TruTech Tools and the people within their organization have been an active partner with 2^nd Chance University for several years – it is an honor to be part of their family.

2^nd Chance University is a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring individuals committed to personal and professional progress. Many individuals entering our HVAC program (supported by HVAC Technical Academy) are justice-involved, often needing a way out of a not-so good cycle. This is where Tru Tech Tools and HVAC Technical Academy come into action!

2CU and TruTech Tools

Driven to help the disenfranchised and/or those transitioning out of incarceration, TruTech Tools (and the folks within their nationally recognized and respected organization) support by contributing top of the line tools and equipment for all HVAC professionals in the field.

Today our group worked with HVAC manifold gauge sets provided by TruTech. For those not in the know: HVAC manifold gauge sets are diagnostic tools used to measure pressure and temperature in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Much like a medical doctor would be limited without the use of a stethoscope, without a proper manifold gauge set (and training), so would an HVAC technician. Afterall, digital gauges offer high accuracy, automatic calculations (like superheat and subcooling), and data logging features, making them ideal for modern and commercial systems where precision is critical.

By the way, participants receive in-the-box brand new tools (like a digital manifold gauge set) to work on during the six week, 210 hour, HVAC workshop and, on the last day, all tools are theirs to keep which makes their transition into the workplace a positive one.

With professional quality products, a caring customer service, and commitment to deliver nothing but the very best to individuals, organizations, and our community, it is an honor to have TruTech tools on our side.

With appreciation, thank you TruTech Tools for being part of our nonprofit, 2^nd Chance University as we change lives and communities.

Danny

Understanding the basic concepts of air flow, building distribution boxes, and running flex is a must know how to do. HVAC Technical Academy insists all participants are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to design, build, and construct supply plenum.

For those uncertain of the importance and role of plenum, this is for you.

Air Traffic Manager: Plenum

For those uncertain of the importance and role of plenum, this is for you.

An HVAC plenum is a central metal or fiberglass chamber/box connected directly to a furnace or air handler that acts as a distribution hub for conditioned air. It manages air pressure and directs heated or cooled air into the ductwork (supply) or collects return air (return), ensuring efficient airflow throughout a building.

There are two primary types: the supply plenum, which distributes air from the system to the home, and the return plenum, which pulls air from the home back into the system.

In a way, supply and return plenum acts as a “traffic manager” for air, ensuring consistent pressure and temperature regulation.

At our workshop facility, we work with duct board (building boxes), including measuring and cutting, as well as the material use such as flex, mastic, tape, hangers, registers, and much more.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can get you there in under two months.

Danny

Though the week has been more than downright cold, all remained true to continuing their HVAC journey. Truth is, nothing like hands-on learning to keep the blood warm.

HVACTA: Another Day of Doing

Two of the three systems are up and running. Our third, Frankenstein, has been more difficult, but that has not sidetracked progress. In addition to getting the third up and running, brazing, working with gauges, and handling preventive maintenances colored the day. This morning, we continued diagnosing and troubleshooting Mrs. Smith’s system… seems like her system is always in need of troubleshooting and resolving!

HVACTA is a hands-on adult workshop facility located in Sanford, Florida, where “Learn by Doing” defines our approach to get YOU on a path to personal AND professional success. Interested in pursuing a high in demand career in just six weeks, HVACTA may be the path.

Danny

We are living the HVAC dream… and making it real!

Not even through the second week, participants are getting involved with a complete system swap. No doubt the system will be up and running before week’s end.

HVACTA: System Installation

Understanding low voltage wiring is not an option… it is a MUST. Here’s a quick summary: HVAC low-voltage wiring uses a 24-volt AC control circuit to send signals between the thermostat and the heating/cooling equipment (furnace, air handler, condenser). This control wiring tells high-voltage components, such as the compressor and fan motors, when to turn on or off via relays and contactors.

The thermostat acts as the primary control interface and a series of switches that open or close the low-voltage circuits based on temperature settings.

Keep in on this journey as the group builds, tests, troubleshoots, and performs preventive maintenances on the system they are installing… it’s gonna rock!

For those interested in a challenging and rewarding career move, HVAC may be the perfect lifelong journey where every day you get to become a hero.

HVACTA is dedicated to building YOUR HVAC knowledge, skills, and abilities, all in six weeks. For those looking for a new career, consider HVAC Technical Academy.

Danny

Nothing like spending an afternoon working on condenser fan motors… today all were tasked to perform full condenser fan motor (CFM) replacements, check capacitors, and, as Mrs. Smith has a hair appointment, all must be completed within 45 minutes. At the end of the day, the resident was happy and had a nice new look.

