Depends on the type of maintenance. A standard check of a residential system with no cleanings typically takes about an hour. (Paperwork included) If you are cleaning indoor, outdoor coils, and blower, it typically takes an hour and a half to 2 hours.
@@HVACinSC The gas charge cannot be evaluated until any needed maintenance is done. Neglected systems are the "multiple offenders". The hidden costs of neglect must be explained to customers. Photos help.
@@lynncomstock1255 As Dave and myself stated, all units are multiple offenders. Refrigerant charge/performance via Refrigerant data can be assessed when a system is dirty. In fact it is a great way to show a customer how dirty components drastically effect heat absorption and rejection. Before and after recordings of performance is the best opinion.
@@fishyfool If my upstairs looked like that- and it did, power harness pin 1 wire was dissolved- I would want to see it or know about/ fix it before it failed or the wire dissolved
@@robmaiker7092 yeah literally burnt wires? Nobody wants that and If they thought it was upsale and denied proper repair he could’ve just condemned the unit and left
Proud of you for putting this out there my friend. Hope techs see and heed. I'm a 30 + year tech, instructor and manager and I'm telling you...getting people to be thorough and do a complete analysis on service calls is one of the most frustrating aspects of the trade.
@@nelcomargaming6612 Yes, it is the tech's fault if he/she did not do a little looking and find this. This apparently hits too close to home with you. Glad you don't work for me.
I started my career in the military. Multi-million dollar equipment. Every service tech was required to document the condition of the entire system, not just "quick fix" it. I have maintained this mindset ever since and it has served me well. Minimal to none call-backs.
The military have essentially unlimited budgets, it makes no sense to compare that with normal day to day business people. Ironically those are who end up paying for the military LOL!
@snowsea-gs4wu What does a "budget" have to do with someone documenting their findings and being thorough? 🤔 Not sure you thought through this comment. 🤣🤣
@@Snowsea-gs4wu The budget is not an issue concerning aircraft, naval vessels, even ground based assets. It's about reliability and safety. Same goes for the commercial travel sector. And military techs are getting "minimum wage" compared to the private sector. End of the day, it's about standards and pride in your work.
That's not the home owners fault. Today we have so many rotten companies who are only interested in making a buck. Today, most Ac experts, are not taking care of their customers. They make more money coming back.
@chewychicken589 Last time I checked (maybe I'm wrong), the objective of a company is to be profitable/sustainable, not to run a charity. Non businesses owners only see the online cost of a part and don't consider everything else that goes into a companies pricing. Part mark up, labor, Employee's salaries, health care, vehicles, gas, multiple types of insurance (vehicles, liability, building, health, etc.) Warranty coverage on the part, the list goes on and on. If you want the cheapest price possible, DIY or hire a Chuck in a Truck. Just can't be upset when cheap work comes with cheap results.
@chewychicken Wow! Imagine someone coming to my page who is clueless about how businesses operate, complaining about prices. No way! Just trying to enlighten the ignorant. All businesses work this way. Not just HVAC.
What price do you think is a fair price for a company to pay a technician to drive a fully stocked, fully insured van to your home to check a system and replace a capacitor? It's costs my company (out of pocket) over $100 for a technician just to drive to your home. This doesn't include any additional time and materials. That's just to show up.
I did HVAC for 25+ years. On a capacitor call, I’d give the system a once over (check the filter, condenser coil, wiring condition). However, I didn’t check the refrigerant unless the unit had a history of going low, the temp drop is bad, etc. There’s really no need to check the refrigerant without some sign that something’s amiss. Moreover, when it’s 5:30 PM and you still have 3 or 4 calls to do, you don’t have time to check everything.
HVAC in SC, hello. my AC compresor/condencer unit quit @ 1 month ago. A snake shorted across the capacitor terminals and blew the breaker. An HVAC tech changed the cap only and left. after that, I did a crash course in AC repair and discovered the compressor coils are also burnt. I am still waiting for him to return to replace the compressor unit ... It doesn't matter to me what trade it is, i seriously appreciate a tech, like you, who goes the extra mile, has an eye for detail and strives to be an expert at whatever work they do. Good for you. There's a pat on the back for you. Keep setting the bar higher and keep up the good work.
