Foreign Foreign I think we are live welcome to this week's show and shout out to Gary who is one of our regulars who uh sent us an email and said he wasn't going to be here tonight. so in case Gary sees us later on I just wanted to say hello to him. So hey Carl um as I wait for you guys to trickle in here, feel free to post your questions below. Um in the meantime I found a Uh article I'd like to start out tonight by reading um this article comes out of Charlotte North Carolina from Queen City News and it says that the local AMC uh which is a is a movie theater AMC Northlake Closed indefinitely due to HVAC issues AMC Northlake 14 will be closed indefinitely due to HVAC issues According to their website as of Tuesday June 20th A banner on their page reads Quote: We apologize for the inconvenience, but this theater is temporarily closed So that this says temporarily closed Um, so the article says indefinitely up here but then on their website it says temporarily close.

Please continue to check back here for updates and see it looks like this might be a tweet that they sent out. The theater is located in North Lake Mall Drive near I-77 A spokesperson says they're waiting parts and work by their vendor to resolve the issues at hand. Quote: We do not have a reopening timeline at the moment, but we'll update guests via our webpage when the theater reopens. The spokesperson wrote so I thought this was pretty crazy.

Uh, according to this article, they're waiting for parts and you know that was a, you know, something? We heard a lot a couple years ago with Covid and some of the other things going on. But it's uh, quite quite disturbing that you know these folks are waiting on parts now. Of course, we don't know the full story, and you know, maybe there's more to it than that. But if if it's simply, you know that they're waiting for parts that they can't get.

uh, what a shame. You know, what a shame that they've had to close their business. Their local movie theater, You know? Um, I Don't think that movie theaters are quite as you know. Um, what's the word? They're not quite as essential as a hospital or a doctor's office, but you know that new movie comes out, you know, and you? you didn't get to see it because your local theater is closed because they're waiting on a heat in an air part.

you know? So I think Charlotte's a pretty big area, so maybe there's other movie theaters. but you know it's still just interesting that that's the reason they're having to close that they're waiting on parts. So I just thought that was interesting. So uh, let's see.

Hey hey to Carl Hey to Mark! Uh Carl says it's 290 propane and R 600 butane and A3 refrigerant A3 Uh, let's see. let's look at our chart here: Refrigerant: Um I think that is correct. So I know at least I know that R290 I believe is A3 and r600a? Yes, so they're both A3 refrigerants and uh, for those of you that don't know what um Carl was asking. Essentially, refrigerants are kind of broken down into categories and there's more to it than this.

But essentially, when we say A or B you know or the number attached, we're saying whether or not it's toxicity is high or low and whether the flammability of the refrigerant is high or low. So the higher that number, the more flammable it is. Uh, if you were to say like an A1 refrigerant, that would mean it's a means low toxicity. the one means no flammability.

And then if it was an A2 which is what some of these refrigerants that we're looking at are being introduced into the American market right now. like R32 uh, their A2 refrigerants or A2l and that is a a little bit higher, they they're still low, mildly flammable. They're not highly flammable, but they're considered uh, flammable nonetheless, mildly flammable. And then A3 would be you know, like propane or R290 which is highly flammable.

low toxicity? Uh, you'll have to excuse me I tell you I've had a hard time shaking this cold I Think you guys have had to hear this crackly voice for the last three weeks and um I I hate that for you So hopefully, um, hopefully you guys can hear me and understand me nonetheless. But yeah, we've um I don't know. Maybe it's an immunity thing or maybe it's just it's not so much that I still have a cold, it's just shaking the phlegm and the you know, the the raspy voice has has been more of a chore this time around. Um, so anyway, hey to Ryan Ryan is one of our regulars as well.

So hey, to Ryan Part One: Character Limit: For live stream comments, read both parts before answering. Can you explain static pressure? What does the static pressure of 0.45.5.6 really mean it's basically, uh, how much pressure? Um, in a nutshell, it's how much pressure or resistance that airflow is having. So the the thought process is a smaller duct with the same amount of airflow through, it is going to have more pressure than a larger duct. So that's essentially all that means.

Part two: How much worse is a system with a static pressure of 0.6 compared to 0.55 I've never heard it explained in relative terms for homeowners to understand. Maybe we'll do a video on that. Ryan Um, but I think that the um, the difference between 0.6 and 0.55 is pretty minimal in my opinion in my experience. Um, it's usually when you start seeing you know, duct work where there's you know I don't know if you start seeing uh, uh, ductwork, where you're looking for 0.5 and you're actually getting like you know, 0.9 or 1.1 or you know, a highly.

You know, a lot of static on that duct work. It usually means you're going to have issues. You're not going to get enough airflow across the coil. You could have other issues.

uh, furnaces. You might get error codes, you gotta. You've got a heat exchanger that is getting hotter than maybe it should because you're not getting enough airflow across it so it'll fail prematurely. You know it won't last as long.

it'll crack eventually because it's just getting too hot. and um, you know that's that's kind of the long and short of it. You know the reason we even pay attention to static pressures. or at least some of us do.

You know some heat in there guys? I Don't think they do pay attention to static pressures and they don't care. You know they're just slapping in and you know the homeowner is the one that ends up paying for it in the long run. Hey, Arch Arch is a, uh, another one of our regulars. so hey to Arch out in Arizona Carl says movie theaters in the past were always bad payers.

Um, interesting. I've never dealt with. um, we do very little commercial as it is and I don't believe we've ever had a movie theater as a customer. So most of our commercial customers have been restaurants, churches, um a vet office we still have as a customer.

Um, you know. so I don't think we've ever dealt with a movie theater. We have a school that calls us. so.

Um Brian says r290 is propane and r600 is ice ice of butane. I'm probably not pronouncing that correctly. I Salute Isobutane some of the times. I Think you guys, uh, throw words out there.

just they're you're like, let me just hear Josh try to pronounce this one. Toxicity: Three Highly flammable. Yep, Um Ryan says North Lake Mall is rough. I'm Charlotte based Ah Ryan Are you the guy that they're waiting on parts? Are you? Are you the guy that's supposed to be ordering the parts for these folks? Is it difficult to convert an 80 to a 90 furnace? What is the process? I See contractors on YouTube Installing high efficiency heat pumps with ACS With 80 furnaces, why not convert to 90? Is it about money? Um I I Think there.

