There are many appliances with compression refrigeration circuits that do not have ports installed for testing, recovery, charging, and evacuation.  These can include window units, PTACs, fountains, refrigerators, and much more. This fact presents a challenge any time you suspect or know there is a refrigerant circuit issue. How can you diagnose and repair when […]

Airflow, airflow, airflow… When we set up and commission comfort cooling and heating systems, we need to pay more attention to airflow before worrying about the fancy controls or the refrigerant circuit. So, as a thought exercise, let's consider a typical 2-ton, straight cool, TXV residential system and think through what happens when we alter […]

I watched an instructional video the other day where the guy kept palming his gauge manifold and CRANKING down on the valves when he closed them. I've seen techs use channel locks—and even vise grips—to tighten down their gauges “just in case” when they have a hard time finding a leak or a vacuum that […]