I can't agree with this more, I find myself skipping steps in my process sometimes when it's hot and slammed and it bites me every time. Most important call of the day is the call you're on, you'll get to the others when you get to them. Thanks for the videos!
Just make sure your boss knows this lol. Most times its the dispatcher/boss trying to hurry things along if you dont work for yourself. I take my time but however im not working all hours of the day either. If i dont get to one then there is always tomorrow. In a company this can and will cause problems so best to make sure to set up some ground rules first and not be taken advantage of. I work to live I dont live to work
@@eclipse369. We have "ground rules".... Dont do things half ass and be thorough on every call. If a guy is more focused on getting done and going than making sure things are done right then he can go to one if the other 300+ companies in the area. Thankfully my employer appreciates their employees and doesn't work us like slaves which gives us even more incentive to work hard and do things the right way every time. Thanks for the comment. 👍
Man that's the best I've ever heard it put , " the most important call is the one your on " .... I'm plant maintenance electro mechanical tech and your absolutely right about your statement..... short cuts will bite you every time.
I never let anyone work on my unit. I might actually trust you though. Thank you for making this video. I hope there are more technicians out there that actually care about their work. Some people have passion and integri, and some just want a Quick Check.... Much respect for you Sir.
Last time an AC guy came out he told he put in 14 oz of refrigerant, yet when I asked him how he knew it was 14 oz he got mad. He didn't put 2 7 oz cans of refrigerant in, nor did he have a reverse scale. When pressed he said he had a calibrated elbow. When I got his bill, I subtracted the refrigerant charge and told him I have a calibrated check writing hand. Never BS a BS er.
@@TheDigitaldoug There are crooks in every line of work that involves $. Typically it's the guys that offer to diagnose the system for "free" or drastically discounted "diagnostic" rate. 🤷♂️
I think the people who have come to watch this video and made comments are an example of people wanting to be better at what they do by looking for information anyplace they can.
Ya your a good tech very rare I think it happens often ..my ac wasn't heating in the winter tech says low freon gas 2 pounds should do it...3 months later next tech says oh you need more freon I called the company and check the system properly the did later had to change the radiator on the unit outside...three service calls one REAL fix...most of them don't go any further than they have to put freon it works ...see ya sucker.2 first calls 150 each time third 150 but they changed the parts under guarantee.wtf..thieves!that's all it is stealing my f@cking money!
There is a lot that you and many customers don't consider when companies price their parts. They aren't charging you $300 for the part alone. Its the part, labor, 1 year warranty on the repair,, service fee to pay for insurance, gas, the employees time. Healthcare, office staff (who don't generate revenue) and all other overhead associated with running a successful business. No different than any other profitable business out there. Smaller companies have smaller overhead and therefore have lower prices. If you think any company's going to come out, diagnose, and replace a capacitor for $50 out the door, you are sadly mistaken.
@@HVACinSC did you even read my comment?I know how it works the come three times and charge me a total of 600$instead of 300$I said they should fix it the first time if they know what they are doing.totaly unprepared.or thieves.!
@@jimbeam5560 No... because your comment was from a year ago. My obvious reply was to the comment of "U Tube Surfer" which was left..... YESTERDAY..... 🤔🙄😏
Amen Brad!! Great Video man. This is so true. We can’t have blinders on when we pull up to a call. Even though a customer says it’s outside I still check inside first before I go outside. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
When I did calls the customer paid for an hour and I gave them the hour. Even if it was something like the Tstat turned off (more common than you would think) I would check charge, clean coils if I had time and make sure everything was in good shape. Also when I had to pull sheet metal I used power tools. I saw techs who would slowly turn screws with a nut driver and say they got paid by the hour. I wanted to give the customer what they paid for so they would call us again. If I found a bad Schrader valve I would replace the core without charge. I can't tell you how many "techs" I met who didn't carry a bottle of nitrogen in the truck. :/
@@punkrocktv8229 When you remove the refrigerant to make repairs you flush with dehydrated nitrogen. This keeps moisture out of the system. Moisture is very bad) Also if you are brazing on the system a slight purge of nitrogen keeps the inside of the copper from oxidizing and contaminating the system. When repairs are complete then you pressurize the system with Nitrogen to make sure there are no leaks. Then you remove the nitrogen and pull a vacuum before charging the system.
