Replacing a compressor is neither simple for a technician nor inexpensive for the customer. Before replacing a compressor, a technician needs to ensure that it is truly defective. Unfortunately, sometimes good compressors get replaced as a result of a misdiagnosed problem.

For this column I want to discuss a real life situation regarding poor cooling in a residence and reduced airflow coming from the registers in the house. The air conditioner is a three ton (36,000 btuh), HCFC-22, split type, air conditioner with the A-coil in the plenum of the furnace located in the basement.

Btu Buddy has met Bob for lunch to answer some questions that Bob had about yesterday’s service call. Bob asked, “Why did that motor have two contactors and so many wires going to it? It seemed very confusing. I am glad that I tagged those motor leads when I disconnected the motor. I never would have figured out how to reconnect the leads.”

When a refrigeration system fails, many times the cause can easily be diagnosed. However there are occasions when the cause cannot easily be determined - either the true cause is unclear or the technician is unsure of a problem. How do you work through these jobs? One method used by some techs is to “read and record.”

HVAC contractors tell their customers there are many reasons for properly maintaining their furnaces, air conditioners, ductwork, and add-on equipment. A well-running system is efficient and provides greater comfort while saving on energy costs. It is a no-brainer. But an added bonus is the healthy ramifications.

The poor economy has been hard on commercial businesses. In some cases, HVAC contractors still have service agreements with local malls and office buildings, but often, that work is being outsourced to national maintenance organizations. HVAC contractors have partnered with these organizations. Some sing their praises while others now turn and run.

Bob and Tim have arrived at Tim’s first service call. Tim asked Bob, “What is this call all about?” Bob said, “This is a new customer that wants us to take over the maintenance work for this apartment house.”

A preventive maintenance program at a leading New England Ivy League university demonstrates how the push for more sustainable building management has led to a growing awareness of a chronic, widespread problem for HVAC motors: electrical bearing damage.

In the warm summer season, cooling equipment operates at near peak capacity. If that equipment is used for critical building functions, any equipment downtime for whatever reason is unacceptable.