Bridging the gap between knowing the parts and finding the fault.
I created HVAC-R Diagnostic Pro because I recognized the learning curve between understanding HVAC-R fundamentals and putting them to work during a diagnosis. The 3D explorer, refrigerant-flow views, and component sequences of operation make those connections visible—helping technicians understand what should happen, identify what's not happening, and narrow down faults with confidence.
A foundation in disciplined problem-solving
Eleven years in the U.S. Army. Nine years in cybersecurity after that. Two careers where the cost of guessing is somebody's safety, and where you learn that the only thing that scales is a repeatable process.
I brought that same mindset into HVAC-R. I completed the HVAC-R program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and earned my EPA 608 Universal, NATE Core, and OSHA 10. Technical training reinforced something I already valued: understanding how a system works is the foundation for finding out why it doesn't.
Recognizing the learning curve
HVAC-R has a real learning curve. Knowing what a component does is one thing. Connecting its electrical controls, its place in the refrigerant circuit, and the readings in front of you is another. That gap becomes especially clear when you're troubleshooting under pressure.
I recognized an opportunity to make those connections easier to see. Rather than build an app that simply hands over an answer, I tailored HVAC-R Diagnostic Pro to help technicians understand the system, follow a structured process, and know why a particular check matters.
See the system. Follow the sequence. Narrow the fault.
I built the 3D explorer to make component relationships visible. Technicians can explore the equipment, locate parts, and connect what they're learning to the unit in front of them instead of relying on a name or a flat diagram alone.
Refrigerant-flow views help trace the circuit and connect pressure and temperature changes to what's happening inside the system. Sequence-of-operation walkthroughs explain how components get energized, what should happen next, and how controls and safeties affect that progression for the selected equipment and operating mode.
Together, these tools bridge the gap between knowing the fundamentals and applying them. The goal is to help technicians recognize where expected operation breaks down, choose the next measurement with purpose, and find faults faster—not replace hands-on checks, manufacturer procedures, or professional judgment.
Reasoning you can check
The diagnostic core is deterministic: measured pressures and temperatures go in, and ranked supported fault patterns come out, alongside the indicators behind them. Technicians can review the reasoning, compare it with what they observe, and build their understanding with each diagnosis.
After the app is loaded or installed, the engine and calculators can be used without cell service; cloud saves and reporting still need connectivity. An optional Senior Tech AI mentor helps explain the result without overriding the engine's ranking. The purpose stays the same: clearer understanding, a repeatable process, and better-informed decisions.
Independent work
Determinari is independent work. It was built entirely on my own time and my own equipment, with no employer resources, systems, or proprietary data involved, and it has no affiliation with — or endorsement from — any distributor or employer. The trade taught me what to build; the product, the code, and the company are my own.