Articles by Joe Marchese

The next time — and every time — you’re picking up a replacement part, make sure to take the time to verify that the part you need is the part you received. Always trust, but verify.

One person cannot be an expert in every type and design of refrigeration equipment in the industry, and even the most experienced technicians have questions they need answered. 

Not only do repeat failures take away from the contractor’s profit margin, they also tarnish a company’s professional image. Finding the cause and repairing it not only keeps the customer happy, it keeps the contractor profitable.

There is a vast selection of refrigerants, and sometimes a technician has a choice in selecting a refrigerant for a particular system. Knowing some of the basic properties of refrigerants can assist a technician in making that selection.

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.

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

Thinking in temperature in-stead of pressure can help make the crossover to a new refrigerant much easier. The next time you’re faced with determining the correct operating evaporator or condensing pressure, think in terms of temperature and then convert it to pressure.

Maintaining and servicing these systems is not difficult, but it does require specific knowledge of the machine’s design and operation. 

A refrigeration system can be a major draw on electrical energy, so it can be a real benefit when a technician also can make sure the system is operating efficiently. 

Too often, compressors get replaced when an external component, such as a defective start relay, start capacitor, or overload, is the true cause. A technician must always check these components before condemning the compressor.