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HVACR Articles


Seeing the TXV Metering Device Operate Using A Water Stream!
The purpose of this HVACR training project is to visually show your students the change in the amount of liquid flowing through a TXV or...
Jan 247 min read
1,973 views
1 comment


5 Methods to Determine if The Indoor Air Conditioning Coil is Clogged with Dust!
When servicing an air conditioner or heat pump, we often notice a low airflow problem which needs to be fixed. If there is no indoor air...
Jul 24, 20248 min read
3,589 views
3 comments


Measuring the Static Pressure Drop Across an Evaporator Coil to See if it is Clogged!
If you suspect that an evaporator coil is clogged with dust but cannot visually see it, such as when you can't directly inspect on a...
Jul 3, 20245 min read
3,638 views
3 comments


Measuring Airflow in CFM Using the TrueFlow Grid
Measuring airflow is one of the most commonly missed or ignored topics in HVAC when commissioning or diagnosing problems in systems. I...
Dec 13, 20236 min read
2,877 views
1 comment

Carbon Monoxide Alarm vs Low Level CO Monitor
Today most people are aware of the invisible, odorless, poisonous gas of Carbon Monoxide or CO for short. Now we know that even low...
Nov 29, 20234 min read
1,064 views
0 comments


Top 10 Gas Furnace Package Unit Problems!
Problem #1: No Power to the Package Unit On all HVAC systems, power is critical to operation, and a package unit is no different. There...
Nov 1, 202310 min read
3,318 views
3 comments


Where To Find R-22 & R410A Leaks on AC Units! Top 10 Spots!
This article covers the ten most common locations where refrigerant leaks may be on an air conditioning system. An electronic leak...
Sep 29, 20228 min read
9,003 views
2 comments

Top Ten Interview Tips to Land that HVAC/R Job!
It is certainly important to have good training and/or experience in the field prior to applying for an HVAC/R position. However, some do...
Sep 7, 20227 min read
2,091 views
1 comment

10 Reasons a Blower Fan Won't Start in a Furnace, AC or Heat Pump
This article covers the 10 most common reasons the blower fan does not turn on! A blower motor may be installed in a forced air gas or...
Jul 27, 20229 min read
64,968 views
10 comments


Suction Line Accumulator Tank Function, Location, & Purpose
In this article, we discuss the accumulator tank, its function, why its used, and its location in the system. The photo below shows the...
Jul 20, 20224 min read
7,594 views
0 comments


Copper Tube Swaging and Deburring Tools!
Swaging tools are used to expand the end of a copper tube to accept the next section of tubing. This is done prior to making a permanent...
Jul 13, 20225 min read
5,720 views
1 comment


Why a Start Capacitor Fails and Testing!
The Purpose of a Start Capacitor A start capacitor can be found in the electrical compartment of most single speed heat pumps and some...
Jul 6, 20225 min read
17,849 views
0 comments


Tips For New HVACR Instructors with Ty and Craig!
Basic Characteristics of a Good Instructor "The hardest year of teaching is the one you are currently in." ...
Jun 28, 20227 min read
1,302 views
1 comment

Finding an Airflow Problem using Static Pressure Measurements!
If a furnace or air conditioning system develops an airflow problem, there are several items to visually inspect. If visual inspection...
Jun 21, 20228 min read
11,609 views
3 comments


ATTIC FANS! Troubleshooting Common Problems!
An attic fan is used to lower the temperature within the building shell between the roof structure and the living space. The fan's job is...
Jun 14, 20226 min read
18,220 views
4 comments

Copper Tube Bending Tools and Methods
There are four methods for bending soft copper tubing. Copper tubing can be bent to the correct measurement using a lever type bending...
Jun 8, 20225 min read
11,459 views
0 comments


Pressure Testing Gas Lines for Leaks! Natural Gas and Propane (LP)
Fuel gases such as Propane or Natural Gas are a regular part of everyday life for many. Whether it is used to heat a home, cook a meal,...
May 9, 20227 min read
53,310 views
2 comments


