents are already fleeing, resulting in a $12 billion annual revenue loss for the city. (3)Richard Epstein turns to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, under fire for signing a document that allegedly exempts the President from IRS scrutiny regarding past and future taxes. Epstein characterizes this as a "scandalous" misuse of public trust and a misapplication of the law. He argues that if the President used his office for private financial benefit, it constitutes an impeachable offense, while Blanche should face potential disbarment. (4)Jim McTague takes a road trip through Owensboro, Kentucky, revealing a "K-shaped" economy where retail business is "dead" for blue-collar residents relying on federal aid. Conversely, Jeffersonville, Ohio, is experiencing a "gold rush" as Amazon and Honda build massive data and battery centers. However, some local residents feel overwhelmed by progress, lacking the imagination or education to capitalize on these high-tech industrial shifts and training opportunities. (5)Jim McTague reports that in Lancaster County, Republican representatives are introducing legislation that adds red tape and taxes to data centers, contradicting traditional pro-growth principles. While the Democratic-led Lancaster Cityhas embraced a lucrative data center deal, blue-collar "Trump country" boroughs remain fearful of the future. Despite these tensions, the local economy remains "steady" due to a diversified base including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and senior citizen spending. (6)Peter Huessy explains the foundation of U.S. nuclear strategy is the triad, ensuring launch capabilities from land, sea, and air. Developed after the 1957 Sputnik launch, this framework replaced "massive retaliation" with "flexible response." Huessy explains that this survivable deterrent prevents adversaries from achieving a total victory with a single strike. Despite calls for unilateral disarmament, the triad remains essential for holding at risk what adversaries value most. (7)Peter Huessy warns the U.S. now faces a tri-polar nuclear threat from Russia and China, both of which are modernizing their arsenals "gangbusters." Meanwhile, U.S. systems haven't been updated in 40 years, leaving the deterrent "fragile." Allied nations in Asia, specifically South Korea and Japan, are increasingly questioning the U.S. nuclear umbrella and considering their own deterrents as regional tensions and Chinese missile capabilities grow. (8)Henry Sokolski reports a proposed nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia is causing alarm due to potential uranium enrichment capabilities. Sokolski warns that nuclear fuel-making brings a nation dangerously close to developing a bomb. Saudi Arabia's refusal to accept advanced "protocol one" inspections is a major "red flag." Furthermore, the deal risks overturning 50 years of global non-proliferation policy, potentially encouraging other nations like Iran to demand equal treatment. (9)Henry Sokolski notes Senator John Kennedy has emerged as a dogged opponent of granting Saudi Arabia enrichment authority, labeling it a "bad idea." The agreement will automatically go into force within 90 legislative days unless Congress passes a veto-proof resolution against it. Kennedy's vocal stance may rally other senators to stop the package, potentially forcing the White House to renegotiate the deal to prevent spreading dangerous nuclear capabilities. (10)Gene Marks reports accountants in California are grappling with AI integration, viewing it as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for human consultation. Meanwhile, the broader economy remains resilient; manufacturing has expanded for five consecutive months despite high gas prices and elevated interest rates. Marks highlights that businesses are "rolling with inflation" and increasing orders for durable goods, indicating high underlying confidence despite stock market volatility. (11)Gene Marks compares public protests against data centers to the 19th-century opposition to railroads. While critics worry about land and water usage, Marks argues these facilities are imperative infrastructure for the information age and the AI revolution. Just as railroads enabled 20th-century American power, data centers are the means for moving information. Ceding this development would allow rivals like China or Russia to dominate the future economy. (12)Veronique de Rugy warns new administration rules replace flexible status for foreign students with fixed four-year periods, targeting the "best educated people on Earth." De Rugy warns this policy dissuades future scientists and innovators from choosing the U.S. Restricting these STEM graduates could cost the economy between $200 billion and $400 billion in lost GDP over the next decade, while potentially causing severe long-term labor shortages. (13)Lorenzo Fiori reports a historic heatwave has pushed the Po River to record lows, devastating Italy's agricultural heartland and water supplies for power stations. The ecological crisis includes an invasion of blue crabs, which are destroying clam populations and disrupting local cuisine. Meteorologists struggle to forecast as traditional weather models fail in the face of climate change. Tourists are encouraged to seek the cooler, historical beauty of Noto, Sicily. (14)Bob Zimmerman reports SpaceX's Starship successfully floated for a week after splashdown, providing invaluable data for rapid reusability. The company further cemented its market dominance with a $1.6 billion Space Force contract, while competitors remain grounded. Additionally, startups are emerging to solve technical hurdles for orbital data centers, such as advanced heat radiation. These advancements indicate that the future of massive data processing may eventually move into permanent space orbit. (15)Bob Zimmerman notes China continues the dangerous practice of dropping uncontrolled rocket debris on its citizens, forcing them to hide in tunnels. In the commercial sector, the startup Catalyst attempted a high-speed satellite rescue mission, demonstrating rapid launch capabilities despite technical failures. Meanwhile, astronomers have identified a rare midsize black hole, a discovery that will likely be expanded upon as the new Rubin telescope begins its sky surveys. (16)Corrections applied, pending your confirmation: Ruby Rippey-Tourk (transcribed as "Ruby Rippy," segment 2), Todd Blanche (transcribed as "Mr. Blanch," segment 4), Rubin telescope (transcribed as "Reuben," segment 16 — the Vera C. Rubin Observatory), and "burrows" → "boroughs" in segment 6. One to flag: this batch has Lorenzo Fiori (segment 14), but an earlier batch had him as "Lorenzo Fiato" — let me know which spelling is correct and I'll log it for good.

Jeff Bliss reports a refrigeration fire in Boyle Heights has released a toxic stench and caused an explosion in local rat and insect populations. Residents remain displaced due to overpowering toxic aftereffects. Simultaneously, a massive heat dome and hurricane-driven surf are hitting the Southwest. L.A. County lifeguards performed nearly 1,200 rescues last Saturday, facing dangerous conditions and substance abuse issues on crowded beaches escaping the intense heat. (1)1900 LA CHINA DRAGON

