HVAC Know It All Podcast

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Business Edition Podcast, co-hosts Gary McCreadie and Furman Haynes from WorkHero sit down with Austin Wendel, Owner at Accounting 4 Trades. Austin shares valuable insights on managing cash flow, invoicing efficiently, and using smart marketing strategies to grow a successful trade business. From service agreements to financial systems, this episode covers key strategies that every small business owner should consider for long-term success. With extensive experience in the HVAC and trades industry, Austin shares his expertise on cash flow management, financial systems, and operational efficiency, all crucial to growing a sustainable business. Expect to Learn: The importance of quick invoicing for maintaining healthy cash flow How to handle unpaid invoices and effectively collect payments Marketing strategies for acquiring your first customers Setting up financial systems that work for your trade business The benefits of service agreements and creating long-term customer relationships Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 02:37 - Importance of Quick Invoices 05:31 - Marketing for New Businesses. 07:48 - Grassroots Marketing Techniques 08:39 - Setting Up Financial Systems 10:31 - Service Agreements for Steady Cash Flow 13:33 - HVAC as a Service Model 17:22 - Advice for New Business Owners 18:14 - Conclusion This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: PartsTown: https://www.partstown.com/hvac-parts Follow our Guest Austin Wendel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/accounting4trades/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounting4trades/ Company Website: https://www.acc4t.com/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-4-trades/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acc4trades/ Follow Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Follow Furman Haynes: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furmanhaynes/ WorkHero: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workherohvac/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with Christopher Rystedt, Technical Sales and Trainer at Airzone Control, about air distribution and zoning with VRF and inverter systems. In Part 2, they discuss common applications such as hotels and residential homes, and how zoning can work with multiple brands and system types. Christopher explains how modern zoning avoids bypass dampers by adjusting fan speed and system capacity based on demand. They also cover ventilation modes, zone weighting, and how airflow is balanced across different spaces. The conversation wraps up with setup tips, training options, and how zoning can help manage refrigerant limits and reduce system size and cost. Gary and Christopher discuss how modern HVAC zoning systems work with VRF and inverter equipment in both commercial and residential applications. They explain how systems can control multiple zones or units from one platform, even across different brands. Christopher describes how proper duct design and variable fan speed help avoid the need for bypass dampers while maintaining correct airflow. They also cover ventilation settings, including local and system-wide fan operation, and how zone weighting helps balance airflow based on duct size. They finish by talking about system setup, training resources, and how zoning can help reduce refrigerant use and overall system costs. Expect to Learn: How HVAC zoning systems can control multiple rooms using VRF and inverter equipment. How one platform can manage different brands and types of HVAC units together. Why proper duct design and variable fan speed help eliminate the need for bypass dampers. How ventilation modes work at both the zone level and system level to move air. How zone weighting and system setup help balance airflow and improve overall performance. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters ad [01:08] - Intro to Chris Rystedt in Part 02 [02:10] - Main applications: Hotels, villas, and residential [04:34] - Airzone history: Spain (1997), North America (2021) [06:57] - Inverter systems vs. traditional bypass dampers [09:21] - Ventilation modes: Local and global settings [13:29] - Christopher's role: Technical sales and trainer [18:33] - Training resources and A2L refrigerant benefits This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest Christopher Rystedt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rystedt-62258597/ Airzone Control - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airzonecontrol/ Airzone Control - Website: https://www.airzonecontrol.com/as/en/ Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie is joined by Christopher Rystedt, Technical Sales and Trainer at Airzone Control, to discuss VRF and VRV zoning and how it applies to air distribution systems. Christopher explains how zoning can be used with inverter-driven equipment to deliver precise comfort by controlling airflow to individual spaces using modulating dampers and smart controls. The conversation covers how Airzone integrates with over 200 HVAC brands through manufacturer-supported communication protocols, allowing full system functionality without losing performance. Gary and Christopher also explore system design, control