The Process Chiller Pro

In this episode of the Process Chiller Pro Podcast, I will cover what a PROCESS CHILLER is. 

I will outline the differences between a process duty chiller vs a large tonnage centrifugal chiller used mainly for climate control systems. 

I will also share a life lesson stressing the importance of NOT making assumptions or shortcuts when you approach electrical troubleshooting situations. 

 To access this episode in both video and audio-only versions, click on the link provided below to jump over to this episode's page on the PCA website. 

 CLICK THIS LINK - https://bit.ly/3wjRSz4 

And a quick message if you think it's kind of weird to only post announcements of new Process Chiller Pro episodes on our site, we do this for two reasons:

 First, although the social platforms are awesome in many ways, they tend NOT to provide the flexibility to make content updates. 

 And second, these companies set the policies on what goes on their platforms, and they can change their policies for access and usage at ANY time. 

 Bottom line, I want to spend my time creating and posting great content and not stress about updating an episode or managing content compliance challenges these platforms may mandate.

 Important tip, we sometimes will provide links to free training courses, discount codes from some of our sponsors, and other cool stuff on these landing pages, so after clicking the links above, do a quick scan of the landing page when you get there as you may find some fun surprises.

To see the video version of this Process Chiller Pro Podcast episode, CLICK HERE

If you're struggling to find HVAC/R technicians for your company, this will be a great episode for you. In this PCA Master Class, I'm sitting down today with a guy named Kyle Bestul of TA Light Recruiting and Consulting. 

This episode is brought to you by the Processchilleracademy.com resource area of our website. There are two new dropdowns under the resources menu item on the site. One is dedicated to HVAC/R technicians, and the other is for HVAC/R business owners. 

We're constantly adding new content to our website to help you out there, so check that out if you get a chance. 

I think you will find that Kyle Bestul has a very interesting business model, where he offers both talent acquisition consulting specifically for HVAC/R businesses. 

Kyle's contact information:

email: [email protected]
Linkedin:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebestul/
Website address: https://www.talightrecruiting.com/

What if you are not destined for college?  Consider a skilled trade, like HVAC/R that can pay you six figures without the debt?  Learn about the PCA HVAC/R career success pyramid and how you can start applying this PROVEN concept to get on your way to SIX Figures while maintaining the work/life balance at the same time.

If this content is of interest, please click LIKE; thanks :-)

To see the video version of this episode, CLICK HERE.

FREE - Five-day career accelerator course is NOW AVAILABLE on the PCA TECH Resouce page. 

Here is the link to access this FREE course: https://bit.ly/3CYTzoJ

#havccareer, #HVACRcareer, #HVACcareerstuck,#sucessinhvac

Question: How did you get into HVAC/R in the first place?

Martin King: It was in 1981. I was in my automotive class shop when they offered that type of thing. 

I remember that, at the time, I was thinking about going to Junior College, getting started taking some classes to see what I would find myself drawn towards. 

Anyway, back to the shop class, I was sitting in a presentation by a salesperson from Phoenix, Arizona. He was pitching this automotive diesel school, and I’m like, well, that’s pretty cool. But I had no interest in working on diesel engines or cars. That wasn’t my thing. The life-changing event came at the very end of his presentation; he says something like, by the way, we also have this HVAC refrigeration solar course in passing. If you are interested here are some brochures, that was kind of it .... To hear Martin King's full answer to this question, listen to this podcast or READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT ON THE PCA BLOG. 

Question: How did you end up starting and running your own HVAC/R business?

Martin King: I think my roots to owning my own business can be attributed mainly to my parents. My father, Paul King, and my mother, Annabelle King, owned their own Schwinn bicycle dealership. 

My dad bought that business as an existing business back in the late 40s, using the GI Bill after returning from World War Two. And it was basically an American Dream story.  .... To hear Martin King's full answer to this question, listen to this podcast or READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT ON THE PCA BLOG. 

Question: How did you get started in Process Chillers?

Martin King:  The story goes that back in 1998, our little commercial HVAC/R company was doing great. One of our biggest maintenance customers came to me and said, hey, Martin, we just purchased this multimillion-dollar Hewlett Packard digital IC tester for testing microchips and memory chips, things like that, and we need a chiller for it.... To hear Martin King's full answer to this question, listen to this podcast or READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT ON THE PCA BLOG. 