Most companies overlook a simple but powerful way to slash their emissions in refrigerated transport—and it's not just about switching to electric. Jon Jerrad-Din, Rental Sales Manager at ThermoKing, exposes how rental solutions are quietly transforming the industry, making sustainability achievable without massive capital costs. If your fleet is feeling the squeeze of rising operational costs and tightening environmental regulations, this episode unlocks a game-changing approach that blends flexibility, economy, and eco-conscious innovation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Bryan welcomes back Trevor Matthews from Refrigeration Mentor for a conversation focused entirely on nailing a job interview in the HVAC and refrigeration trades — whether it's a technician's very first shot at breaking into the industry or an experienced tech looking to move to a new company or specialty. Trevor opens up about his own rocky start, admitting he cycled through roughly 25 different jobs before landing in refrigeration and that he struggled with confidence in early interviews because he assumed he needed a deep resume of experience. What actually got him hired, he says, was being coachable: showing up willing to learn and do what was asked, even if that meant starting by sweeping floors. For technicians just entering the trade, Bryan and Trevor lay out a practical playbook. Research the company before reaching out — knowing what services they offer, how long they've been in business, and what type of work they do builds instant trust. Cast a wide net rather than sending out only a handful of applications, and don't get discouraged by rejection; both hosts stress "pleasant persistence" as the key to standing out, following up warmly without becoming a nuisance. Trevor shares a story about motivational speaker Les Brown showing up at a radio station day after day until he finally got a chance, as a reminder that repeated, respectful effort pays off. They also recommend creative approaches like recording a video resume tailored to a specific company, and getting ahead on certifications such as EPA 608, confined space, first aid, or defensive driving before ever applying, since these small credentials can make a hiring manager's decision much easier. The conversation then shifts to technicians pursuing their next opportunity rather than their first. Bryan explains that many larger companies route candidates through HR before they ever speak with a service manager, and that each conversation requires a different tone: HR wants to hear about safety, a clean driving record, and reliability, while a service manager wants to know how you'll bring value to customers and the team. Both agree that driving records have become a surprisingly major factor in hiring, given how much liability and cost a company takes on with every vehicle on the road. They also encourage candidates to ask people already working at a company for an internal referral, since a warm introduction dramatically increases the odds of getting hired, and many companies even offer referral bonuses that make current employees eager to help. Finally, Trevor and Bryan get tactical about interview performance itself. They recommend using AI tools to generate likely HR and technical interview questions, then practicing out loud with a spouse or friend to shake off the "rust" of not having interviewed in years. Confident humility comes up repeatedly: it's far better to admit "I don't know that term" than to bluff, and to speak with genuine curiosity about the trade rather than reciting a list of accomplishments. Trevor illustrates how a candidate can talk through a hypothetical service call step by step to demonstrate real troubleshooting knowledge, even without hands-on experience in that specific niche. The pair close by touching on soft skills like conflict resolution and building good relationships with dispatch, and Trevor shares where listeners can connect with the Refrigeration Mentor community for more training and support. Topics Covered Why Trevor initially struggled with confidence in early job interviews Researching a company before applying or interviewing Casting a wide net and using "pleasant persistence" instead of giving up after a few no's Standing out with a tailored video resume Getting certifications early: EPA 608, confined space, first aid, defensive driving Why driving records and vehicle safety matter so much to HVAC/R employers The difference between talking to HR versus a service manager Asking a current employee for an internal referral Avoiding negativity about past employers during interviews Using AI to prepare likely interview questions, then practicing with a real person Confident humility: admitting what you don't know instead of bluffing Demonstrating resourcefulness through podcasts, courses, and industry resources Talking through a hypothetical service call to show troubleshooting ability Soft skills, conflict resolution, and building relationships with dispatch Trevor's own story of landing his first refrigeration job in Australia Where to connect with Trevor and the Refrigeration Mentor community   Learn more about all the great resources Trevor offers through Refrigeration Mentor at https://refrigerationmentor.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.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm breaking down my 4-pillar framework used in my supermarket and CO2 refrigeration training programs. These pillars include understanding system design, electrical, the input and output (I/O) schedule, and the refrigeration legend/schedule. Building your refrigeration knowledge on these pillars is critical for technicians to identify what's normal, verify issues systematically, and solve harder problems faster.  In this episode, we cover: 01:52 The 4-Pillar Refrigeration Mentor Framework 02:55 System Design, P&IDs and Piping Schematics 03:50 Electrical Systems, Metering and Wiring Diagrams 05:03 Input and output (I/O) Schedules 06:47 Refrigeration Schedule/Legend (Normal Operation) 08:35 How to Diagnose Issues Faster Helpful Links & Resources: DOWNLOAD: Refrigeration Mentor Playbook (click here) Episode 395. Basics of Refrigeration: Importance of Revisiting the Fundamentals Episode 299. Basic Refrigeration 101 Episode 3. Introduction to CO2 Refrigeration

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this conversation, I sit down with Supermarket Refrigeration Technician Jacob Decker to discuss how newer technicians can land opportunities and gain experience faster. Jacob shares how he moved from residential work and tech school into commercial refrigeration and a full time career with Walmart through connections, overcoming fears, learning form mistakes, and how he benefited from mentorship and structured training. We also cover common challenges for new techs, plus practical habits to build that will fast track the learning curve and open up so many opportunities for building your career in the industry.  In this episode, we discuss: (01:19) Breaking Into Refrigeration (02:44) First Commercial Job Lessons (05:42) Biggest Surprises and Challenges Entering Refrigeration (07:20) Learning from Mistakes (12:39) Mentorship and Generational Shifts in the Trades (16:10) Common Pitfalls for New Refrigeration Techs  (18:32) Building ConfideEpisode 186: How To Attract Young People To The Refrigeration Trade (20:40) Checklists (25:08) Future Refrigeration Tech and CO2 (26:47) Work-Life Balance in Refrigeration (28:35) Building Better Work Habits (34:42) Mental Health in the Trades Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 85. Generation Z with love2hvac Episode 186: How To Attract Young People To The Refrigeration Trade With Rusty Walker Episode 190. Turning Mistakes Into Lessons and Accelerating Your Refrigeration Career with Andrew Freeburg

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Julian Finbow, RSE,  Service Tech Support at Swegon North America, and Principal at Finbow Inc., about the different types of defrost methods used in commercial refrigeration systems. Julian explains how electric defrost, hot gas defrost, and cool gas defrost work, along with their advantages, challenges, and energy use. The conversation also covers defrost termination controls, mechanical and digital defrost time clocks, managing head pressure in large rack systems, and real service experiences showing how adjusting defrost schedules can improve temperature control and reduce frost buildup in refrigeration equipment. Gary and Julian discuss the different defrost methods used in commercial refrigeration systems and how each one affects performance and efficiency. Julian explains how electric defrost, hot gas defrost, and cool gas defrost work, along with their benefits and challenges. The conversation covers defrost termination controls, mechanical and digital defrost time clocks, the importance of head pressure during hot gas defrost, and real field examples showing how changing defrost schedules can improve temperature control and reduce frost buildup in refrigeration systems. Expect to Learn: How electric, hot gas, and cool gas defrost systems work in commercial refrigeration. Why defrost termination controls help improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary heating. How mechanical and digital defrost time clocks control refrigeration system operation. Why proper head pressure is important for reliable hot gas defrost in large systems. How adjusting defrost schedules can improve temperature control and reduce frost buildup.   Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters ad [00:42] - Intro to Julian Finbow, RSE in Part 02  [02:27] - Electric Defrost: Pros, cons & common drain heater failures [06:38] - Defrost Types: Cool gas defrost & energy efficiency comparison [08:16] - Defrost Termination: Using sensors to end defrost early & save energy [11:56] - Head Pressure: Managing pressure during hot gas defrost in large systems [14:08] - Troubleshooting: Adjusting defrost cycles (4 to 6 shorter ones) to fix temperature spikes [17:02] - Increasing defrost cycles to fix -40°F freezer issue; closing   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Julian Finbow, RSE on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-finbow-rse-1048038b/   LinkedIn - Swegon North America: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swegon-north-america/   LinkedIn - Finbow Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finbow-inc/   Website - Swegon North America: http://www.swegonnorthamerica.com/    Follow the Host on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hvac-know-it-all-inc Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/615679643061429/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/    Follow the Podcast on:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce  Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455  