There's probably more to it than just what I'm about to go over. But the main I Think the main thing that heating and air guys have to consider when they're going to go from an 80 to a a 90 plus furnace is two things. Uh, the first is the flu vent. So the flu vent on an 80 furnace is going to be metal.

It's designed because of essentially 20 percent of that energy is going through the flu. It's hot and plastic would melt. So oh, the flu has to be switched to usually some sort of plastic most guys run PVC Some guys run other materials but some sort of plastic. and the reason they do that is the temperatures are lower and the the thing is it condenses.

So because the temperatures are lower and we all know what you know condensing means. you know you have condensation on your windshield in the winter. You know you have condensation on your shower. uh, curtain or window.

um glass when you're showering. Same thing with your flu vent when those gases are escaping the um, the the inside of that flu will literally condensate and so it'll start to drain back to the furnace. And the second thing that you have to consider when going from an 80 to a higher efficiency furnace is because of that condensation. We now have a condensation.

You have to have a drain. You have to have something to get that condensation. Uh, to go somewhere you know. So you may have to install a condensate pump to pump that condensation out of there.

So you know, just swapping the furnace. the box is maybe not such a big deal. it's the usually in my experience the flu vent is the the main thing. and I think that's going to be the thing as we see States like California start to require.

Um, you know California passed last year where they said no more. Uh well let's see I think they said no more furnaces at all. but I think oh I'm drawing a blank now, but one of the other states said no more low efficiency furnaces. Um, or maybe that was a national level I think maybe that was Biden's Administration That said, no more low efficiency furnaces by a certain year.

and um, you know I think the issue for some folks is going to be figuring out uh, what they're going to do about getting a you know, that plastic vent flu vent out of where it's located Some houses. It's no big deal, it's just a matter of paying for it. You know, having someone to run a new drain now, right? You know you're going to poke it outside somewhere. Um, but in some houses it's easier said than done.

You know if that furnace is in a central location in that house and you're gonna have to figure out a way to get that thing poked out. In fact, I would say that there are going to be some furnaces that just simply need to be relocated because of it. and then you've got to figure out the ductwork side of things. So that's essentially in a nutshell.

the the biggies if you will. uh Hey Gill We've seen Gill here before so said sorry he wasn't here last week. We missed you girl, we missed you Adam says I wish they would have never got away from R22 I think that is true for most Heating and Air Guys R22 was um, it was. uh, you know it was.

It was like God's nectar. I mean it was. That's where my old boss used to say. especially once it started getting expensive.

Um, but yeah, it was easier to work with. the pressures were lower. Uh, you could mismatch equipment you could. You know you could do a lot of things with R22 that I'm not saying you can't mismatch equipment with Uh with today's refrigerants with 410 and some of these others.

but you know sometimes you have issues, right? You know you have to. You really should have everything matching now so you don't have issues and and such. R22 I mean I've seen uh, some pretty goofy systems I've seen, you know, mismatched Brands And then you might have a five ton outdoor unit with a three ton coil inside and you know, uh. I mean I I've I've actually met technicians not so many now.

but years ago that they didn't even know how to do a sub cooler superheat measurement because they kind of just knew. oh it's you know, certain temperature outside. today it's hot. it's 90 degrees.

so I know my pressures with the Piston should be close to this you know and they would just get it close and it would get it would R22 would work. You know it would get cold and you know that's I Think that's where you. You'd always hear Old-Timers say beer can colds You know they would just grab that copper line and these days you just simply can't do that anymore. You have to do everything with measurements and and math to make sure it's right and running efficiently.

Bill says air conditioner fan won't shut off. What would be the possibilities be in repair unit was serviced about six months ago. Um, if it won't shut off you probably. Um, it could be a low voltage issue.

Um, you know maybe the the thermostat is uh in the the on position instead of Auto Maybe it is programmed incorrectly and and sending voltage. Maybe it's picking up voltage off of something else. Um, uh, another culprit might not be low voltage. it could be the high voltage meaning whatever controls that fan.

So if it's a relay, we just had one literally yesterday that would not turn off because the relay was stuck. So we we literally unplugged all the low voltage wires from it and it was still sending voltage through. Uh, on the high side. And so that relay was bad.

But um I I Don't think that if you're a homeowner, it's none of it is going to be something that you're going to want to try to fix. Uh, you're going to want to get a pro in there and get a good permanent fix. Ryan says some manufacturers have variable speed systems for their premium units instead of an inverter. Are these terms interchangeable? or are they different? I'll see terms like an inverter driven and variable.

Um, in general they're uh, if they're calling it a variable compressor, it's it's an inverter compressor. It's just a different verbiage, different brand. um I have actually been in rooms. you know.

Um, you know conversations where people at some of these manufacturers some of these Marketing Executives and things like that, they're trying to come up with a term. Even now they're trying to figure out terms that are easier for homeowners to understand because of all the the lingo out there. And right now, and I really do think this is going to become a thing Because you know, when it was when it was simply single stage, two stage inverter systems, those were your kind of your three categories. It wasn't that big of a deal.

You could just use those terms and and be you know most folks could kind of tell the difference between what you know what they were buying. But now you've got categories in almost like sub categories in those categories. So what I mean by that is yeah, they're single stage, but they're ECM Or yeah, they're Tuesday Or yeah, they're multi-stage But instead of being in just two stages, you've got brands that are making these compressors that are three, four, five. Even more than that, stages, you know they're not an actual inverter compressor.

They just have all these stages. and then you break it down into the inverter categories and that's quite confusing. And that's the big one. That's the one you're gonna see.

I Think new terms come out soon. Um, and I was in a meeting about a month ago where they were talking about this exact subject because you've got non-communicating inverter systems now. Uh, competing with communicating inverter systems and they're almost trying to pretend like it's the same thing. They're actually happy that homeowners are confused.

