Articles by Joe Marchese

A critical step in the installation of a built-up (field-piped) refrigeration system is the startup and commissioning of the equipment, which simply means verifying the operation of the system and its components. Although this seems obvious, it is a step that is occasionally skipped or done too quickly to be effective.

When servicing a refrigeration system, it is important to accurately determine the true cause of the failure. Misdiagnosing the problem can often create additional system issues for you and the customer.

These technologies continue to evolve and change as systems become more efficient and as new methods are discovered to improve the refrigeration cycle. As such, the importance of continuing education cannot be emphasized enough.

The higher the inlet water temperature, the more sensible heat must be removed from the water and the longer the freeze cycle. The latent heat removed causes the water to change state, thus producing ice.

Technicians must find solutions to challenging service problems.

There are many reasons why some choose to work unsafely, but a big one is just being lazy. Try to avoid this and always take the extra time needed to work safely.

It is always best to find and repair the source of the leak. But depending on the size of the system and the size and location of the refrigerant leak, it may not be an easy or inexpensive repair.

Here is the potential problem: A contractor quotes a customer on the compressor replacement, and he agrees to repair the cooler at the quoted price. Then, as the technician is completing the job — or even after he has finished replacing the compressor — he finds out there is another system problem.

Some refrigeration systems are designed to be installed using a pre-charged line set.

While troubleshooting and repairing refrigeration systems, a common problem is a starved evaporator, meaning not enough refrigerant is entering the evaporator for the heat load placed on it.