A day in the life of an HVAC technician

[Riverbound]

Saw the van the other day in RSM (unless you have two.) Looks good. [emoji106]

We have another one that's an older style van. This one was all white till today.

 

[Riverbound]

Is that a ford van? Always wondered how they were to work out of.

Awesome. They did a really good job with these bands and it has ton of features that make working out of them very nice. This one has the eco-boost motor as well.

 

[ChevelleSB406]

We have another one that's an older style van. This one was all white till today.

Saw you go by yesterday when I was at the Shell station and 241 :thumbsup

 

[Riverbound]

Saw you go by yesterday when I was at the Shell station and 241 :thumbsup

I haven't forgotten about you. I'm thinking we go attic fan step 1. And see where that takes us. Then we re duct if needed.

 

[ChevelleSB406]

I haven't forgotten about you. I'm thinking we go attic fan step 1. And see where that takes us. Then we re duct if needed.

Sounds good start "cheap"'er and then see if we need to fire both barrels at it, hate to think so, but what is necessary is NECESSARY, its pretty rough. People helping people Is it 5:00 yet......... :drink

 

[Riverbound]

View attachment 411814

It will be hard to miss this going down the road.

 

[dezertrider]

I'm trying to get a few good photos for the new web page coming soon. The van and trailer look good together

 

[dezertrider]

Is that a ford van? Always wondered how they were to work out of.

I'm jealous of this van. I probably spent 10-15 years working out of the old Econlines vans. The new can you can walk into and stand at 6' tall. The Ecobooost has tons of power and 13-14 MPG now. The van can carry twice as much and the side door opens to 4'. We will see how it holds up but the Fords have never let me down

 

[dezertrider]

Saw the van the other day in RSM (unless you have two.) Looks good. [emoji106]

This is the other van


We have 5 trucks now. A long way from when we helped you last huh?

 

[westair]

They wanted to know why they needed a new AC unit just after a few years ...... it's called coastal livin ...lol

 

[Riverbound]

They wanted to know why they needed a new AC unit just after a few years ...... it's called coastal livin ...lol
View attachment 411863

Did they call for a second opinion?

 

[westair]

Did they call for a second opinion?

Well this was just today so well see, but it could be the least of their problems ....they had this 25ton unit installed no more than 5 years ago and the coils are just falling apart .... I haven't said anything about this yet, I know they paid big $$ for it ...... don't know why the company that installed it didn't get the coils coated, right on the coast in Encinitas.

 

[Riverbound]

Well this was just today so well see, but it could be the least of their problems ....they had this 25ton unit installed no more than 5 years ago and the coils are just falling apart .... I haven't said anything about this yet, I know they paid big $$ for it ...... don't know why the company that installed it didn't get the coils coated, right on the coast in Encinitas.
View attachment 411865
View attachment 411866

Great account to have for you.

 

[wishiknew]

411865[/ATTACH]
View attachment 411866

Because they wanted to come back in 5 years and replace it again !!

 

[westair]

Great account to have for you.

Yes, looks like more than just routine maintenance on this one!

Because they wanted to come back in 5 years and replace it again !!

I bid that replacement to them 5 yrs ago and they went with someone out of OC ..... so I'm not going to feel to bad when I give em the news..

 

[Riverbound]

Sponsoring a charity golf tourney today. Gotta represent.
View attachment 411912

 

[Riverbound]

I bid that replacement to them 5 yrs ago and they went with someone out of OC ..... so I'm not going to feel to bad when I give em the news..

The difference in bid was probably the cost of coated coils. Lol.

 

[Riverbound]

My office for today.

View attachment 411926
View attachment 411927

350 Jell-O shots and 4 different flavors of margaritas.

 

[rrrr]

.

As you said, epoxy condenser coil coating that is done in the factory is the absolute best way to avoid damage like that in the photos you have posted. I don't remember what it costs, it's been a while since I retired so I imagine the cost has gone up. One of the last data center large jobs I did had six 500 ton air cooled chillers. I think it was around $4,500 to dip the coils for each unit, but a 500 ton unit has a lot of condenser coil surface area.

Another cause of corrosion like this is washing the coil with foaming cleaners like acid based Acti-Brite or alkaline based Acti-Klean. These cleaners are supposed to be diluted with water 4:1. It is also important to rinse the stuff off completely.

I've seen A/C techs spray it on full strength and wash it off in a half assed manner because it's too much trouble to haul water or string a hose up to the roof of a 35' tall tilt up warehouse building. If the cleaners aren't rinsed correctly it takes just a few weeks for the residue to attack the fins and destroy them. The combination of these chemicals with the coastal salt environment is a killer for aluminum condenser fins.

It looks to me that's what happened to the unit you posted. You can see the clean and discolored surfaces in a vertical row next to each other on the left side of the second photo. A tank sprayer with a cleaner like I mentioned above that isn't rinsed correctly will leave that sort of condition.