You know? I'm not saying they've said that, but you know they are. They're happy that homeowners think that these Chinese-made products that are not communicating are just as good as a communicating inverter system when they're just simply not. You know? So I think you're gonna see. You know these guys on this side? Try: I've actually been in a room where they were talking about coming up with some sort of verbiage, some sort of lingo that homeowners can say Ah That's that's not what I want I I Want you know? I Want the communicating inverter system I Want the the You know, the actual, better, more efficient, quieter, uh system.

So we'll see what happens with that, right? Um, Carl says duck pressure is in inches of water column. Yep, most pressures. That's how they, uh, they'll usually measure it different. different.

um, you know, even gas pressures and things like that. They'll measure it in water column. Adam says get a land, possibly an X13 blower motor. bad module.

That's another thing that it could be a PSC then possible bad motor or control of the motor. Yeah, I mean I Don't know if bad motor would necessarily mean that it would never turn off. it's usually something in the the electrical itself. I'm not saying that it isn't a bad motor, but usually if that motor just simply won't stop, you know we're We're looking at either a low voltage or a high voltage issue of some kind.

Usually Ryan says why do Pros prefer multiple smaller systems over zoning a larger tonnage, a multi-story split level, or large ranch style homes? It's not so much that uh Pros prefer it Ryan I Would say it's more that the homeowner is going to prefer it because of comfort. They're going to have more control over each Zone the more that system is zoned. So in other words, if I had a really large home that was six tons, it needed six tons of cooling. I could put a large six ton or you know, these days it would probably have to be a seven and a half ton, but just this really large system in there.

Or I could do three two ton systems and automatically their Zone You know, even without actual zoning, uh, dampers and things like that, you've got three separate systems that you know, maybe a part of that house you don't spend as much time in and yet that system doesn't need to run as much Or maybe a part of the home is exposed to more sunlight or it's on the second level and heat rises or whatever. So I would say that that's usually why you see that more. Um, and the other thing is in a lot of homes, if you're going to have one single system and just Zone it with dampers, uh, you've got to figure out a way to physically get duct work to different parts of the house. So I'm not saying that's impossible, but sometimes folks don't want a duct running from the crawl space all the way to the attic.

You know it's just easier. Or you know, makes more sense to just install two separate systems. you know? So just a couple couple scenarios for you. Courtney Brad Hey, just had a boss Bosch 20 20 deer 20 Seer installed for humidity Reasons I'm scared they didn't install properly.

How would I know? Well, I guess uh. the main thing is, if you're concerned with humidity is keep an eye on the humidity. You know? Um, I did a whole series on poor installation practices you should check out if you've never seen that because that was a question we were getting a lot. You know folks would say well Josh you always say the brand doesn't matter as much as the install and I hear other heating and air guys say that? what does that mean? And so I did a whole series of videos on things you can look out for.

um that you know that you know poor installation on that system would involve. So check out that series if you've never seen it. Um, let's see. Give me one second guys.

it's a little warm in here and as a as a a great heating chubby heating and air guy that I am I'm gonna turn the temperature down a little bit if you can wait just a moment. Okay foreign heat and air guys get hot and sweaty. So um Ryan says with availability in your in your area aside, what other brands would you install now based on their current lineup if Daikin was not available including one brand, that might surprise people trying to stump me tonight. Brian I mean Ryan Um, you know I look at a couple I look at a number of things and I think there's a number of things that Daikin does well that um I think other brands do well, but maybe they don't do everything as well as Daikin does for us.

Um, you know I have friends that won't install anything but carrier. um I have other friends that won't install anything but Linux or train and so we all have our preferences for me. um I was installing daikins and or Goodman's at times and for me, um I wasn't getting any callbacks on those you know and I I couldn't say that about several of the other brands out there and I'm not going to bash any Brands I'm just saying we were installing them and they would have an issue or two some Brands we would. we would get the unit and out of the box.

the fan motor was bad you know things like that and I'm like did they not test this in the factory you know? um so I think that I think that that's part of it. If I were if I were to start looking for a new brand I would probably install a few different ones and see which one seems to be you know more reliable kind of deal. Um, another thing that I look at is I look for support you know? So if if I have an issue, do I have someone that I can pick up the phone and call and again I'm not going to bash any Brands but there is another brand that I think that their products are pretty decent but I've never felt like that. they re that the support was quite there and um you know I think it's another thing when I I I've always felt like and I I I'm sure other heating and air guys would probably disagree.

You know we all have our preferences, but there are a few brands that they almost have this attitude of. You should feel worthy that we're gonna let you even sell our brand, you know? and uh, that never sat well with me you know I Remember meeting a rep one time I had been selling his products his brand for two years I had started Griffin air and I was selling his brand and they he he was the outside sales rep. he comes into town and instead of saying on our first ever meeting it's the first time I've ever met the guy instead of him saying to me hey Josh thank you for your business you know here's a free pin, a free hat We appreciate you. thank you for selling our products.

the literally the very first thing the guy says to me and I'm and maybe it's just a personality thing, maybe I'm just you know, maybe I'm just sensitive as you know, the chubby kid that got picked on a middle school. um but the very first thing the guy says to me is hey good to meet you um we're gonna set some goals for you today and if you don't meet those goals, we're no longer going to let you be a dealer for us. That's literally the first thing the guy says to me and so I just think that again, Does that mean that that brand is bad? Does that mean that that their products are bad for that brand? No In fact, you as a homeowner, if you were to have that brand or another brand um you know that should not deter you that just because I'm I'm a sensitive heating and air guy, you know. But I do think that um, it makes a difference when the brand appreciates the dealers enough to pick up that they're going to answer the phones, they're gonna go to bat for you.

They're going to step up when the homeowner isn't happy with something and make it right and things like that. So that's all things I know I did not do what you wanted me to and surprised you with a brand. but I think that those are all things that matter and I'll tell you the last thing I actually have a YouTube video coming up on this exact topic and that is there is this. There is this attitude right now that especially with some of the people that comment on my videos where they they think that and and some of you guys watching this might even feel this way.

they think that um not all that all products whether they're made in America or not are the same and they'll even make comments on my videos and they and I think they think they sound smart but they'll say things like well Josh nothing nothing. every component can be made here so uh you know they're they're all the same anyway and I disagree with that I have been to American factories and watched units now I'm not saying every component in that he that in that heat pump is made in America I'm not saying that but I have seen products where it was metal coming in one end of the factory and heat pumps going out the other end of the factory. Now maybe those control boards were made in Thailand or whatever that is now in that heat pump but lit I've literally seen coils, the metal being bent in the factory and them making the coil. and so when homeowners or when I see comments where they'll say well this Chinese brand, you know just because it's not made here.