Question: Why did you start Process Chiller Academy?

Martin King: So, like many things in life, the road to processchilleracademy.com has been a journey. 

I wanted to start something that would provide quality (no fluff) training to existing HVAC/R apprentices and journeymen, even business owners. I also believe it is very important to get HVAC/R success stories out there (starting with my own) to attract new (desperately needed) people to this wonderful industry..... To hear Martin King's full answer to this question, listen to this podcast or READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT ON THE PCA BLOG. 

 Trevor is a true success story when it comes to HVAC and Refrigeration: 

• Trevor is a first-generation refrigeration mechanic. 
• His parents originally told him that he needed college to get a good job. 
• As part of his college experience, he learned about a refrigeration course in the process of registering for his regular college courses. 
• The rest is history, as they say. Trevor got into the trades working in the supermarket industry, doing refrigeration service and installation work. 
• Trevor saw the high demand for refrigeration technicians as an excellent opportunity to travel and make "really good money." 
• On the day of our podcast, it was Trevor's seventh anniversary at Emerson / Copeland. 
• Trevor is now heavily involved in customer training and product development. 

 Most common scroll compressor failures that Emerson / Copeland sees:

• Field misdiagnosis - Approximately 22% of the compressors returned to Emerson / Copeland under warranty have nothing wrong with them. According to Trevor, technicians will condemn a scroll simply when it's not pumping. Trevor is quick to point out this is a training issue that his team is working hard to address with OEM and even contractors when they take the time to call in. 
• Some other interesting scroll failures statistics - Trevor provided the following breakdown on compressors that will not run when they arrive back at Emerson / Copeland for evaluation:
• Mechanical failure - 60%
•  Refrigeration cycle contamination - 7%
• Non-compliance - 2%. Note, non-compliance means they can't trace the cause of the scroll compressor failure. 
• Other - 9%

When you do need to change out a scroll compressor:

•  Spend some time and try and determine the cause of the failure. 
• If the compressor is out of warranty, consider cutting the compressor open to having a look. 
• Contractors should consider scroll compressor teardown and an excellent technician training tool. 
• Trevor has some support documents in these show notes that will help with post-failure scroll compressor diagnostics. 
• Always weigh out the refrigerant charge to confirm what you took out is close to the machine's factory charge shown on the data tag. If the system was undercharged, you have a leak that needs to be repaired. 
• If refrigerant leaks are not addressed, the replacement compressor will most likely have issues. 

 Key take ways for process chillers and other refrigeration equipment with scroll compressors:

 Understand the refrigeration cycle: Understanding how the major refrigeration components work within the refrigeration cycle is very important. 

• Know your key readings: Understanding superheat, subcooling, and what these all-important readings mean is critical. Elevated superheat readings can quickly get a scroll running outside its operating envelope leading to internal compressor bypass or thermal shutdown. 
• System design: On split condenser refrigeration systems, ensuring the refrigeration plumbing system is properly set up to allow good compressor oil return is critical. 
• Crankcase heaters: Making sure the heaters are working and installed properly when running in low ambients. 
• Basic Maintenance: Making sure that..
• Electrical connections. 
• Condenser / evaporator clean.
• Compressor oil levels.
• On chillers water quality.
• On chillers glycol levels.
• All service data is recorded in paperwork. 

To see ALL show notes and to download FREE guest resources CLICK HERE.

Today I interview Nick True of Mapped Out Money.

If you are an HVAC contractor or service technician, this PCA masterclass episode will be worth your time. 

This wide information-packed interview with Nick provides some amazing detail on money management for folks in the HVAC industry to get ahead financially and stay that way. 

Some of the topics discussed in this Masterclass:

• How early work-life experiences can shape attitudes and habits (good and not so good) with money. 
• The most common issues with money facing HVAC business owners and technicians. 
• The good and bad about using debt. 
• The smart way to use debt to finance your HVAC business. 
• One of Nicks's (many) customer success stories. 
• Solid personal financial advice for a new HVAC technician or new HVAC business owner when first starting. 
• Two guys who want to buy a new truck. A story of two different viewpoints about wants vs. needs. 
• Working with a financial coach vs. all of the free information floating around on the Internet.  

