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This episode is another of our "Morning Coffee" sessions inside our Refrigeration Mentor Community with longtime refrigeration professionals Andrew Freeburg and Erik Holland, discussing challenges and solutions for the refrigeration workforce. We share experiences and insights into technician shortages, training new technicians, and the evolving landscape of refrigeration. We also get into a technical deep dive on oil analysis, detailing how to read lab reports, assess moisture, contaminants, and acidity in refrigeration systems. Interested in joining the next meetup live? Join our FREE Refrigeration Mentor Community today.

In this episode, we discuss:

(0:38) Challenges in the Refrigeration Industry (1:12) Importance of Mentorship in the Trades (6:15) Global Perspectives on Refrigeration (12:01) Hands-On Refrigeration Troubleshooting Tips (18:30) Safety and Efficiency in Refrigeration (22:41) Career Opportunities in Refrigeration (30:46) Understanding Oils in Compressors (32:35) Moisture Control in Refrigeration (36:52) Analyzing Oil Samples (46:40) Dealing with High Acidity Levels (51:24) Practical Advice for Technicians

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 363. A Look Ahead to 2026 in Refrigeration

Episode 112: Refrigeration Workforce Development and CO2 Training w/NASRC

Episode 085: Generation Z with love2hvac

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