To me that matters, they support American jobs. uh I've seen thousands of people go to work in that place and my dad even works in an American Heating and Air facility that where they build heating and air systems. Now he works in a commercial facility where they build units that are as big as my house. but um, it's still I I Think that that's unfair.

It's unfair to say Well they're all made the same. You know there are. whether they're made right here in the U.S or or they just you know ship it into the U.S and and screw a couple screws into it and pop a sticker on it. That's just ignorance when they say that because they don't I've seen it.

I I That's not what they're doing. They're not having the system made ever elsewhere and then just putting two screws in it just so they can say assembled in America Um, that's not been my experience. So anyway I got on my soapbox there for a minute and I've gotten behind on our comments here. but um I have a video coming out soon on that exact topic because I think that that's just you know it's unfair and it's ignorant for people to say that um, if you think a car made in China is the same thing as a car made in America or I don't know Germany or whatever, we're just gonna have to agree to disagree.

It's not no knock on. China I Think they have a place. you know cheap products have a place, you know? but Heating and Air Products It's not that for them to say oh well, they're you know Gree is just as good. Oh, they're I just threw it I threw a name out there.

Gree is just as good as uh, these other brands. uh even though that you know the flexes is imported into the country, it's not. stop it. You know that's just my two cents.

You know some of there might be Heating and Air Guys in here. When I catch up on these comments, that'll that'll say that they disagree. but I'm just saying that's that's my my thought on that Adam says they're going to change over to the new units do r454b and 2025. Adam I Think it's going to be sooner than that? Um, according to the um you know that law that was just, uh, raised by the EPA they're saying that January 1st 2025 that 410A units can't be sold by then.

So I think we're going to start seeing these 454b and these R32 units be introduced sometime in the next 12 months. I would say by next summer uh I would hope that you're gonna be able to have at least laid your hands on some of these products by next summer. uh I Hope they don't wait till the very last minute to try to transition everything. Otherwise, not just movie theaters are going to be hurting here.

You know they need to come out with the products and kind of transition 410A out by that date you know Arch says I found an HVAC Tech Who thinks he can find and fix the leak in our heat pump but he didn't show. So I'm trying to make an adapter out of the cardboard to install a portable AC in our bedroom? man Arch You've been fighting that fight for weeks now and I know it's hot out there. so I hope you find somebody good soon. So Arch is out in Arizona Guys if you know any good heating and air companies out there, please help a fella out.

Ryan says the video with you on site is doing well. Nice change of scenery. Hopefully it encourages you to do more and more of your old videos. There was a pond in the background.

Do you like to fish? um I do like to fish I Just don't get to do enough of it. um, my brain I if the fish aren't biting within a half hour I just can't sit there. My dad used to do that when we were kids and I think it just really turned me off. So um, but that pond you see in some of my videos that's actually right in my front yard? Um, we are I've been blessed I grew up in a trailer park so uh I have to say that I you know I'm I've been blessed.

Now to you know where we live now I Feel blessed Ryan says when do you when you do sheet metal Ducks Do you use an inner liner to sound dampen and wrap the outside and do you prefer round or Square Ducks when using sheet metal, are there different applications for each? That is a loaded question Ryan So I I think in short: if I in a perfect world I'm always going to run round duct in a perfect world. Now there are times when that just simply isn't possible. But if I can run round I'm gonna run round if there's room and it makes sense I'm gonna run round because of the um, you know the issues with corners and static and things like that. I can usually balance a round duct trunk line way easier, you know, um, and then uh, inner liners? We don't usually install inner liners, however, we will get plenums at times and also our filter grills.

So when we set those boxes, they are lined and um, and you know they do sound dampen. Um, but we don't We don't just line them on the inside and out and are there different applications for each? Yes, you know, so it just depends on the house, depends on what you're trying to do, and so on. Arch says only one contractor puts static pressure testing in it, adjusting on the estimate for a new package heat pump install. None of the others even mentioned it.

Yeah, I mean honestly, we don't mention it on our proposals, but we do it, you know? So maybe there's a reason they didn't you know mention it? Um, I I don't know. I don't want to get too much into contracts, but um, I Had a customer years ago that the company that we were buying our heating and air equipment from adjusted one digit. It was the same product, but it was a newer product and they adjusted one digit on the model number and the guy tried to say that I avoided the contract and it was a mouse. And so there are certain things that I'll intentionally not put on the contract now.

but I I help folks on our our website. new HVAC God and I'll sometimes send them one of our proposals just to show them. You know, because they'll they'll be getting all these proposals that are so vague. You know they'll if you get a proposal that's only one page long and it only has like I don't know 10 sentences on it if that.

that's way too vague for me. I Want things to be spelled out I Want a contract on the I Want that proposal to have certain things to be in writing? um I would say and a good proposal should have no less than five pages of writing, you know? I Want certain things to be spelled out and um, you know. So at this point Arch I Think that, uh, you, um, you? you unfortunately won't be able to be so picky. I Think you just need to find a really good heat in an air company that's gonna show up for you and take good care of you.

and um, you know, maybe maybe not have quite so many things spelled out? Maybe I don't know I mean I know you've been waiting a while now Adam says I've seen some PSC Motors electrically shorted making the motor continuously run interesting. um I've definitely seen modules that do that on. uh, variable speed stuff. but I believe you? uh Sean says can steam humidifiers be installed on the return side or only on the supply? If okay, on the return, any distance from the furnace or filter needed, it's a good question.

Sean I'll be completely transparent with you. We don't install a lot of humidifiers where I live and the few that we do install they're not usually steam. um I mean I'm not saying we've never installed one, but I could probably count on my on one hand how many I've installed. Um, so maybe Adam or some of these other Pros might be able to answer that question.

