The Refrigeration Mentor Podcast

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

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In this episode, we explore the differences between mechanical thermostatic expansion valves (TXVs) and electronic expansion valves (EEVs). I'll explain when each option makes sense in commercial refrigeration, the advantages of electronic valves and the learning curve that comes with electronic controllers. Whether you're experienced with mechanical systems or just starting to work with electronics, this episode offers practical advice for building your skills, improving system performance, and staying relevant as refrigeration technology advances.

In this episode, we cover:

(00:48) Mechanical vs Electronic Debate

(02:21) Where EEVs Shine

(04:53) Controllers and Case Wiring

(05:43) Mindset for Learning Electronics

(06:40) Utilizing Manuals First

(08:03) TXV Setup vs EEV Setup

(09:17) Seasonal Efficiency and CO2

(11:08) Diagnosing Root Causes Before Swapping Parts

(13:46) How to Start with Electronics

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 353. Understanding TX Valves (Tips and Troubleshooting)

Episode 336. Fast Track to Learning Electronic Valves & Controllers

Episode 389. TXV & Superheat 101 with Andrew Freeburg

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

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In this conversation, we're talking about why owning your mistakes is one of the most important qualities of a great refrigeration technician. Drawing on my own experiences in the field, I'll cover why trying to cover up mistakes creates bigger problems, damage relationships and impede your development. From burning out a vacuum pump to correcting misinformation about voltage, I'll share real-world examples of how honesty, accountability and asking for help can accelerate learning and build trust with service managers, coworkers, and customers.

In this episode, we discuss:

(01:30) Stop Covering Mistakes

(02:55) VFD Voltage Mix Up

(05:03) Vac Pump No Oil

(07:27) Tendency of Overnight Shift Mistakes

(07:54) Liquid Floodback Dangers

(10:09) Learning From Mistakes

(12:09) Building Trust With Customers

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 190. Turning Mistakes Into Lessons and Accelerating Your Refrigeration Career with Andrew Freeburg

Episode 361. How to Bring More Value to Customers

Episode 387. 5 Things You Need to Develop to Be A Better Refrigeration Technician

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 breaking down how CO2 high pressure valves (HPV) work. We'll cover basic operation and design, as well as tips on proper settings, sensor placement and protection, fine-tuning for climate, and using trend graphs to diagnose issues. We'll also discuss the role of an HPV in receiver/flash tank protection versus gas cooler control across transcritical, transition, subcritical, and holdback modes.

In this episode, we discuss:

00:48 High Pressure Valve Basics

05:07 Gas Cooler Sensor Setup

06:58 Receiver Pressure Protection

12:26 Gas Cooler Control Modes

16:48 Winter Flooding Holdback

19:39 Trend Graph Diagnostics

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 318. Designing High Pressure Valves for Summer Heat and Winter Challenges with Chris Griffiths

Episode 144. Troubleshooting CO2 High Pressure Valves Using Trend Graphs with the CAREL Boss System

Episode 58. CO2 High Pressure Valves, Flash Gas Bypass and Ejectors controlled by a pRack300T

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

In this episode, we break down how glide refrigerants behave and how technicians should use bubble point and dew point when setting up and troubleshooting refrigeration components. I'll explain refrigerant glide, how blended refrigerants behave differently from pure refrigerants, and how to use a pressure temperature (PT) chart to understand what is actually happening inside the system. We also walk through TX valve setup, superheat, subcooling, head pressure controls, EPRs, and common problems that can occur when the wrong temperature reference is used. The episode also highlights why understanding the properties of blended refrigerants is critical for protecting compressors and ensuring long-term system reliability.

