As a technician it was always the same old story. Are you done yet? There was always pressure from the office; either from the dispatcher, service manager or project manager to get the job done and get it done quickly. https://www.hvacrschool.com/a-job-well-done-almost/

1. Bryan Orr
A job well done….. Almost
hvacrschool.com/a-job-well-done-almost/
This tip is written by HVAC Applications and Technical Specialist Dakota Brown. Thanks
Dakota!
As a technician it was always the same old story
Are you done yet?
There was always pressure from the office; either from the dispatcher, service manager or
project manager to get the job done and get it done quickly.
When I became an estimator and project manager at the company I worked for I tried not to
fall into the trap of pressuring the technicians (my former brothers-in-arms) to get the job
done quickly by cutting corners but I’m sure I fell victim to that mentality a time or two.
Now that I work for a distributor and I am doing technical support including start-ups I can
look at one of the biggest problems facing contractors more objectively. You all know what
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2. that problem is at this point or at least you should.
Call-Backs
We all talk about being thorough on service calls to prevent those dreaded call backs. But
what about on installs? We all like to complain about [insert brand here] and how their
equipment stinks but we all know that most issues with new equipment come from a bad
install or worse yet, a bad start-up (GASP!)
“But I am always thorough on my start-ups!”
Bologna!
We’ve all gotten the call asking if we are done yet. Or, if we are coming home! We start to cut
some corners to get packed up and neglect checking gas pressure (I’m sure it’s fine) or
airflow (I hear the fan running) and pack up.
75% of the service calls I get on new equipment come from bad start-ups. Even when a
contractor does the best install possible they can blow it right at the end with a bad start-
up.
That is why I say “almost.”
I liken it to a race. Nothing drives me nuts while watching a race or any other sporting event
more than seeing someone pull up at the last-minute, right before the finish line.
Run through the finish, don’t pull up at the end.
Time and time again I see a good install go bad. So, let’s talk about a few key points.
Check your voltages on a 208/230 volt unit. Most RTUs and splits that are dual voltage
have multiple taps on the low voltage transformer and if you don’t have the incoming
voltage tapped right you won’t get proper outgoing voltage.
Make sure your trap has a large enough drop to prevent condensate being sucked
back through and inspect the drainage while it’s running.
Check phasing, seriously. It is simple enough to do beforehand with a phase rotation
meter and keep in mind that VFD’s can correct phasing so just because your
condenser fans or blower run the right direction that doesn’t mean the phase
direction is correct in there is a VFD driving the motors.
If your unit has a smart control board (I’m looking at you York) make sure you
configure the board to reflect what you just installed.
Check your economizer in all modes.
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3. Airflow, airflow, airflow. This is the biggest one, really. I mainly work with York these
days and they have what is called a dry coil pressure drop in their manuals. Using
some ports built into the unit and a manometer with some metal tubing you can get
the static pressure drop across the coil. This allows you to estimate airflow moving
through the unit. This is so simple and a lot of people don’t do it. I understand this is
just a starting point but we don’t live in a perfect world and not everyone has an in
duct anemometer.
Owner training!!!!! Teach the end user how to use their new equipment, educate them
on maintenance requirements, tell them something!
A lot of issues can be solved by reading the install manual and filling out the start-up sheet
that comes with the equipment. If you don’t have one with the equipment, make one.
We could go on and on with start-ups and proper start-up practices and maybe we will but
for now lets all try to remember that rushing off of the job to get to the next one will catch
up with you and your reputation.
— Dakota Brown
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