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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The HVAC industry's transition to A2L and A3 flammable refrigerants with Eric Ruggles Part 2
lundi 14 septembre 2026 • Durée 19:58
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Eric Ruggles, Director of Engineering at Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. (YELLOW JACKET), to discuss charging A3 flammable refrigerants with Yellowjacket's hydrocarbon charging kit. They cover assembling the charging setup, pre-filling hoses before weighing in a critical charge, and using a gas retention valve to reduce refrigerant loss during connections and disconnections.
Ruggles brings Yellowjacket's equipment perspective to the practical handling of A3s and A2Ls. He explains why hose volume, non-sparking vacuum-pump components, recovery-machine safety, equipment labeling, and technician precautions matter when working with flammable refrigerants.
Key Takeaways
How to pre-fill a charging hose with refrigerant and re-zero the scale before charging a critically charged system.
Why small-diameter hoses help reduce the amount of residual refrigerant left in a charging setup.
How a Schrader core depression valve can connect to a system before opening the core and limit refrigerant loss during removal.
Why technicians should take A3 safety precautions when a small refrigeration unit does not clearly identify its refrigerant.
How brushless or sealed motors, non-sparking switches, and integrated cords reduce ignition risks in A2L-compatible vacuum pumps.
Why recovery machines require proper equipment because they handle a continuous flow of flammable refrigerant and involve refrigerant connections.
Noteworthy Quotes
"You can screw this on without letting any gas out of the system or without impacting the system at all." – Eric Ruggles
"Then you have a fully filled line set before you even charge the system at all, and that's what you're starting with." – Eric Ruggles
"The motors have to be changed typically to brushless DC or completely sealed motors from an AC perspective." – Eric Ruggles
"You can't have any sparking at the vacuum pump or recovery machine when we're in an environment that could have an A2L or an A3 flammable refrigerants." – Eric Ruggles
"Recovery machines are more critical, making sure that you're using the proper equipment." – Eric Ruggles
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] - Sponsor Ad: Factory Direct Filters
[00:43] - Introduction to Eric Ruggles & the Focus of the Episode
[02:15] - Eric begins demonstrating the A3 charging setup
A Practical Guide to R290 and A3 Refrigerant Safety with Eric Ruggles Part 1
vendredi 11 septembre 2026 • Durée 15:11
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Eric Ruggles, Director of Engineering at Ritchie Engineering Co., Inc. (YELLOW JACKET), to discuss charging A3 hydrocarbon refrigerants, including R290 and R600A. They compare A3 and A2L flammability, cover ventilation and system purging, and explain safe pinch-off, charging, and leak-checking practices for hydrocarbon equipment.
Ruggles brings YellowJacket's product perspective to the discussion of its hydrocarbon charging kit, including the scale, bottle stand, puncture valves, hoses, and pinch-off tool. His guidance connects the kit's features, bottle compatibility, and O-ring setup to the practical steps technicians use when servicing A3 systems.
Key Takeaways
How ventilation reduces the flammability risk when working with A2L refrigerants in open or well-ventilated areas.
Why A3 refrigerants require a full purge and attention to where discharged gas can collect before a torch is lit.
How residual R290 can create a flame at a leak point during brazing if refrigerant remains in the system.
The importance of keeping a pinch-off tool clamped on the copper until the brazed joint has cooled.
How to leak-check the pinched section before brazing to confirm refrigerant is not escaping.
Why removing one O-ring from the bottle valve may be necessary for compatibility with certain refrigerant cylinders.
Noteworthy Quotes
"When it comes to A2Ls, ventilation is key." – Eric Ruggles
"Recovering is difficult with A3s, just with the flammability concerns and then compressing it back into small canisters." – Eric Ruggles
"As soon as you take the tool off, the copper's able to relax and then you can open up." – Eric Ruggles
Episode Highlights:
How One Operating System Increased Our Profit by 41% with Bill Spohn
mercredi 9 septembre 2026 • Durée 24:45
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero speak with Bill Spohn, Founder & CEO of TruTech Tools, LTD, who brings 38 years of experience in the HVAC industry. They discuss the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), including meeting structure, decision-making, core values, accountability, and culture.
Bill shares how TruTech Tools introduced EOS practices, used a Vision Traction Organizer, defined roles through the GWC framework, tracked leading indicators, and approached leadership succession.
Expect To Learn:
How EOS uses a two-page Vision Traction Organizer to guide business planning.
Why regular meetings with clear agendas improve leadership communication.
How to define core values through a keep, kill, and combine process.
