Tech Tips

In air conditioning service, we don't always see systems with accumulators. In fact, they are pretty uncommon unless you work on a lot of heat pumps. However, as heat pumps gain popularity, charging systems with accumulators will be a good skill to have in your tool bag. We are Carrier dealers in Florida, so we […]

Disclaimer: “Ghost voltage” is a term used by techs to explain a phenomenon where they measure voltage they don't expect or when the voltage they see doesn't do the work they expect. More advanced techs know how to use the Lo-Z (low impedance) mode on their voltmeter if it has one to help eliminate this. […]

We had a really great conversation on the HVAC School Facebook Group about some belt tension best practices. It turns out that even a lot of really smart and experienced techs are not aware of all the factors related to belt tensioning. Myth #1 is that amperage is used to set belt tension. Now, don't […]

There is so much to consider on any sort of design project, and HVAC system design is no exception. Unfortunately, the priorities of engineers, builders, customers, and HVAC contractors don’t always align when it comes to designing and installing the “ideal” HVAC system. On the one hand, the customers may prioritize aesthetics; they don’t want […]

Before we convert temperature scales, let's take a step back and think about what temperature is in the first place. Temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy of the random microscopic motions of the constituent microscopic particles, such as electrons, atoms, and molecules. Translation: Temperature is the average “movement energy” of the molecules in […]

Most techs and installers know that drains need to be pitched. I use the rule of thumb that drain lines should generally be pitched 1/4″ per foot of horizontal run. One thing that can easily be forgotten is pitching wall penetrations when drilling. It's as simple as drilling with a slight upward angle if drilling […]

Training is important for businesses of all industries, but it’s especially vital to the success of your HVAC business.  When new people join your team, you need to be able to teach them the basics of your team’s operations, such as how to report time and log their travel expenses. Then, they must get up […]

Take a look at the specs from this Copeland scroll compressor pulled from the Copeland Mobile App (which is an incredible app, by the way). These specs are for a single-phase compressor, so the amperages listed are based on an amperage reading from the wire connected to the common terminal. LRA is the locked rotor […]

When mounting a TXV bulb or checking bulb placement, there are a few important considerations (listed in order of importance): Mount the bulb on the suction line. Flapping in the breeze is no good. Mount it TIGHTLY with a proper metallic strap (usually copper, brass, or stainless steel)—not with zip ties or tape. Position it on […]