HVAC Maintenance Strategy for Techs to Prevent Failures without Gauging with John Anderson Part 2

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie talks with John Anderson, Senior Regional HVAC Technical Trainer at Sila Services and former Service Manager and Technician at Burns & McBride Home Comfort, about practical HVAC maintenance and system checks. In Part 2, they discuss how technicians can use observation, temperature measurements, and airflow checks to evaluate a system before connecting gauges. John explains simple ways to estimate evaporator performance using return air temperature and suction line temperature. Gary and John also cover electrical inspections, including checking contactors and testing coils for shorts. The conversation ends with a discussion about preventative maintenance ideas, such as scheduled capacitor replacement and the importance of keeping coils clean.

Gary and John discuss practical HVAC maintenance checks and how technicians can assess system performance before connecting gauges. They explain how observing airflow, temperature differences, condensate flow, and suction line conditions can help confirm that a system is operating properly. John shares a simple method to estimate evaporator performance using return air temperature and suction line temperature. The conversation also covers electrical inspections such as checking contactors, testing coils for shorts, and spotting common issues. They finish by talking about preventative maintenance, including cleaning condenser coils and considering scheduled capacitor replacement to reduce breakdowns.

Expect to Learn:

• How technicians can evaluate system performance using temperature and airflow checks.

• A simple way to estimate evaporator coil performance using return air temperature.

• Why visual inspection and system cleanliness are key parts of HVAC maintenance.

• How to check contactors and coils to find electrical issues before they cause failures.

• Why cleaning condenser coils and planning capacitor replacement can help prevent breakdowns.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - CMPX Show Announcement

[00:34] - Intro to John Anderson in Part 02

[02:15] - How load calc fixes static pressure

[03:02] - Non-invasive checks vs. always using gauges

[07:59] - Electrical inspections: Contactors & coils

[12:08] - Real story: Bad contactor coil diagnosis

[14:09] - Preventive capacitor replacement to avoid callbacks

[18:28] - Importance of cleaning outdoor condenser coils

[20:21] - Wrap-up

Join us at the CMPX Show from March 25 to 27 in Toronto. Use code KNOWITALL to get your free pass. Don't miss it. 👉https://www.cmpxshow.com/register

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by:

Cintas: https://www.cintas.com/

Cool Air Products: https://www.coolairproducts.net/

SupplyHouse: https://www.supplyhouse.com/tm
Use promo code HKIA5 to get 5% off your first order at Supplyhouse!

Follow the Guest John Anderson on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-anderson-188093251/

Sila Services - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silaservices/

Sila Services - Website: http://www.silaservices.com

Burns & McBride Home Comfort: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burns-&-mcbride-home-comfort/

Follow the Host:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/

Website: https://www.hvacknowitall.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/HVAC-Know-It-All-2/61569643061429/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/