6 Reasons Why a Furnace Blower Fan Motor Won’t Shut Off!
On a natural gas or propane furnace, there are typically 6 main reasons why a blower fan motor may not shut off and just continues to...
May 3, 20225 min read
44,353 views
4 comments

Fridge or Freezer Compressor Not Starting? Test Start Relay, Overload, Capacitor, PTC Thermistor
This article explains how to troubleshoot a refrigerator or freezer compressor that does not start. There are different components that...
Apr 18, 20229 min read
30,396 views
2 comments

Testing if an HVACR Compressor is Shorted to Ground, Open, or the Thermal Overload is Tripped!
In this HVAC Training Article, I discuss how to perform electrical troubleshooting on an HVAC/R compressor to determine if it is bad. Too...
Apr 11, 20228 min read
88,474 views
3 comments


Troubleshooting a Cad Cell Flame Detector for an Oil Burner!
A Cad (Cadmium Sulfide) Cell is a photo conductive flame detector that changes its electrical resistance depending on how much light is...
Dec 15, 20213 min read
21,994 views
0 comments

TOP 5 HVAC CONTACTOR Troubleshooting Problems!
This article explains the "Top 5 Problems" that can occur on a contactor and how to troubleshoot them! The HVAC Contactor is a device...
Jun 30, 20216 min read
38,147 views
1 comment


Don't Get Locked Out! Locking Port Cap Quick Tip!
Just because your company only uses one type of port cap doesn’t mean you won’t be called to service a system with another manufacturer’s...
Jun 22, 20211 min read
3,539 views
3 comments

When Installing or Replacing an Air Conditioner, Use These Procedures for the Refrigerant Tubing!
When installing a new HVAC system, replacing an existing HVAC system, or only replacing one part of the system, there is a sequence of...
Jun 9, 20216 min read
9,787 views
1 comment


HVAC Electrical Training Board For Wiring, Components, Wiring Diagrams, Troubleshooting
Downloadable Wiring Diagrams and the measurement layout are available at the bottom of this page. Instructors are always looking for a...
Jun 1, 20218 min read
27,509 views
5 comments

TXV Bulb Mounting Position and External Equalization!
The question we are looking to answer is, should we install the TXV bulb before (upstream) or after (downstream of) the external...
May 26, 20213 min read
23,863 views
2 comments

Adjusting the Airflow Speed on ECM Blower Fan Motors! (Variable & Multi-Speed Types)
In this HVAC training article, we will be discussing how to adjust the fan speeds on an indoor ECM variable speed blower motor and an ...
May 19, 20217 min read
104,903 views
9 comments

Adjusting the Furnace/AC Airflow Speed on a 120v PSC Blower Motor!
In this HVAC training article, we will be discussing how to adjust the fan speeds on an indoor PSC blower motor in furnace and air...
May 12, 20214 min read
12,198 views
1 comment


Top 10 Gas Water Heater Pilot Light Problems! When It Won’t Stay Lit!
This article explains how the thermocouple, gas valve solenoid, and pilot flame work on a water heater. I will be discussing 10 problems...
May 6, 20218 min read
14,477 views
2 comments

How to Find Common, Start, and Run on a PSC Compressor Motor!
In this HVACR Training article, we are using electrical resistance measurements on the PSC compressor terminals in order to determine...
Apr 28, 20214 min read
48,002 views
4 comments

Gas Furnace Electrical Safety Switch Testing!
In this article, we will be discussing methods to test the safety switches in a gas furnace using a multimeter. These switches include...
Apr 21, 20215 min read
11,057 views
0 comments

20 Causes of Low Indoor Airflow on Ducted HVAC Units!
In this HVAC training article, I discuss 20 AIRFLOW Problems that you may find on ducted gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, air...
Apr 14, 20217 min read
5,919 views
0 comments


Finding a Low Voltage Short Quickly, Step by Step!
In the world of HVAC, low voltage shorts are a common occurrence on a service call. Low voltage shorts occur when an electrical circuit...
Apr 8, 20218 min read
64,331 views
6 comments


