Swaging copper is one of the most common practices in our trade when it comes to brazing pipes. Yes, it sometimes makes more sense to slap on a coupling or street ell fitting, but most of the time, cutting your braze joints in half is much easier and faster during an install or repair.  So, […]

We have discussed many methods for checking a refrigerant charge without connecting gauges over the last few years. Recently, I've been thinking about the “approach” method of charging that many Lennox systems require. What is the Approach Method? The “approach” simply refers to the temperature difference between the liquid line leaving the condenser and the […]

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 […]