Diagnosing an air conditioning system isn’t easy. A service technician must be a trained professional to diagnose a system efficiently and correctly — no longer can a tech rely on rules of thumb for coil temperatures or pressures. 

The next time you’re faced with a choice of whether you should take some extra time and additional measurements, do the right thing. Take the time to do it right and find the true problem the first time.

A total of 148 exhibitors showed off their latest advances in all types of industrial refrigeration at the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) 2016 Industrial Refrigeration Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. Here are a few of the highlights.

A refrigeration system’s compression or pressure ratio is defined as the absolute discharge pressure divided by the absolute suction pressure. Calculating this ratio can be a big help when it comes to troubleshooting a system.

Refrigeration contractors are keenly aware of the value of the maintenance they perform for their grocery store and supermarket clients, but, in some cases, they may find themselves working with clients who underestimate it.

Operators of facilities that use ammonia refrigeration equipment must write and enforce standard operating procedures, buy the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and practice what they preach with regard to safety — not only from top to bottom in their own organizations, but also with visitors, contractors, and other industry stakeholders.

The next time you enjoy a cold draft beer, just think about the technology that went into it. It’s likely you’ll be the only person in the entire bar who appreciates it.

It’s looking more likely that there will be a global agreement to phase down HFCs, and it could come as early as this year or possibly next; either way, it’s coming. 

Technicians should make a list of the causes that could be blamed for this failure and, once the system is up and running, eliminate them, one by one. 

The old saying, “When in doubt, jump it out,” is not really a wise practice to follow.