HVAC Troubleshooting Part 1

January 8, 2025

In 8th installment of our series at Polar Bear Air Conditioning, Bryan Orr dives deep into the fundamentals of HVAC troubleshooting. This is Part 1 of a two part class on troubleshooting. The session focuses on developing strong diagnostic skills and understanding key measurements like suction pressure, head pressure, superheat, and subcooling.

Bryan breaks down what makes a great troubleshooter, from having patience and following systematic processes to being willing to change your mind when new evidence presents itself. He explains critical concepts like evaporator temperature, compression ratios, and the relationship between measurements – helping technicians understand not just what to measure, but why these measurements matter.

Perfect for field technicians and installers, this training session provides both basic fundamentals and advanced concepts that will help you diagnose and solve common HVAC issues, especially those related to moisture and humidity problems common in humid climates.

Key Topics Covered:

Characteristics of effective troubleshooters
Understanding evaporator temperature and its relationship to indoor conditions
Head pressure, compression ratios, and system efficiency
Proper interpretation of superheat measurements
Real-world troubleshooting scenarios and common misconceptions

#compression ratio #diagnostics #head pressure #hvac #subcooling #suction pressure #Superheat #troubleshooting

Comments

Most popular videos

view all

Check out our most recent video

How to Evacuate an AC system, Full Vacuum Procedure

Our latest Podcast

HVAC School – For Techs, By Techs

Real training for HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) Technicians. Including recorded tech training, interviews, diagnostics and general conversations about the trade.

This unique podcast episode is a commentary on the phenomenon of “white shirt techs” in the HVAC industry – a term that refers to technicians who focus heavily on sales and maintaining a pristine appearance rather than technical expertise. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with having good sales skills or maintaining a professional appearance, there needs to be a balance with actual technical competency. The episode serves as part of a manifesto series heading into 2025, addressing important industry trends and concerns.

There is a delicate balance between sales and service in the HVAC industry, particularly in residential services. Some companies and technicians may prioritize metrics like average ticket price and five-star reviews over providing genuine solutions to customers’ problems. While it’s important to discuss money and options with clients, we shouldn’t resort to fear tactics or make promises that products can’t fulfill, particularly in areas like indoor air quality solutions and UV lights.

The podcast raises important questions about professional identity and integrity in the HVAC field. Technicians should occasionally step back and think about whether they’ve lost their passion for actually fixing equipment and solving technical problems in favor of focusing solely on sales. He argues that the best residential technicians maintain their interest in the mechanical aspects of the work, even as they develop their customer service and sales skills. The episode concludes with a call for technicians and companies to invest more time in technical training and to maintain their commitment to solving real problems rather than just selling solutions.

Key Topics Covered:

Definition and characteristics of “white shirt technicians”
The balance between sales skills and technical expertise
Problems with fear-based selling and overpromising in HVAC
The importance of third-party verification for product claims
Discussion of specific products like surge protectors and UV lights
The role of maintenance agreements and their value proposition
The future sustainability of sales-first business models
The importance of maintaining passion for the technical aspects of HVAC
Professional appearance versus technical competency
The relationship between pricing and actual value delivered
The role of customer reviews and their potential manipulation
Training priorities: technical skills versus sales techniques

Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool.

Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android