I'm a big dummy when it comes to my own air conditioning maintenance. I talk about the importance of changing air filters to customers and techs, but I never stay up on replacing my own. Yesterday, I walked into my mechanical room, and my 2-ton air handler sounded like a vacuum cleaner about to implode. […]

Belly band crankcase heater When I first started in the trade as an apprentice, we worked on many Trane heat pumps that used crankcase heaters. These crankcase heaters slid into the compressor sump on the big orange Tyler reciprocating compressors, like the one below. It was very common for these heaters to break off where […]

Electronic leak detection is a critical part of any HVAC technician's common practice. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common sources of misdiagnosis. Here are my tips to make your leak detection more successful: Use Your Detector Second  Before starting to use your detector, STOP! Look for signs of leaks and corrosion throughout […]