In this episode, we discuss:

(00:47) Understanding Refrigerant Glide

(02:00) Bubble Point vs. Dew Point

(04:00) TX Valves

(05:00) Using A PT Chart To Check Glide Refrigerants

(06:00) Setting Up A TX Valve With Bubble Point And Dew Point

(08:24) When To Use Dew Point On The Low Side

(09:00) Bubble Point For Head Pressure Controls

(10:00) Using Bubble Point For Subcooling

(11:00) Setting Up EPRs With Blended Refrigerants

(13:00) Understanding Compressor Superheat

(14:00) Protecting Compressors From Saturated Vapor

(15:00) Blended Refrigerant Properties

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 353. Understanding TX Valves (Tips and Troubleshooting)

Episode 389. TXV & Superheat 101 with Andrew Freeburg

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 real world stories of workplace injuries in the refrigeration industry and safety lessons we teach at Refrigeration Mentor. These include liquid refrigerant burns, ladder and roof access risks, brazing hazards, chemical exposure and inadequate PPE, even fatigue-related driving dangers. We'll discuss safety measures like job hazard assessments, using proper protective equipment and ventilation, strapping ladders correctly, and the right to refuse unsafe work. I'll also give a preview of what's to come inside Refrigeration Mentor Academy and what we offer to help refrigeration technicians build confidence and improve troubleshooting.

In this episode, we cover:

01:34 Refrigerant Burns

03:08 Ladder and Roof Access Risks

06:08 Brazing Fumes and Store Safety

08:29 Fatigue and Driving Dangers

10:08 Heavy Lifting and Roof Rigging

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 378. Field Stories: Compressor Failure, Case Freeze-Up Troubleshooting, and Electrical Safety

Episode 355. An Inside Look at How We Design Our Training (The Refrigeration Mentor Playbook)

Episode 250. Service Call Stories and Troubleshooting Tips with Andrew Freeburg

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 with longtime technician and Refrigeration Mentor Community Ambassador, Andrew Freeburg, about utilizing a consistent troubleshooting framework to get to the cause of issues faster and more accurately - no matter what system you're working on. We cover a variety of refrigeration topics - from extreme heat, to aging equipment, refrigerant changes, poor maintenance and managing long on-call hours. Andrew also shares how he prioritizes on-call calls, the importance of customer communication and teamwork during call surges. This episode is packed with a ton of great tips and advice for refrigeration techs to handle calls and address issues more efficiently and confidently.

In this episode, we discuss:

(00:23) Heat Wave Workloads

(04:09) High Head Troubleshooting

(07:04) Managing On-Calls

(07:46) Prioritizing Emergencies

(10:03) Troubleshooting Framework And Communication

(16:19) Reading The Wiring Diagram

(18:17) Digital Compressor Controls

(24:10) False Oil Trips

(28:53) Flash Codes And Resets

(35:41) Airflow Basic Checks

(38:41) Self Care In The Field

(40:57) Verifications

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 203. Supermarket Refrigeration Service Tech Tips with Andrew Freeburg

Episode 401. Troubleshoot Systems and Compressors Quicker (Get My Free Guide)

Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster

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 talking about hwo to improve your CO2 refrigeration system troubleshooting by understanding the sequence of operations. By knowing the system and its sequence of operation, not skipping steps, and using facts, data points, and trend graphs to diagnose issues quicker and more confidently. We cover basics to check first—airflow, fan operation, load, dirty honeycombs/baffles, frozen coils, and proper defrost performance—and I'll share my "four pillar method" for learning CO2 systems.

In this episode, we discuss:

(02:12) The CO2 Troubleshooting Process

(04:58) Four Pillars of Learning CO2 Faster

(05:46) Know Normal Conditions

(06:43) Liquid Feed Basics

(09:09) Case Not Pulling Down

(10:13) Airflow and Frozen Coils

(12:28) Defrost Sequence Walkthrough

(15:19) Data Trends and AI

(17:32) CO2 System Controls Made Simple

(22:23) Better Field Habits

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 243. Step-By-Step Walkthrough of a CO2 Service Call with Patrick Gregory

Episode 413. My 4-Pillar Framework to Learn CO2 Refrigeration Faster

Episode 423. Refrigeration Leak Detection & New Regulations with Leon Wurfel of Bueno Analytics

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