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Julian Finbow, RSE,  Service Tech Support at Swegon North America, and Principal at Finbow Inc., to discuss refrigeration defrost methods and why they are essential for system performance. Julian explains how frost forms on evaporator coils, the difference between normal frost and ice buildup, and why proper defrost timing is important. The conversation covers common defrost methods such as hot gas, electric, off cycle, and off time defrost, along with how humidity, door openings, and evaporator placement affect frost buildup. Gary and Julian also explore hot gas defrost, its benefits, its challenges, and why proper system design and operation are critical for reliable refrigeration performance. In this conversation, Julian explains why defrost is needed in refrigeration systems and how frost forms on evaporator coils when they operate below freezing temperatures. He discusses the difference between normal frost, hoar frost, and ice buildup, and why proper defrost timing is important for good system performance. Julian and Gary explore topics such as off cycle, off time, electric, cool gas, and hot gas defrost, along with how humidity, door openings, and evaporator placement affect frost buildup. They also discuss how hot gas defrost works, its benefits and challenges, and why proper system design and defrost settings help keep refrigeration systems running efficiently. Expect to Learn: Why defrost is needed in refrigeration systems and how frost forms on evaporator coils. The difference between hoar frost, normal frost, and ice buildup, and why it matters. How off cycle, off time, electric, cool gas, and hot gas defrost methods work. How humidity, door openings, and evaporator placement affect frost buildup and defrost needs. The benefits and challenges of hot gas defrost, and why proper defrost timing improves system performance.   Episode Highlights:  [00:00] - Sponsor Ad: Factory Direct Filters [00:42] - Intro to Julian Finbow, RSE in Part 1 [02:37] - Recap of Ammonia Plant Tour & Social Media Success [04:12] - Julian's Background & Expertise [05:48] - Defining Defrost in Refrigeration vs. Heat Pumps [08:02] - Normal Frost vs. Problematic Ice on Coils [10:55] - Standard Defrost Cycles: 4 Times a Day [16:10] - Defrost on Walk-in Coolers & Mitigation Strategies [18:26] - 5 Main Types of Defrost Explained [21:33] - How Hot Gas Defrost Works (Pros & Cons)   This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!   Follow the Guest Julian Finbow, RSE on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-finbow-rse-1048038b/ LinkedIn - Swegon North America: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swegon-north-america/ LinkedIn - Finbow Inc.: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finbow-inc/ Website - Swegon North America: http://www.swegonnorthamerica.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/    Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455 

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on how technology and continuous training are transforming the skilled trades, particularly in attracting and retaining new technicians. This panel features Amrit Robbins, CEO of Axiom Cloud,  Kyle Eastwood, Refrigeration Specialist at Axiom Cloud, and  Joe Stough, VP of Strategy and Technology at ARI. We cover how the industry can better support technicians by combining training, mentorship and technology, as well as leveraging AI to learn, reduce diagnostic time, cut callbacks, and even reduce overnight and weekend work.  In this episode, we discuss: (04:19) Why Techs Matter More Now Than Ever (05:34) Being Better Prepared for Service Calls (12:38) Training, Mentorship and AI in Refrigeration (17:50) Proactive Maintenance (19:40) CO2 Refrigeration Systems  (21:33) Breaking the CO2 Stigma (24:40) Advice for CO2 Calls (25:36) Technician Shortage Reality (26:59) Two-Part Refrigeration Industry Fix (27:54) Making Trades Attractive (33:29) Validating Technician Training (42:05) Proving ROI on Training Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 408. Retaining and Mentoring New Technicians (World Refrigeration Day Panel) Axiom Cloud ARI Amrit Robbins on LinkedIn Joe Stough on LinkedIn 

Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on retaining skilled refrigeration tradespeople and the importance of mentoring the next generation. Panelists Aidan Lucey, Erik Holland, Andrew Freeburg, Patrick Gregory, and Noah Walker discuss what kept them in the trade early on, as well as what great mentorship looks like, the challenges apprentices face today, and rapidly increasing technology and information quality across the refrigeration industry.  In this conversaton, we discuss: (00:44) Why Mentorship Matters In the Trades (05:50) What Kept People in the Trade (12:33) Defining Great Mentorship (19:36) Challenges for Apprentices Today (25:13) Training Under Pressure (25:58) Technical Complexity and AI in the Trades (26:58) Building Safe Learning Culture (30:30) Mentorship Structures That Work (33:39) Career Advice for Apprentices (39:06) World Refrigeration Day Reflections (40:01) Mentor Lessons You Can't Google (45:57) Recruiting the Next Generation of Refrigeration Professionals Helpful Links & Resources: World Refrigeration Day Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 186: How To Attract Young People To The Refrigeration Trade With Rusty Walker Aidan Lucey on LinkedIn Erik Holland on LinkedIn Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn Partick Gregory on LinkedIn

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating French toast that was made yesterday and sat out for 3 hours before refrigeration. Dr. Don - not risky

In this episode of Taking the Temperature of HVAC, Jamie Kitchen sits down with John and Jorg to unpack the real-world differences between TXVs (thermal expansion valves) and EEVs (electronic/electric expansion valves) in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning. They break down how each valve controls superheat, the balance of forces inside a TXV, and why concepts like pump down, minimum stable superheat (MSS), and maximum operating pressure (MOP) matter for system reliability and compressor protection. Along the way, they share field stories about liquid hammer, early electronic controllers, variable-speed compressors, and why EEVs offer powerful flexibility—but can't rescue a poorly designed system.

Skills Canada Gold, Rack Life inNewfoundland, and the Great Apprenticeship Debate | Advanced Refrigeration Podcast In this episode of the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast, hosts Brett Wetzel and Kevin Compass welcome Devon Owens from Newfoundland, a three-time Skills Canada gold medalist, to talk shop andtrade some laughs. Devon breaks down Skills Canada—provincials, nationals, and worlds—plus the intense 15-hour two-day refrigeration build he finished as theonly competitor, featuring a two-evaporator, two-temperature system with EPRs, solenoids, transducers, a superheat controller, and an EEV. The conversationshifts to how Canadian apprenticeship schooling differs from U.S. union training, including unpaid full-time pre- eployment, block exams, pay-scale progression, and a challenging 125-question journeyman exam that spans everything from CO2 and ammonia to natural gas. They also touch on rack work,CO2 sites in Newfoundland, 600V power, and why water leaks can ruin your day.

Skills Canada Gold, Rack Life in Newfoundland, and the Great Apprenticeship Debate Advanced Refrigeration Podcast In this episode of the Advanced Refrigeration Podcast, hosts Brett Wetzel and Kevin Compass welcome Devon Owens from Newfoundland, a three-time Skills Canada gold medalist, to talk shop and trade some laughs. Devon breaks down Skills Canada—provincials, nationals, and worlds—plus the intense 15-hour two-day refrigeration build he finished as the only competitor, featuring a two-evaporator, two-temperature system with EPRs, solenoids, transducers, a superheat controller, and an EEV. The conversation shifts to how Canadian apprenticeship schooling differs from U.S. union training, including unpaid full-time pre-employment, block exams, pay-scale progression, and a challenging 125-question journeyman exam that spans everything from CO2 and ammonia to natural gas. They also touch on rack work, CO2 sites in Newfoundland, 600V power, and why water leaks can ruin your day.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this conversation, we sit down with longtime refrigeration technician Tim Homan to discuss his path from casino in-house work in Las Vegas to "hardcore" supermarket rack and CO2 service. We love sharing the journeys of fellow techs to motivate and inspire those across the industry. Here, Tim talks about honing strong electrical/refrigeration fundamentals, reading manuals and investing heavily in training and tools as crucial to his diverse industry successes. We also dig into some Tim's real life service call stories, as well as managing workload stress, relationship-building and thoughts about the future of refrigeration.   In this episode, we cover: (01:00) Tim Homan's Trade Journey (02:12) Emphasis on Training (03:44) CO2 Refrigeration and Glycol Work (05:52) Booster vs Cascade Systems (08:35) Liquid Line Fixes (12:12) Following Mnaufacturer Specs (17:57) Realities of Refrigeration Maintenance Checks (25:24) Reading Schematics Faster (27:59) Skills Refrigeration Techs Need Now (29:12) Refrigerant Law and Codes (29:32) Evacuation and Hose Purging (30:37) Future of CO2 Tech (32:42) Propane and Micro Systems (34:44) Investing in Tools (37:33) CO2 Gauges and Safety (39:14) E3 Controllers and Programming (40:44) Adiabatic Towers (43:08) CO2 Refrigeration Evolution and Design (46:01) Advice for Refrigeration Technicians Helpful Links & Resources: CO2 Unfiltered Episode 302. Journey Into Refrigeration with Connor Strickland Episode 185: Refrigeration is a Journey: Ashley Fuller's Refrigeration Roadmap Episode 145 - From Small Business to Refrigeration Giant: Adam Knutz's Journey

Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner of Nutrition World) & Clint Powell A variety of topics all to living a healthy life Presented by: Nutrition World www.nutritionw.com Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio www.noogadentistry.com Production of: Whitfield Media Group www.vitalhealthradio.com Title: All about Eggs & Pasture Raised Chickens with Kristy, Deprescribing & “De-Supplementing” with Dr. Curt Dearing [0:00:00] Intro, Nutrition World Updates, and Ed's Bodybuilding Prep Ed announces a new partnership with Azure: Bringing ~100 new holistic food items into Nutrition World. Examples: maple syrup, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, organic chicken breast, cheeses, farm butters. Ed shares he's preparing for the Chattanooga Fitness Bodybuilding Contest (his 4th year): Being coached by Matt Davis (Train Station gym). Current approach: high protein, ~40% fewer calories, focused fat loss. Matt had him do a high-carb refeed day (~300g carbs vs his usual 50g) which dramatically improved his energy and look. [0:9:11] Protein, Longevity, and Why Ed Focuses on Eggs Ed emphasizes a higher-protein diet, especially for aging, muscle maintenance, and longevity. Core diet elements he advocates: Higher protein Healthy fats Colorful vegetables (in smaller but consistent amounts) Notes many women under-consume protein, which accelerates muscle loss and impacts longevity. Introduces guest Kristy, a long-time friend and staff member who homesteads and raises eggs that Ed eats 12–18 per week. [0:11:04] Homesteading with Kristy: How She Raises Chickens and Protects the Flock Kristy's setup: Around 100 chickens, plus goats, dogs, cats, and a donkey (Bradford). Lives “on the prairie” (rural, wooded property). Uses no chemicals on the property (no weed killers, pest sprays, etc.). She wants chickens to “do chicken things”—roam, peck, eat bugs, move soil—rather than be treated like pets or indoor animals. Predator control: No perimeter fence; previously lost some chickens to a fox attack. Now uses Bradford the donkey and a Great Pyrenees dog for protection: Donkey alerts and deters daytime predators like hawks and owls (stomping and loud calls). Pyrenees patrols at night, primarily deterring coyotes. Roosters herd hens into cover when threats appear. Motivator: Kristy's passion for knowing where her food comes from, and controlling at least part of her family's food system. [0:15:09] Structured Water, and Animal Hydration Kristy filters all animal water with a high-grade system (not just a basic fridge filter): Removes contaminants without completely stripping all minerals (not full RO). Then she “restructures” the water with a swirling device (structure unit): Mimics water flowing over rocks in nature, believed to add “life” and energy back to the water. She and Ed both report feeling better hydration from structured water (less persistent thirst). All of her animals receive this filtered/structured water. [0:17:26] Egg Production, Breeds, and Why Yolk Color Matters Kristy keeps multiple chicken breeds: Shell color = breed, not nutrition (white, brown, cream, etc., are just different breeds). Example: White Leghorn → white eggs, Rhode Island Red → darker brown eggs. Key nutritional indicator: yolk color She aims for deep orange yolks. Pale yellow yolks signal lower nutrient density, especially protein and nutrient intake from the chickens' diet. Production basics: Most hens lay about 5–6 eggs per week, especially in their first 3 years. Ed and Clint estimate she's getting hundreds of eggs per week in total. Kristy's flock policy: She has a “no-kill” policy for older hens, keeping them for tick and bug control and the social flock structure. Acknowledges some people cull flocks after 2–3 years, but she tends to keep productive, healthy hens past 4 years. [0:19:37] Industrial Eggs vs. Pasture-Raised: Animal Welfare and Nutrition Ed contrasts Kristy's setup with CAFO operations (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations): Chickens crowded in small cages, poor conditions, bad feed. Notes such operations often use antibiotics—partly for disease, but also because they fatten animals. Kristy's holistic management: No antibiotics; uses natural anti-parasite and immune support: Pumpkin seeds for worms Homegrown herbs like oregano and rosemary She builds a strong “terrain” (internal environment) in the animals so they resist disease better. Discussion that what chickens eat (seed oils, moldy grains, etc. in industrial systems) ultimately affects the nutritional quality of the eggs humans eat. Nutritional highlights of eggs: Choline in yolks (brain and cognitive health). A “perfect protein” with high biological value and broad micronutrients. Eggs historically rank at the top for turning dietary protein into muscle due to a complete amino acid profile. Cholesterol discussion: Ed challenges the blanket fear of cholesterol: Cholesterol supports hormone production and brain function. Notes that the real risk markers are advanced lipoproteins like ApoB and Lp(a), not total cholesterol alone. Personal example: Ed eats 12–18 eggs per week. & his cholesterol is extremely low by clinical standards. Conclusion: Quality eggs are encouraged, especially from pasture-based systems like Kristy's, or higher-quality options in stores. [0:23:15] “Organic” vs. “Pasture-Raised” and Misleading Egg Labels “Organic eggs”: fed organic feed but may still be confined indoors with no outdoor access. “Pasture-raised”: hens are outdoors on pasture, doing natural chicken behaviors; often superior in welfare and nutrition. Both agree: If forced to choose, pasture-raised is preferable to organic-only. They call out labels bragging about “vegetarian-fed” hens as misleading: Chickens are not natural vegetarians; they're omnivores that eat bugs. Forcing a vegetarian diet moves them away from their natural food and may reduce egg quality. Kristy shares a quirky but natural behavior: Chickens love scrambled eggs as a treat. She feeds them scrambled eggs and crushed shells. Rationale: Eggshells are rich in calcium, which hens need to build strong new shells. She simply cracks and throws shells; no elaborate processing.. [0:27:25] Refrigeration vs. Room-Temperature Egg Storage Kristy's explanation: Freshly laid eggs have a “bloom” or natural protective coating that makes them shelf-stable if not washed. Unwashed farm eggs can sit at room temperature for ~6 weeks or more. Store-bought eggs are washed and must be refrigerated, because washing removes that protective coating. You cannot safely leave standard grocery-store eggs on the counter. Ed highlights this as another example of nature's built-in protective design. [0:32:28] Deprescribing and “De-Supplementing” with Dr. Curt Dearing Ed reintroduces Dr. Curt Dearing to expand on a prior show about deprescribing (reducing excessive medications). Common scenario Curt sees: People on many prescription meds plus a large number of supplements, overwhelmed and confused. They want to simplify, optimize, and know what really matters. Curt's consult approach: Review all meds and all supplements, then: Remove what isn't necessary. Emphasize foundational lifestyle and core supplements. They warn about a false sense of security: Some people think “I'm taking a pill, so I don't have to change my habits.” This applies to both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. [0:36:00] The Core Four, Lifestyle First, and Limits of Medication-Only Approaches Ed references his “Core Four” foundational supplements (detailed in a free ebook on The Holistic Navigator): Designed as tier 1 essentials vs. lower-tier “nice-to-have” supplements. Curt's stance: Diet and exercise are the primary pillars. Supplements should support, not replace, healthy habits. Example: People on metformin or berberine may keep eating poorly yet feel “covered” because their blood sugar numbers look better. This is managing symptoms, not addressing root causes. [37:15] “Beyond Cholesterol” and Advanced Heart Risk Testing Curt mentions his upcoming ebook “Beyond Cholesterol” (targeting Amazon release): Argues standard lipid panels (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL) are not enough. Advocates for advanced tests like ApoB, Lp(a), and coronary calcium scores. Example case: A patient with LDL of 212 on atorvastatin. Curt notes that LDL alone can be “dangerous or harmless” depending on the underlying particle types and inflammation. Coronary Calcium Score: Patient's score is 0, which is reassuring but not a free pass. Calcium score detects calcified plaque, not soft plaque, and doesn't capture inflammation. Curt emphasizes HS-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) as a marker of systemic inflammation, which drives soft plaque formation. [0:40:22] Medications in the Case Study: Statin, Nexium, Amlodipine, Zoloft Curt walks through a specific patient on multiple meds: Atorvastatin (statin) Curt questions its necessity given: Calcium score of 0 Lipid values that don't look catastrophic Recommends advanced lipid testing and provides patients with evidence-based reasons to discuss with their provider if they want to stop. Nexium (PPI) Discusses risks of long-term proton pump inhibitor use: Impaired absorption of magnesium, calcium, micronutrients Possible cognitive, kidney, and bone issues. Insists on a taper, not cold turkey, due to rebound reflux. Amlodipine (blood pressure med) Often can be tapered fairly quickly, especially when: Lifestyle changes are implemented (diet, exercise). Magnesium intake is optimized (many people take too little magnesium). Curt's view: conventional medicine often drives blood pressure too low in older adults; some elevation is physiologically adaptive. Zoloft (SSRI) Must be tapered, like most psychiatric meds, to avoid withdrawal and symptom flare. [0:46:10] Magnesium, Omega-3s, and Simplifying the Supplement Stack Curt reviews the patient's supplement list and simplifies: Multivitamin: Advocates a high-quality multi (not basic synthetics like Centrum). Prefers one that already includes CoQ10 (e.g., 100 mg), so separate CoQ10 can be discontinued. Vitamin D: Should be taken with vitamin K to direct calcium into bone and away from arteries and organs. Omega-3s: Many people take half the necessary dose. Recommends triglyceride-form omega-3s like DHA Extra (~960 mg DHA) for inflammation and blood pressure. Magnesium: Suggests glycinate or taurate forms for better absorption and blood pressure benefits. Probiotics: Curt suggests taking breaks (e.g., a month off) and rotating brands/strains, including spore-based types. Seasonal products: The patient takes quercetin + stinging nettle for allergies. Curt recommends seasonal use only for seasonal allergies, saving money and reducing pill fatigue. For lipids and blood sugar, Curt favors BerberCol (berberine + bergamot) to: Improve numbers (to satisfy doctors). More meaningfully affect ApoB and related risk markers. Weight & energy: Patient had been using weight-loss products. Curt shifts focus to fixing sleep and overall lifestyle rather than stacking more “fat burners.” Saffron: He distinguishes between saffron extracts for mood vs. saffron for weight management—formulation details matter. [0:54:57] Closing: Funding for Alternative Health and Supplement Tax Benefits Ed shares policy/legislative updates: Alternative health funding preserved in the federal budget. Initial fear that support would be cut; instead, it was kept in the proposed budget. The Dietary Supplement Access Act proposal: Would classify dietary supplements as a qualified medical expense in the IRS code. Allow individuals to claim up to $500/year (and $250 for married filing separately) for supplements. Could apply to common products like multivitamins, vitamin D, etc. if/when finalized.  The post Radio Show / Podcast – June 14, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're joined by longtime refrigeration technician and Refrigeration Mentor Community Ambassador Andrew Freeburg to discuss World Refrigeration Day (June 26) and this year's theme, "Cool Intelligence." We explore how the industry's real intelligence comes from the experience, judgment, and problem-solving of technicians, engineers, designers, and operators who protect the cold chain, food safety, energy efficiency and daily life. Conversely, also dive into how artificial intelligence (AI) can support technicians today, working in conjunction with hands-on skills, verification, intuition, and building customer trust.  In this episode, we cover: (00:08) World Refrigeration Day (00:57) Defining "Cool Intelligence" (02:21) Field Judgment Under Pressure (05:36) Supermarket Refrigeration and Cold Chain (11:46) AI in the Refrigeration Industry (16:10) Building Confidence and Celebrating Wins (18:27) The Refrigeration Industry Intelligence Gap (28:30) Advice for New Refrigeration Techs Helpful Links & Resources: Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill Episode 354. Embracing AI and Personal Development in Refrigeration Episode 352. AI and New Refrigeration Training & Troubleshooting Resources