Jealous? I agree with everything he explained and added a bit of wisdom that I have learned from experience. If you don't have proof "before" you start the job some dumb ass like you would say the technician caused the burnt wires.
@@One1WestKings I agree with you.. there is not enough time alloted to be this thorough, especially when we have a time limited schedule per call and each home is different. Pulling out the 8 ft ladder, going back and forth, talkative customers watching over your shoulder etc.
Thank you.... recently had two different HVAC contractors tell me my compressor has a intermittent internal short. The unit started tripping the breaker randomly. Sometimes once a day. Sometimes once a week. So two different companies diagnosed it as a bad compressor that was intermittently shorted... I didn't believe it. Ended up finding that my outside disconnect panel had a loose connection and burned up the panel and breaker contacts. Wouldn't trip the outside breaker but would trip the inside. 60amp outside. 40amp inside. Put a new $18 outside disconnect panel in and works flawlessly. The unit is older so I guess it was easy for them just to condemn the unit.
@@kevinmccool3719 not exactly snakes, id put it more to inexperienced or don't know. If they are younger in the trade. If they have 10+ years then id say lazy. As checking checking compressor windings before condemning it should be first and foremost. For me, I open all panels on a maintenance.... sad part is commercial is different. They bid time. And usually its just enough to change filters and ensure its cooling or heating...
That's because you called companies with Sales Techs not service techs, sales techs have no experience in depth to know how to actually diagnose a system. I went on a call the other day and customer told the same thing. Breaker lugs were very loose and the breaker was tripping on heat. Sales tech wouldn't have a clue!
Good tip! Whenever I get called out for a capacitor I go ahead and change everything. We demo the house, rebuild it, replace the septic system, repave the driveway. It will save you in the long run!
@@jeffreykreft5442 👍 I disregard Donald Dick.. He always sounds like a guy that got bent over and took advantage of. I was just lucky enough to be the video he watched to see how things should be done.
The ac company that installed my unit came out a few times under warranty. No issues. 2 months after the warranty, guy comes to service my unit with nothing wrong other than a capacitor. Guy said this that & the other with only hooking up the test lines. He eventually figured out with me demanding he actually find the problem and not just guess hundreds of dollars of cleaning when he never once cleaned the unit but when he was here, it magically popped on. That lead me to believe it must not be simply "dirty coils". He replaced the capacitor and told me $400 plus. When i looked up the part, it was a cheap $8 dollar part that was not the proper size. It died less than 6 months later. I replaced it with a new one that was designed for my unit, no problems since. AC techs are sometimes told to rob you by the company they work for. Don't even try to figure out the real problem until $500 plus in cleaning is done then charge $400 for a $8 part, 3 bolts & 4 wires, 5 minutes of work. Crazy. This guy has a real love for his job, very few who do all this nonsense are doing anything more than robbing you blind.
How can you go to a home to diagnose a system without checking everything. Dirty filters - dirty coils- dirty blower wheel- pitted contacts- bad capacitors- undersized ductwork low on charge -over amping motors etc An experienced tech should be able to do this in under a hour. If your the $49 tune up guy this doesn’t pertain to you because you already priced yourself out of the market. You cannot go to someone’s home for $49. It’s cost more than that just to get the phone call book it and dispatch it. Even if you did all the above yourself. Your already losing before you get there. We all have this misconception that we are in the HVAC business We are not. We are in the people business. Your sole purpose is to find people and keep people some times called customers. You do this by providing superior service using superior products at a fair price with a fair profit. Set yourself apart from your competitors. People will pay more for superior service. I cannot tell you how many times I have had customers say I was the first tech to ever put a drop cloth down in front of the air handler closet or to wear booties in there home. I did these things because my father taught me respect. You are invited into someone’s home several time a day. Your there to help them. You should do your job. Your job is to check everything and then speak to the owner about the repairs. Most comments on this video seem to say that this not your job to check there system but that is not true it is your job. All the parts as a whole make a system you have check everything. It takes years to build a successful business and you can’t do that if you can’t do your job
Not to nit-pick, but in your description you say "one time or another weather we admit...", the correct term would be "whether". And thank you for your time posting this video to help others. Sorry about my being obsessed with grammar. I guess in a way, we are helping each other.