Mapped out Money contact information:

Click Here for the website

Email: Nick@mappedoutmoney.com

Recommended podcast on Nick's background:
The True meaning of financial freedom

Today I interview Jim Bartolotta  SYNERGY SOLUTION GROUP.

If you an HVAC contractor or service technician, this PCA masterclass episode will be worth your time. 

This wide information-packed interview with Jim provides some amazing detail on what leading HVAC contractors of many different business sizes and backgrounds all work together to grow their businesses and find and retain technical talent. 

Jim also shares some insights into what leading HVAC service contractors are looking for in their new hires for those technicians out there. 

If you happen to be an HVAC business owner, there could be some significant benefits to joining an owners group like Synergy. 

Synergy Solutions Group contact information:
Click Here for the website
Call: 888-628-4713

Some of the topics discussed in this Masterclass:

• How those crossroad decisions in life can really pay off. 
• A career in trades like HVAC / Refrigeration can be an excellent alternate path to a traditional college. 
• The HVACR services trade came through the 2020 / 2021 covid pandemic much stronger than expected.  Many of the Synergy members set 2020 business volume records. 
• The importance of having a diverse client mix. 
• Key benefits of having a mindset of collaboration with running an HVACR business. 
• Benefits of setting up a collaborative group that are all in the same business yet not directly competing with each other. 
• Trending with Synergy members is that recruiting is a bigger factor than finding new business these days. 
• How are the refrigeration equipment manufacturers doing at supporting the needs of their industries. 
• Quality contractor training remains a challenge to get in the HVACR industry. 
• Advice for HVACR technicians on how to speed their growth. What are employers looking for. 
• Understanding the people side of the business. 
• What sets groups like Synergy apart from some of the larger associations like RSES, ACCA or ASHRAE.
• Expected expansion going on in the areas HVACR specialty areas such as process chillers or building automation controls. 
• As an HVACR contractor who focuses on specialty HVACR markets, such as process chillers, helps with technician retention and generally higher profit margins. 
• What types of HVACR contractors are a good fit for groups like Synergy. Great story about one of their members. 
• How collaboration can help HVACR business owners avoid the reality distortion field.
• How does accountability come into play when business owners commit to a collaboration mindset. 

Today I interview Scot Kudcey of Thermal Fluids Inc.

When it comes to heat transfer fluid (Glycol) for process chiller systems, Scot Kudcey is THE MAN for the job. 

Scot has over two decades of experience in the Thermal Fluids (Glycol) business. 

In this masterclass, we cover some key do’s and don’ts when it comes to the use of glycol in process chiller applications. 

In this episode, Scot separates the facts from fiction about glycol. 

If you need help with anything related to glycol in process chiller applications, check with Thermal Fluid’s Inc (TFI). 

Contact information:
Click Here for website
Call: (800) 640-8011

Some of the topics discussed in this Masterclass:

• A most common misunderstanding about Glycol.
  
  
• The types of glycol that you should never use in a process chiller.
  
  
• What’s the difference between PG and EG glycols.
  
  
• What glycol is the most environmentally friendly?
  
  
• How to stay out of trouble with the EPA when using glycol. 
  
  
• A field story about what actually happened with the wrong glycols was used.
  
  
• Value if getting process chiller fluid tested.
  
  
• Important glycol-related items contractors and service technicians can do to take better care of their customers. 
  
  
• Be careful about readings specs on the glycol you buy. 
  
  
• Cheaper glycol is not necessarily better. 
  
  
• What can happen when using glycols with PVC piping. 
  
  
• Discussion of TFI’s FAQ pdf. 
  
  
• You can’t use EG in many USA markets due to environmental regulations. 
  
  
• Be careful about using DI water in a process chiller application. 
  
  
• What is the value of the glycol inhibitor package in glycol? 
  
  
• TFI does FREE freeze point testing on the process chiller system running their products. 
  
  
• Can you mix PG and EG glycols?