I'm curious if you have an idea as to what percentage your service calls are related to either incorrect service methods or misdiagnosis by other contractors. It's probably a big number.

Well this was just today so well see, but it could be the least of their problems ....they had this 25ton unit installed no more than 5 years ago and the coils are just falling apart .... I haven't said anything about this yet, I know they paid big $$ for it ...... don't know why the company that installed it didn't get the coils coated, right on the coast in Encinitas.

.

View attachment 411865
.

View attachment 411866

 

[dezertrider]

I would say he is happy with the 20 SEER 5 stage unit. Lol

 

[Riverbound]

I wonder if she has the matching tattoo. Lol

View attachment 412966

 

[Mr. C]

Who was the spell checker for the Jello shot sign?

My office for today.

View attachment 411926
View attachment 411927

350 Jell-O shots and 4 different flavors of margaritas.

 

[River Lynchmob]

I wonder if she has the matching tattoo. Lol

View attachment 412966

I guess its too hard to put the sticker on straight.

 

[Riverbound]

I guess its too hard to put the sticker on straight.

You didn't notice the spelling?

 

[ChevelleSB406]

I guess its too hard to put the sticker on straight.

yup, but hey, if more people figure out how to do that key part of my hobby, I will have too much cornhole board competition

 

[River Lynchmob]

You didn't notice the spelling?

Was on my phone...now I did

 

[Riverbound]

Got to check out chameleons at the house I was working on. I've never seen one in real life.

Babies. Couple weeks old.
View attachment 413004
View attachment 413005

Momma
View attachment 413006

The customer gave me a tip for doing such a good job. But they weren't for me they were for my better half.
View attachment 413007

 

[BHC Vic]

Got to check out chameleons at the house I was working on. I've never seen one in real life.

Babies. Couple weeks old.
View attachment 413004
View attachment 413005

Momma
View attachment 413006

The customer gave me a tip for doing such a good job. But they weren't for me they were for my better half.
View attachment 413007

How do u like the organic rockstars?

 

[Riverbound]

How do u like the organic rockstars?

I like them tried it for the first time a couple days ago. And like the fact that there isn't the assortment of chemicals and crap like the others. Energy drinks as a whole aren't healthy. But figured it's at least a healthy-er option.

 

[PVHCA]

I wonder if she has the matching tattoo. Lol

View attachment 412966

Tatted right above her C--K!!

 

[Riverbound]

View attachment 413157

Have a job visit in el centro. Would be a shame to not just keep going to the river. lol.

 

[westair]

.

As you said, epoxy condenser coil coating that is done in the factory is the absolute best way to avoid damage like that in the photos you have posted. I don't remember what it costs, it's been a while since I retired so I imagine the cost has gone up. One of the last data center large jobs I did had six 500 ton air cooled chillers. I think it was around $4,500 to dip the coils for each unit, but a 500 ton unit has a lot of condenser coil surface area.

Another cause of corrosion like this is washing the coil with foaming cleaners like acid based Acti-Brite or alkaline based Acti-Klean. These cleaners are supposed to be diluted with water 4:1. It is also important to rinse the stuff off completely.

I've seen A/C techs spray it on full strength and wash it off in a half assed manner because it's too much trouble to haul water or string a hose up to the roof of a 35' tall tilt up warehouse building. If the cleaners aren't rinsed correctly it takes just a few weeks for the residue to attack the fins and destroy them. The combination of these chemicals with the coastal salt environment is a killer for aluminum condenser fins.

It looks to me that's what happened to the unit you posted. You can see the clean and discolored surfaces in a vertical row next to each other on the left side of the second photo. A tank sprayer with a cleaner like I mentioned above that isn't rinsed correctly will leave that sort of condition.

I'm curious if you have an idea as to what percentage your service calls are related to either incorrect service methods or misdiagnosis by other contractors. It's probably a big number.

Its about 500.00 or so per unit in the 2 to 5ton range to have coated, both Carrier and Rheem send them out to a company called Luvata. You can even buy spray cans of this coating and do it in the field onsite, its about 10.00 per can and does a pretty good job, of course not near as good as factory but I've used it when we had to.
We don't do a lot of service or maintenance type work, mostly installation but what I've seen over the years is maintenance on an ac unit by others usually amounts to a quick filter change and a lot of times without the correct size filter, so I would say most units we replace have not been maintained properly.

 

[westair]

View attachment 413157

Have a job visit in el centro. Would be a shame to not just keep going to the river. lol.

I'm sure you probably know this but watch your speed along the that road, it is heavily watched.