I've been an HVAC tech for 38 years and you are on point with this , I've been on so many call-backs because a tech that was there recently just changed the cap and didn't bother to check anything else . Hell I learned that my first year in the field . Be thorough and , like dude said It won't bite you in the ass . Good video brother .
Isn't it funny to see a tech here with 38 years of service and still likes to learn new ideas, or just brush up on skills? Good job James p.rogers. That's what sets guys like you apart from the rest.
@@fistpunder JD: I was in the business for 55 years, retired 10 years ago and still watch these videos and learn something every day.- Better than watching about how bad is the economy or foolish politicians. lol.
@@bobboscarato1313 Thank you. If only we had the knowledge we do now with the bodies we had in our youth we could teach a whole new generation our trades. Hell, I'd do it for free if I could.
What caused those wires to fry like that? I was a tech for ten years, I never ran into anything like that. Fan motor pulling too many amps from tight bearings? Poor wiring job?
Love this, I am a maintenance guy and I always try to teach the new guys to give the entire ac a once over. Check the coils, change the filter if it's dirty, check your refrigerant levels. It takes literally ten extra minutes and saves the headache of a call back.
If there is enough time considering certain variables like attic FAUs with high ceilings. I find that on a maintenance there is no way you can be this thorough when you are limited to about an hour on some homes or customers
layman forchrist Yes! How many techs will even think of doing this easy test? It will give you an inside look into the condition of the fan motor or compressor. As easy as a charge check and just as revealing. But I am sure this is what a thorough check means. This video only covered this one call. Many more different problems can be discovered by a simple run through with testing of the unit while you are there. Great job, great video and a good reminder.
Maintenance is the key here. People today think they can just run a piece of equipment forever without preventative maintenance. Many HVAC problems can be solved before a breakdown.
Let me tell you, this is excellent advice. I think we just fixed an air handling unit today that had reportedly been serviced twice by an HVAC company. I normally don't service this type of equipment but the customer wasn't getting anywhere with the HVAC company so we took a look. We stumbled onto a wire that went from the capacitor to the contactor. We are pretty sure that the connection was bad because it was a little bent out of shape. After making the repair, the unit seem to behave normally. Even in my own work, I know being thorough always pays dividends. That's what separates you from the competition. - A Sparky in Washington.
So frustrating that these kind of techs exist and i don’t know them! The techs that come to my house just try to sell me new systems and I’ve even had one tell me that R-22 refrigerant doesn’t exist anymore, so I have to get a new system. My recent journeyman told me all my capacitors were bad and it would be a cool thousand dollars to replace. Luckily I had some new ones on hand and he was caught in a lie so he felt guilty enough to fill up my r22 lines. Ugh I’m so over shady hvac techs...
Houston TX Comfort Star We do all of that & then some. Great tips on this video. AHU had burnt wires that operated the Furnace. Ppl listen to what he said. Do the extra work. Customers will pay you &/or it will pay off in the long run
good video!! Question: I'm changing my capacitor (silver) in outdoor unit just because it's 14 yrs old. Should I also change the Hard Start kit (black) ???????
nice find, always wise to check all the basics quickly. never know what kind of mess you'll find. the problem is, the big players want more service calls and claim unrelated issues, which in reality it is, but it's pure sloppy and greedy not checking it over :)
I agree with giving everything a once over before calling it fixed. That being said, I'm not a fan of always checking the charge without a reason, especially using a traditional set of manifold gauges. Every time they get connected to the service ports, the hoses and manifold fill with refrigerant that is lost when they are disconnected. Using the newer wireless smart probes partially solves the problem since there are no hoses or manifold. But even then, some refrigerant is lost during connect/disconnect. I like to check the delta T instead.
Great video n advice!! I ended up changing capacitor myself after calling several techs each giving me diff quotes ranging from $100-$400. There’s no consistency in pricing which is why a lot of homeowners lean towards these DIY videos. Need more quality folks like yourself out there.