Jim Vander Giessen with Prochiller PROGreen and Nick Gislason from Hanabi Lager join us on Brew Ha Ha with Herlinda Heras and Daedalus Howell. Nick has been on the show before, the last time was this episode last January. Jim Vander Giessen is a co-founder and CEO of Prochiller. He is in California for the ProGreen50 Showcase in Napa. Jim Weatherwax from ProChiller is also in the studio today.  ProChiller manufactures a wide range of refrigerant systems. They have a new product line called PROGreen Solutions which uses refrigerants that have a negligible global warming potential. Herlinda discovered this company at the Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia. ProChiller was showing their PROGreen systems at the conference. Herlinda was there with a friend who introduced her to them. They mentioned that they were coming to California soon to present their products in Napa and they have just arrived. ProChiller and Hanabi Lager Nick Gislason is the owner of Hanabi Lager. He is also a professional winemaker and he knows the ProChiller company from using their systems in the winery. Refrigeration is important to both industries. Nick is doing a six-month experiment with a ProChiller system.•-• •-• -••• -•-•Visit Russian River Brewing Co. in Santa Rosa on 4th St. and at their big Windsor location. Check out their website and socials for up-to-date hours, menus, beers and more.•-• •-• -••• -•-• In brewing or winemaking, you need chilling for different steps in the process and up to the finished goods. In both cases, there is fermentation which produces heat. If you let the fermentation run away, it ruins the product. You have to pull the heat out and move it from the tank to a radiator outside. The ProChiller PROGreen system is a CO2 based chiller that does not use traditional chemical refrigerants. Those chemicals have a high global warming potential if they are ever accidentally released. But the CO2 has a negligible index, about 1, compared too 500 or more. Nick explains his reasons for chosing to work with this new system. CO2 chillers actually produce boiling water as a “waste product” which is very useful around the brewery. ProChiller will be demonstrating the PROGreen chiller on Thursday, June 11, at Hanabi Lager in Napa. Soon they will hold other demos in the Sonoma County area. 