What the GWC framework means for assigning people to the right roles.
Why quarterly conversations can support accountability and feedback.
How leading indicators can help teams anticipate future performance.
How structured meetings can help leaders identify, discuss, and solve issues.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:14 – Discovering the Vision Traction Organizer
03:10 – Early EOS practices at TruTech Tools
04:29 – Implementing EOS and defining core values
07:32 – EOS impact on roles and accountability
The reality of owning an HVAC business vs working as an employee with Rich Ortega Part 2
jeudi 3 septembre 2026 • Durée 21:11
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Rich Ortega, the C.O.O. and co-owner of On The Rock Services and podcast co-host of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, about the realities of starting and growing a service business. Rich explains why people considering entrepreneurship should do their research before leaving their current jobs and seek advice from business owners who have built the type of company they actually want to create.
He and Gary discuss the difference between owning a business and simply owning a job, including the importance of building infrastructure, creating systems, and eventually making the company self-sufficient. They also explore the less-discussed stresses of business growth, from managing employees and maintaining revenue to taking responsibility for employees and their families. Rich shares why hiring inexperienced people with the right personality can be preferable to hiring experienced technicians with bad habits, while also explaining the challenges of finding the time and financial margin to train new employees.
Expect to Learn:
● Why researching the realities of business ownership is important before leaving your job.
● Why entrepreneurs should seek advice from people who have built the type of business they want to create.
● The difference between owning a business and simply owning a job.
● Why business growth brings additional stress, risk, and responsibility.
● The challenges and financial risks that come with hiring and managing employees.
AI for HVAC Contractors to Future-Proof Your Business Using ChatGPT with Daniel Quinonez
Dan shares perspectives on building trade careers through continuous learning, business education, community, and technology adoption. The conversation also covers how AI, data centers, and evolving tools can create opportunities for contractors who stay ready to adapt.
Expect To Learn:
Why EPA certification alone may not provide sufficient HVAC training.
How licensing standards can support safer installations and consumer protection.
Why training and mentorship remain essential throughout an HVAC career.
How Pell Grants may expand access to qualifying workforce programs.
When technicians often begin transitioning into HVAC business ownership.
How business and leadership education can support career growth.
Why contractors should treat AI and new technology as resources for efficiency.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Daniel Quinonez returns for part two
01:55 - Licensing standards for HVAC technicians
02:58 - How diluted licensing can affect quality
04:50 - A costly water heater installation example
If You're Not Ready to Sacrifice, Don't Start a Business | Rich Ortega Part 1
mardi 1 septembre 2026 • Durée 21:19
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Rich Ortega, the C.O.O. and co-owner of On The Rock Services and podcast co-host of Commercial Kitchen Chronicles, to discuss the realities of starting and running a service business. Rich shares his experience working in the commercial kitchen industry for 20 years, including his time working for his father and grandfather before eventually moving into larger companies and starting his own business.
The conversation begins with the challenges of working with independent restaurants, including low budgets, price objections, and the difficulty of getting customers to understand the true cost of repairs and maintenance. Rich explains why he shifted his focus toward larger chain and multi-unit operations and how those customers provide more opportunities to perform profitable repairs and maintenance.
Gary and Rich then discuss Rich's journey into entrepreneurship, including the experiences that pushed him to leave his previous employer, the importance of building a strong personal reputation, and how existing customer relationships helped him establish his own company. They also explore the less-discussed side of business ownership, including long hours, being available 24/7, sacrificing vacations and free time, and the intense workload during the first few years. Rich shares what his first year was really like and why, despite the exhaustion, he genuinely enjoyed the journey.
Expect to Learn:
● The challenges of servicing independent restaurants and dealing with limited repair budgets. ● Why Rich shifted his business toward larger chain and multi-unit restaurant operations. ● How to identify additional legitimate repair and maintenance opportunities during service calls. ● Rich's journey from working for his family and larger companies to becoming an entrepreneur. ● Why building a strong personal reputation can help when starting a new service business. ● The sacrifices, long hours, and lack of work-life balance that can come with starting a business. ● What Rich's first six months and first year in business were really like.
How to Diagnose Oil Return Problems Before They Damage a Compressor
jeudi 27 août 2026 • Durée 18:52
Episode Overview
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, Host Gary McCreadie Director of Player Development and Head Coach at Shelburne Soccer Club and President of McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services and HVAC Know It All Inc, examines compressor oil return, including why lubrication matters, how low load and reduced airflow affect oil movement, and how oil separators can protect compressors. Listeners will learn how to investigate oil-failure alarms, improve return velocity, and avoid replacing controls before finding the underlying system issue.