 

[Riverbound]

Its about 500.00 or so per unit in the 2 to 5ton range to have coated, both Carrier and Rheem send them out to a company called Luvata. You can even buy spray cans of this coating and do it in the field onsite, its about 10.00 per can and does a pretty good job, of course not near as good as factory but I've used it when we had to.
We don't do a lot of service or maintenance type work, mostly installation but what I've seen over the years is maintenance on an ac unit by others usually amounts to a quick filter change and a lot of times without the correct size filter, so I would say most units we replace have not been maintained properly.

That's interesting I have seen the spray on stuff but never knew if it worked well.

I agree with you on the maintenance part I'm actually on my way to a building in El Centro right now for a board member. He was paying for quarterly maintenance on this building and the last time the filters were changed were April 2013. $6000 in repairs on nine units and his maintenance contractor told him the units were junk and needed replaced They are only six years old.

 

[Riverbound]

I'm sure you probably know this but watch your speed along the that road, it is heavily watched.

Yup. Just cruising.

 

[BasilHayden]

View attachment 413157

Have a job visit in el centro. Would be a shame to not just keep going to the river. lol.

See I knew this would work out for you! When Wes was out a week ago to do the roof he did it the same way, hey maybe I should get a discount for encouraging a river trip! But seriously did you get the email that your guys did too good a job and now its tooooooo collllddddd in suite A. Whats up with that? I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read that. Thank Bill for getting the job handled for me. Have a great weekend.:drink

 

[Riverbound]

See I knew this would work out for you! When Wes was out a week ago to do the roof he did it the same way, hey maybe I should get a discount for encouraging a river trip! But seriously did you get the email that your guys did too good a job and now its tooooooo collllddddd in suite A. Whats up with that? I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read that. Thank Bill for getting the job handled for me. Have a great weekend.:drink

Yah. I was laughing when I read that.

It took me way out of my way to come down here but I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect so we don't get any calls. [emoji106] you know how I am [emoji6]

 

[westair]

That's interesting I have seen the spray on stuff but never knew if it worked well.

I agree with you on the maintenance part I'm actually on my way to a building in El Centro right now for a board member. He was paying for quarterly maintenance on this building and the last time the filters were changed were April 2013. $6000 in repairs on nine units and his maintenance contractor told him the units were junk and needed replaced They are only six years old.

I was unsure about the spray on stuff too but have seen some of the coils we did a couple years later and they still look good ....we just tried some from Sigler called Totaline Fin Protector, not sure how it is yet but it sure went on well, has a blue tint .... its all better than nothing I guess

 

[BasilHayden]

Yah. I was laughing when I read that.

It took me way out of my way to come down here but I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect so we don't get any calls. [emoji106] you know how I am [emoji6]

I know it did Bill, hope you know how much it's appreciated. Thanks again!

 

[Riverbound]

I know it did Bill, hope you know how much it's appreciated. Thanks again!

All good to go bud [emoji106]
It was a little toasty up there.
View attachment 413237

 

[Riverbound]

The benefit of being the guy who works on the owner of roadrunner house.

[emoji106]
View attachment 413347

 

[Riverbound]

They wonder why part of their office gets warm.... Lol

View attachment 413859

View attachment 413860

 

[River Lynchmob]

There isn't even enough there to scrap...that compressor looks as old as the unit.

 

[Riverbound]

There isn't even enough there to scrap...that compressor looks as old as the unit.

Someone took all the copper including every strand of wire. The suite has (or had) 2 units. And one side always got hot. This is what we saw. I'm assuming it's been that way a Long time based on how rusted everything is.

 

[River Lynchmob]

How someone doesn't know the condition of their own roof is beyond me.

 

[72Hondo]

A job I'm having done at work.

One 4 ton until and two 1 ton spilt units.

 

[dezertrider]

View attachment 413870

A job I'm having done at work.

One 4 ton until and two 1 ton spilt units.

Those look like Dakin mini splits. I have heard a lot of good things about them. I can't wait to put one in. We just switched over to that line because of all the positive reviews

 

[NicPaus]

There isn't even enough there to scrap...that compressor looks as old as the unit.

Do all the big HVAC companies recycle? I helped on a few jobs lately and had the crane drop the old units in my dump trailer so one of my guys could recycle them. He has a 20 unit job in the future and thinking of bringing my equipment trailer for all the old units.

 

[72Hondo]

Those look like Dakin mini splits. I have heard a lot of good things about them. I can't wait to put one in. We just switched over to that line because of all the positive reviews

There very good. Love the wireless thermostat.

Two one tons for about 5K installed.

 

[River Lynchmob]

Do all the big HVAC companies recycle? I helped on a few jobs lately and had the crane drop the old units in my dump trailer so one of my guys could recycle them. He has a 20 unit job in the future and thinking of bringing my equipment trailer for all the old units.

we don't recycle per sey...we have a recycle company that we call to take all the old equipment...they show up with a crew and trucks and remove everything and when it is all done gives a cut of the pie...couldn't work out better for either of us.