Um, but I Usually my answer to a lot of those questions is read the instructions. Um, there are times that certain components will let you skin a cat a different way. Um, so it'll and it'll spell it out in there. So for example, when we get our dehumidifiers, uh, it's funny though.

they'll give us different scenarios. They'll say when installing this dehumidifier, this is the preferential. This is the preference. This is the way we want you to install it preferentially, but you can install it this this, this and this way.

You know they give us like six ways but they give us the one that they want it. You know they want it I can't remember I think connected to the the return and then returning on the return or the supply I can't remember but that was that's the preferential way. and then they give you several other ways. So um, if you find the one you want Sean see if you can grab the instructions and and you might get your answer just from that, you know Ryan says how do you determine what size, heat kit or strips are needed on a system so Ryan heat strips have uh BTU ratings and in general now this is this.

could change uh depending on different things but in general I think you could use this and that is 5 KW of heat on a heat kit is going to be the equivalent to a round and I and I'm rounding here because that there is a specific number but it's around 17 000 BTUs So that would mean if a 5 is 17, a 10 is going to be 34 000. And let me find my little handy dandy calculator here. 17 times 3 of 15 is going to be 51 000 BTUs So hopefully that answers your question. Um, it depends on you know how many beats used do I need am I Pairing this with a five ton system? Well I need to do a 15 KW am I Pairing this with a two-ton system? well I really only need a five, you know? Hmm Ryan says for Bosch I Hear installers need to review the dip switches and fan speed to do better with humidity I I concur um Bob says sorry I'm late again Bob come on man, you're late again.

Just kidding. Uh, welcome to the show Ryan says Josh you don't have a phone app to control your AC haha old school. Walking over to the thermostat, it's funny Ryan I um I do have a Wi-Fi thermostat in my downstairs I don't up here and there's a reason for that. Um I'll tell you guys the story.

Uh, real quick. It's a long story, but the short version is we installed at this thermostat. it's a Wi-Fi thermostat in this lady's house and she thought that the problem she was having was the thermostat. so she made us pull that thermostat out and um, now it's still connected to this day to her Honeywell account.

she never and I tried to attach it to mine and I can't so um, but but I didn't feel right throwing the thermostat away and I didn't feel right reselling it to somebody. so I stuck it up here in my upstairs. so that's why I don't have a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat up here or well I guess technically it is Wi-Fi enabled but it's not able to be, you know, brought over to my account. JP says what are your thoughts on offering hard starts to units under 10 years old? It depends on the situation JP There are some systems that from the factory have a hard start on them, so I definitely don't think they're a bad thing.

It just depends on the brand, it depends on the system and um depends on the situation I think hard starts are a good thing, but I don't always think they're necessary and I don't think that they necessarily extend the life necessarily I mean I mean I guess maybe they do a little bit because they're getting that compressor on and it's less wear and tear from that standpoint. but um, but I don't know that there's any scientific data that shows a system with a hard start versus a system that doesn't. the compressor is going to last x amount of years longer. um whereas with a soft start um, you know it is less wear and tear on that system.

and and I have heard of folks you know getting more years out of that system. um I Usually me if a system does not have a hard start from the factory, I'm only going with a hard start if they're starting to have issues usually, but that's just my two cents. I Know there's other thought processes. In fact, there's another heating and air guide that I'm kind of Pals with that posted a video just a week or two ago on the two and and when he uh does one versus the other so Ryan says let me guess what brand American Standard and your story Josh uh no no, but we did sell American standard for a while so I'm not gonna say what brand uh with that outside sales, we're up.

Um, but yeah. so Ryan says for blower wheel cleaning Is there a proper way of doing it? would be? Would it be with a can of compressed air to blow the dust off or cleaning the evaporator cleaner and water hose. It depends on how bad it is. Ryan um I used to have a toilet brush and you guys are gonna.

you can make fun of me if you want but I used to use a a toilet brush that I had bought that had never touched a toilet and I would use those you know I'd get it up in there and clean it real good and uh, but if I got one that's real bad and I've got to pull it out and take it outside then yes, you know, maybe I will you know spray some cleaner on there and let it sit for a minute just like I would a coil and then spray it down. but I'm definitely disconnecting it from the motor when I do that. Chris says have a high elevation large cabin with no HVAC only electric baseboard heat on Main level and sub level partially below grade. Recommendation on cold weather mini split Oh oh and I would hate to see your electric bill Chris um I I like Daikin uh, that's what we sell at Griffin Air and you might say, well, Josh that's because you sell it and and um, you know that you know you you they've sponsored a video or two of yours.

The thing I I Noticed with Daikin when we started selling it because you can compare Daikin to some of the other brands out there and the Seer ratings might not be as high, but their performance and cold temperatures I have noticed has here in Virginia has been great now. I Do think the further north you go when you get up into Canada especially you need to you know, pay attention to the ratings on that and regardless of the brand, make sure that you are you know, installing a system that can work in those very low temperatures. but I used to sell another Big Brand and um I did not feel like their lower end systems did well enough in the winter time for me to continue to sell that brand. um I was having to go with their absolute top system to be able to get the same performance that Daikin was offering on their normal system.

So the 19 series uh daikins perform very well well below freezing temperatures in my experience. So, but you know I think that as long as you stick with one of the big three Chris you know I would stick with Dyke and Mitsubishi uh or Fujitsu Uh, find a good contractor to install it and I would go with. if you are in a very very cold area. just go ahead and bite the bullet and get the the system that costs more that's good for those low temperatures.

We've got a few Daikin systems that we just did the 19 series and they have no other form of heat here in Virginia and I Haven't heard back from them in a good way. so to me that speaks volumes. So Chris says cooling will be a benefit as well as many dehumidification as high has barely hit 75. Well yeah, and if you go Mini Splits Not only will they you know cool, but they'll have that humidity setting.

so if you are in a cabin, you know that's always a good thing too. So I don't know what the humidity is like where you're at. it sounds like it might not be as big of an issue if it's that cold, but um, you will have that function as well which is always a plus in cabins. Hey, Henry Henry says is it a bad idea to have my HVAC system replaced by my home warranty if I am considering canceling my protection plan at some point, Um, it's a good question.

