Pressing Forward: Field Notes from AHR with RLS’s Jessica Slaughter (Episode 173)

Episode 173: HVAC R&D Podcast
Guest: Jessica Slaughter, RLS
Location: AHR Expo Podcast Pavilion, Las Vegas
Listen to the Full Episode: YouTube Link

There’s a specific kind of hum you only hear at the AHR Expo. It’s not just the sound of thousands of HVAC units running or the white noise of a massive convention center; it’s the sound of the industry moving. It’s the sound of guys in boots talking to guys in suits, and everyone trying to figure out where we’re headed next.

This year, sitting in the Podcast Pavilion, that energy was cranked up to eleven. It’s a unique spot: a little island of conversation in the middle of a sea of technology. That’s where I caught up with Jessica Slaughter from RLS. If you’ve been following the “press vs. braze” conversation at all over the last few years, you know RLS is right at the center of it.

But talking to Jessica wasn’t just about specs or PSI. It was about how the trade is changing, how we learn, and why the “old way” of doing things is getting a serious run for its money.

Beyond the Torch

For decades, the torch was the symbol of the master tech. If you couldn’t braze a clean joint, you weren’t “in” yet. But as Jessica and I got to talking, it became clear that the torch, while still a vital tool, is becoming a liability in places we never used to think about.

She dropped a story that really stuck with me. We think about press as a time-saver on a standard residential split system, but RLS is showing up in places where a flame isn’t just a hazard: it’s a dealbreaker. She mentioned the Smithsonian book vault. Think about that for a second. Millions of dollars of irreplaceable history, old paper, and priceless artifacts. You really want a guy with a torch and a tank in there?

Then there was the Fox Theater project: historic preservation where one stray spark could end a century of architecture. In those environments, press isn’t just a “niche tool” or a luxury; it’s the only way to get the job done safely.

From the contractor side, that’s a massive differentiator. When you can walk into a high-stakes environment: a hospital, a data center, or a historic landmark: and say, “We have a flame-free solution,” you’re not just selling a repair. You’re selling peace of mind.

Trust.
Safety.
Certainty.

Seeing is Believing

One of the things I love about Jessica’s approach to marketing is that she actually gets it. She knows that you can’t just show a contractor a brochure and expect them to change the way they’ve worked for twenty years.

“Seeing is believing,” she told me, “but doing is knowing.”

That’s a heavy line. It’s the difference between watching a YouTube video and actually feeling the tool click when that fitting is set. RLS has leaned into this with their mobile showroom, and it’s a strategy I wish more manufacturers would adopt.

They aren’t just waiting for people to show up at a booth in Chicago or Orlando. They’re taking the training to the distributors and the job sites. Jessica talked about their “80/20” rule for training: 20% talking, 80% hands-on.

As someone who spent years in distribution, I can tell you that’s the only way to get through to a tech who’s been around the block. You have to put the tool in their hand. You have to let them press the fitting, then: and this is the kicker: you have to show them it won’t fail.

She talked about their burst testing. They have these setups where they pump pressure into a joint until something gives. Usually, the copper pipe itself rips open before the RLS fitting even flinches. We’re talking 2,100 PSI or more.

When a guy sees a copper pipe balloon and explode while the fitting stays rock solid, the skepticism starts to melt away. That’s where the “knowing” happens.

The A2L Safety Net

We can’t talk about the future of HVAC without talking about the A2L transition. It’s the elephant in every room at AHR. We’re moving toward mildly flammable refrigerants, and that means the stakes for leak prevention and job-site safety just went up.

Jessica pointed out something that often gets lost in the technical weeds: the safety of the technician. If you’re working with A2Ls, the last thing you want is an open flame if you haven’t properly cleared the lines. Press removes that variable from the equation.

From a leadership perspective, this is a big deal. As a company owner or a service manager, you’re looking for ways to mitigate risk. If I can give my team a tool that eliminates the need for hot work permits and reduces the chance of a job-site fire, why wouldn’t I?

It’s about more than just speed: though saving 60% of the time on a manifold is a nice bonus. It’s about building a safety net into your workflow. The industry is changing, and the tools we use have to evolve to keep the “TradeCrew” safe.

Leveling Up Faster

The most encouraging part of the conversation was how manufacturers like RLS are actually listening to the field. Jessica mentioned how they’ve adjusted their product line based on direct feedback from contractors.

In the old days, there was a massive wall between the people making the tools and the people using them. That wall is crumbling. Through podcasts, social media, and mobile training, that feedback loop is tighter than it’s ever been.

This is how we “level up” as an industry. It’s not just about a better fitting; it’s about a better relationship between the manufacturer, the distributor, and the contractor. When RLS shows up at a local supply house with a trailer full of tools and says, “Let’s break some stuff and see how it works,” they’re building relationship equity.

They aren’t just selling a SKU; they’re investing in the technician’s confidence.

The Long Game

As we wrapped up the episode, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far we’ve come. I remember when press was looked at as “cheating” or “lazy.” Now, I see it as a mark of a professional who values their time, their safety, and their customer’s property.

Whether it’s a book vault at the Smithsonian or a residential change-out on a Friday afternoon, the goal is the same: a permanent, leak-free connection.

The torch isn’t going away tomorrow, and it shouldn’t. It’s a skill every tech should have. But the “flame-free” future isn’t a theory anymore: it’s here, it’s tested to 2,100 PSI, and it’s changing the way we think about the grind.

In this industry, the guys who stay curious are the ones who stay ahead. Don’t knock it until you’ve felt the click.

Stay grounded. Stay hungry.

Ramblin’ Rhyno out. Peace y’all.

Want to catch the full conversation with Jessica Slaughter? Head over to the HVAC R&D YouTube channel or listen on Spotify. And if you’re looking for solid tools, resources, and the companies that help keep this thing rolling, hit the Vendor Hub to access show sponsors and vetted trade resources.