Articles by Joe Marchese

When faced with a leaky coil on a reach-in cooler, a decision needs to be made whether to repair or replace it. The final decision may come down to where the leak is located.

Technicians have the choice of using either a digital or mechanical manifold gauge. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, which is why it may pay to own one of each kind.

Technicians should learn how to troubleshoot defrost timers, as they can be the culprit if a freezer that uses an electric heater as its supplemental heat source has a frozen evaporator coil.

Conducting planned maintenance on refrigeration equipment is beneficial to both equipment owners and contractors. However, simple tasks can turn into problems if not done properly or without taking the necessary precautions.

Repairing refrigeration systems can be challenging, especially when a system has multiple problems. Technicians should have patience during the troubleshooting process, as it is easy to rush to an early conclusion.

Understanding what the terms superheat, subcooling, and saturation mean can be helpful when troubleshooting an air conditioning or refrigeration system.

Before purchasing and installing universal parts, make sure they are the right fit for the system and the repair needed.

Proper evacuation of a refrigeration system is an important part of repairing or installing a unit, and the gas ballast in the vacuum pump helps improve the process.

Technicians should pull the necessary vacuum to ensure the system they are working on is properly evacuated.

Locating the source of a refrigerant leak in a self-contained reach-in cooler or freezer and repairing it may be difficult, but technicians should always attempt to find the source.