Henry You know I think part of the uh, my question to you is are they going to replace it for you? Uh, for free because some home warranties don't. You know they're going to make you pay for something? Um, at least and um, you know and I'll just leave it at that. You know. I Think that if you can sleep well at night knowing that you know you had them replace your system and then you canceled your policy.

Um, you know if you've paid them enough over the years that you feel that that is something you're entitled to? Um, then you know I I I Don't know what else to say, You know, um, is it a bad idea is what your question is I don't know that it's a bad idea, You know? I Think those home warranty companies have taken advantage of enough people that at least some of them have that you know I would sleep okay and in some situations anyway. Uh, Ryan says ensure the mini split can work in low ambient temperatures. Look for terms like hyper heat Max Heat extreme heat Etc But I can calls it their Aurora lawn. Um, but yeah, usually most of these companies you're going to be able to go to their website and uh and get those ratings.

You know what, what temperature does it heat down to and and that's probably the case with all at least all the main brands. Uh, Carl says Arch Too bad you're and so Arizona Southern Arizona and I'm in northern Arizona Adam says I don't like R454b. We can't even weld any components anymore and we will have to do a dry sweep of nitrogen before we even open the system up. I Think my other concern with the 454b atom is the fact that it's so new.

You know? Um, R32 has been used for so many years overseas that it's been tested a little bit. And the other thing is it's it's pure. You know you're working with a pure refrigerant just like R22 was and 454b is going to be another Blended refrigerant, you know? So we've already talked tonight about how great R22 was and so I I Have to be honest, it's nice hearing that we might be getting back to a Pure refrigerant instead of Blended Um, to work with, You know we can't even unweld any R454b components and have to use nitrous. Yeah, um I would say in general, you probably should be doing that anyway.

You know I think it's in general a good idea to cut things loose instead of unsweating them. but you know I know what you're saying. There are times where it just you you either can't or it's a whole lot. uh, less of a headache of a job to just unsweet it.

Linux does not dehumidify if you have a zone system, even if you take it off zoning and ventilate and D and D dehumidify and that and it's still at 65 percent humidity. I Called the tech to come out five times. still can't fix it I Think there's some things that they could probably do to help you. um, make it dehumidify better, such as slowing down the um, slowing down the airflow and things like that, but you know you're affecting capacity.

You're also there are times that depending on the situation, you might have to get a dehumidifier. You know, if you need some better dehumidification, there are limits to what an air conditioning system can do. You know? So maybe it just simply is reaching temperature and it's not getting to dehumidify enough. You know there's there's always scenarios.

Henry says what is your opinion about the Trane xr14 AC3 ton and the Trane S9 V1 one stage ECM motor 80k gas furnace asking because this is the HVAC system that my home warranty is proposing for a replacement um I don't know where you are Henry but 14 is is definitely the minimum and and and where I live um I don't think you can even get 14 Seer stuff anymore I know you can't with heat pumps and that's mostly what we install, but um, you know training is fine I I Sold American standard for a number of years and if it's I would care more about if the heating and air company is good or not. Um, you know just because the Home Warranty company is paying for it I would still want a good install. you know I I would worry less about the brand of the equipment and I would worry more about that heating and air company and making sure they do a good job. Ryan says the bedroom under my furnace that's in the Attic Hears A lot of blower fan and kind of vibrates well hanging it when I do my next system help with any of these issues, it will a little bit as long as it's hung correctly.

Um you know so if it's resting on those Rafters uh you know hanging it up a little bit might help but just realize if it's not hung correctly, keeping vibration in mind, it could still vibrate those roof joists which can cause noises and vibrations. so just keep that in mind. But they they make uh products to reduce vibrations you know, foreign. Made some comments about Linux again um Arch says thanks.

We're definitely sweating out here. Us: I sued to fish for crappy on Bull Run and Sandy lake in Virginia um Bull Run that sounds familiar but that's up north. okay Northern Virginia um I think there's a one called there's like bull this and calf that you know here in Virginia and I think out where I grew up. There's a there's a small stream or creek called calf pasture I think is what it was called.

My dad used to go out there so but that's pretty cool our small small world Ryan says lots of professionals Dislike: Linux due to the Leaky coils Adam says Sean no it just needs to be installed in the return duct CeCe says can you have can you have to collaborate the thermostat for humidity could it be wrong? um CeCe I need more context I'm not sure exactly what you're saying there I'm sorry Adam says Henry home warranty companies are a joke brother, don't fall for those schemes. We did a video if you guys, it's one of my older videos. We did a video on some of my experiences with home warranty companies and I was actually invited to talk on a podcast. After that that um, you can find on our website.

If you go to Griffin Air and go to the about us, you can click on the um where I was a guest on a podcast and talked about some of the Home Warranty company stuff. That was a lot of fun actually. um, that podcast. They talk about all kinds of things like UFOs and ghosts and things like that.

and then he was doing a a show on home warranty companies and some of the other you know things, scams and things like that for homeowners and uh, had me on talking about that so that was kind of fun actually. Ha sorry guys. Ryan says have you heard that most of your customers are qualifying for the government rebates on these heat pumps? I'm afraid I won't qualify and don't want to rely on that when deciding on my next system. Um, it depends.

There's so many variables, it depends which program they're looking at I think there's five of them. Um, there's one that seems to be more popular than others. but um, yeah. I I think before you pull the trigger on anything, especially if you're buying a heating and air system and you're looking at one of the programs that came with the inflation reduction act.

I Definitely would talk to a CPA or whoever does your taxes before you spend the money and I I would want something in writing making sure that it's gonna, you know, qualify And the other thing is I would definitely make sure I get the Ahri certificate um from the contractor preferably on the heating and air system that they're installing. So that way that way I know for a fact it's the sear rating and everything that I think that it's going to be. So Arc says I wanted a 15.2 or 16 Seer unit installed instead of the 13.4 114 Seer package unit that I've been quoted. So that's why we're still without a new heat pump.