The Benefits of Using an Ultrasonic Leak Detector to Find Refrigerant Leaks!
A refrigerant leak may be easy to find when the leak is a large one but when the leak is small, finding it can be tedious and time...
Feb 3, 20215 min read
89,135 views
0 comments


Ductless Mini-Split Step-by-Step Installation
In this step-by-step installation, we will be covering the full installation of a ductless Mini-Split heat pump system. This system...
Nov 25, 202016 min read
18,184 views
2 comments

What Components are in a Forced Air Gas Furnace? What do they Do?
In order to troubleshoot a gas furnace, the technician must have a thorough knowledge of each component that could be in the unit....
Oct 21, 20208 min read
11,458 views
0 comments


Troubleshooting an HVAC Control Board? How?
Diagnosing if a control board is bad on a furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump may seem difficult but here are some simple tips and...
Sep 23, 20205 min read
35,551 views
7 comments


Clogged Liquid Line Filter Drier?
How can you tell if you have a clogged liquid line filter drier? If there is a noticeable temperature drop from one side of the filter...
Aug 19, 20204 min read
38,054 views
1 comment


Is There an Easy Way to Tell if a Mini-Split Ductless Unit is Low on Refrigerant? (Quick Tip)
Is there an easy way to tell if a mini-split ductless unit is low on refrigerant? Yes, if the Delta T is low and the system continues to...
Aug 6, 20201 min read
16,132 views
1 comment


40 Vacuum Tips for HVACR Technicians! Avoid Frustration!
I put this list together to make sure that HVACR technicians don’t have to undergo the same frustrations, loss of time, and expenses that...
Jul 22, 202010 min read
25,288 views
2 comments


Checking the Charge of Air Conditioners Without Measuring Pressure!
Can you check the charge on a system without checking pressure? Sure, remember that the only reason we check pressure is to convert it to...
Jul 16, 20208 min read
12,374 views
7 comments


R-22 and R-410A Operating Pressures, Charging, and Recovery Setup!
In this article, we will discuss an HVAC unit’s refrigerant pressure on both the high side and the low-pressure side while the system...
Jun 24, 20207 min read
357,509 views
13 comments


Charging a System in a Dry Climate? Consider a TXV and Accumulator!
In a dry climate, certain considerations must be taken prior to installing or servicing air conditioning systems. A TXV metering device...
Jun 11, 20206 min read
4,926 views
2 comments


How NOT to Check the Refrigerant Charge!
There are many ways that technicians have tried to get around actually checking the charge of air conditioners and heat pumps with...
May 28, 20208 min read
6,615 views
2 comments


10 Reasons Why a Mini-Split Ductless Flare May Leak Refrigerant!
On a mini-split ductless system, two copper tubes are needed to transport the refrigerant. These copper tubes are referred to as the line...
May 20, 20206 min read
35,545 views
1 comment


Checking the Charge of a Mini-Split Unit!
A question that I get asked frequently is “Can I check the charge of a mini-split ductless unit with superheat and subcooling the same...
May 6, 202011 min read
149,055 views
24 comments


Why Can’t You Just Measure Pressures to Check a Refrigerant Charge?
Most technicians in the HVAC field know the normal range of operation for the low-pressure side of an air conditioning system. This tends...
Apr 22, 20209 min read
104,574 views
10 comments


Using the Total Superheat Charging Method for HVAC Units!
In this article, we will define both superheat and total superheat, calculate total superheat, explain how to use total superheat to...
Apr 16, 202010 min read
62,668 views
4 comments


The HVAC Subcooling Charging Method, Explained!
In this article, we will define subcooling, calculate subcooling, explain how to use subcooling to check the refrigerant charge, and show...
Apr 8, 20207 min read
152,588 views
2 comments


Top 10 Thermostat Related Problems
Regardless of the type of system or brand of thermostat, it is important to understand that there are many issues that can prevent a...
Mar 31, 20206 min read
15,689 views
1 comment
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