After training over 10,000 technicians in his 24-year career, Brynn Cooksey Sr. has identified the single biggest reason contractors deal with expensive callbacks and warranty issues. It comes down to system design.
“Unfortunately, I still see major knowledge gaps in system design among contractors and technicians,” says Cooksey, who has partnered with ACCA this fall for their Technical Training series. “Many continue to rely on outdated rules of thumb. Today’s HVAC equipment is more sensitive to improper sizing and design, leading to costly warranty issues and expensive rework.”
It’s this focus on fixing fundamental problems that earned Cooksey his nickname “Air Doctor” early in his career, when colleagues watched him solve persistent comfort issues that had stumped other professionals.
Cooksey’s Technical Training sessions run September through December. You can register for one training, or all eight, here.
Poor design causes most equipment failures
Cooksey doesn’t mince words about what he considers the root of most HVACR problems. “In my experience, poor design is the root cause of most equipment failures and inefficiencies,” he says.
He discovered this firsthand when he took over his family’s heating and cooling business after studying HVACR Engineering Technology at Ferris State University and spending 15 years in the utility industry. The transformation came when he completed ACCA’s Residential Design Course.
“Learning proper load calculations and duct design truly revolutionized my business,” Cooksey explains. “That’s why partnering with ACCA to provide training is such a full-circle moment for me.”
Working with ACCA’s Education and Training Program Specialist, they select topics based on industry trends and member feedback, focusing on what contractors actually face in the field.
Training needs to fit busy schedules
Cooksey has adapted his teaching approach for today’s time-pressed technicians. While he prefers in-person instruction, he’s made virtual sessions work by keeping them interactive and immediately useful.
“We know technicians are busy, and training needs to fit their schedule so they can stay productive and profitable,” he says. “That’s why we work hard to make our sessions interactive and engaging so techs stay connected with the material and walk away with real-world value.”
Even HVACR veterans need regular training
Ask Cooksey what he’d tell a seasoned technician who thinks they don’t need more training, and his answer is straightforward: “You can never have too much training. I’ve been in this industry for over 24 years, and I still need regular review.”
The industry won’t stop changing, he points out. New refrigerants, updated efficiency standards, and evolving codes mean constant learning is essential. “You’ll never ‘know it all,’ especially in HVAC.”
His approach focuses on incremental improvement rather than overwhelming technicians with information. “In each session, my hope is that every technician walks away with at least one new thing they can apply immediately,” he says. “Learning is a marathon, not a sprint. If you commit to learning just one new thing each day, the growth over a year or ten years is incredible. It adds up.”
What contractors can expect this fall
Cooksey’s ACCA Technical Training sessions this September – December focus on the issues that actually cause callbacks. He covers everything from spotting heat exchanger problems before they become safety hazards to getting refrigerant charges right the first time. “When you sign up for our fall technical sessions, come ready to gather insights you can use right away,” he says.
The sessions target real problems contractors face daily, with content selected based on current industry demands. Cooksey emphasizes that participants should expect to walk away with actionable solutions. Many participants report using what they learned the same day they took the course.
His broader vision involves making quality training more accessible across the industry. “If we made high-quality training more accessible to everyone in the industry, we’d see real, positive change across the board.”
The business case for better training
Cooksey’s training philosophy connects directly to contractor profitability. “My goal is to train the workforce so contractors can keep more of their hard-earned profits and reduce call-backs” he says.
Register for Cooksey’s Technical Training sessions with ACCA here.
This focus on reducing expensive rework and warranty issues reflects his understanding of how poor design and installation practices hurt the bottom line. His approach addresses the technical skills and business impact of getting systems right the first time.
For contractors considering the time investment, Cooksey offers this advice: “Finally, commit to learning every day. I constantly challenge myself — whether it’s improving my communication, troubleshooting faster, mentoring other techs, or sharpening my sales skills. The opportunities are endless. Find your passion and build from there.”
His Technical Training series with ACCA gives contractors exactly that chance to learn skills that cut down on callbacks and keep more money in their pockets.
The post Meet the trainer: Brynn Cooksey knows why contractors lose money on callbacks appeared first on ACCA HVAC Blog.