I worked for a couple of AC companies. I was a straight shooter but it's the dirtiest business I've ever been a part of. Having to bite your tongue while watching honest people get shafted isn't how you want to live your life. I make less money now but I'm happier.
The damn capacitor cost less than 30 dollars around here. If you have electronics and electrical experience you can easily do this. Damn, 250 to 400 bucks average price for a service call to do this is ridiculous. Most tech's I've seen swap the cap and are gone it 15 minutes, not really checking anything else. It's really a shame.
@@kevinmccool3719 As I said in another post if you can replace the capacitor yourself then please do it. There is no shortage of work for me to do. But when you call an AC company to do that repair there are multiple employees that are involved in the process. First there is the technician who has to get paid and I don't work for minimum wage. Second there is the shop manager that works 8 hours a day doing inventory to make sure all the trucks in the company are fully stocked so the repairs can be done. He has to be paid. Then there is that nice lady you talked to on the phone who booked the service call for you. She gets paid too. Then there is the boss of the company who wants his cut. Not to mention the cost of the part it's self. All of this is what is known as (Overhead cost) and every business has overhead costs and nobody is in business to break even. That's why AC companies charge what they do for capacitors.
Sean hit the nail on the head. I like having a nice work vehicle, health insurance, and great pay for the work I do. The same people that complain about our prices are the same folks that don't flinch buying $8 Starbucks coffee or $100 shoes that actually cost 5% of their retail price. Seems like mechanics (Auto, HVAC, Plumbing, ect) are expected by some people to work for peanuts. Not gonna happen. My experience and expertise comes with a price tag. Good work aint cheap and cheap work ain't good. Choose wisely.
I'm a proud DIY'er that loves to try and take things on myself (when possible). Getting this kind of insight is very valuable, so thanks for putting this out!
As a homeowner, I don’t have the tools or skill set to diagnose all of the things you mentioned. I do have a multimeter and can check the capacitor. If it’s bad, I’ll swap it and move on, saving hundreds of dollars. If it’s good, I’ll call a tech and pay. What’s wrong with that?
Threedog1963 This video has nothing to do with homeowners or what they want, or should try and fix themselves. My videos are for people in the HVAC industry, as the description states.
HVAC in SC , are split systems down your was attic jobs? For some while in FLORIDA, attic jobs are banned for new jobs , why Too many guys have passed out. , some have DIED, +too many do NOT, install, a secondary drain pan, then too many ceilings collapsed , from CONDENSATE leaks, so now a/h in garage, Conner near outside. from Maplewood NJ
To my knowledge plenty of systems still get installed in the attics of houses in Florida and all over the south. Lack of basements due to sea level is the main reason for this. OSHA wants to change that bit as of now it is not a national code. People pass out and die in these conditions because they a foolish and dont know when to take breaks to cool down. The last person to die in this trade directly related to attics was about 3 summers ago in Texas to my knowledge. Not a super common thing.
Good advice on an endless day! Generally I'm already running late for my next 5 or 6 calls for the day. Going back does suck for sure... Usually a crapshoot. Depends on the schedule really
Good job! Some customers complain about paying upwards to 200.00 for changing a 15-20 dollar capacitor. But they fail to realize that we do s lot more than change s capacitor. We do exactly what you do my friend and I'm glad you posted this video. GOOD JOB.........
The problem is, of course, that half the time the tech is only changing the capacitor and doing nothing else. After all, if you can squeeze in ten $200 capacitors a day instead of five, that's money my boss likes to see. And with enough repeat service calls, customers get frustrated and end up springing for a brand new unit installation. That's even more profit.
So what,,another 100 dollars to lool,,,lol,,, that's why I'm taking away HVAC guys bussiness, I'm fair,,,and self taught, I can do all the trades, and yours was the easiest for me to learn.
There all a bunch of thieves, and most don't have a clue about what there doing,, process of elimination, and call themselves technisions,,lol,, I do the same with all the trades even auto repair, I've taught myself how to do all of them. And better then the so called professionals.
@@georgespangler1517 These so called thieves and hacks are far from professionals they are nothing more than a "Harry Homeowner" with a van. Not even close to licensed professionals.
Fantastic job! Even though it’s hot as heck in the summer, spending just a few minutes in the attic saves a ton of heartache for you and the homeowner!
