ESCO Institute-HVAC Excellence

10/15/2026

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) residential water heater efficiency standards take effect on May 6, 2029 which will require HPWH's for most Electric applications. These units have a sealed refrigerant system. That means anyone who opens it needs EPA Section 608 certification. Most residential units count as small appliances, so they fall under Type I.

So should plumbers earn their 608 certification and learn refrigeration, or should HVAC techs learn plumbing? On this episode of Did You Know: The ESCO HVAC Show, we dig into the new ESCO Institute curriculum built to train the heat pump water heater techs this market needs.

10/15/2026

Jason Obrzut and Clifton Beck will be speaking at the leading & largest construction show in the Midwest. Join them at Chicago Build (Oct 28-29, McCormick Place). Register your free tickets today at: https://forms.reg.buzz/chicago-build-expo-2026/speaker

10/14/2026

The ESCO Mobile Studio is On-The-Go again! Next week we will be at the PHCC Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Come say hello and hang out with Renee and Clifton!!!

10/14/2026

Finding the Next Generation of HVAC Service Technicians

Attending the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) 2026 conference? Join us to learn how to find and recruit the next generation of HVAC service technicians.

Howard Weiss of ESCO Institute and Bill Froehle, of the United Association, will explore new recruitment opportunities through HVAC Excellence Accredited programs.

We'll discuss how the UA is identifying high-quality HVAC programs, connecting with career-ready graduates, and creating stronger pathways into HVACR service careers.

Monday, November 9 | 3:30–4:30 p.m.

10/13/2026

🌡️ What happens to HVAC refrigerant readings when a condenser coil cannot reject heat properly?

A dirty condenser coil or restricted outdoor airflow can change head pressure, condensing saturation temperature, subcooling, CTOA, system capacity, and refrigerant charge diagnostics.

Join Todd Kler, CMHE, Dirk Nauman, CM CSME, and special guest Tony Gonzalez, CSME, Director of Training at Fieldpiece for Visualizing HVAC Excellence (VHE) – Episode 24: Condenser Airflow Problems — When the System Cannot Reject Heat.

Using Visual 3D Academy, we progressively restrict airflow across the outdoor condenser coil and watch the refrigeration system respond.

🔧 In this HVAC training episode, we explore:
• Dirty condenser coil diagnostics
• Restricted outdoor airflow
• Condenser heat rejection
• High head pressure
• Condensing saturation temperature
• High subcooling
• CTOA — Condensing Temperature Over Ambient
• TXV system behavior
• Refrigerant charge diagnostics
• HVAC troubleshooting and data interpretation

A dirty condenser can create refrigerant-side symptoms that resemble an overcharged system. If a technician reacts to one measurement instead of diagnosing the complete system, refrigerant may be removed even though the real problem is airflow and heat transfer.

That is why we reinforce:

ABCs — Air Before Charge.
Diagnose the cause before changing the charge.

Visual 3D Academy helps learners see the fault develop, watch pressures and temperatures respond, and connect system behavior to the measurements technicians collect in the field.

Visualizing HVAC Excellence is created by Visual 3D Academy in support of ESCO Institute and HVAC Excellence, bringing HVACR educators, trainers, technicians, and industry professionals together to explore technical concepts, troubleshooting, diagnostics, and visual learning.

🔎 www.Visual3DAcademy.com
✉️ [email protected]

See it. Learn it. Apply it.

This is HVAC… visualized.

10/13/2026

⏳ Time is running out! Only TWO WEEKS left to nominate!

Did an HVACR instructor or trainer make a lasting impact on your career? Now is your chance to show them how much they matter!

Great instructors do more than teach. They inspire, mentor, and shape the future of our industry. Don't let their dedication go unrecognized.

🏆 Nominate an outstanding HVACR educator or trainer TODAY!

https://form.jotform.com/262296055774163

10/09/2026

Refrigerant recovery doesn't just need to "increase" — it needs to escalate. ⏳❄️

Clifton and the panel explain why techs could be in a bad position by 2028 if recovery rates don't double or triple, and why refrigerant is the lifeblood of the entire industry.

For the full episode on the state of refrigerant recovery:

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/xPdZT8yR7vA
🎧 Listen here: https://rss.com/podcasts/escogroup/3220416

10/08/2026

Clarification on Implementation of the New EPA Section 608 Test Question Bank

Our office has received questions about the EPA’s new Section 608 test question bank having seen conflicting information online. As a result, many proctors have asked for clarification as to when the new bank takes effect and when the old exam will be retired.

In its August 18, 2026, communication, the EPA stated that organizations may begin using the new test bank questions and updating related training materials immediately. The EPA also stated that the old exam may no longer be graded after January 1, 2027.

What this means for registered proctors:
• Now through December 31, 2026: Proctors may administer either the old exam or the new exam.
• Beginning January 2, 2027: Only the new exam may be administered and graded. All old testing materials must be destroyed on this date.

We encourage proctors to transition to the new exam as soon as possible. Switching early means candidates who need to retest won’t have to study for both the old and new versions. The new question bank also reflects current refrigerant technologies, so it better prepares technicians for the work they do today.

10/08/2026

PAC meeting? Does that mean “Please Attend, Co-workers”? 😄 Not quite!

A Program Advisory Committee (PAC) brings together contractors, distributors, community members, students, educators, and industry professionals to help shape the future of an HVACR program.

Dr. James Crisp joins us to explain the PAC basics, followed by a fun SKIT with industry professionals showing how a great PAC meeting should operate.

Join us for valuable education, industry insight, and a whole lot of fun!

10/08/2026

TEC Trainer The Trainer Announcement

The Energy Conservatory, known to the HVAC industry for their work surrounding building science and HVAC air flow, has recently opened their brand new training facility for trainers!

Sign up for TEC's Train The Trainer sessions here:https://www.ener...