Training in 2024 is just as important as ever. How do you integrate training, education and continued learning with today’s busy contractor? Power Points, sales pitches and doughnuts. Tried and true methods of training gone by, that’s for sure. But what does today’s training look like, especially in the purview of the younger generation of Read more
HVAC
Training in 2024 is just as important as ever. How do you integrate training, education and continued learning with today’s busy contractor?
Power Points, sales pitches and doughnuts. Tried and true methods of training gone by, that’s for sure. But what does today’s training look like, especially in the purview of the younger generation of contractors that digests information in 90 seconds or less?
“What was that? Sorry, I was looking at my phone,” jokes Max Rohr, Director, Education and Technical Marketing, Caleffi. “Five years ago, a three-minute-long video was a good option, now it will seem long if it is over that 90-second threshold. Ideally, you get to the point in the first five seconds and work the explanation back from there. Like showing the cake and then going back to bowls of ingredients.”
According to, Dave Holdorf, Residential Trainer & Rep Training Manager—Eastern Region, Taco Comfort Solutions, it’s a challenge. “We’ve found that it helps to bring different instructors in for specific segments of the training. Each instructor brings their own perspective; even hearing a different voice in the room makes for a more compelling presentation. Every facet of our training is now geared to maintain the attention of participants. We also make sure to schedule breaks so that the attendees can attend to business, or need at home. By creating the curriculum with attendees in mind, their focus remains with the topic in front of them.”
Nevertheless, the training department at Taco has always looked at training not from a product view but from an application perspective, giving attendees the information they need to do their job better, and to give their customers the comfort they deserve. “We use real world experiences to solve real world problems with personal experiences and a bit of humor—as you know, John, it ain’t worth doing if you’re not having fun as well,” says Holdorf.
Caleffi’s Bob “Hot Rod” Rohr brings his props and his wealth of experience and knowledge to trainings.
But what about those PowerPoints and doughnuts? “Every learning style is different, so you have to be adaptable. If you see the audience tuning out a PowerPoint, stop and grab a product to bring to an attendee and talk about a case study that is related instead,” says Rohr.
In addition, everything falls apart for a trainer if the audience gets the impression they are overpromising, adds Rohr. For example, “Honesty is something Hot Rod is specifically good at in contractor training sessions. As a former installer, he always has tips for getting the job done and workarounds that are really tangible,” says Rohr.
The New Normal?
The Covid pandemic saw what we thought was going to be a new normal with virtual training, but what we are now seeing is the importance, and return, of in-person training.
This past year Taco saw a huge jump of in-person training, on the road as well as at Taco HQ in Rhode Island. So much so that the company had to dramatically increase the number of sessions back in Rhode Island to accommodate. “However, that does not mean to diminish the virtual training, Taco Tuesday and Taco After Dark webinars are still posting a large number of attendees that are hungry for information in bite size chunks, not as large as when we all locked down at home, but still popular,” says Holdorf.
Taco’s Holdorf conducts a training at the Cranston, R.I. HQ.
Nonetheless, “when we’re online, we know it’s so easy to stray off to the next shiny thing online, so to keep attendees engaged, we encourage two-way communications. If participants have questions, we want them to ask immediately,” continues Holdorf.
In fact, Holdorf says that people who attend Taco’s webinars typically take it to the next level and seek live training. A combination of both virtual and live training can help attendees dial in on what they want to learn—or perhaps didn’t initially develop a full understanding of what it is they most needed to know. “These options allow them to fine-tune their training experience to make them as good as they want to be. And, ideally, we help them raise the bar. We routinely heard from trade pros who came to us for a better understanding of a single application or concept, and through that experience come away with an energized desire for much more,” says Holdorf.
In 2023, Caleffi performed almost a 50/50 mix of in-person and virtual. Contractors like hands-on training, says Rohr, so it is good to be back on job sites for that type of interaction. And, engineers didn’t all go back to the office after COVID. “Many of the engineering sessions we do are virtual because that firm may be scattered all over the region. You might catch 20 people in a virtual training, where only 10 of them are in the office that day,” says Rohr.
