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HVAC Know It All Podcast

Gary McCreadie - Licensed Refrigeration/HVAC Technician

The HVAC Know It All Podcast, hosted by HVAC and Refrigeration tech Gary McCreadie, is an industry leading show that focuses on education within the HVAC and Refrigeration Trade - Such as HVAC Maintenance Tips.

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Thursday · 19 min
Boiler Startup And Combustion Testing: What To Check Before Leaving The Job with David Nicholson
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with David Nicholson, Training Manager at NTI Boilers, about boiler installation and startup. They cover vent placement, system water management, air removal, combustion testing, and verification before leaving a job. Technicians will learn how installation choices and thorough commissioning can help prevent recurring problems. David draws on site visits, product troubleshooting, and work with research and development on new products. His experience with installation mistakes and service calls informs his advice to treat minimum requirements as limits rather than targets and to build checklists around work actually performed. Key Takeaways How exceeding minimum clearances and increasing intake-to-exhaust separation where possible can help reduce exhaust contamination at the boiler intake. Why controlling makeup water with a dedicated feeder can help expose ongoing leaks rather than allow automatic refilling to mask them. How thorough air removal, combustion analysis, gas-pressure checks, and inspection of venting and condensate drainage support a complete boiler startup. Why carbon monoxide readings deserve close attention during combustion testing and can reveal problems that calculated carbon dioxide readings alone may not make apparent. How checklists can reduce missed startup steps when technicians focus on performing and verifying the work rather than simply completing the paperwork. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Episode and Guest Introduction 01:28 – Combi boilers versus separate heating and domestic hot water equipment, installation mistakes 03:35 – What are some of the big glaring problems you see as a trainer 08:05 – Air bleeders, their usage and disadvantages 11:51 – After-installation checks to ensure smoothly operating boilers 15:50 – Main components of combustion tests 17:52 – Discussion about products, manufacturers, and episode closing This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest and His Company on: David Nicholson - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-nicholson-7a9884118/ NTI Boilers - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ntiboilers/ NTI Boilers - Company Website: https://www.ntiboilers.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
Wednesday · 20 min
Selling Your HVAC Business Under Stress Can Cost You More Than You Think with Derek Cormier
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero continue talk with Derek Cormier, Founder of Escape The One Man Show, and CEO & Founder at Climate Experts Air Plumbing & Electric, about building a profitable HVAC company that depends less on its owner. They cover apprentice recruiting, financial literacy, field service software, office staffing, virtual assistants, and the limits of AI call handling. They also examine private equity offers and why repeatable systems can give owners more choices about whether, when, and how to sell. Derek operates in Melbourne, Florida, and draws on his experience building a recruiting pipeline, moving from paper invoices to Housecall Pro and then ServiceTitan, and restructuring office support. He describes testing AI phone agents against human customer service representatives and using financial reports to identify overstaffing. His approach centers on Climate Experts' mission: "caring enough to do it the right way, no matter what it takes." Expect To Learn: -How an apprentice recruiting pipeline can reduce dependence on individual technicians. -Why owners need to understand their profit and loss before delegating management. -How reporting needs can guide field service software decisions. -How to balance office support, specialized roles, and staffing costs. -Where virtual assistants and AI fit into customer service operations. -Why customer communication preferences should shape phone and texting workflows. -What to examine in a private equity offer and which ownership alternatives the hosts discuss. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:49 - Recruiting Apprentices Versus Experienced Technicians 01:36 - Software and the Shift to Business Ownership 02:38 - Understanding Profit and Loss 04:26 - Balancing Office Support and Overhead 07:00 - Bringing Virtual Assistants Into the Team 08:10 - Human Call Handling Versus AI 10:40 - Customer Preferences for Texting and Calls 12:03 - Business Acquisitions and Trade Experience 15:00 - Sustainable Ownership and Exit Choices 19:03 - Examining Private Equity Deal Economics Follow our Guest Derek Cormier: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-cormier/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thederekcormier/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thederekcormier/ Follow the Company Escape The One Man Show: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escape-the-one-man-show/home/ Website: https://www.escapetheonemanshow.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapetheonemanshow/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapeTheOneManShow/ Follow the Company Climate Experts Air Plumbing & Electric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climate-experts-air-plumbing-electric/home/ Website: https://www.climateexpertsac.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climateexpertsinc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climateexpertsac/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
Monday · 21 min
Combi Boiler Sequence Of Operation: From Hot Water Demand To Ignition with David Nicholson - Part 1