HVACTA: Condenser Fan Motor Replacement

As the name infers, the condenser fan motor is in your outside condenser. Though not too often, motors do require replacement and are not repaired.

How do you know when it is time to replace the condenser fan motor? So glad you asked… this could be an indication:

You can tell if a condenser fan motor is bad by observing symptoms like the fan spinning slowly, making loud noises (humming, grinding, rattling), failing to spin at all, or the unit is tripping the breaker. To gain clarity, visually check for obstructions, try spinning the blades by hand to see if they’re stiff (make sure the system is off first), and inspect the capacitor for swelling. A buzzing noise with no fan movement often points to a failing motor or capacitor.

Interested in HVAC, our learning by doing approach may be the right for you.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny

Our new group is eager to show off their brazing skills, check out the results! Though only one had brazing experience, all did a great job… okay, close to all.

HACTA: I am a BRAZER

We wasted no time to get into action. That’s the great thing about HVAC Technical Academy, we learn by doing. In addition to brazing, we began getting down and dirty by taking apart systems… yep, that adventure will soon become a reality.

For those not familiar, HVAC brazing is a high-heat metal-joining process for creating strong, leak-proof refrigerant lines, using filler metal (like silver alloys) melted by a torch, requiring specific equipment (torch, rods, nitrogen) and strict safety protocols (PPE, fire prevention) to join copper pipes for high-pressure systems.

Each group members were instructed to follow key steps such as preparing the joint, heating it correctly, applying the rod, flowing nitrogen to prevent oxidation, and pressure testing for leaks, ensuring a strong, reliable connection.

HVAC Technical Academy is about preparing you the right way in the most efficient manner. Think about it, in six weeks, you could be ready for an HVAC journey lasting a lifetime.

Danny

Whoever came up with Taco Tuesday got it all wrong… today we are having Tru Tech Tool Tuesday!

Tru Tech Tool Tuesday

Can you imagine going to a doctor without a stethoscope? The same principle is true with HVAC Service Technicians, without the proper tools AND the know-how to use them, one cannot diagnose, troubleshoot, or do just about anything. Our goal is to prepare and equip each participant for maximum performance.

We appreciate Tru Tech for their support and quality tools.

During the second week of our six-week program, tools are distributed fresh out of the box. Over the next four weeks all will break down systems, diagnose, troubleshoot, perform preventive maintenances, and build distribution boxes (and so much more) with their new tools. Once the program concludes, tools are theirs to keep.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical can help you get there quickly.

Danny

An HVAC capacitor is an important component with one mission: store and release electrical energy to give motors (like the condenser fan and blower fan) the jolt needed to start and keep running smoothly. Two common capacitor types are start capacitors (for initial power) and run capacitors (for continuous operation).

HVAC Capacitor Function and Failure

Like anything else, capacitors do not last forever. Signs of failure including humming, failure to start, or short. Having a bad capacitor also causes the air conditioner system to not operate or not operate the way it was meant to. For example, if the outdoor cfm capacitor goes bad, the cfm will not operate, resulting in blowing warm air instead of cool air. Being in Florida, hot air during the summer months is not a positive experience.

Today we reviewed capacitor basics, testing, and taking first steps on an exciting journey.

Next week we will be deep diving on the refrigeration cycle as well as getting our hands on stepping into diagnostics and troubleshooting… oh what fun!

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can get you there in under two months.

Danny

Though cold outside, ladder safety will not be denied! Today all engaged in ladder safety training and general HVAC outside component encounters.

Ladder Safety 101

HVAC work involves frequent roof and elevated access, thus the need for ladder safety and practice. To keep it real, check out OSHA Data: Reports show thousands of ladder-related lost workday incidents annually (over 22,000 in the U.S. in 2020), highlighting the problem’s scale.

Today we practice 3-point contact (always maintaining three points of contact, such as two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder. We also reviewed the 4-to-1 rule as well as how to carry items while on the ladder.

Next week we will be working with HVAC industry tools, readings, breakdowns, and deep diving heavily into the Universal 608 EPA Certification process. Oh, it’s going to be fun!

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can get you there in under two months.

Danny

One of our most recent participants shared his experience at HVAC Technical Academy. No doubt his words are consistent throughout all who come here but wanted to share his directly to you… let me know if you would like to add anything

HVACTA: Gabriel is SPOT ON!

“HVAC Technical Academy is by far the best place to learn the trade. The instructors truly know their stuff and they’re not just teaching from a book; they’re teaching from real-world field experience.

Highly recommend. 10/10.”

Thank you Gabriel for a snapshot of our program and what participants are in store for… If you are serious about entering the HVAC, partnering with HVAC Technical Academy is YOUR right choice.

Danny