Tech Tips

We all understand that vacuum pump oil is the lifeblood of our vacuum pumps. We know what the function of vacuum pump oil is and how it functions. But how do we apply that knowledge when choosing the oil best suited for our pumps? Many of us simply pick up what’s in the stock room […]

Basic Compressor Functions The compressor's job is to circulate refrigerant through the system by means of vapor compression, similar to the way your heart moves blood through your circulatory system. Refrigerant circulation is measured in lbs/min or lbs/hour; this is called mass flow rate—the mass flow rate changes depending on the density of the refrigerant […]

This article is written by longtime tech Shaun McCann sharing his experiences with a big problem in our trade. Thanks for this, Shaun.  I started in the HVAC business working for a small commercial union shop in the late '80s. I left that job within a year and worked in the bar and restaurant business […]

This quick article was written by market refrigeration tech Clayton Peeples. Thanks, Clayton! Adjusting the TXV should be done last after checking all other causes of the case being warm or floodback on the rack. TXVs very rarely go bad; generally, it's a dirty screen or a failed powerhead, both of which can be addressed […]

This article was written by Austin Higgins, an experienced commercial service tech from Iowa. Thanks, Austin! Ice machines and limescale Any seasoned refrigeration technician knows that ice machines can be extremely finicky contraptions. Modern commercial ice makers have become a complex symphony of tubing, valves, pumps, and water directed by advanced microprocessor control boards. Newer […]

This is a business article I wrote several years ago. No hard-hitting tech tips, but I still hope you find it beneficial. “What would you do if you had a time machine.?” It’s a question that came up at least 17 times in your first week of 6th grade, answered with the typical “kill Hitler” […]

Jesse Grandbois is one of the techs who reads the tech tips, and he wrote a few tips that he wanted to share on some gas furnace control basics. This tip is about the basic terminal designations on a typical 24v gas valve. Thanks, Jesse! Have you ever noticed the TH/TR terminal on a gas […]

This article was written by up-and-coming young tech and new contributor Kaleb Saleeby. Thanks, Kaleb! Recently, I came across a work order description in my dispatch that made me scratch my head. Clean Salamander broiler I had to ask the omniscient Google for answers. It turns out it has nothing to do with vividly-colored, “fireproof” […]

Dissimilar metals, like aluminum, copper, brass, and steel, are some of the main metals one may experience in their trade, and few people are comfortable working with dissimilar metals. They don’t trust their brazed joint, or they are afraid of melting away material. To put some of the nerves of those in the field at […]