Drawing on a past five-story rooftop-unit service case and observations from LG VRF training, the host explains how improper building automation programming contributed to repeated compressor failures. That field perspective connects oil separators, inverter oil-return modes, suction piping, traps, double suction risers, and compressor unloading to practical troubleshooting decisions.
Key Takeaways
Why inadequate lubrication can cause compressor seizure, metal debris, and component damage.
How an oil separator can return oil from the discharge line to the suction line without circulating as much oil through the system.
How reduced airflow and low suction pressure can prevent oil from returning to a compressor.
Why an oil-failure control trip requires troubleshooting oil pressure and return rather than immediately replacing the control.
How suction-line traps and double suction risers help maintain oil-return velocity in vertical piping.
The importance of periodically loading inverter or unloaded compressor capacity to bring pooled oil back to the compressor.
Key Timestamps:
[00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters
[02:32] - Why oil is important for compressor lubrication
Why HVAC Technicians Struggle to Build Successful Businesses with Daniel Quinonez
Dan explains how contractors can access peer support, business resources, and training opportunities through membership. He also shares his perspective on hiring green apprentices versus experienced technicians and the fragmented approach to trade training across the United States.
Expect To Learn:
How contractor communities can provide peer support and business resources.
Why business operations can be challenging for technicians who become owners.
Ways AI can support administrative work without replacing technicians.
The tradeoffs between hiring experienced technicians and training apprentices.
How contractor-sponsored apprenticeship programs combine coursework and hands-on experience.
Why training requirements and licensing vary across U.S. states.
The case for a more coordinated national strategy for trade education.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:27 - PHCC's history, membership, and education programs
05:05 - Benefits of joining a contractor chapter
06:44 - Common needs of small contractors
HVAC Mental Health - Transformational Leadership
lundi 24 août 2026 • Durée 19:04
Episode Overview
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, Host Gary McCreadie Director of Player Development and Head Coach at Shelburne Soccer Club and President of McCreadie HVAC & Refrigeration Services and HVAC Know It All Inc, talks about volunteer leadership, workplace burnout, and gratitude. Using experiences from coaching and leading a youth soccer club, He explains how HVAC business owners, service managers, and technicians can use encouragement, communication, and patient development to help people perform at their best.
He draws on the pressure of managing complaints and limited positive feedback while serving as president of the Shelburne Soccer Club and coaching soccer. That experience informs a leadership perspective centered on recognizing effort, building confidence in small steps, and supporting people in every direction of an organization.
Key Takeaways
How consistent encouragement can help a struggling employee or player rebuild confidence and improve performance.
Why gratitude matters in volunteer roles, field work, and leadership positions where positive feedback can be limited.
The value of assigning manageable tasks and increasing responsibility as someone builds confidence.
How transformational leadership differs from ridicule, angry emails, and focusing only on mistakes.
Why leaders also need honest positive feedback when they are carrying responsibility without support above them.
The connection between toxic work environments, burnout, and employees deciding to leave.
Key Timestamps
[00:00] – Episode Introduction
[05:18] – The Mental Strain of Thankless Volunteer Work
HVAC Business Growth for Contractors Being Crushed by Rebates & Complexity with Samir Pendse
mercredi 19 août 2026 • Durée 21:13
In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Samir Pendse, Co-founder & CEO at Coral exploring the future of HVAC financing, heat pump adoption, rebate programs, and innovative business models like HVAC-as-a-Service. They discuss why affordability remains the biggest barrier to energy-efficient equipment, how contractors can simplify financing for homeowners, and why marketing should focus on comfort and savings rather than politics. The conversation also covers the challenges small contractors face, the evolution of financing options, and what the future of home comfort solutions looks like.
Coral is a company helping HVAC contractors simplify rebates, incentives, and financing for homeowners. Coral enables contractors to offer affordable energy-efficient systems without navigating complex incentive programs, making high-efficiency HVAC upgrades more accessible across the United States.
Expect To Learn:
Why affordability is the biggest challenge for heat pump adoption.
How financing can increase sales of high-efficiency HVAC systems.
Why comfort and energy savings should be the primary marketing message for heat pumps.
The unique challenges small HVAC contractors face with rebate programs.
How contractor coordination impacts energy-efficiency projects.
The rise of HVAC-as-a-Service and subscription-based home comfort.
Coral's vision for simplifying financing, incentives, and rebates for contractors.
Timestamps :
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - Are Heat Pumps Becoming the New Standard?
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