ESCO Institute-HVAC Excellence

08/25/2026

What should a refrigeration system look like when it is operating normally?

Join Ty Branaman, CMHE, and host Todd Kler for VHE Ep. 17 as we begin our Refrigeration Diagnostics Guided Pathway by establishing the baseline technicians need before diagnosing a fault.

We will explore expected pressures and temperatures, saturation conditions, superheat, subcooling, system operating conditions, and the P-h chart to show why good diagnostics starts with one principle: know normal before you diagnose abnormal.

See it. Learn it. Apply it.

08/25/2026

"Most impressive labor workforce since the Industrial Revolution" — Clifton's bold take on Gen Z 💪🔧

Clifton drops a controversial workforce theory: despite the stigma, he believes the younger generation entering the trades will be the most impressive labor force in recent memory. Jess Slade, a fourth-year apprentice, chimes in on generational communication gaps and how Gen Z-ers are approaching their work.

For the full episode with Jess and Clifton:

🎥 Watch here: https://youtu.be/Tp-8NRXWNUQ
🎧 Listen here: https://rss.com/podcasts/escogroup/3093682

08/24/2026

Chicago Build 2026 is just a few months away, and some of the biggest names in construction, design, and the built environment are already set to be part of it.

From Gensler, JLL and CBRE to Clayco, Skanska, Turner Construction, Stantec and Gilbane, leading teams across the industry will be heading to McCormick Place this October.

Why attend?

✅ Meet the 350+ exhibitors shaping Chicago and the wider Midwest ✅ Discover new products, ideas and opportunities ✅ Connect with 30,000+ industry professionals ✅ Be part of the Midwest’s largest construction and design show

📍 McCormick Place 📅 October 28 to 29 🎟️ Free to attend (Register in advance to avoid the $99 onsite ticket fee)

Register your ticket now: https://forms.reg.buzz/chicago-build-expo-2026/esco-institute

08/24/2026

2027 National HVACR Education Conference

Competing manufacturers will once again come together, not to sell equipment, but to help educators understand emerging technologies, new refrigerants, evolving controls, changing regulations, equipment design, and the instructional resources available to support today's HVACR programs.

Instead of spending months trying to meet with manufacturers individually, meet many of them in one place. The National HVACR Education Conference brings together manufacturers, regulatory agencies, industry leaders, and HVACR educators with one shared goal: preparing the next generation of HVACR professionals.

As equipment and technology continue to evolve, so must our classrooms. The knowledge, hands-on training, and industry partnerships gained at this conference will help ensure your students are prepared for the systems they will encounter in the field.

When schools invest in sending instructors, they invest in stronger educational programs, better-prepared graduates, and a more capable workforce.

March 21–24, 2027 | South Point Hotel & Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada

Competing manufacturers will once again come together, not to sell ...

08/21/2026

New EPA Section 608 Exam

The EPA has released a revised question bank for the Section 608 Technician Certification exam, modernized to reflect the refrigerants and technologies technicians encounter in the field today.


ESCO Institute's new suite of preparatory resources will be released very shortly. Registered proctors will be notified by email as soon as they're available.

We encourage registered proctors to login at escogroup.org for more details and watch this show where we discuss the changes.

https://youtu.be/rIkVirQXn50?si=_KRdsIxgr9WVc4LV

The EPA is getting ready to release a brand-new test bank, which me...

08/20/2026

We get asked all the time — who's actually presented at the HVAC Excellence National HVACR Education Conference?

Turns out... it's a serious lineup. Swipe through the collage and see some of the movers and shakers who've taken the stage to shape the future of HVACR education.

08/20/2026

Tired of hearing me talk about cold climate heat pumps yet? This week we take a different road.

Heat pumps get a lot of attention for how they hold up in the cold. But what about the other side of the map? Warm climates have their own story, and it is worth telling.

Cody Novini from Pocket Technician and David Rames from Midea Residential Air Conditioning join the show this week to walk through a real case study: a high performance heat pump replacing a gas furnace and AC in southern California. We cover how the system was sized, how it was applied, and what the results looked like.

If you install, service, or teach heat pumps, this one gives you a fresh look at where they fit.

08/18/2026

What does an HVAC electrical schematic actually tell you when the system is not working?

Join legendary HVACR educator Jim Johnson of Technical Training Associates and host Todd Kler for Visualizing HVAC Excellence Ep. 16: Introduction to Reading the Circuit Using Schematics — The Answer Is Already in Front of You.

In this episode, we bring our Electrical Fundamentals Guided Pathway together by connecting circuit operation, schematic reading, and the diagnostic thought process. We will explore how technicians can follow the intended electrical path, use the schematic as a roadmap, and ask the fundamental troubleshooting question:

Where did the expected electrical condition change?

See how visual learning can help instructors turn schematic reading into a logical, repeatable diagnostic process.

See it. Learn it. Apply it.

08/17/2026

Manufacturers, 70-Plus Schools Partner to Train HVAC Workforce on Heat Pumps

The Heat Pump Ready program, led by TECH Clean California, is closing the HVAC workforce skill gap in installing and servicing heat pumps.

08/16/2026

United Association General Convention

🏗️ United Association General Convention
📅 August 17, 2026

The ESCO Institute and HVAC Excellence teams are excited to be part of the UA General Convention! If you're attending, stop by to talk certification, training programs, and resources to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Looking forward to seeing you there! 🔧