Problem is, customers want the cheapest price and companies want business, so they skip the system inspection thinking if it goes out again, they’ll go over it to see what’s faulty or pulling too much draw. But for now the customer has AC and the company got paid. Kicking the can down the road. Unfortunately that’s what happens when we race to the bottom.
Glad we have never worked like that in the 20 plus years I've been in this industry. We always do it right or not at all. Quality trumps quantity every time. If they are looking for dirt cheap, call the Chuck in a Truck.
Too busy to check the attic every time. Customers need to regularly have their systems completely inspected. Not just when it breaks. If the system hasn’t been checked in five years and has multiple issues, that’s their problem, not ours.
And this is what separates good techs and good companies from all the other Chucks in a truck. The most important customer should be the one you are at. I bet if you tell that customer before you arrive that you "don't have time to do your job properly and be thorough" they would just call a company like mine instead.. But do you man. 👍
The byproduct of GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE?? MONEY!! A good technician, No a GREAT technician always thinks things through. And thanks for posting your thoughts.
Unfortunately a lot of companies take advantage of their best technicians and run them in the ground till they leave. New hires with little to no experience making 2 bucks less than they pay good technicians. Seems like no matter how many headache calls you fix for other tech's the boss never appreciates or notices, they just push and push making them rich, taking all the credit but meanwhile wearing you out. I've been job to job many lasting 10 years each and they all don't respect or want to pay to keep good qualified people.
We’re told not to check a refrigerant charge unless we’re sure their might be a problem with it. Since doing so can effect the charge/the atmosphere etc. the rest is great tips though. Edit: unless you have those wireless probes that hold barely any Freon
Sir, you are a professional, and this is why you need people that know what they are doing, have the training AND experience to give them a complete system vision of things, thereis no substitute for that and its multiplied with your honest actions towards your client's best interest. God bless you and allows safe returns you to your family every day.
I realize that good HVAC techs tend to have a very busy life. Especially in areas of the country where the weather can be in the extreme. Trying to stay on schedule and stay in business. However, it's not wise to take short cuts in any repair. Especially when this kind of repair can lead to further damage or even a fire placing someones property/ life in jeopardy. When a component goes bad it behooves the tech to dig further and find out why it failed. It may well be just that one component that has gone bad. However it could just as easily be something within the circuit of that component that led to its demise. Better to do the job right the first time than have to go back and do it for free the next time. Stay safe out there folks. The life you save may be your own. 😉
I recently had all the symptoms of a bad cap, but really ants decided on mass suicide in the main contact. Interestingly enough, they conduct enough electricity to make everything hum but not run.
Ants love electricity. I've seen them get into a window ac unit before in the main power hi med lo switch causing a malfunction. Cleaned them out, clean switch contacts and good to go.
Yeah but these people see whats wrong and a fix on you tube. And cant understand if that made it run why are you trying to charge me 2 hours when you-tube says its a 10 min fix????but who gets blamed if the house catches fire you again because wasn’t that what you charged me for diagnosis, And inspection. The tech never wins. In most cases not all, but Some. and some folks actually are happy that you took the extra time. Nice work!
Had mine replaced 2 years ago and it broke again you can hear the compressor very faintly trying to kick on. I just replaced a brand name thermistor in my dryer that also went out after two years and I paid about $20 for it too. This time I got the Blue Star amazon special $10 for 2.
Always best to look at and consider the whole picture!!! Often videos are not whole picture as they focus in on small fragments as HVAC is huge area of study! You have to start somewhere but the whole sum must be considered for accurate calculations and maintenance!!! Always keep on learning and earning up! In all ways practice safety to go the distance.
+KungFuMaintenance Very true but unfortunately many viewers (especially new guys in the field) dont know that and only see what we share. Thanks for watching.
If they wanna pay for work to be performed then great but I do not make those decisions for customers. PS - I am the AC Pro boss. I di not need to try and look the part. 🤣💪👍
Enjoying going back to watch some older videos again. So true about checking for additional causes or contributing factors. You are probably also familiar with Nor Cal Dave who must be the king of finding "multiple offenders". A real problem in the industry now is a five year old unit may well be on it's third capacitor but a twenty year old unit may likely still have the original capacitor. They need to make them like they used to. Good video.