strategies, and how modern zoning helps reduce equipment load while improving comfort and efficiency. In this conversation, Christopher explains how VRF and VRV zoning can be applied to ducted systems to control airflow to individual rooms based on demand. He describes how modulating dampers and smart controls adjust airflow levels instead of simply opening or closing, allowing the system to match capacity to the exact needs of each space. Christopher and Gary discuss how zoning works with inverter-driven equipment and why proper communication with indoor units is important to maintain performance. They also cover system setup, including thermostats, sensors, and control wiring, and explain how this approach helps improve comfort, reduce equipment load, and provide more efficient operation. Expect to Learn: How VRF and VRV zoning can control airflow to different rooms using one ducted system. Why modulating dampers adjust airflow levels based on the exact demand in each space? How communication with indoor units allows zoning systems to maintain full equipment performance. What components, like thermostats, sensors, and control boards, are used in a zoned system setup? How proper zoning design helps improve comfort, reduce system load, and increase efficiency. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Sponsor: Factory Direct Filters ad [00:00] - Intro to Christopher in Part 1 [02:36] - What is Air Distribution Zoning? [05:14] - What Air Distribution Zoning Is [08:33] - Airone Zone Damper Demo & How It Works [10:32] - Compatibility with 200+ VRF Brands [13:09] - System Setup: Sensors, Dampers & Wiring [17:49] - Building Automation, App Control & Integration This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ Factory Direct Filters: https://www.factorydirectfilters.com/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest Christopher Rystedt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rystedt-62258597/ Airzone Control - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airzonecontrol/ Airzone Control - Website: https://www.airzonecontrol.com/as/en/ Follow the Host: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/ Follow the Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HVACKnowItAll Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LCBJGw0EHG03rdWHxUMce Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hvac-know-it-all-podcast/id1359253455

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie welcomes Jim Bergmann, President of measureQuick and Director of New Product Development at Redfish Instruments Inc, to discuss system cleanup after moisture contamination and compressor burnouts. Jim explains why moisture in POE oil cannot be fully removed with evacuation and highlights the importance of using filter dryers and proper procedures. The conversation covers real-world scenarios such as water entering a system and the steps needed to reduce damage and extend equipment life. Gary and Jim also talk about evacuation best practices, decay testing, and how poor installation habits can lead to long-term system failure. In this conversation, Jim explains how moisture affects refrigeration systems and why it cannot be fully removed from POE oil using evacuation alone. He discusses how technicians should rely on filter dryers, oil changes, and proper cleanup methods to reduce contamination. Jim and Gary talk about real situations like water entering a system and compressor burnouts, and how these issues damage equipment and shorten its life. They also explain the importance of good installation practices, proper evacuation, and decay testing to prevent future failures and ensure the system stays clean and dry. Expect to Learn: Why can moisture in POE oil not be removed using evacuation alone? How filter dryers help remove moisture and acids from HVAC systems. Steps technicians can take when water enters a refrigeration system. How compressor burnouts contaminate systems and affect performance. Why proper evacuation, decay testing, and installation practices prevent system failures. Episode Highlights: [00:00] - Intro to Jim Bergmann [01:53] - Jim Returns & POE Oil Moisture Discussion [03:24] - YouTube Demo: POE Oil Stays Cloudy After Evacuation [05:40] - Scenario 1: Water in System from Cracked Coil [08:55] - Mini Split Story: When a System Pulls in Moisture [12:45] - Scenario 2: Compressor Burnout Cleanup [16:25] - Flushes & Solvents: Are They Worth Using? [17:54] - The Real Root Cause: Poor Evacuation Practices [19:03] - Micron Gauge Placement: Does It Matter? [23:34] - Final Tip: The Blue Vac Gauge & Best Practices This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/ Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/ SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse! Follow the Guest Jim Bergmann on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bergmann-2968178/ measureQuick: https://www.linkedin.com/company/measurequick-application/ Redfish Instruments Inc: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redfish-instruments/ Download the measureQuick App here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.measurequick.hvac Follow the Host, Gary McCreadie: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/ Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/