HVAC School

What HVAC School does

HVAC School is a free, multi-format digital training platform serving HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) technicians. Founded around 2012 by Bryan Orr and operated under Kalos Services Inc. (Clermont, Florida), the company distributes educational content through a website (hvacrschool.com), weekly podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Castbox, a YouTube channel, an active Facebook group, and dedicated iOS and Android mobile applications that include built-in HVAC/R calculators. Content covers technical procedures (diagnostics, troubleshooting, safety/LOTO), refrigeration concepts, tool usage, and business practices, under the tagline 'For Techs, By Techs.'

The core product surface spans podcasts, video lessons, written tech tips, quizzes, structured courses, a curated tool list and book recommendations, and a job/events posting board. The company also hosts an annual HVAC/R Training Symposium — currently in its 8th year — which serves as its flagship in-person engagement and monetization event. The website is localized into 13 languages, and distribution is positioned as globally accessible.

The business model is freemium, anchored on industry sponsorships from roughly 10 core HVAC/R manufacturers and tool companies (Carrier, Copeland/Emerson, Fieldpiece, NAVAC, Refrigeration Technologies, Santa Fe, White-Rodgers/Emerson, TruTech Tools, UEi Test Instruments, Filtrete). Ancillary revenue comes from paid symposium tickets and an e-commerce shop (hvacschoolshop.com). HVAC School is privately held, founder-owned, with no disclosed institutional funding, no public revenue, and no subsidiaries. The company is actively operating with no material leadership or structural changes reported.

Name

HVAC School

Legal name

Kalos Services Inc.

Website

https://hvacrschool.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HVAC School is a free, multi-format digital training platform that delivers HVAC/R technical education to practicing technicians via podcasts, videos, mobile apps, and an annual symposium, funded primarily by industry sponsorships and ancillary events/merchandise sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC/R Technical Training

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

akta.pro primary industry

HVAC Installation & Service (Residential & Commercial) (EDAOACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Building Performance, Energy Auditing & HVAC Efficiency (EDAOACAM), HVAC/R Controls, Automation & Smart Thermostats (EDAOACAE)

Keywords

• HVAC technician training
• Refrigeration education
• Technical training content
• Trade skills development
• HVAC industry training

Headquarters

HQ city

Clermont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Content Sponsorship: The site is made possible by generous support from industry partners including Fieldpiece, Refrigtech, Carrier Enterprise, NAVAC, Santa Fe, White-Rodgers (Emerson), Fast-Stat, UEi Test Instruments, TruTech Tools, and Filtrete who sponsor the platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HVAC School is a free online training platform that provides HVAC/R technical education to working technicians through podcasts, videos, tech tips, quizzes, courses, and calculators accessible via its website, mobile apps, and YouTube. The platform is supported by industry manufacturer sponsors and complemented by an annual in-person HVAC/R Training Symposium and a merchandise shop.

