Tech Tips

This article was written by Gary McCreadie from “HVAC know it all.” You can learn more about Gary and his tips and growing community on Facebook and LinkedIn. What is an economizer?  Simply put, it is a mechanical device designed to reduce energy consumption, whether it be fuel, electricity, or other. According to Wikipedia, the first […]

This article was written by Genry Garcia of Comfort Dynamics, Inc. Thanks, Genry! This is a piece about oversized air conditioners. Though the symptoms and consequences of oversized heating equipment are similar to those of air conditioners, you’ll notice that the focus throughout the article will be on the cooling side—specifically from the perspective of […]

One trait I've seen with good technicians is that they take their jobs VERY seriously, but they learn not to take themselves too seriously. A few months ago, I had someone tell me online that I must think I'm the A/C “god” because I'm always telling everyone the “right” way to do things. This got […]

The suction line accumulator is designed to keep liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor while still allowing for oil return. The trouble is that if the oil return port/screen clogs, the accumulator can fill with oil and actually cause the compressor to fail. In addition to that, it can hold contaminated oil in a burnout. […]

This article was written by my good friend Neil Comparetto, a contractor and industry influencer who is helping shape IAQ for the HVAC industry in the US for the better. Thanks, Neil! Indoor air quality (IAQ) monitors can tell you a lot about the air you are breathing. We find that the information is valuable […]

As a technician, you most likely know some customers who still have an oldie thermostat (you know, those old mercury bulb things, like the round Honeywell CT87 and such). Keep in mind that those usually have an adjustable heat anticipator. If you’re newer in the field, you may not have seen or worked with those […]

I know I'm gonna get some eye-rolling here, but it needs to be said. When we teach electricity to new techs, we use a lot of “water” metaphors. We talk about volts like PSI, amps like flow, and watts like GPM (speaking of GPM in HVAC, check out our article on hydronics HERE). Even the […]

First, I want to give credit where credit is due. This post is made possible by the fantastic demonstration video by Neil Comparetto that I embedded below. Before you get bored and stop reading, I want to get the conclusion out in the air. Ice can form in a vacuum, but I still advise pulling a […]

The following is based on a true story. No product was harmed in the making of this tech tip, and some facts may have changed to protect the guilty and because I forgot some of them. We got a job installing a new 1-to-1 split refrigeration case with R448a, and it had a typical thermostatic […]