From Plumber to HVAC Owner w/ Manly Arnanson

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

Bryan Orr

Training, Careers, Airconditioning, Self-improvement, Hvac, Business, Education, Refrigeration, Heating, Ac, Apprenticeship

4.8 • 985 Ratings

🗓️ 20 February 2025

⏱️ 45 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode, Bryan speaks with Manly, an HVAC professional from Manitoba, Canada, about his journey from working in his family's plumbing business to running his own HVAC company. Manly shares his experiences working in extreme cold weather conditions, where temperatures can drop to -30°C (-22°F), and discusses the unique challenges and emergency response strategies required in such a heating-dominated market.

The conversation delves deep into the ethical aspects of running an HVAC business, with both Bryan and Manly sharing their Christian perspectives on business ethics, customer service, and professional integrity. They discuss the importance of honest communication with customers, admitting mistakes, and making decisions based on customers' needs rather than purely financial motivations. Manly emphasizes how his faith influences his business practices and decision-making, particularly when advising customers about repairs versus replacements.

The discussion also explores the importance of continuous learning and professional development in the HVAC industry. Manly describes his experience returning to school in his forties to complete his air conditioning mechanic certification, highlighting how the industry requires constant adaptation and learning. Both professionals stress the value of building community within the trade and the importance of sharing knowledge to help others avoid making the same mistakes they've encountered.

Key Topics Covered:

Working in extreme cold weather conditions (-30°C/-22°F)
Emergency heating solutions using construction heaters
The transition from plumbing to HVAC
Challenges of equipment sizing and customer education
Business ethics and Christian principles in HVAC
Importance of admitting mistakes and maintaining integrity
Continuous learning and professional development
Building community in the HVAC industry
Balancing profit motives with customer needs
Manitoba's two-tier licensing system for HVAC technicians
Parts availability challenges and creative solutions
Role of humility in professional growth
Value of proper education and training in HVAC

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of the HVAC school podcast is brought to you by our partners.
0:09.0	ESCO Group's HVACR Learning Network has a brand new course bundle about high-performance heat pumps.
0:16.0	Heat pumps are becoming a lot more popular, especially in cold climates, and this new course bundle will get you up to speed on designing and servicing variable speed heat pumps.
0:25.3	It starts with the basics of heat pumps for people who have worked on furnaces their entire
0:29.1	lives. Not like me. I'm a heat pump guy through and through. But for those of you who are new to
0:33.8	it, it covers the basic principles and startup practices, covers design considerations
0:38.3	for those of you who are interested in advanced diagnostics and installing custom comfort
0:43.4	solutions for your customers. Also, it's an energy skilled course recognized by the Department
0:49.0	of Energy. Learn more at HVACR school.com slash ESCO-heatheast pumps.
0:55.8	HVACR school.com slash ESCO dash heat-pumps.
1:01.9	Refrigeration technologies and their Viper pan and drain treatment.
1:06.8	Viper pan and drain treatment is a spray gel that you can put in your drain pan in the bottom rows of the evaporator coil.
1:13.8	It utilizes enzyme-based cleaning, which works on tough sludge, biofilm, and works wonders on our climate here in Florida.
1:23.2	Unique challenges like bacterial zuglia, otherwise known as elephant's not.
1:29.3	It's also non-toxic and food safe. It's been shown to outlast traditional drain tabs and lubricates the drain assembly
1:34.6	to keep those drains clear. Who doesn't want a lubricated drain assembly? Am I right? Find out more
1:40.4	about the pan and drain treatment from Viper at refrigetec.com.
1:47.4	Carrier and carrier.com.
1:49.9	Carrier has been a long-term sponsor of the podcast.
1:52.5	They've made it possible very early on for us to do what we do,
1:56.1	and they are the products that we sell day in and day out,
1:58.4	everything from single stage equipment all the way
	...

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