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with David Nicholson, Training Manager at NTI Boilers, about on-demand water heating and combi boiler operation. They cover demand sensing, burner startup, water quality, ignition systems, and domestic hot water priority. HVAC technicians will learn how these controls work together and why a heating call does not always trigger immediate ignition. David draws on his experience in technical support and contractor training to explain the equipment decisions behind common service questions. His work with engineering and research and development also informs his perspective on igniter reliability, while feedback from technicians helps connect product design to installation and maintenance challenges. Key Takeaways How flow switches and flow meters signal domestic hot water demand and influence burner response. How the boiler checks safeties, verifies fan speed, initiates ignition, and proves flame before modulating output. Why incoming water filtration and water-quality treatment matter for flow-switch reliability and scale prevention. Why NTI Boilers moved toward spark ignition and how electrode warping can still cause failures. How domestic hot water priority, diverting-valve operation, and temperature differentials affect a combi boiler's response to space-heating calls. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode & Guest David Nicholson 02:07 – Regional differences in technician knowledge and training needs 03:22 – Learning from technicians and recognizing manufacturer knowledge gaps 10:29 – Types of flow switches, spark vs hot surface igniters, and combi 19:08 – Igniter reliability, domestic hot water priority, and space-heating controls This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/hvacknowitall Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest and His Company on: David Nicholson - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-nicholson-7a9884118/ NTI Boilers - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ntiboilers/ NTI Boilers - Company Website: https://www.ntiboilers.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
November 6 · 20 min
Cracked Heat Exchanger Testing: Why an Analyzer Alone Is Not Enough with Tyler Nelson - Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR, HVAC Sales Manager & Trainer - Americas at Seitron Americas Inc., about heat exchanger inspections, combustion diagnostics, and personal carbon monoxide monitoring. They explain how visual checks complement analyzer readings, why building changes can disrupt draft, and how technicians can approach CO protection throughout the year. Tyler conducts training for contractors, distributors, and conference audiences. His work includes helping contractors improve installation, commissioning, and diagnostic practices. He brings that field-training perspective to inspection access, interpreting combustion measurements, and using technology without abandoning hands-on diagnostic skills. Key Takeaways How ambient CO monitoring, installation checks, visual inspection, and combustion analysis work together as layers of a diagnostic process. How borescopes, phone cameras, and planned access panels can help technicians inspect hard-to-reach heat exchangers. Why a blue flame alone cannot establish safe combustion performance. How building alterations and exhaust systems can change pressure conditions and interfere with appliance draft. Why personal CO monitoring remains relevant during summer service calls when other fuel-fired appliances are operating indoors. Key Timestamps 00:00 - Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 - Guest and Episode Introduction 02:09 – Layering ambient CO checks, installation review, and visual inspection 07:43 – Planning inspection access during installation 12:21 – Personal CO monitoring and year-round exposure risks 13:55 – CO safety for customers, technicians, and staff 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 and His Company on: Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-nelson-master-hvacr-9a8a981b/ Seitron Americas Inc. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seitron-americas-/inc Seitron Americas Inc. - Company Website: https://www.seitronamericas.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
November 4 · 21 min
Combustion Analysis Across Light-Off, Steady State, and Shutdown with Tyler Nelson - Part 1
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR, HVAC Sales Manager & Trainer - Americas at Seitron Americas Inc., about testing combustion at light-off, steady state, and shutdown. They examine what each phase can reveal about burner operation, heat exchanger integrity, and fuel delivery. Technicians will learn why steady-state readings alone can miss diagnostic clues and how analyzer protection affects testing practices. Tyler wrote Combustion Analysis: The Essentials and recently joined a collaborative team of trainers at Seitron Americas Inc. His teaching connects analyzer readings to a diagnostic thought process: what a technician observes, what it might mean, and what to check next. That approach also informs his use of multiple tests when evaluating a suspected heat exchanger breach. Key Takeaways How testing at light-off, steady state, and shutdown reveals different operating characteristics that steady-state testing alone can miss. Why Nelson uses CO air-free readings to evaluate combustion and distinguishes light-off thresholds from steady-state thresholds. How monitoring oxygen after the blower starts can help identify a suspected heat exchanger breach as part of a broader verification process. How shutdown readings can reveal clues to a leaking gas valve, residual oil, or a secondary heat exchanger drainage problem. Why light-off testing requires close attention to analyzer sensor protection, and why temporarily closed supply registers must be reopened after static-pressure testing. Key Timestamps 00:00 - Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 - Guest and Episode Introduction 02:24 – Defining light-off, steady state, and shutdown 09:20 – CO air-free readings and combustion evaluation thresholds 15:58 – Analyzer protection and focused attention during light-off testing 17:48 – Static-pressure testing within a multi-step heat exchanger evaluation 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 and His Company on: Tyler Nelson, Master HVACR - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-nelson-master-hvacr-9a8a981b/ Seitron Americas Inc. - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seitron-americas-/inc Seitron Americas Inc. - Company Website: https://www.seitronamericas.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