My old unit was an old general electric made in 1976. Changed out some original capacitors in it for the first time in late 90's and a contactor. Around 2010 replaced another capacitor. Finally around 2015 the original compressor finally died and replaced every thing inside and out. Within the first 3 years of a brand new Trane the capacitor is bad. Replaced it, checked every thing else, all appear good. Clean coils often and filter changes. Capacitors now are just crap. Always keep a spare on hand plus a contactor.
HVAC inSC, Hello, had not seen you in a while , way back, We had those wires burn mostly on CARRIERS but was a cituation ALU/CU WITHOUT THE CONDUCTING GREASE stay well brother , glad you showed those melted wire it’s/ wiring,,, cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I just replaced the motor run capacitor it ran fine for 9 hours then stopped blowing air. The big fan on top is working fine unit comes on without a problem now when i turn ac on the blower will blow air out for 10-15 minutes then it shuts off what could be causing this problem. Please help
i think checking the charge routinely once a baseline is established is a bad idea - there's a small loss of refrigerant each time and risk of contamination. it's a sealed system, other tests which don't disturb it can indicate reduced capacity. if it's the first time around and or other things were obviously done wrong it's a different story - like fan speed set wrong. apparently common with furnaces - 3 ton drive and they put in a 1.5 or 2 ton unit and leave it on high!
You can measure the temperature differential between intake and vents at some various temperatures and humidity levels when the system is fairly new, and just record it. Later on, if you suspect a charge problem, refer to to the records to see if performance has degraded. If so, it's almost certainly the charge, because A/C motors do not slow down as they age, they simply use more power...until they fail catastrophically.
That umbrella statement about motors is inaccurate. There are drastic differences between different types of AC motors. PSC, X13, ICM, ect. Thats how non experienced people go down the rabbit hole of attempting to "diagnose" their equipment.
@@HVACinSC I'm talking about a consumer understanding what is wrong, not a trained technician with all his gear. If you're a pro, then obviously don't take shortcuts. While there are some variable speed compressor systems out there, they are really very rare compared to the typical fixed speed systems which are almost universal.
If only people could be honest... In a day and age of digital libraries, you are doing a true service to the DIY-ers. I've falling prey to this at least half a dozen times. By fall prey I mean the dual run cap was the only problem BUT there is always a potential for other issues.
Good point I always hope the service guy or company is honest and not trying to rip me off not everyone is bad but the chances are there unfortunately.
SmokinZen They're are far to many crooks out there unfortunately that give us all a bad name. That's one reason I make videos. To show that there are several of us that are more interested in doing right by the customer and providing the best service we can. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for taking time to explain this issue, because more than likely there's an underlying problem causing the capacitor to fail. Best to find an ac company with qualified tech to diagnose the overall system safe / save in the long-term.
Not when your boss is breathing down your neck taking about cmon we got another customer waiting , how long is this going to take??? Blah blah blah . Companies fault not techs.
Sounds like you need to find a new company 🤔 If this house happened to burn down. It would likely be the tech getting questioned about liability. Especially if he is a licensed journeyman.
Thank you so much for this video. So i was wondering if i could get some help. I had a Brand new Goodman 3.5 Ton ac unit put in my 3 story townhouse in December 2019 (So 6 months now) Yesterday the AC was running non stop and not cooling. Company came out and he stated the Capacitor was bad. he showed me it had very low voltage (He also checked the refrigerant which was fine) He installed a higher voltage capacitor.. The one that it came with was a 45/5. So i was wondering why did this only last 6 months? also is it ok that he replaced it with a higher voltage capacitor? Thank's much everyone.
Every unit is a multiple offender. Great video check the whole system every time👍👍
Nor-Cal Refrigeration & H.V.A.C #
Hey there, how long should it take to do a preventative maintenance on a system?
Depends on the type of maintenance. A standard check of a residential system with no cleanings typically takes about an hour. (Paperwork included)
If you are cleaning indoor, outdoor coils, and blower, it typically takes an hour and a half to 2 hours.
@@HVACinSC The gas charge cannot be evaluated until any needed maintenance is done. Neglected systems are the "multiple offenders". The hidden costs of neglect must be explained to customers. Photos help.