Know-It-Alls
What about those who are stubborn enough to think that they don’t need further education and training? “I love this question and see and hear it often in the industry,” says Ken Midgett, L.M.P, Plumbing, Marketing Director, Interplay Learning, and former Teacher and Apprenticeship Instructor, Lehigh Career & Technical Institute.
Those in skilled trades should embrace the concept of being “lifelong learners,” consistently expanding their knowledge in their current specialty and exploring related disciplines. Whether licensed or not, individuals in skilled trades should assess their goals, career paths and professional growth within their field. It’s common for some to reach a point where they feel adequately skilled and think further education is unnecessary. According to Midgett, this assumption is misleading for several reasons:
• For example, a residential plumber could benefit from learning about commercial plumbing, Med Gas, Backflow, Water Well work, Water Conditioning, HVAC, Electrical, etc. Diversifying skills not only enhances one’s expertise but also increases their marketability across various skill sets, intern boosting income and long-term employability.
• Despite advancements in safety measures within the construction industry, the misconception that skilled trades workers are immune to injuries persists. While the overall safety landscape has improved, life-changing injuries can still occur. In such unfortunate instances, if an individual can only rely on skills specific to their trade and lacks versatility, their career may face irreparable damage. Therefore, investing in ongoing training, education, and professional development becomes crucial for ensuring resilience in the workforce and mitigating the impact of unforeseen challenges. Repurposing skillsets may be challenging when there has been no prior skill or professional development planning before the injury event.
• The industry, codes, tools, and methods to do a task are constantly changing. Skilled trades workers need to educate themselves and stay on top of new developments. This is critical to the success of a technician and company.
In the end, it’s what ends up in the ol’ noggin as useful information that translates to the jobsite. “Students only retain a tiny amount of the information that you present to them, but they will remember their feelings about the trainer for a very long time,” says Rohr. “It is hard to know if a bigger win is when customers retain a piece of information you presented or if they remember that you seem like you know what you are talking about. “If they trust that you did a good job, that memory will stay with them for a career, potentially.”
A new smart home appliance creates water from the moisture in the air at scale. The WaterCube 100 (WC-100) is an IoT-enabled home and office appliance that is the size of an HVAC unit and sustainably generates more than 100 gallons of fresh water daily from the air around it — enough for a household Read more
A new smart home appliance creates water from the moisture in the air at scale. The WaterCube 100 (WC-100) is an IoT-enabled home and office appliance that is the size of an HVAC unit and sustainably generates more than 100 gallons of fresh water daily from the air around it — enough for a household of four. The WaterCube 100 uses Renewable Water from Air (RWA) technology that mimics nature’s process of extracting water from the air.Designed for ease of maintenance and reliability, the WaterCube 100 represents a technological leap forward and a significant change from conventional water sourcing methods, such as municipal supplies, wells, or drought-prone bodies of water. It supplies homeowners with enough clean, drinkable water to meet their household’s daily water demand, reducing or eliminating dependence on municipal water grids or wells. Created for home or office, WaterCube 100 (WC-100) allows users to produce fresh water quickly. From the moment WaterCube 100 powers on, users gain peace of mind knowing they have clean, affordable water their way.
For more info, https://genesissystems.com/CES-IBS/.
The Ambient Air-to-Water Hydronic Heat Pump is introduced by U.S. Boiler Company for residential customers looking to upgrade their hydronic systems with the most efficient electric option available. The new heat pump has a 5-ton capacity (rated at 60 MBH) and provides reliable space heating with outdoor temperatures as low as -13°F. Offering a COP Read more
The Ambient Air-to-Water Hydronic Heat Pump is introduced by U.S. Boiler Company for residential customers looking to upgrade their hydronic systems with the most efficient electric option available.
The new heat pump has a 5-ton capacity (rated at 60 MBH) and provides reliable space heating with outdoor temperatures as low as -13°F. Offering a COP of up to 3.95 (395% efficiency) and delivering supply temperatures of up to 140°F, the Ambient Heat Pump offers significant energy savings over conventional electric heating systems.
Installation is simple, whether the monoblock heat pump is installed in a new residence or is retrofitted into an existing hydronic system. It’s also easy to install as a stand-alone heat source or in dual-fuel applications.