November 4 · 22 min
Is Hiding Cash Costing Your HVAC Business Its Resale Value? with Derek Cormier
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero welcome Derek Cormier, Founder of Escape The One Man Show, and CEO & Founder at Climate Experts Air Plumbing & Electric, to talk about building a company that can operate beyond its owner's field skills. They discuss aligning business partners, recording revenue, protecting business value, making the first office hire, and creating repeatable training systems. Derek explains why developing apprentices around achievable standards helped him move from doing the work himself toward managing the business. Derek grew up working on construction sites with his father and spent five years as a police officer before returning to Melbourne, Florida. He studied construction engineering at UCF while working as an HVAC technician, then chose to pursue HVAC. After working for several local companies and starting a branch of his uncle's business, Cold Air, he obtained his own contractor's license and rebranded as Climate Experts. His experience rebuilding the business in 2019 informs his approach to hiring, training, and company culture. Expect To Learn: -How communication, technical judgment, and hands-on skills support the transition from technician to owner. -Why partners need aligned values, shared goals, and clear decision-making authority. -How unrecorded cash revenue can undermine business valuation and financing opportunities. -Why faster payment collection gives a business more cash to reinvest. -How to choose an early office hire around the owner's operational weaknesses. -Why repeatable work standards help owners delegate without expecting every technician to match their skills. -How supervised development and appropriately assigned maintenance work can help apprentices build experience. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:59 - From Construction and Policing to HVAC 04:53 - Why Derek Started His Own Business 07:41 - Family Partnerships and Different Business Goals 11:03 - Recording Revenue Instead of Hiding Cash 12:32 - Faster Collections and the Cash Conversion Cycle 13:19 - How Reported Profit Affects Business Value 15:31 - Rebuilding with an Office Manager as the First Hire 17:12 - Repeatable Standards and Staged Technician Training 21:41 - Hiring Experience Versus Training for Culture Follow our Guest Derek Cormier: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-cormier/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thederekcormier/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thederekcormier/ Follow the Guest's Company Escape The One Man Show: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/escape-the-one-man-show/home/ Website: https://www.escapetheonemanshow.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escapetheonemanshow/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EscapeTheOneManShow/ Follow the Guest's Company Climate Experts Air Plumbing & Electric: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climate-experts-air-plumbing-electric/home/ Website: https://www.climateexpertsac.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climateexpertsinc/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
October 29 · 17 min
Which Testo Analyzer Fits Your Work, the 320 or 330? - Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Jamie Chadwick, HVAC Product Manager at Testo Instruments - North America, about combustion analysis and technician safety. They discuss the 320 and 330 analyzers, sensor maintenance, digital reporting, and personal carbon monoxide monitoring. Technicians will learn how clean-air zeroing, annual service, and gas path checks support reliable testing. Jamie teaches combustion analysis across furnaces and boilers using natural gas, propane, and oil. His classroom experience highlights practical mistakes, including zeroing near vehicle exhaust and leaving condensate-trap plugs loose. He connects those examples to equipment checks and the need to consult local codes and manufacturer specifications. Key Takeaways How combustion readings provide a reference point for evaluating operation alongside local codes and manufacturer specifications. Why field-replaceable sensors do not eliminate the need to send an analyzer in annually to verify its operation. How digital reports preserve dated and timestamped readings and let technicians share test records with customers and the office. How a wearable CO detector with an earbud option can support personal monitoring in loud mechanical rooms. Why zeroing an analyzer in clean outdoor air, away from running vehicles and cigarette smoke, helps prevent distorted readings. How a gas path check helps identify leaks that warrant checking hose connections, filter caps, and the condensate-trap plug. Key Timestamps 00:00 - Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 - Guest and Episode Introduction 02:42 – Combustion training, operating ranges, and manufacturer specifications 03:37 – Testo 320 features and guided testing for newer technicians 06:04 – Testo 330 applications and dilution-pump protection 10:31 – Wearable CO monitoring with the 317-3 13:58 – Avoiding exhaust contamination when zeroing an analyzer 16:45 – Gas path checks and common leak points 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 and His Company on: Jamie Chadwick - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-chadwick-b72a43148/ Testo Instruments - North America - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/testo-usa/ Testo Instruments - North America - Company Website: https://www.testo.com/en Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 28 · 23 min