Keep hunting. Arch There's got to be a good Heating and Air company out there. You just need to shop around and keep looking. Ryan says Josh I had the same issue with a Honeywell thermostat when I bought my house.

Yeah yeah, that's another time. if the the old homeowner moves out and it's attached to their account, that's a good point. It was connected to the previous owner's account and I stalled I installed the non-le learning this is leaning but learning nest and like it a lot. Yeah, some of the folks that that you know that dude nests.

they they love them. They're Die Hard NES fans I Don't think you're going to find too many heating and air guys. They're They're out there. but there aren't as many heating and air guys.

that that love now. So Adam says have a good evening I'm heading out have a good night Adam Thanks for joining us! look I love it when you Pros jump on here. Most of y'all are smarter than me anyway. Ryan says Henry Koba Junior and here that when home warranty companies replace units, they are Builder grade at best.

Yeah, they're usually. you know they've gotta keep their costs down so they're going to do that. Art says: what about a thermostat that has a startup delay to protect the compressor like in some of the Honeywell thermostats I would say most digital thermostats today have that function. Um, now, whether it's turned to one or not you know is another thing.

but I think most digital thermostats have that delay Arch also says isn't trained in America's standard. More complex and labor intensive to repair than some of the other brands I Don't know they're I mean I don't I Wouldn't say that necessarily, just depends I mean they do have the spine fin coil that you have to consider, but you know, usually on those units the reversing valve is actually on the outside of the uh of the spine fin coil. So I would maybe even argue that they're a little easier to get to. So I don't know.

They all have their quirks. and I don't think Train's an exception to that I think they have quite a few quirks Um, but I I wouldn't just say in general that they're more complex than any or or anything like that Jesus Art says that Ryan I have the same question regarding the rebates I was hoping we could take advantage of the IRA rebates for replacing an old heat pump with a more efficient one. Phillips says thanks for that video on the sound I got an outdoor condenser unit that was quieter than the carrier 25 HHA thank you for that kind words. Um, it was a lot of fun doing that.

and and I do like getting out there, but it just depends on what the topic is. My goal has always been to kind of inform homeowners. So if I don't need to go outside and stand by a heat pump just to tell you that you know the new refrigerant just launched, well I'm usually just gonna you know, jump in front of the camera here and do say hey, the new refrigerant just launched you know? So it just depends on the topic but that was a lot of fun to do. I had one of my my uh employees behind the camera so he he was cracking me up with that because he's like you know he's like this is this is what you do and you know I'm curious I haven't got to talk to him since I made that video but I'm wondering if he you know because he got to see the raw footage get recorded and how unorganized that could be.

but you know my brain I'm like well I gotta make sure I get this shot and I got to make sure that I record this and I gotta make sure I talk about these items and sometimes they're not in that order. but when it comes time to edit the video, everything gets straightened out and it's all in that order now you know. So I uh I actually am curious what his thoughts are. If he actually watched that finished video, he was probably like really, that? That's how it turned out.

You know that that mess that I saw of a recording so it's uh, after 9 30 guys make sure you get your questions in Tech Junkie long time no see pal? um Ryan says I'm right there with you on that Arch Tech junkie says if it's hung correctly. that's words of wisdom from the wife. no comment on on that. uh Arch says Carl too bad because it's much cooler up north.

um and then Carl says home warranty companies are going to go as cheap as possible. That is so true. Henry says my home warranty is offering some discounts but it seems like but it looks like I'm going to have to pay for most of the costs I am worried if I cancel my protection plan it might affect the labor warranty. Um yeah, I mean just get everything in writing buddy I I would make sure that you know you don't do something that you know that you regret later as well.

Tech Junkie says my brother has a home warranty and they are amazing I think you've said that before to us and maybe you plugged that company. um I have not personally. uh, run across a a Home Warranty company that I think is amazing as you say but um, you know I'm not saying they're not out there. He had a new hot water heater and they did a great job.

Then his dishwasher went out and they put in an amazing Bosch Super quiet and does a great job. that is that is rare I'll give you that Ryan says Tuck Junkie do you mind sharing the name of that? Home Warranty company that your brother uses Arch says I used to Bull Run Merino and that's where the Battle of Bull Run I think interesting CeCe says I like the old video you did where you don't blink LOL video that was did I look like a deer in headlights where where I wasn't blinking because I was so scared to be in front of the camera that that might have been possible. uh Tech Junkie says Ryan I just texted him I'll let you know when he gets back to me. Gil says I finally got my air conditioning and heating unit fixed yesterday.

That's awesome Arch says they're pretty busy right now and will be calling me when business slows. However I hope to find someone by then. uh Ryan says Tech junkie thank you if the live stream ends before you get that information Please provide it in the next live stream Carl says any new inventions Josh Yes thank you Carl Let's let's stop for a moment and do our segment for new inventions. and um and I got one more thing that I want to ask you guys before we jump off here tonight as well.

Um, but let's see which which invention do I want to talk about tonight? Um hi um yeah, let's go with this one. So have you guys ever seen those? Um, let me see if I can. uh you guys ever seen those cameras that can see temperatures? So if you guys look right here on the on the screen, there's there's cameras that kind of you know they can see the temperature of of things. um I've seen a lot of home inspectors use them to see where you know maybe a leak is but um like here's one that shows you know the temperature of a person and my invention and I know some of you guys are going to think I'm crazy but they've got already got thermostats out there that have geo-fencing technology.

They also have proximity sensing. They even have ductless systems that have an eye that can see you in the room and split the air so it doesn't blow directly on you. So my invention tonight, my hypothetical invention: Feel free to steal. This is temperature sensing thermostats.

It would have some sort of camera or some sort of something that would sense you and that thermostat would know how hot you are. It can see that you're getting warm and then and adjust the temperature accordingly. Uh oh, you just came in from a run. You look kind of warm there.

Let me turn the air on for you. Me and my goofy inventions. Uh, Carl asked for it. So there's my invention for tonight.

Let me know what you guys think of. Uh, my latest invention hypothetical invention: Temperature sensing thermostats that will turn on if it sees that you're hot or cold. Uh, you know, maybe it'll see. Maybe it'll see when people are different temperatures in the room.

