Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking about how technicians can find new career opportunities - whether on the tools or not - by building the confidence to go after them. We discuss tips for building confidence, including developing small, attainable daily habits and setting specific goals, as well as taking advantage of overlooked opportunities to learn and practice new skills. We'll also talk about the soft skills required for career advancement in the refrigeration industry, including communication and relationship building.

This converation covers:

-Building confidence through small habits

-Making habits easier and more attainable

-Setting goals for career advancement

-Learning new refrigeration skills outside of company time

-The value of hands-on experience

-Asking experienced coworkers to job shadow

-Importance of learning wiring diagrams

-Soft skills of refrigeration: communication, troubleshooting and sales

-Taking initiative to ask for opportunities

Helpful Links & Resources:

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we bring together key female experts from the global HVAC & refrigeration industries to discuss diversity, equality, and mentorship. Brandi Ferenc (Fair-Trades Toolbox), Colleen Keyworth (International Network of Women in Cooling), Jessica Bannister (HVACJess) and Ashley Fuller (Hussmann) share their individual journeys, successes and challenges as women in the skilled trades, including the importance of top-down cultural change, mentorship, and innovation in order to further drive HVACR forward. We also get into new tools and technological advancements in refrigeration. This episode was recorded in celebration of World Refrigeration Day (June 26th).

In this conversation, we discuss:

-How diversity & equality has driven growth and innovation in refrigeration

-HVAC-R influencers on social media

-How technology is making it easier for women in HVACR

-Inventions by women in HVACR

-Addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades

-The importance of mentorship

-Challenges women face in the HVAC & refrigeration industries

-Diversity and inclusion in the workplace

-Field experiences and microaggressions

-Opportunities for women in HVACR

-Decarbonization in refrigeation

Helpful Links & Resources:

Brandi Ferenc on Instagram

Fair-Trades Toolbox: https://fairtradestoolbox.com/

Colleen Keyworth on LinkedIn

International Network of Women in Cooling: https://www.inwic.org/

Jessica Bannister (HVACJess): https://www.hvacjess.com/

HVACJess - The HVAC Diaries on YouTube

Women in HVAC: https://www.womeninhvac.ca/

Women in HVAC-R Canada: https://www.womeninhvac.ca/

Ashley Fuller on LinkedIn

Episode 185: Refrigeration is a Journey: Ashley Fuller's Refrigeration Roadmap

Book: Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking by Matthew Syed

Book: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Nell Scovell and Sheryl Sandberg

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking about a powerful exercise in goal setting and success: vision boarding. While it might sound like a school art project, there's a reason why celebrities like Oprah and Steve Harvey use vision boards. Even I was skeptical a at first, until a coach recommended vision boarding to me in 2019. Since then, the practice of vision boarding has worked wonders for me, my career and my family. Here I'll share practical steps for creating a vision board, the importance of setting both grand and micro goals, and consistently reviewing your vision board as a motivational tool to achieve professional and personal growth.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Affirmations & visualization

-How a vision board works

-Putting a number on things you want

-Achieving goals through visualization

-Learning from Arnold Schwarzenegger's journey

-Setting and achieving financial goals

-Surrounding yourself with the right people

-Goal setting

-Success mindset

Helpful Links & Resources:

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking with Instructor, Author and popular YouTuber Craig Migliaccio from AC Service Tech about residential and commercial service calls. We discuss the similarities and differences of each and provide tips for HVAC and refrigeration technicians on what to know going into a service call, to help you be more confident and troubleshoot faster. Craig also shares his journey from technician to how he began teaching and how he grew his massive YouTube channel for HVAC training (link below).

In this conversation, we cover:

-The differences between residential and commercial service calls

-Creating educational video content for YouTube

-Addressing temperature issues in a single room

-Building better customer relationships

-Preemptive solutions for airflow problems

-Understanding airflow and return setups

-Understanding sequence of operations

-Gas furnace sequence of operations

-Refrigeration sequence of operations

-Technological advancements in HVAC and refrigeration

-Independent problem solving on service calls

-Having a service call checklist (and memorizing it)

Helpful Links & Resources:

Website: AC Service Tech

Email: [email protected]

AC Service Tech LLC YouTube Channel

Book: "Inverter Mini Split Operation and Service Procedures" by Craig Migliaccio on Amazon

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking about how to improve work-life balance, without compromising your goals and success. It's a struggle for many in the refrigeration industry, particularly those trying to keep up with the demands of the trade, workload, on-calls, training, and family time. It comes down to the importance of decision-making, accountability and changing your mindset. This episode is loaded with tips and actionable steps for refrigeration professionals to take better control of your work-life balance, while still advancing your career, personal growth and overall well-being.

