SBA #487: Low Refrigerant Application with Don Gillis
Release Date: 03/20/2025
SBA 556: Reading Catalog Sheets for Technicians
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Most building automation professionals have done it. Open the catalog sheet, find the wiring diagram, glance at it, and move on. What if the information you skipped is the reason a device works perfectly or becomes the next callback? This episode explores one of the most overlooked skills in building automation. Learning how to read a catalog sheet goes far beyond wiring. It helps you catch problems before installation, evaluate substitutions with confidence, and make better technical decisions throughout a project. Topics Covered • Why the catalog sheet is one of the most important...
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SBA 555: Windows Services and Task Scheduling
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Most building automation professionals know how to work inside a BAS. Fewer know what keeps that BAS running behind the scenes. When Windows services or scheduled tasks stop working, the symptoms often appear in the BAS, but the root cause lives deeper in the operating system. Knowing where to look can help you troubleshoot faster, reduce downtime, and become the technician others rely on when systems refuse to cooperate. In Episode #555 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll learn why these Windows features play such a critical role in building automation and what you should...
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SBA 554: Why BAS is a Great Career Choice
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Most career conversations focus on college or the traditional trades. But what if there's another path that offers strong earning potential, constant learning, and opportunities to grow into technical, leadership, sales, or business ownership roles? If you enjoy solving problems, working with technology, and building valuable skills that can take you in multiple directions, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on why building automation deserves a closer look. Topics Covered • Why building automation offers a unique career path beyond college and traditional apprenticeships • The...
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SBA 553: BAS Fundamentals for Building Operators
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
If you're responsible for keeping a building running after the installation is complete, how confident are you with the building automation system you use every day? Many operators spend hours responding to alarms, adjusting schedules, and handling comfort complaints, yet the BAS can still feel overwhelming. Understanding how the system works from the operator's perspective can make every decision more effective and reduce unnecessary frustration. In Episode #553 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll learn how to better understand the system you're already using and develop the...
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SBA 552: IP Networking Troubleshooting Commands
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Every building automation professional will eventually face a controller that goes offline, graphics that stop updating, or trends that suddenly disappear. The question is whether you'll spend hours guessing or quickly identify the real problem. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll learn how to approach IP network troubleshooting with a structured process that helps you isolate issues layer by layer. You don't need to be a network engineer to become more effective at diagnosing common BAS networking problems. Topics Covered • How to troubleshoot network issues with...
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SBA 551: Job Site Safety
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Every day on a building automation job site, you make decisions that affect more than just the success of a project. They affect whether you and your team go home safely. Technical skills matter, but they are only part of the equation. The habits you build in the field can help prevent injuries, equipment damage, and costly mistakes. This episode explores practical safety considerations that every BAS professional should keep top of mind, whether you're new to the industry or have years of experience. Topics Covered • Common job site hazards that BAS professionals often overlook • Why...
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SBA 550: Proper Panel Wiring and Layouts
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
This episode tackles a topic that impacts every BAS project but rarely gets the attention it deserves: control panel design and wiring. The quality of your panel affects commissioning, troubleshooting, inspections, and long-term serviceability. A well-built panel does more than power a system. It helps the next technician quickly understand what they're looking at when it matters most. If you've ever opened a panel and wondered why it was wired the way it was, this episode explores the principles that separate a panel that works today from one that remains reliable for years. Topics Covered...
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SBA 549: IP Troubleshooting in BAS
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
If your building automation devices are moving to BACnet/IP, troubleshooting communication issues requires a different mindset than checking wiring and terminations. A controller can have power, link lights, and appear healthy, yet still remain invisible to your discovery tools. The challenge is that many of today's failures are hidden inside network configurations rather than physical connections. In this episode, you'll learn how to think through IP communication problems with a practical framework that helps you identify issues faster and avoid the guesswork that often leads to longer...
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SBA 548: Performing a Job Site Walk for Owner-Direct Projects
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
Owner-direct BAS projects can be some of the highest-margin opportunities you'll encounter. They can also become some of the riskiest. The difference often comes down to what happens before a proposal is ever written. If you're treating an owner-direct job walk the same way you treat a plan-and-spec walkthrough, you may be missing critical information that impacts scope, labor, risk, and profitability. In this episode, you'll learn how to approach site walks as structured discovery sessions, uncover hidden project risks, identify the real drivers behind upgrade requests, and build scopes that...
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SBA 547: Proper Project Closeout
The Smart Buildings Academy Podcast | Teaching You Building Automation, Systems Integration, and Information Technology
What happens after the BAS project is “done” often determines whether the system actually performs over the next 10 years. Too many projects reach substantial completion only to fall apart because documentation is incomplete, alarms are ignored, operators are left unsupported, or nobody knows who owns what after turnover. If you work in building automation, project closeout is where long-term system value is either protected or lost. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you’ll learn why the final 5% of a project has such a massive impact on operational success and what...
info_outlineThe refrigerant landscape is changing fast, and if you're in building automation, facility management, or HVAC, you need to stay ahead of these shifts. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we dive into the 2025 refrigerant regulations with Don Gillis, senior trainer at Chemours.
This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about making informed decisions that protect your equipment, your budget, and your long-term operations. If you’re responsible for maintaining or upgrading HVAC systems, this conversation will help you understand what’s coming and how to prepare.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The key EPA regulations that took effect in 2025 and how they impact equipment manufacturing and refrigerant availability.
- Why refrigerant phase-downs don’t mean phase-outs, and how that affects your system choices.
- The new refrigerant options for different applications, including chillers, rooftop units, and split systems.
- How recovery and reclamation of refrigerants is about to become more valuable than ever.
- The best practices for A2L refrigerants and what techs need to know about safe handling, tools, and documentation.
If you own, operate, or service HVAC systems, you can’t afford to miss this conversation. Get the insights you need to future-proof your business and ensure compliance without unnecessary costs.