So it's like, well, Josh is Chubby So we're going to turn on the AC on his side of the room, but his wife looks cold. You know, before she grabs a blanket? Maybe we need to give her a little puff of air. So Carl says it's my fault for asking. Uh, yeah, we've We've uh, we've gone through some inventions we talked about.

uh, geothermal Loops that could be dropped in when foundations are dug for homes. We've talked about: Bluetooth thermostats That you don't need any wires in the house, you just it. the outdoor unit would Bluetooth connect to that thermostat and you never have to worry about connecting low voltage wires again. Um, and then we've also talked about those mini splits that would be recessed in a wall at where the outdoor unit would just have the fan that's flush with the wall blowing out and then the indoor part would be like a mini split blowing into the room.

So this week's invention is a temperature sensing thermostats so let me let me know what you if you guys uh, would would love for Big Brother to be seeing how hot you are in your house Philip says what's the current consumption of a three ton fence maybe a small shorts with a clamp meter operating and a hot day? Well I mean obviously it ramps up and down I did see a video. There is a video that um, there's a guy that works for Dykin James Turner uh sent me one time that um, they did an amp clamp reading on a Um on a fit and I wanted to say it was a four ton fit and it was only drawing four amps while it was running. So you know, obviously it probably ramps up and down and there's times it's drawing more energy than others. but he said that it was running and I'm maybe even full capacity and it was only drawing four amps.

So I could be wrong on that though you know, don't hold me to that. Um, but um yeah, maybe that's something we can do at some point. just kind of show an amp clamp. you know, reading a measurement of a couple different systems while running and what their energy consumption is Ryan says do we get warmer I thought we maintained a 98.6 degree unless we had a fever or something point.

I I guess I meant more like it would sense. Well, no I think we do change in temperature, don't we right? I mean there's times when you you know you put your hand and you're warm and then there's other times when your hands and feet are cold or or whatever. right? your surface temperature. So you know I think you're right on your internal temperatures.

but I think there's times when you you change right? I mean I don't know. Maybe I'm ignorant on that. Bob says next thing we need is thermostats that think for us. uh, be careful Bob with the AI technology that might be coming in fact Carl says with AI artificial intelligence who knows what's around the corner? yeah I I actually do think that that I've actually said that in a few videos I See a day where heating and air systems use AI technology to not just turn the system on but it can say hey, the humidity is this and the temperature is that and so I need to do this or that to make you know because we all know that humidity plays a role in Comfort too.

You know, 72 degrees in your house where it's less humid might not be the same as feel as 72 degrees in my house where it's higher humidity, you know? So I do think that whether it's AI enabled or just in general I Do think there will come a day where thermostats are going to, you know, consider more than just the temperature I already. Not Not only do I think that it's already out there, there are commercial buildings that are using AI technology for similar now. they use it more from an Energy Efficiency standpoint to try to save energy, but it's still using AI technology says thoughts on the Carrier Infinity versus iWave Air Purifiers. asthma sufferer here and concerned about the eyewave producing ozone and making things worse and not getting smaller particles.

Is there a real difference? Well, the I-wave doesn't remove particles, it's just an ionizer. But it does not produce ozone so that, uh, I don't know who told you that, but the eyewave does not. at least at least the last time I looked it up. I Wave Yeah, I Wave It says certified to produce no harmful levels of ozone.

Um, Ul2 Now Zero Ozone Emissions certified. The Needlepoint Bipolar ionization process does not produce ozone according to this website. So I don't think the iWave does produce ozone. but but you hear people say I that's one time I Remember a company was trying to bash us and they were telling the homeowner Earl he's trying to sell you something that produces ozone and and people do it.

does. It scares people when they hear stuff like that, you know? So I think that that is a term that's thrown around a bunch and it does concern people because there are air quality products out there. Indoor air quality products that do produce ozone. some of them purposely.

Um, so yeah. Ryan says we do need we do need per thermostats though that uses technology like robot vacuums that can map an area then see temperatures to more accurately flow air to certain hot spots. interesting lidar and Camera bait based mapping with temperature sensors Carl says AI will probably Advance self-diagnostic equipment Yeah. I think AI is going is probably here to stay and it's going to advance a lot of things.

Um, you know we'll We'll see though. you know I think there are going to be certain products that it's going to be implemented and folks aren't even going to necessarily understand that it's being implemented. You know Carlos says maybe it was other ionizers that produce ozone could be other people making it up. Great advice.

thank you. Yeah, I mean I would just look it up. There are products that do produce ozone out there and again, some of them do it on purpose for Odor Control And and things like that. So um, if that's something you're sensitive to, um, another suggestion that I'll give folks sometimes is you know, let a homeowner I mean let it, let a company know that you want to try a product and and just say you know I I want to try it I've said that to homeowners before I I'll let you try it and if you don't like it, I'll pull it out and I'll just charge you the hour of time that my guy had to spend installing and then removing it.

So as long as you're okay with you know us charging, you know, not reimbursing that back to you If you buy the product and then you we do remove it, you know we'll just give you your money back minus that technician's time. and we've had folks take us up on that. So maybe that's something you might consider if you find a heating and air company that's willing to do that. you know Bob says scary thing with AI will fire folks who do not design good equipment or perform all sorts of services.

Well, Well there there you go. you know? Hey, I know if that system was installed right? You know? Anyway, we've had a lot of new faces tonight so I want to say thank you and welcome to those folks and ask you to subscribe if you have not subscribed to our Channel again and I I Told you guys I have a question for you before we wrap up tonight. Um, and my question to you is we we spilled the beans last week on the upcoming trip to Daikins Factory where we're going to be going kind of behind the scenes. We're going to shoot some videos and show you some things that maybe you have never seen before, getting you behind some closed doors.

And so we're excited about that. And my question to you is if there's anything that you've always wanted to see or something that you've always wondered about a factory, uh, a manufacturer, anything in particular that you might want to see or ask directly to those folks, please. um, please, uh, let me know in the chat section if you have any questions on that and um, you know, maybe we will. We'll do our best to try to accommodate some of that.

So Tech junkie doing some name dropping on some home warranty