The heat pump uses environmentally friendly R-32 refrigerant for high efficiency and low global warming potential. Its DC inverter Enhanced Vapor Injection (EVI) technology is extremely quiet, with operating sound levels as low as 39 decibels at two-foot distance (quieter than most refrigerators).
The Ambient Heat Pump is available with an optional dual-fuel controller for applications in extremely cold climates. The controller, as part of a kit, allows the installer to seamlessly integrate the heat pump with a new or existing fossil fuel or electric boiler. No additional venting or re-sizing of existing hydronic piping is necessary.
The new system is available as a stand-alone unit, or as part of two different packages, depending on whether the heat pump will be the only source of hydronic heat in the home or in tandem with a boiler.
Both packages include a 5.7-inch touchscreen controller which is mounted inside the home. Other packaged accessories include a 40-gallon buffer tank with backup heating elements, a Taco® 0013 circulator, circulator flange kit, flat plate heat exchanger, pressure relief valve, drain valve, and relays. The dual fuel package also includes the dual fuel controller.
U.S. Boiler Company has launched an Electrification Program to assist homeowners and contractors in adopting air-to-water heat pumps. Visit www.usboiler.net to learn more about the products and enroll in the program.
Training provider Interplay Learning introduces new scalable out-of-the-box programs that help learners gain skills for in-demand jobs and connect with employers Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, today announced Interplay Academy, an out-of-the-box, easy to implement trades certificate program that provides education and workforce development organizations the tools to take learners Read more
Training provider Interplay Learning introduces new scalable out-of-the-box programs that help learners gain skills for in-demand jobs and connect with employers
Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, today announced Interplay Academy, an out-of-the-box, easy to implement trades certificate program that provides education and workforce development organizations the tools to take learners from zero trades skills to job-ready.
With Interplay Academy, novice learners can now get accessible, high-quality online trades education with a clear pathway to gain skills in their chosen field, earn industry certifications, and connect with employers to confidently take on in-demand entry-level roles.
“Interplay Academy’s Job-Ready Certificate Programs represent a significant leap forward in skilled trades education where there is a shortage of qualified skilled labor,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder, Interplay Learning. “Our holistic approach provides a direct pathway to job-readiness, empowering educators and workforce development program administrators with the tools needed to pave the way to future careers for learners. We believe these programs will play a pivotal role in developing a pipeline of talent for the skilled trades workforce of the future.”
Interplay Academy’s Job-Ready Certificate Programs in HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Residential Construction, Multi-Family Maintenance, Building Maintenance, and Appliance Repair feature a flexible, expert-led curriculum, recognized by the Department of Labor, to effectively prepare today’s digital-first learners to enter the workforce. Leveraging Interplay’s award-winning immersive 3D simulations, video content and industry certifications, these programs ensure a diverse range of learners can build and reinforce foundational skills through self-paced, unlimited hands-on practice in a safe, virtual environment.
Each certificate program includes a simple, out-of-the-box implementation that provides the tools and support for educators and administrators to launch and track a scalable program with ease. Expert guidance built into the learning content and live engagement managers successfully prepare learners for future careers without the need to hire on-staff industry experts or build expensive infrastructure.
In addition to earning an Interplay Learning Job-Ready Certificate, learners enrolled in Interplay Academy’s programs can earn industry-recognized certifications, including NATE Ready-to-Work certification, OSHA 10 or 30 certifications, and EPA 608 certification, enhancing a graduate’s employability. Learners, who may need additional assistance choosing a career path, can take advantage of the programs’ career exploration tool to align their chosen path to their interests and career aspirations. When a learner completes the program, they can connect with employers through Interplay Learning’s partnership with BlueRecruit, a leading job platform for skilled trades professionals.
For more information about Interplay Academy’s Job-Ready Certificate Programs, please visit https://www.interplaylearning.com/training-academy/.