The Contractor Experience Behind Amply's HVAC Software
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero continue the conversation with Eric Fitz, Co-founder, Co-CEO, and Chief Technology Officer at Amply Energy, Inc., and Ed Smith, Co-founder, Co-CEO, and Chief Customer Officer at Amply Energy, Inc., about the operational demands of heat pump work. The discussion covers rebate paperwork, cash flow, subcontractor partnerships, and the opportunity to combine HVAC with whole-home performance services. Eric and Ed explain how contractors can pair technical expertise with reliable processes to compete on trust rather than speed, and how design software and human-supervised AI could support that work. Eric and Ed draw on experience with installations, whole-home electrification services, and software development at amply. Their work connects building-envelope assessment, HVAC design, electrical-load considerations, and customer recommendations. They describe a design-focused approach to software development, with tools intended to support contractors' judgment rather than replace their responsibility for the results. Expect To Learn: -How rebate administration and delayed reimbursements can strain staffing, cash flow, and payroll. -Why electrical and weatherization partnerships need shared standards for quality, communication, and customer service. -How combining building-envelope improvements with HVAC design supports a whole-home approach to comfort and efficiency. -Where design software could connect insulation, electrical-panel assessments, energy forecasts, and phased customer recommendations. -How the trust matrix pairs strong processes with technical expertise to distinguish independent contractors from speed-focused competitors. -How to improve pricing, quoting, and operations incrementally without sacrificing craftsmanship or customer trust. -Why amply's approach to AI keeps humans responsible at the beginning and end of the workflow. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:43 - Rebate Administration, Cash Flow, and Subcontractor Coordination 02:13 - Building HVAC and Weatherization Partnerships 04:46 - The Case for Whole-Home Performance Services 06:06 - Software Gaps for Home Performance Contractors 07:08 - Design Priorities and Software Integrations 10:26 - Connecting Whole-Home Recommendations to Quotes 14:57 - Sustainable Pricing, Trust, and Incremental Improvements 20:21 - Human-Supervised AI and the Contractor Copilot Follow our Guests on LinkedIn: Eric Fitz - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/ Ed Smith - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716/ Follow Our Guest's Company Amply Energy, Inc.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amply-energy/home/ Website: https://www.amply.energy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amply_energy/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
October 26 · 21 min
Skipping the First Combustion Test Costs You a Baseline - Part 1
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Jamie Chadwick, HVAC Product Manager at Testo Instruments - North America, about putting safety first during heating service and maintenance. They explain testing before and after repairs, recognizing possible carbon monoxide exposure, preparing an analyzer, and selecting a sampling location. Technicians will learn how these practices support safer testing and help document their work. Jamie draws on his contracting experience and current training work to connect analyzer procedures with field conditions. His approach emphasizes checking equipment before making changes, verifying operation afterward, and recognizing when emergency services need to make a site safe. He also explains why general training cannot replace checking local codes and manufacturer requirements. Key Takeaways How testing before and after service helps document equipment condition and demonstrate the effect of maintenance. Why reported headaches, lightheadedness, or nausea warrant attention to possible carbon monoxide exposure and personal CO monitoring. Why suspected hazardous CO conditions call for evacuation and emergency assistance rather than attempts to continue troubleshooting. How zeroing an analyzer in clean outdoor air and allowing equipment operation to stabilize helps prepare for combustion testing. Why sampling location matters for flue temperature and efficiency readings, and why an outdoor termination reading may not match a reading near the appliance. Key Timestamps 00:00 - Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 - Guest and Episode Introduction 03:52 - Importance of the safety of the machine 07:14 - What do the training for Combustion Analysis include? 12:22 - A walk-through of the Combustion Analysis call 15:59 - Correct position to put the Combustion Analyzer Probe 19:17 - Jamie's take on shoving the probe in the termination outside 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 and His Company on: Jamie Chadwick - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-chadwick-b72a43148/ Testo Instruments - North America - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/testo-usa/ Testo Instruments - North America - Company Website: https://www.testo.com/en Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 22 · 15 min