Product overview

HVAC School is a free educational platform for HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) technicians. The company operates under the tagline 'For Techs, By Techs' and is owned by Kalos Services Inc. The platform provides a multi-format learning ecosystem consisting of: the core website hosting podcasts, videos, tech tips, quizzes, and courses; a mobile app for iOS and Android with built-in calculators; annual training symposiums; and job/event posting features. Content covers technical HVAC/R training, safety procedures (like LOTO), diagnostics, refrigeration concepts, and business practices for technicians. The company also maintains partner relationships with major HVAC/R manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HVAC School Website/Platform Primary web-based training platform offering free HVAC/R educational content including podcasts, videos, tech tips, quizzes, and courses for working technicians.
• HVAC School Podcast Weekly audio podcast episodes featuring HVAC/R training, interviews, diagnostics, and trade discussions, distributed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Castbox.
• HVAC School Videos Video lessons and tutorials distributed through the website and YouTube channel covering HVAC/R techniques, procedures, and diagnostics.
• HVAC School Courses Structured learning paths and course materials providing comprehensive HVAC/R education for technicians.
• HVAC School Quizzes Knowledge assessment quizzes that help technicians test and verify their understanding of HVAC/R concepts and procedures.
• HVAC/R Calculators Online and mobile application calculators for HVAC/R field calculations, available on the website and within the HVAC School mobile app.
• HVAC School Mobile App Mobile application for Apple iOS and Android devices providing on-the-go access to training content and HVAC/R calculators.
• Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium Annual in-person training symposium (currently in its 8th year) bringing together HVAC/R professionals for deeper training, networking, and education. Tickets sold via the platform.
• HVAC School Shop E-commerce storefront selling HVAC School-branded merchandise and educational products.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CarriercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCarrier is listed as a partner on the HVAC School website. Carrier Enterprise is one of the sponsors that makes the site, podcast, and tech tips possible.
• Copeland (Emerson)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCopeland (Emerson) is listed as a partner on the HVAC School website. Multiple Copeland products are featured including Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor, All-Spark, SureSwitch, Universal Premium Flame Sensor, and various thermostat and valve products.
• FieldpiececoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFieldpiece is a key sponsor that makes HVAC School possible. Fieldpiece designs and manufactures professional HVAC/R testing instruments and tools.
• NAVACcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNAVAC is listed as a partner. NAVAC manufactures vacuum pumps and other HVAC/R tools. Featured as event sponsor for the 8th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium.
• Refrigeration Technologies (Refrigtech)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRefrigeration Technologies (Refrigtech) is a sponsor that makes HVAC School possible. Products include Viper Coil Cleaner, Viper Condensate Pan and Drain Treatment, and Nylog Blue Gasket Thread Sealant.
• Santa FecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSanta Fe is listed as a partner on the HVAC School website, specializing in dehumidification and indoor air quality products.
• TruTech ToolscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTruTech Tools is a partner and sponsor. Products include Nylog and NAVAC recovery and evacuation equipment sold through their platform.
• UEi Test InstrumentscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUEi Test Instruments is a partner and sponsor of HVAC School. UEi manufactures HVAC/R testing instruments.
• FiltretecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFiltrete is listed as a partner on the HVAC School website, specializing in air filtration products.
• White-Rodgers (Emerson)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerWhite-Rodgers (Emerson) is a sponsor that makes HVAC School possible. Products include universal controls.
• Fast-StatminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFast-Stat is listed as a sponsor supporting HVAC School content.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research): NCCER develops standardized craft training curricula and credentials used across construction trades, including HVAC. It overlaps with HVAC School on technician training but at a broader construction-trades curriculum and accreditation level rather than free content for working techs.
• Lincoln Tech: Lincoln Tech is a for-profit technical school with HVAC/R diploma and degree programs aimed at new entrants to the trade. It overlaps with HVAC School's secondary segment (aspiring HVAC professionals) but delivers credentialed, tuition-based education rather than free, ongoing training.
• ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America): ACCA is the largest U.S. trade association for HVAC contractors, offering training, certification, and standards across the industry. It overlaps with HVAC School on technician education but operates as an industry-wide body serving contractors, not technicians directly.

Others

• ServiceTitan: ServiceTitan is a leading field service management platform for HVAC and trades contractors, with an expanding library of training content for technicians via ServiceTitan Academy. It is comparable because it delivers technician training inside a software ecosystem HVAC technicians already use, though its core business is SaaS rather than training.
• Carrier University: Carrier (a current HVAC School sponsor) operates its own technician training and certification programs on HVAC equipment. It is adjacent rather than directly competitive because it is OEM-led, but it represents an in-house alternative channel for the same technician audience HVAC School reaches.

Emerging players

• SkillCat: SkillCat is a mobile-first trades training platform covering HVAC, plumbing, and electrical with bite-size lessons and employer reporting. It is comparable to HVAC School's mobile-app training experience but targets employers and new entrants rather than the practicing tech community.
• Universal Technical Institute (UTI): UTI is a national technical school with HVAC/R training programs for students entering the trades. It is comparable to HVAC School as an HVAC training destination, but as a tuition-based, in-person institution rather than a free digital content platform.

Direct peers

• RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society): RSES is a membership-based HVAC/R technical training and certification society serving technicians for decades. It competes for the same continuing-education mindshare as HVAC School but through formal courses and printed manuals rather than free podcasts and videos.
• Nexstar Network: Nexstar Network provides business coaching, training, and peer-group programs for HVAC contractors and their service technicians. It is one of the closest direct comparisons to HVAC School because it delivers ongoing technical and business training to working HVAC techs through a membership model.
• HVAC Excellence: HVAC Excellence is a long-standing HVAC/R certification and training organization offering technician credentials, exam prep, and curriculum. Like HVAC School, it exists to upskill working HVAC/R technicians, but with a stronger accreditation/exam focus versus HVAC School's content-led model.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdLlUhD9LUGm0-NTYDASPFA
• Facebookfacebook.com/hvacrschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hvac-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/hvacschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HVAC School