Expanded Water Solutions Portfolio at AHR Expo 2024 Underscores LG’s Commitment to Providing Solutions that Maximize Efficiency and Promote Decarbonization LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA is expanding its line of cutting-edge heat-pump-enabled HVAC water products at AHR Expo 2024. LG’s growing assortment of water solutions highlights the company’s dedication to delivering products that redefine comfort Read more
Expanded Water Solutions Portfolio at AHR Expo 2024 Underscores LG’s Commitment to Providing Solutions that Maximize Efficiency and Promote Decarbonization
LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA is expanding its line of cutting-edge heat-pump-enabled HVAC water products at AHR Expo 2024. LG’s growing assortment of water solutions highlights the company’s dedication to delivering products that redefine comfort, prioritize energy efficiency and champion sustainability for residential and commercial applications.
Featured at AHR Expo 2024, the LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc system is the latest addition to the company’s water heating product lineup. This all-in-one unit provides ease of installation by seamlessly integrating indoor and hydronic components, using water pipes to eliminate the need for refrigerant piping. Powered by LG’s advanced heat pump technology, the R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc efficiently produces hot water for various applications, including space heating (baseboard heating, radiator, radiant floor) and domestic hot water. Incorporated noise reduction technology, such as an encapsulated compressor and vibration decoupling, operates at audio levels as low as 49B at a 1m distance.
LG’s R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc is engineered for year-round comfort, operating within versatile leaving water temperature ranges, covering cooling (41 to 80.6°F), heating (59 to 149°F), and domestic hot water (59-176°F) with a third-party booster heater. The unit maintains 100 percent heating capacity, even at 5°F outdoor temperature, with leaving temperature at 131°F, providing optimal performance in colder conditions. The product sets a new standard in HVAC innovation with reduced defrost cycles, extended operation time and intervals, providing a transformative experience in climate control for residential and light commercial spaces.
In addition to the LG R32 Air-to-Water Heat Pump Monobloc, LG maintains a robust lineup of advanced water solutions that exceed expectations in eco-conscious practices and technology. Developed to meet the evolving demand for electric alternatives, LG’s water products specifically prioritize efficiency, offering cost savings through reduced energy consumption, streamlined performance, and enhanced comfort by optimizing heat and cooling retention and distribution.
“As the landscape of commercial and residential spaces undergoes a dynamic shift, LG’s HVAC solutions keep pace with the industry’s demand for quieter, more intuitive, and more eco-conscious options,” said Steve Scarbrough, senior vice president and general manager, LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA. “Embracing electrification, LG remains committed to delivering a vibrant array of products, ensuring cleaner and more efficient heating and cooling experiences. Anticipating the spotlight at AHR Expo 2024, we are excited to showcase our high-performing HVAC products, embodying innovation and setting the stage for a new era of excellence in the industry.”
Visitors at AHR Expo 2024 can explore additional hydronic solutions from LG, further emphasizing the brand’s commitment to advancing HVAC technology for a sustainable and comfortable future. Additional hydronic show products include:
LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater
LG’s Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater emerges as a highly energy-efficient alternative to conventional water heaters, achieving an efficiency rating of up to UEF 3.93, surpassing ENERGY STAR® certification requirements. With potential energy savings of up to 76 percent compared to conventional electric heaters, the Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater, now available in 58- and 80-gallon capacities, minimizes reliance on supplemental electric resistance heat. Utilizing LG’s inverter heat pump technology and a Dual Inverter Compressor, it offers faster heating time in Turbo Mode and operates quietly. Aligned with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, this water heater addresses the rising interest in electric alternatives amid efforts to promote environmental sustainability. Complete with LG ThinQ® technology, Wi-Fi capability, and smartphone control, it provides users with a unique and efficient solution.
LG High Temperature Hydro Kit
Also on display is the award-winning LG High Temperature Hydro Kit system. This system uses a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger to produce chilled or heated water. The High Temperature Hydro Kit can be used to preheat domestic water stored in an indirect storage tank, snow melt, in-floor or other radiant heating systems. This system can be used in conjunction with the Single Phase or Three-phase Multi VTM Heat Pump or Heat Recovery outdoor units. The LG High Temperature Hydro Kit can deliver hot water up to 176° F. The kit’s controllers allow flexible temperature management, and its compact design helps ease installation.
Engineers, contractors, distributors, and various trade professionals attending the world’s largest HVAC trade show can experience the latest air conditioning technologies and award-winning products and controls. Find comprehensive details about LG’s air conditioning systems portfolio at lghvac.com.