Catching Up with Fieldpiece and Refrigeration Technologies at AHR
HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs
Bryan Orr
4.8 • 985 Ratings
🗓️ 21 February 2025
⏱️ 70 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this special episode from the 2025 AHR Expo, Bryan brings us two fascinating conversations with industry leaders who are shaping the future of HVAC technology and tools. The episode kicks off with Tony Gonzalez from Fieldpiece celebrating their 35th anniversary. Tony shares his remarkable journey from packaging meters in the warehouse to his current leadership role, providing unique insights into the company's evolution. The discussion explores Fieldpiece's pioneering role in developing HVAC-specific testing equipment, particularly highlighting their groundbreaking HS26 meter that filled a crucial gap in the industry when no other company was creating specialized meters for HVAC technicians.
The conversation with Tony delves deep into the technical aspects of modern HVAC work, particularly focusing on combustion analysis and its three fundamental pillars: safety, efficiency, and consistency. Tony explains how Fieldpiece's JobLink system has revolutionized the way technicians document their work and communicate with customers through comprehensive digital reporting. The discussion also covers the evolution of refrigerants and POE oils, emphasizing how practices that weren't considered critical in the past have become essential with modern systems and materials.
In the second segment, Bryan sits down with Mike and Ashley from Refrigeration Technologies' Viper division, where they share the compelling origin story of their company. Mike recounts how his father, John Pastorello, a chemist who found himself taking an AC technician job in the 1980s, leveraged his chemistry background to develop superior products, starting with their flagship product, Big Blu. The conversation highlights Refrigeration Technologies' impressive growth, including their recent expansion to a campus-like facility with an additional 30,000 square feet and their achievement of making the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years. Ashley, their Director of Education and Brand Management, discusses their innovative approach to industry engagement, including their first-ever "Viper Bowl" competition and their commitment to safety in product development.
Key Topics Covered in This Episode:
- Fieldpiece's 35-year journey and the evolution of HVAC-specific testing equipment
- Modern combustion analysis fundamentals and the importance of proper testing
- The JobLink system and its impact on documentation and customer communication
- Evolution of refrigerants, POE oils, and critical installation practices
- Refrigeration Technologies' origin story and growth from a family business to an industry leader
- Development and innovation of essential HVAC chemicals and tools under the Viper brand
- The importance of safety in product formulation and application
- Global expansion and market reach in the HVAC industry
- Impact of modern technology on HVAC diagnostics and documentation
- Training approaches and industry education initiatives
- Company cultures focused on innovation and problem-solving
- The role of family businesses in advancing HVAC technology
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The HVAC School podcast is made possible by these great partners. |
| 0:08.0 | Refrigeration technologies, and specifically Viper wipes, the all-purpose wipe that is really amazing, what it can cut through. |
| 0:18.0 | Everything from mastic to oil grease tar, grime, and it's nice on the hands. |
| 0:23.2 | Make some nice and soft when you're done. So that way, you can go home and head out a dancing |
| 0:28.4 | when you get back to the house. Find out more at refrigetect.com slash viper dash wipes. |
| 0:36.0 | Refraggetech.com slash viper dash wipes refringtech.com slash viper dash wipes field piece in the cat 85 combustion |
| 0:43.1 | analyzer cat 85 measures everything you need to keep your customer safe o2 co co co and draft pressure |
| 0:50.7 | it comes with a built-in monometer so you have one less tool to carry and can |
| 0:55.2 | knock out static and gas pressure readings in one fell swoop. The real interesting thing about the |
| 1:01.2 | CAD-85 is its sensor technology for better accuracy, longevity, and ease of use. It automatically |
| 1:07.2 | separates and returns accumulated water to the flu using the patent-pending |
| 1:12.2 | hydrocycle pump technology. |
| 1:14.5 | You know who needs hydrocycle pump technology? |
| 1:16.6 | Why all of us? |
| 1:18.1 | Sensors are field replaceable, so you don't have to wait on shipping timelines and can just |
| 1:21.3 | change it right then and there to maximize uptime, as well as patent-pending sensor |
| 1:26.1 | vault technology, prolonging sensor life. |
| 1:29.3 | Sensors also come with a four-year warranty. |
| 1:31.3 | As with a lot of other Field Piece tools, you can connect the Cat-85 with the JobLink System |
| 1:36.8 | app to get all your readings in one place, and there's a 1,000-foot wireless range. |
| 1:41.3 | Find out more at FieldPease.com, and be sure to check out the Cat 85 and the other handy combustion |
| 1:47.2 | analyzers and add-ons. |
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