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're diving into provincial/state, national, and WorldSkills events for tradespeople - high-pressure, real-world competitions that build many technical and troubleshooting skills. These programs strengthen our refrigeration trade amid rapid change (CO2, A2L, advanced controls, energy efficiency etc.) and ongoing technician shortages, while developing future leaders and improving company performance. Not only are these competitions fun and challenging, the long-term career benefits and learning - especially from global standards and practices - make these skills competitions incredibly worthwhile. Links below to find out more about national and global skills competitions.  In this conversation, we cover: (01:07) Discovering Skills Programs (04:02) Benefits of Skills Competitions for Tradespeople (06:53) Investing in Skills Development (10:21) Learning by Doing Under Pressure (13:07) Modernizing Training Worldwide (19:27) WorldSkills and National Skills Competitions (22:28) Becoming and Elite Refrigeration Technician Faster Helpful Links & Resources: GAME: https://refrigerationmentor.com/game/  Skills Canada SkillsUSA WorldSkills: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Episode 139. 7 Tips For Building Good Training And Development Habits

(Intro) Feel Good Friday (5TYNTK) Platner Faces Scrutiny, Wrong-Way Driver Stopped, Maine Diner Saved, Atlantic Balloon Attempt, Hearts Add Women's Team (Dirty) James Handy Killed In Stabbing, “Power: Legacy” Reunites Tommy & Tariq, Elmo Roasted By Knicks Fans (Topic) What food do people keep in the fridge that doesn't actually need to be refrigerated? (Outro) Pride Anthems

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm breaking down 5 core electrical troubleshooting tips to help refrigeration technicians solve issues faster and more confidently. These encompass electrical sequence of operation, checking and verifying voltage, wiring diagrams and using yoru understanding of mechanical problems to uncover the cause of electrical failures.  Electrical systems are so important to understand in refrigeration because this is where techs spend a large amount of time on service calls. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) Why Refrigeration Electrical Knowledge Matters (01:58) Electrical Sequence Of Operation (04:41) Voltage Testing Basics (08:07) Voltage Drop Tricks (09:01) Tracing Circuits Methodically (11:20) Relationship Between Electrical and Mechanical Problems Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 371. A 6-Step Process for Faster Electrical Troubleshooting Episode 323. Electrical Troubleshooting 101 Episode 296. Electrical Troubleshooting in Refrigeration  

In this short podcast from the Bry-X stage of the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium, Matthew Taylor from Kalos Services introduces refrigeration pulse valves, which started as a solution for CO2 refrigeration systems and are now common in commercial refrigeration as a whole. He briefly explains how they work and describes their role in the refrigeration systems (and possibly commercial HVAC systems in the future!). Refrigeration systems have moved away from electronic expansion valves (EEVs), which have been adopted by residential HVAC systems only recently, and have been using pulse valves instead. Pulse valves are also electronic expansion devices with fewer parts than EEVs (which often have stepper motors and complex electronics) and lower failure rates as a result. Pulse valves have a pressure transducer and a temperature sensor that go on the suction line to calculate the superheat; these report to a controller that takes the data from those parts, calculates the superheat based on the refrigerant and programming, and controls the valve like an EEV. However, there are only two wires, and the controller turns the valve on or off (like a solenoid) instead of sending pulses out. Solenoids just open or close completely, but pulse valves have a port (oversized fixed orifice) through which liquid refrigerant passes; when the load changes, the controller merely sends power to open the valve when the load goes up and stops sending power to close the valve when the load goes down. The valve is open for a certain percentage, and the on/off function is open for that amount of time in a six-second duty cycle (and off for the remaining time); this is pulse-width modulation. They also work well with refrigerants that have glide. However, pulse valves have some challenges. They may have issues in cases where we have very long evaporators, as there are delays between what happens between the inlet and outlet. Having multiple, shorter evaporators is a common solution to this problem, and these designs are more efficient in general (especially when they can be used with efficient refrigerants that move slowly through the evaporator). Pulse valves also require a computer (though EEV ones are similar), and are less serviceable than other valves; some may require technicians to take the valve apart to take the screen out, which requires replacement O-rings and gaskets. They are also noisy enough for customers to hear 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.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're talking about how refrigeration technicians and contractors can prepare for the summertime service-call rush. Higher ambient temperatures often make systems run harder, so preparation should start early. In this episode, we'll cover what to check for on the technical side, tips for working smarter, more efficiently, and also planning personal time and maintaining balance between of summer leisure time, long on-call days and prioritizing severe calls.  In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) Summer Rush in Refrigeration (01:44) Pre-summer System Checks (02:46) Heat Related Electrical Failures (03:54) Diagnosing Issues Faster Under Pressure (05:20) Prioritizing Calls On-Call (06:31) Planning Time Off Early (07:23) Packing And Preparing For Long Days (10:47) Refrigeration Preventive Checks (14:04) Using AI in Refrigeration Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 313. Summer Prep Training Episode 318. Designing High Pressure Valves for Summer Heat and Winter Challenges with Chris Griffiths Episode 220. Improving Work-Life Balance (Without Compromising Your Success)

There's a new vice president of retail operations at Global Partners. Two associations applaud the president's attempt to relax store refrigeration regulations. And a group of Democratic senators calls on the FDA to reverse its authorization of fruit-flavored e-cigarettes.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'll explains how technicians can stand out in refrigeration job interviews. I'll share tips on building confidence, developing a troubleshooting mindset, and communicating technical processes step by step, including fundamentals like superheat, subcooling, wiring diagrams, controls, and compressor diagnostics. Many companies hire for attitude, reliability, and problem-solving more than years of experience, and knowing how to demonstrate work ethic, professionalism, business-minded value and asking strong questions will put you ahead of the pack when it comes to competing for a refrigeration technician job. In this episode, we cover: (00:48) Job Interview Mindset (02:24) Building Trust Through Honesty (04:04) How to Talk Technical Confidently (07:25) Job Interview Preperation (11:39) Communicating Stepwise (15:07) Value of Showing Ambition (19:23) On-Call Work Ethic (25:10) Asking Smart Questions (28:58) Professional Reputation Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 256. Career Tips for New Technicians Episode 224. The Key To Finding New Career Opportunities as a Technician Episode 169: Leadership Insights: Work Ethic and Value Creation with Scott Farley of The Arcticom Group  

About 2PM Eastern time oil did a U-Turn and the markets came back. This is the Business News Headlines for Thursday the 21st day of May, thanks for being with us. . In other news, President Trump delays an executive order regarding AI and why. Refrigeration, food and the easing of regulations made the news. Meta settles a legal case based out of Kentucky. Opps the data center cost overruns in…Ohio costs a bunch. Speaking of costs, it will cost you a bunch more for a 30-year fixed mortgage…we told you this would happen. We'll check the numbers in The Wall Street Report and Walmart issues a warning that sales may soon suffer as consumers stop buying due to the high costs of fuel, groceries and an inflation rate that indicates negative growth in wages.  Let's go! Thanks for listening! The award winning Insight on Business the News Hour with Michael Libbie is the only weekday business news podcast in the Midwest. The national, regional and some local business news along with long-form business interviews can be heard Monday - Friday. You can subscribe on  PlayerFM, Podbean, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or TuneIn Radio. And you can catch The Business News Hour Week in Review each Sunday Noon Central on News/Talk 1540 KXEL. The Business News Hour is a production of Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @IoB_NewsHour...and on Threads @Insight_On_Business.