Why Your Furnace Vent Pipe Can Leak Years Later Even When the Joint Looks Finished - Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Gaetano Altomare, Category Manager - Plumbing at IPEX by Aliaxis, about installing nonmetallic flue gas venting correctly. They cover pipe preparation, solvent welding, inspection, primer requirements, and combustion testing. Listeners will learn how to avoid weak connections and preserve vent integrity during installation and service. Gaetano brings firsthand knowledge of certified venting products, manufacturer installation guidelines, and the development of dedicated combustion-testing fittings. His manufacturer's perspective connects the mechanics of pipe-and-fitting fusion with practical field decisions, including cutting older pipe, verifying compatible components, and sealing test-access plugs. Key Takeaways How square cuts, beveled ends, clean pipe surfaces, and a dry-fit interference check help produce a properly fused vent connection. Why certified vent systems require components from one manufacturer and how optical brighteners help inspectors verify primer and solvent cement use. How local requirements, installation temperatures of 32°F and colder, and pipe sizes of six inches and larger determine primer use for the products discussed. How a dedicated combustion-testing fitting installed within two feet of the appliance provides probe access without drilling the vent pipe. Why the test-access plug discussed requires two full turns of Teflon tape rather than relying on plastic threads alone to seal. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 – Episode Introduction 03:14 – Cost difference between PVC and CPVC 08:18 – Glue or chemical bonding 11:21 – Primer requirements for temperature and local jurisdiction 12:33 – Combustion testing without drilling vent pipe 14:36 – Final installation lesson: sealing the test-access plug 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 and His Company on: Gaetano Altomare - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaetano-altomare-85a78833 IPEX by Aliaxis - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipexbyaliaxis/ IPEX by Aliaxis - Company Website: https://ipexna.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 21 · 20 min
The Contractor Experience Behind Amply's HVAC Software
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero welcome Eric Fitz, Co-founder, Co-CEO, and Chief Technology Officer at Amply Energy, Inc., and Ed Smith, Co-founder, Co-CEO, and Chief Customer Officer at Amply Energy, Inc., to discuss how contractors can adapt their sales and design processes for heat pumps. They explore why accurate load calculations matter, how visual design tools help homeowners understand recommendations, and how to make a longer assessment a clear point of difference. The discussion also covers charging for design work, setting expectations during intake, and matching sales responsibilities to the team's expertise. Eric and Ed began with whole-home electrification projects across New England, combining weatherization, HVAC, heat pump water heaters, EV charging, solar, and batteries. Eric brought modeling and HVAC design experience, while Ed's learning process helped them identify where software needed to make that expertise easier to apply. Their work alongside installation partners exposed challenges in design and business operations, leading them to shift toward software that supports HVAC contractors. Expect To Learn: -Why Amply shifted from whole-home electrification projects to supporting HVAC contractors with design software. -How Manual J defines a home's loads before equipment selection, regardless of the system being installed. -Why heat pump selection requires balancing heating, cooling, moisture removal, and airflow requirements. -How visual design information helps homeowners understand recommendations and share them with another decision-maker. -How intake staff can explain a longer assessment and prepare homeowners for a more detailed visit. -How to choose between paid diagnostics, charging for design documents, and including design in a free estimate. -How accessible design tools can help less-experienced employees take on work that otherwise falls to the owner. Timestamps: 00:00 - Episode introduction 00:57 - Guests introduction and Whole-Home Electrification Origins 04:37 - Why Amply Energy, Inc. Shifted to Supporting Contractors 05:34 - Making Design Faster, Accurate, and Visual 08:35 - Testing Software Through an Installation Business 10:04 - Preparing a Traditional HVAC Shop for Heat Pumps 11:11 - Manual J and Heat Pump Equipment Selection 13:49 - Assessment Time and Homeowner Engagement 15:36 - Setting Expectations During the Intake Call 17:16 - Options for Charging for Diagnostics and Design 18:38 - Helping Less-Experienced Staff Handle Design Follow our Guests on LinkedIn: Eric Fitz - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/ Ed Smith - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716/ Follow Our Guest's Company Amply Energy, Inc.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amply-energy/home/ Website: https://www.amply.energy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amply_energy/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
October 19 · 21 min
Why Ordinary Drain Pipe Isn't Built to Handle Your Furnace's Heat Over Time - Part 1
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Gaetano Altomare, Category Manager - Plumbing at IPEX by Aliaxis, who describes his team's work developing certified flue gas venting products. They examine System 1738, its differences from System 636, and the risks of using generic drain, waste, and vent pipe on gas-fired appliances. Installers will learn how certification, product markings, and appliance instructions inform material selection. Gaetano explains how advances in engineered plastics helped his team develop compounds capable of meeting UL 1738 requirements. Drawing on that development experience, he connects mechanical and material testing to long-term exposure to heat and condensate, then explains the temperature limits and applications of PVC and CPVC venting. Key Takeaways Why generic drain, waste, and vent materials are not designed for flue gas exposure, including the conditions that can cause ABS to become brittle and crack. How System 636 and System 1738 serve Canadian and US certification requirements, respectively, rather than different appliance operating conditions. How UL 1738 combines mechanical performance and material testing to evaluate suitability for flue gas venting over time. How product labels and print lines identify venting material, certification, manufacturer, and maximum temperature rating. Why the appliance manufacturer's installation manual must guide material selection, including when higher-temperature applications call for CPVC. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 – Guest and Episode Introduction 01:13 – Why generic ABS and PVC are not intended for flue gas venting 07:54 – System 636 versus System 1738 and their intended markets 14:54 - PVC and CPVC Pipes 21:05 – CPVC's 194°F maximum rating and boiler applications 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 and His Company on: Gaetano Altomare - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaetano-altomare-85a78833 IPEX by Aliaxis - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipexbyaliaxis/ IPEX by Aliaxis - Company Website: https://ipexna.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 14 · 22 min