In this conversation, we cover:

-Understanding work-life balance

-How work-life balance is different for everyone

-It's not about the number of hours you work

-Setting personal boundaries

-Being proactive in making personal changes

-Time management and scheduling

-Learning to say "no" and not overcommitting

-Making time for yourself

Helpful Links & Resources:

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, Chris Prom, Technical Sales Manager with Resource Data Management (RDM) dives into startup and commissioning a transcritical CO2 refrigeration system. We cover the importance of proper startup procedures, detailed pre-commissioning checks, accurate sensor placements, and common issues faced by technicians in the field. Chris also shares expert tips on how to ensure long-term, efficient operation of CO2 transcritical refrigeration systems.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Common issues in transcritical CO2 refrigeration systems

-Proper commissioning

-Factory quality control and safety procedures

-Process for technicians starting up and commissioning a transcritical system

-Maintaining a transcritical system after startup

-Programming and setting up controllers

-Importance of technical resources & manuals

Helpful links & Resources:

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Contact Chris: [email protected]

Contact RDM Sales: [email protected]

Contact RDM Support: [email protected]

Contact RDM (phone): 612-354-3923

RDM Website: https://www.resourcedm.com/

Episode 170: Troubleshooting RDM CO2 Controllers w/Cody Hamm and Chris Prom Resource Data Management RDM

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking about how to overcome the common fears of failure and rejection, experienced by many refrigeration professionals. From taking on new tasks for the first time, to feeling more confident in your next job interview, this episode is loaded with tips and practices for helping you overcome negative mindsets to unlock your full potential in your refrigeration career. "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right." -Henry Ford.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Practical Tips for Job Interviews

-Learning from mistakes and seeking feedback

-Celebrating small wins and reflecting on success

-Maintaining a positive attitude

-Recognizing your fears

-Fear of success

-Reframing fear mindset

-Eliminating negative thoughts

-Fear of the unknown and getting out of your comfort zone

-Surrounding yourself with positive influences

Helpful Links & Resources:

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, Dean Steliga from Bitzer Canada shares some incredible knowledge and practical tips for compressor inspection and failure analysis. This one is packed with super valuable tips for refrigeration technicians looking to enhance their compressor knowledge and provide more value to their customers. We discuss how to identify and understand mechanical and electrical failures in compressors, and how to do a thorough compressor inspection. We also cover common issues like lubrication problems, floodback, and proper compressor maintenance.

In this conversation, Dean discusses:

-Compressor inspection process and visual checks

-Most common mechanical failures in compressors

-What to look for when inspecting a failed compressor

-The process of a thorough compressor inspection

-Troubleshooting multiple compressor applications

-Two ways of lubricating compressors

-Floodback, flooded starts and liquid slugging

-Most common electrical failures in compressors

-Common causes of compressor failures

-Testing and analyzing compressor oil

-Understanding wrist pin damage

-Compressor replacement vs. repair

-Safety precautions for compressor inspection

Helpful Links & Resources:

Connect with Dean on LinkedIn

Bitzer.ca

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, we're talking about how refrigeration technicians can can skyrocket their careers by finding ways to create more value to their companies and customers. The key is to look for areas to add value over and above your daily roles and responsibilities. We'll discuss a number of ways you can help your company make more money, enhance your individual skillset and create better relationships with your customers - all of which will make you a more valuable asset and raise the ceiling on your refrigeration career and income potential.

In this conversation, we discuss:

-Adding value beyond your regular role

-The importance of personal development

-Mindset shifts for refrigeration technicians

-Going over and above expectations

-Thinking differently than most refrigeration technicians

-Training on your own time and dollar

-Running your own refrigeration business

-Ways of making more money as a technician

-Diversifying your skillset

-Mastering the basics

-Taking more on-calls for hands-on experience

-Enhancing communication skills

Helpful Links & Resources:

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

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

In this conversation, I'm speaking with Larry Herman, President of Redline Control Design, about learning and understanding the world of refrigeration system controls. Larry shares his decades-long journey in refrigeration controls and front row seat to the evolution of control systems - from early manual setups to modern AI and predictive maintenance technologies. We talk about key control tips for refrigeration technicians and designers, the intricacies of CO2 retrofits, and the importance of understanding the refrigeration processes they manage. Larry also shares tips and practical advice for learning controls and troubleshooting issues.

-The Evolution of refrigeration control systems

-Troubleshooting basics and electrical knowledge

-CO2 retrofits

-Tips for learning controls

-Understanding wiring diagrams

-Troubleshooting newer refrigeration control systems using trend graphs

-Larry's top tip for understanding refrigeration controls

Helpful Links & Resources:

Redline Control Design: https://rcd-llc.com/

Email Larry: [email protected]

Connect with Larry on LinkedIn

Get on the Supermarket Academy waitlist now! New program to supercharge your supermarket refrigeration expertise.

Refrigeration Mentor on Instagram | Facebook

Refrigeration Mentor YouTube Channel

Refrigeration Mentor on LinkedIn

Refrigeration Mentor Linktree