The 1950s was a period of explosive growth and development for Arizona, especially for Phoenix, which not only rapidly expanded its population, but city boundaries and economy. But the unsung hero of this development was the one thing that makes the desert a tolerable place to live - air conditioning.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, I'm sharing the top seven basics every supermarket refrigeration technician needs to master. These encompass the fundamentals like superheat, subcooling, compression ratio, refrigerant flow, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, P&IDs, refrigeration schedules and sequence of operations. We'll also discuss safe electrical troubleshooting and proper meter use, understanding rack operation and the importance of controls, sensors, and communication networks. Revisiting these basics - no matter how long you'be been in the industry - are crucial to eliminating guesswork, diagnosing issues more confidently, cutting troubleshooting time and reducing callbacks. In this episode, we cover: (00:48) Seven Basics of Supermarket Refrigeration (00:55) Refrigeration Fundamentals (02:09) Electrical Diagrams (04:20) Meter Skills (05:09) Supermarket Rack Operation Basics (06:44) Case Components  (07:17) Refrigeration Controls (11:18) Building Troubleshooting Habits (13:43) Safety on Refrigeration Job Sites Helpful Links & Resources: CO2 Unfiltered Episode 395. Basics of Refrigeration: Importance of Revisiting the Fundamentals Episode 299. Basic Refrigeration 101 Episode 37. Refrigeration Fundamentals and Troubleshooting Training with HVAC Know It All

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this episode, we're returning to refrigeration fundamentals and breaking down the foundations - compressor, condenser, metering device, evaporator, and refrigerant flow. We cover key checks like suction/discharge behavior, condenser air and pipe temperatures, subcooling, fan operation, TXV function, and calculating superheat to prevent liquid or wet gas returning to the compressor. This episode also includes practical tips from the field, including smarter ways to handle oil checks, condenser coil cleaning techniques, and the importance of reading manuals. It's not all about the high level stuff - mastering the basics is truly the key to building confident refrigeration techs and stronger, less stressed service teams. In this episode, we discuss: (00:48) Refrigeration Basics (01:26) Compressor Fundamentals (03:11) Condenser Temps and Subcooling (04:27) Metering Devices and Superheat (09:08) Field Basics Gauges Oil and Coils (11:33) Manuals and System Checks (13:12) TXV Troubleshooting Steps Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 37. Refrigeration Fundamentals and Troubleshooting Training w/ HVAC Know It All Episode 299. Basic Refrigeration 101 Episode 5. CO2 Refrigeration Fundamentals with James Bailey

Big Blue Bubbles, Nylog Truths & CO₂ Oil Mysteries (w/ John Pastorello) | Advanced Refrigeration PodcastBrett Wetzel and Kevin Kompus open with shop-talk about chaotic workloads, out-of-town jobs colliding with local work, a thrown-out back from flipping coffin cases, and joking about “not looking” at oil sample results. They welcome guest John Pastorello, founder of Refrigeration Technologies, who shares his path from bench chemist to HVAC/refrigeration tech to contractor, then into product formulation after back issues. John explains how he developed Big Blue as a refrigerant-compatible bubble leak detector and why spray application helps identify leaks, then discusses Nylog's origins, red (mineral oil) vs blue (POE) versions, and cautions against using Nylog alone on high-pressure CO₂ systems. They review a CO₂ oil analysis, sampling locations, possible contaminants, and why some bubble sprays can trigger electronic leak detectors due to chlorinated preservatives, and John also critiques harsh coil-cleaner chemistry and private-equity buyouts.

Big Blue Bubbles, Nylog Truths & CO₂ Oil Mysteries (w/ John Pastorello) | Advanced Refrigeration PodcastBrett Wetzel and Kevin Kompus open with shop-talk about chaotic workloads, out-of-town jobs colliding with local work, a thrown-out back from flipping coffin cases, and joking about “not looking” at oil sample results. They welcome guest John Pastorello, founder of Refrigeration Technologies, who shares his path from bench chemist to HVAC/refrigeration tech to contractor, then into product formulation after back issues. John explains how he developed Big Blue as a refrigerant-compatible bubble leak detector and why spray application helps identify leaks, then discusses Nylog's origins, red (mineral oil) vs blue (POE) versions, and cautions against using Nylog alone on high-pressure CO₂ systems. They review a CO₂ oil analysis, sampling locations, possible contaminants, and why some bubble sprays can trigger electronic leak detectors due to chlorinated preservatives, and John also critiques harsh coil-cleaner chemistry and private-equity buyouts.

This style of beer – the most popular in the world today – represents the cutting edge of brewing technology from the 1840s. Anney and Lauren hop into the science and history of pilsners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here In this conversation, we're discussing how refrigeration techs can make the transition from technician to manager, with Todd Ernest, Executive Chairman of Climate Pros. Todd has some great insights on management skills, including technical excellence versus leadership excellence, emotional intelligence and coaching ability. We also dive into honing communication skils, listening, avoiding favorites, delegating instead of doing, and accountability - the softer skills that are critical for technicians who want to make the career jump into management. In this episode, we cover: (05:56) Tech vs Manager Mindset (08:59) Traits of Successful Leaders (09:53) Communication Skills (17:59) New Manager Mistakes (23:58) Delegation in the Field (26:04) Accountability Shift (29:03) Management Reality Checks (29:53) Crucial Conversations Manager Need to Have (31:34) Communication That Lands (33:03) Offering Praise and Listening (37:22) Coaching and Establishing Control (39:23) Learning on the Road  Helpful Links & Resources: Episode 262. Transitioning from Technician to Management Episode 286. Leadership Training for Technicians with Jim Pape of The Arcticom Group BOOK: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie BOOK: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Follow Todd on LinkedIn

If you've ever said “We'll just set up a walking blood bank when we need it,” this episode will make you rethink everything. Dennis and Andrew Fisher drop straight fire on how to actually build, stock, train, and run a real walking blood bank on a FOB, Firebase, or any austere base — not just theory, but the exact steps special operators and conventional medics are using right now to save lives when the next mass casualty hits.No fluff. No “somebody else will handle it.” Just battle-tested, practical guidance on turning your team (and the units around you) into a living blood bank that can deliver fresh whole blood in under 30 minutes.Key Takeaways You Can Use TomorrowPre-type every donor (especially O's) and keep the roster with key leaders and medics — Medpros + secondary confirmation beats dog tags every time.Distribute kits across the team so one casualty doesn't wipe out all your supplies.Practice full collections with non-medics — they can (and will) be your force multipliers.Have donor questionnaires filled out in advance for anyone outside your unit; do Eldon cards in calm conditions, never under fire.Plan for 20–30 minutes from alert to transfusion — that window dictates how long you have to bridge with other resuscitation tools.Principles over perfection: good stick + patent line + practiced team beats fancy equipment every single time.Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Why Most Walking Blood Banks Stay TheoreticalThe dangerous gap between “we have a plan” and actually practicing it.02:30 – Preferred Blood & ABO Typing Your Entire ForceLow-titer O whole blood, Medpros screening, lab vs. Eldon cards, and why you double-type.08:45 – Eldon Cards: When They Work (and When They Don't)Calm pre-mission testing vs. chaos — real talk on reliability.13:20 – Supplies & Logistics: Bags, Kits, Refrigeration & Cold ChainFenwal vs. Terumo, how many kits to order, and smart storage hacks.19:10 – Point-of-Injury Kits & Load DistributionWhat medics carry, what teammates carry under plates, and spreading risk.24:40 – IV Technique, Saline Locks & Point-of-Care TestingWhy 18-gauge + PRN adapter wins, donor screening, and host-nation considerations.31:15 – Donor Questionnaires & Pre-ScreeningWhen to use them, multilingual options, and why you do this before the fight.35:50 – Selling It to Commanders & Multi-Unit CoordinationRisk-benefit talk that actually works: mutual support, 100+ years of history, and 10,000+ units transfused.41:20 – Real Timelines: 20–30 Minutes from Call to TransfusionTraining goals, the 15-minute bag-fill rule, and why practice beats classroom speed.47:30 – Closing Principles & Final ThoughtsForce multiplication, non-medics stepping up, and adapting under pressure.Whether you're ODA, Ranger, conventional, or just preparing for the next deployment — this is the episode that turns “we should do a walking blood bank” into “here's exactly how we're doing it.”For more content, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prolongedfieldcare.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Consider supporting us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care⁠