Stop Using AI Like a Chatbot with Vern Crawford
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero continue their conversation with Vern Crawford, founder of Flow Logic Automation, about deploying AI in HVAC businesses. Vern demonstrates how automation can move home warranty work orders from email into Housecall Pro, explains the progression from chat to connected business context to code, and outlines options for connecting AI tools to field service data. The discussion also covers debugging workflows, MCP connections, data integrity, and preparing business systems for reliable automation. Vern Crawford works with businesses to build AI-enabled automations and system connections. In this conversation, he shares an example of a Make scenario that processes plumbing work orders and describes building and using MCP connections for Housecall Pro. Expect To Learn: How a Make scenario can route incoming work orders into Housecall Pro. Why workflow branches handle different customer, address, and job outcomes. How Slack messages can help debug automation decision points. When to use no-code automation tools instead of custom coding. How AI use can progress from chat to connected business context and code. Three approaches to connecting AI tools with Housecall Pro through MCP. Why data integrity and cleanup must come before large automation projects. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to AI deployment in HVAC businesses 01:28 – Building a Make scenario for warranty work orders 04:23 – Using Slack messages for debugging 04:52 – Make, Zapier, and custom agent building 05:37 – Learning automation through simple workflows 06:40 – Getting implementation help as a contractor 07:48 – First impressions of Claude voice conversations 08:14 – The progression from chat to context to code 11:09 – Connecting AI to Housecall Pro data 12:40 – Using AI for direct business feedback 15:19 – Three ways to build a Housecall Pro MCP connection 19:45 – Data integrity before automation Follow our Guest Vern Crawford: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vern_crawford/ Company Website: https://www.flowlogicautomation.com/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
October 12 · 18 min
How One-Inch MERV 11 Filters Can Work With the Right HVAC Airflow Design - Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Chris Howells, Senior Training & Development Manager at AprilAire, about designing smaller filters and cabinets while maintaining filtration performance and airflow. In Part 2 of their conversation, they discuss three-inch media, one-inch MERV 11 filters, and installation practices that affect pressure drop. HVAC technicians will learn why filter depth alone does not determine performance and how transitions help systems use the filter's full face opening. Howells describes more than four years of development work informed by contractor, distributor, and consumer feedback. He explains how AprilAire's engineering and product management teams addressed shrinking mechanical spaces through changes to media construction and cabinet design. He also shares field-testing experience that connects those design choices to airflow concerns and maintenance schedules. Key Takeaways How smaller mechanical rooms and contractor feedback are driving thinner filter cabinets and changes to their dimensions. How supporting mesh, electrostatic media, and adjustments to metal backing help three-inch filters retain surface area while limiting pressure drop. The role of increased surface area and frame design in AprilAire's one-inch MERV 11 filter offering. Why filter service intervals and field validation matter when matching filtration options to maintenance agreements. How transitions that expose the full filter face help avoid pressure increases caused by undersized return openings. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 – Episode overview and Guest introduction 02:22 – Cabinet evolution and demand for smaller dimensions 10:49 – One-inch MERV 11 filter design and surface area 15:03 – Full-face transitions, pressure drop, and replacement practices 17:24 – Closing remarks 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 and His Company on: Chris Howells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-howells-5aa32b64/ AprilAire - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aprilaire/ AprilAire - Company Website: https://www.aprilaire.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 8 · 26 min
Why a Thicker HVAC Filter Can Have Less Pressure Drop Than a One-Inch Filter - Part 1
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie talks with Chris Howells, Senior Training & Development Manager at AprilAire, about applying indoor air quality solutions during shoulder seasons and making filtration part of a complete HVAC approach. They cover humidity concerns, filter selection, MERV ratings, pressure drop, airflow, and ways technicians can explain system performance to homeowners. Chris draws on his work educating contractors about filtration and indoor air quality. He explains why increasingly sealed homes and modern variable-speed equipment require technicians to assess the full system, including duct design, filter surface area, and delivered airflow, before recommending higher-efficiency filtration. Key Takeaways How to use shoulder-season humidity and comfort concerns to start an ethical indoor air quality conversation. Why indoor air quality solutions should address human health and comfort rather than focus on selling products. The relationship between filter MERV rating, pressure drop, surface area, and delivered airflow. How deeper media filters can provide more filtration surface area without equating filter depth with restriction. Why variable-speed ECM motors can be more affected by restrictive filters than older single-stage PSC motors. How static-pressure measurements and visual evidence can help homeowners understand filtration-related system issues. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Factory Direct Filters Ad 00:42 – Episode overview and Guest introduction 04:14 – Providing indoor air quality solutions during shoulder season 06:25 – Dehumidification as the first stage of cooling and its role in comfort 10:00 - AprilAire and their filtration 11:57 – One-inch filters, equipment protection, and the impact of pressure drop 13:32 – How modern variable-speed motors respond to restrictive filters 17:59 – Filter surface area, depth loading, and comparing one-inch and three-inch media 21:31 – Showing homeowners static-pressure readings and using a practitioner mindset 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 and His Company on: Chris Howells - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-howells-5aa32b64/ AprilAire - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aprilaire/ AprilAire - Company Website: https://www.aprilaire.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 7 · 22 min
How an AI Phone Agent Created $200K in New Business for Plumbing Companies | Vern Crawford
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Vern Crawford, founder of Flow Logic Automation, about practical uses of AI and automation in HVAC and plumbing businesses. They examine an after-hours AI phone agent for plumbing emergencies, the difference between deterministic automations and AI agents, and how APIs, webhooks, and MCPs connect business systems. The conversation also covers starting with simple workflows, using field service management data effectively, and preparing clean data before implementing AI. Vern has experience working with Housecall Pro automations and building AI-enabled workflows. He discusses creating an MCP connection for Housecall Pro, using Make.com to process plumbing work orders, and helping businesses implement these systems. Expect To Learn: How an after-hours AI phone agent can handle emergency calls and referrals. Why voice, tone, and local context matter when designing AI phone agents. The difference between deterministic automations and AI agents. How a completed-job trigger can improve office visibility in Housecall Pro. Why technician habits and workflow design affect automation success. How AI agents can help interpret technician notes and complete administrative tasks. What APIs, webhooks, and Model Context Protocols do in an AI workflow. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Vern Crawford and Flow Logic Automation 01:05 – A practical AI phone agent workflow 03:57 – AI voice options, tone, and customer reactions 04:52 – Testing accents and using human reception during business hours 06:41 – Automation versus AI agents 10:14 – A starting automation for completed jobs 11:55 – Technician use of the finish button 15:19 – Managing variation in HVAC service jobs 18:03 – APIs, webhooks, and MCPs explained 19:36 – Model Context Protocols and AI system connections 21:28 – Webhooks as machine-to-machine messages Follow our Guest Vern Crawford & His Company: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vern_crawford/ Company Website: https://www.flowlogicautomation.com/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
October 5 · 21 min
Hidden Video Game Addiction Nearly Cost Matt Showers His Family After Years of Secrecy - Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie speaks with Matt Showers, a commercial-industrial HVAC professional and the host of Trade Therapy Podcast, about the effects of compulsive screen time, gaming, and other obsessive behaviors on family life. They discuss recognizing a problem, confronting the consequences of addiction, setting boundaries, and taking the first step toward getting help. Matt shares how gaming became an ongoing problem during his marriage and why an ultimatum from his wife became his turning point. Drawing on his experience of rebuilding trust and changing his habits, he explains how honesty, visible boundaries, and a long-term focus on the kind of parent and partner he wants to be have shaped his approach. Key Takeaways How recognizing the impact of compulsive behavior on family life can become the first step toward change. Why knowledge and sound measurement practices matter more than owning expensive tools. The importance of creating boundaries that reduce easy access to habits that can become compulsive. How honesty about setbacks can help rebuild trust and keep recovery efforts accountable. Why obsessive behavior can become harmful when it displaces sleep, food, work, or family responsibilities. How reaching out to a trusted person can start the process of finding appropriate support. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Cintas Ad 02:45 – Community, social media, and calling out poor HVAC practices 05:21 – Matt's breaking point with compulsive gaming and screen time 08:23 – How addiction can take many forms, including work and learning 11:16 – The effects of obsessive behavior on basic needs and family responsibilities 17:05 – Why bottling up emotions can lead to a breaking point 20:04 – Matt's advice to reach out to a trusted person for help 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 and His Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvac_grammarian/ Guest Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Hvac.grammarian Podcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/trade-therapy/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
October 1 · 26 min
When Do Mental Health Problems Need More Help Than Your Friends Can Give? Part 1
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie speaks with Matt Showers, a commercial-industrial HVAC professional and the host of Trade Therapy Podcast. They discuss putting real stories behind the topic, recognizing when peer support is not enough, managing screen and gaming habits, and responding to online negativity without feeding it. Matt draws from his experience creating the Trade Therapy podcast and seeking therapy for his own screen addiction. He explains how professional support and future-focused exercises helped him reset priorities, set limits around gaming, and spend more intentional time with his family. Key Takeaways How sharing personal stories can make mental health conversations in the trades more concrete and relatable. Why professional help may be necessary when a mental health challenge is beyond what a friend can help resolve. How phone games and immersive video games can become a distraction from family and other priorities. The value of setting a timer and stepping away from screens before they consume more time than intended. Why asking questions and seeking context is more constructive than attacking people online. Key Timestamps 00:00 – Cintas Ad 04:03 – Matt explains why he started the Trade Therapy podcast 09:44 – Matt describes the pull of phone games and video games 12:02 – Therapy, future-focused exercises, and resetting priorities 21:35 – Why online attacks can be driven by attention and engagement 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 and His Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvac_grammarian/ Guest Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Hvac.grammarian Podcast Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/trade-therapy/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455
September 30 · 23 min
How AI and Commissioning Are Changing the Future of HVAC Service with Jim Bergmann
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Jim Bergmann, President of measureQuick, and Director of New Product Development at Redfish Instruments Inc. about residential HVAC commissioning, reducing callbacks, and verified equipment operation. Jim explains how airflow, static pressure, charging, and manufacturer installation requirements affect system longevity. He also discusses AI guardrails, diagnostic tools, repair options, and why HVAC businesses may benefit from more specialized roles. Expect To Learn: Why commissioning helps reduce callbacks and protect equipment. How airflow and static pressure affect system operation. What verified equipment operation includes for residential installs. Why technicians should follow manufacturer installation requirements. Where AI can support HVAC diagnostics and where human judgment remains necessary. How repair options can serve customers in a repair economy. Why specialized roles can strengthen installation and commissioning quality. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to part two with Jim Bergmann 00:48 – Callbacks and commissioning for business owners 02:02 – Verified equipment operation for residential systems 07:19 – AI and the future of HVAC diagnostics 07:48 – AI as a tool for refining thinking 09:11 – AI guardrails and Measure Quick's use of measured data 13:16 – Repair options in a repair economy 17:24 – Specialized commissioning and technical efficiency roles 23:14 – Closing conversation on AI and HVAC Follow our Guest Jim Bergmann: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bergmann-2968178/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/measurequick-application/ Company Website: https://measurequick.com/ Follow Gary McCreadie: 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 Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workhero__/
September 28 · 20 min
Is New HVAC Technology Making Technicians Better or Too Dependent? with Don Gillis Part 2
In this episode of HVAC Know It All, host Gary McCreadie speaks with HVACR Educator Don Gillis of Gillis Coach about helping technicians adapt to digital tools and evolving equipment. They cover the shift from analog instruments to Bluetooth-enabled technology, the value of understanding mechanical fundamentals, and how to assess training resources before relying on them. Don draws on experience in field service, service management, manufacturer work, and training to explain why technicians and counter staff need a stronger grasp of refrigeration fundamentals. His perspective connects real-world testing, tool calibration, and ongoing training to the changes technicians face with modern controls, EEVs, and new refrigerants. Key Takeaways How to combine digital diagnostic tools with an understanding of the mechanical principles behind the readings. Why technicians teaching others need to stay current with the tools and technology used in the field. The importance of learning the refrigeration cycle so counter staff can have more useful technical conversations. How to evaluate online HVAC training by choosing sources that demonstrate sound knowledge and real-world mistakes. Why new components such as EEVs and variable-speed equipment require technicians to move beyond familiar routines. The difference between laboratory testing and field testing when manufacturers introduce new products. Key Timestamps [00:00] - Sponsor Ad: Factory Direct Filters [00:42] - Introduction to Don Gillis & the Focus of the Episode [02:25] – Don's early adoption of digital tools and Bluetooth technology [06:46] – Why new technicians should train with current digital equipment [08:44] – The decline of refrigeration knowledge at the supply counter [11:50] – How refrigeration technology reaches residential HVAC systems [12:53] – Accepting change and choosing reliable online training sources [16:16] – Laboratory testing, field testing, and product release pressure [19:10] – Closing discussion on scroll-compressor check valves 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 and His Company on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dongilliscom/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gillis-coach/ Company Website: https://gilliscoach.com/ Follow the Host on: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ LinkedIn - HVAC Know It All: 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-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

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