Training the refrigeration technician is about building technicians who think, not just fix. In this engaging conversation from the 7th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium, host Trevor Matthews sits down with Billy Carlson to explore what it really takes to develop technicians who think critically and troubleshoot effectively. Billy shares his journey in the HVAC/R industry, from residential air conditioning to commercial refrigeration, and ultimately specializing in supermarket rack systems and CO2 refrigeration. With only five years in the grocery sector, his company now dedicates 70-80% of its work to refrigeration, with 40% focused on rack systems. This rapid transition offers valuable insights for contractors looking to expand into commercial refrigeration. Key Topics Covered: Building Technicians, Not Just Fixers - Why understanding component flow, P&IDs, and electrical diagrams is crucial for developing thinking technicians rather than parts changers CO2 Refrigeration Training - Billy's honest account of learning CO2 systems, including challenges with dry ice formation, charging procedures, and system tuning Supermarket Rack Work - The unique pressures and rewards of maintaining systems that hold entire stores, including HFC and CO2 racks with multiple compressors Effective Training Methods - Billy's approach to teaching his five-person team, from component identification to reading refrigeration schedules and understanding sequence of operations Fine-Tuning Systems - Insights on slowing down ramp rates, adjusting flash tank pressure, and the importance of proper startup commissioning time Controls & Communications - Why modern refrigeration technicians need to understand networking, gateways, and digital controls alongside traditional refrigeration knowledge Billy emphasizes that patience and willingness to ask for help are essential traits for anyone entering supermarket refrigeration. He shares practical tips on charging CO2 systems, avoiding dry ice in lines, working with VFDs, and reading trend graphs to optimize system performance. Whether you're a residential tech considering commercial refrigeration, a trainer developing curriculum, or a service manager building a team, this conversation offers real-world wisdom on creating technicians who understand the "why" behind every repair.   Check out Refrigeration Mentor at https://refrigerationmentor.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 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.

We often think of negotiation as a series of rigid maneuvers performed in glass-walled boardrooms. We imagine sharp suits, legal jargon, and the clinical pursuit of "more." But what happens when you take the negotiation out of the boardroom and into the boiler room?   In this interview, your host, Cindy Watson, is joined by Larry Weingarten, who views the world through a uniquely practical yet profound lens. Larry is the author of The Philosopher's Wrench; he got his general contractor's license in 1982, and Larry has been a member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).   Buckle up, as Cindy and Larry will be discussing about Creativity, Heart, And Irreverence In Everyday Negotiations.   In this episode, you will learn:   Listening as the foundation of good communication and negotiation. What is deep listening look like in real life? How to approach conflict creatively? How do scarcity show up in everyday interactions, and how can we shift out of that kind of approach? The misconception that people have about negotiation . Simple practice to handle difficult conversation. And many more!   Learn more about Larry:   Website: https://www.larryweingarten.com/   Checkout Larry's book:  The Philosopher's Wrench: Using Your Creativity, Heart & Tools to Fix the World If you're looking to up-level your negotiation skills, I have everything from online to group to my signature one-on-one mastermind & VIP experiences available to help you better leverage your innate power to get more of what you want and deserve in life. Check out our website at www.artofFeminineNegotiation.com if that sounds interesting to you. Get Cindy's book here:   Amazon   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1   EBook   https://www.amazon.com/Art-Feminine-Negotiation-Boardroom-Bedroom-ebook/dp/B0B8KPCYZP?inf_contact_key=94d07c699eea186d2adfbddfef6fb9e2&inf_contact_key=013613337189d4d12be8d2bca3c26821680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1   Barnes and Noble   https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-feminine-negotiation-cindy-watson/1141499614?ean=9781631959776 CONNECT WITH CINDY: Website: www.womenonpurpose.ca Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/womenonpurposecommunity/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenonpurposecoaching/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thecindywatson Show: https://www.womenonpurpose.ca/media/podcast-2/ (X) Twitter:  https://twitter.com/womenonpurpose1 YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@hersuasion Email:cindy@womenonpurpose.ca  

Matthew Taylor delivers an expert-level presentation on EPRs, building on his previous work on parallel rack systems. While his earlier content focused on the similarities between air conditioning and refrigeration, this session explores what makes commercial refrigeration unique—particularly the critical role of EPRs in maintaining optimal operating conditions across multiple evaporators running at different temperatures. This presentation was shared at the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium. The discussion begins with a fundamental review of the refrigeration cycle in a typical supermarket setting, where 30 to 80 evaporators may share a common suction line. Matthew explains why EPRs are essential: when multiple cases need to operate at different temperatures (ranging from -13°F for frozen foods to 24°F for fresh products) but all connect to the same compressor rack, EPRs become the solution that makes this possible. Without them, cases would cycle on and off constantly, creating efficiency nightmares, oil management problems, and potential food safety issues. Matthew walks through the mechanical principles of various EPR types, from the high-efficiency Sporlan SORIT valve with its pilot-operated design to the Parker A8 valve that can be installed directly in the store. He also addresses the industry's shift toward electronic EPRs, particularly the CDS modules that offer temperature-based control rather than just pressure regulation. Throughout the presentation, Matthew emphasizes practical considerations: how EPRs affect compressor staging, oil system pressure, defrost cycles, and ultimately, the core product temperatures that determine food safety. The session includes real-world troubleshooting insights and addresses common misconceptions about setting superheat on systems with EPRs. This technical presentation provides HVAC professionals with the knowledge needed to understand, diagnose, and service EPR-equipped refrigeration systems confidently. Matthew's approach demystifies a component that many technicians find intimidating, breaking it down into understandable principles while highlighting the critical role EPRs play in modern commercial refrigeration efficiency and reliability. Topics Covered Basic Refrigeration Cycle in Supermarket Applications – Understanding parallel rack systems with 30-80 evaporators sharing common suction and liquid lines Oil Management Systems – Oil separators, oil reservoirs, oil regulators, and the critical pressure differential required for proper oil flow Compressor Staging and Capacity Control – How parallel rack compressors operate as multi-stage units to match system load efficiently Saturated Suction Temperature (SST) – Why racks are designated by temperature (e.g., "13-degree rack" or "-13 degree rack") and how this relates to the coldest evaporator requirement Temperature Difference (TD) Engineering – The relationship between evaporator temperature and case leaving air temperature, typically 10 degrees in traditional systems EPR Fundamentals – Why EPRs are necessary to maintain different evaporator pressures on cases operating at various temperatures while connected to a single rack Mechanical EPR Types – Comparison of Sporlan SORIT valves (pilot-operated, low pressure drop) versus Parker A8 valves (self-contained, higher pressure drop) Electronic EPR Systems – Modern CDS modules and other electronic controls offering pressure control, temperature control, or hybrid approaches System Stability and Load Management – How proper EPR settings prevent compressor hunting, reduce energy consumption, and protect oil management systems Subcooling Requirements – Why liquid receivers eliminate natural subcooling and how mechanical subcoolers restore it before expansion devices Core Product Temperature – The critical relationship between runtime, EPR settings, and food safety in refrigerated cases Dual-Temperature Applications – Converting medium-temp cases to low-temp operation (like holiday turkey displays) using EPR pilot solenoids Superheat Setting Procedures – Why EPRs must be overridden to 50-100% open position when setting TXV superheat High Glide Refrigerants – Special considerations for setting EPRs with refrigerants that have significant difference between dew point and bubble point temperatures Troubleshooting Philosophy – Understanding EPRs and TXVs as independent systems that don't directly affect each other due to non-critically charged liquid receiver systems Pressure Drop Considerations – How EPR pressure losses (0.5-2 psi depending on type) affect compressor suction setpoints and energy efficiency Electronic Control Integration – Various controller brands and approaches to managing electronic EPRs, from pressure transducers to temperature sensors and PID algorithms   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.