@@lynncomstock1255 As Dave and myself stated, all units are multiple offenders.
Refrigerant charge/performance via Refrigerant data can be assessed when a system is dirty. In fact it is a great way to show a customer how dirty components drastically effect heat absorption and rejection. Before and after recordings of performance is the best opinion.
Sign of a true and thorough technician!..Great job sir.
No, a sign of a great technician would be not charging $250 for a $10 part.
No, a good tech makes it run. a great tech fixes without the upsell he's trying to normalize.
@@fishyfool Where is the "up sale" here? Please enlighten us all.
@@fishyfool If my upstairs looked like that- and it did, power harness pin 1 wire was dissolved- I would want to see it or know about/ fix it before it failed or the wire dissolved
@@robmaiker7092 yeah literally burnt wires? Nobody wants that and If they thought it was upsale and denied proper repair he could’ve just condemned the unit and left
Proud of you for putting this out there my friend. Hope techs see and heed. I'm a 30 + year tech, instructor and manager and I'm telling you...getting people to be thorough and do a complete analysis on service calls is one of the most frustrating aspects of the trade.
Well, companies expect you to be the flash when it comes to dealing with service calls. It's not the tech's fault.
@@nelcomargaming6612 Yes, it is the tech's fault if he/she did not do a little looking and find this. This apparently hits too close to home with you. Glad you don't work for me.
Well done son, well done. This is evidence there are still good TRUE techs out there.
Good Catch! The sign of a true technician, not just a parts changer. Awesome Job!
Reason I work on my own stuff, I don't trust anyone these days 😊
In the same way I harvest and process my own animals. People can't be trusted
I started my career in the military. Multi-million dollar equipment. Every service tech was required to document the condition of the entire system, not just "quick fix" it. I have maintained this mindset ever since and it has served me well. Minimal to none call-backs.
Thanks for triggering my PMCS PTSD. 😄
The military have essentially unlimited budgets, it makes no sense to compare that with normal day to day business people. Ironically those are who end up paying for the military LOL!
@snowsea-gs4wu What does a "budget" have to do with someone documenting their findings and being thorough? 🤔
Not sure you thought through this comment. 🤣🤣
They are also huge on preventative checks, whether that's PMCS or TDME certifications.
@@Snowsea-gs4wu The budget is not an issue concerning aircraft, naval vessels, even ground based assets. It's about reliability and safety. Same goes for the commercial travel sector. And military techs are getting "minimum wage" compared to the private sector. End of the day, it's about standards and pride in your work.
This is an honorable, professional tech. Need a tech like this in Houston.
In Odessa too.
Needed Big time in FL!!
You have one Walter Washington most outstanding professional.
You have WW-Washington HVAC in Houston area.
We have one! My guy Syed!!
That's not the home owners fault. Today we have so many rotten companies who are only interested in making a buck. Today, most Ac experts, are not taking care of their customers. They make more money coming back.
Yeah, people really don't want to pay hundreds of dollars to have a $10 capacitor changed
@chewychicken589 Last time I checked (maybe I'm wrong), the objective of a company is to be profitable/sustainable, not to run a charity. Non businesses owners only see the online cost of a part and don't consider everything else that goes into a companies pricing. Part mark up, labor, Employee's salaries, health care, vehicles, gas, multiple types of insurance (vehicles, liability, building, health, etc.) Warranty coverage on the part, the list goes on and on.
If you want the cheapest price possible, DIY or hire a Chuck in a Truck. Just can't be upset when cheap work comes with cheap results.
@@HVACinSC wow, the HVAC guy is defending HVAC companies, no way!
@chewychicken Wow! Imagine someone coming to my page who is clueless about how businesses operate, complaining about prices. No way!
Just trying to enlighten the ignorant.
All businesses work this way. Not just HVAC.
@EJM2525 I can comprehend, I simply don't care what you're doing. Hopefully that's clear and ends this meaningless conversation.
The problem is the repair people take advantage. A new capacitor costs $20. The capacitor replacement plus system check costs $330.
What price do you think is a fair price for a company to pay a technician to drive a fully stocked, fully insured van to your home to check a system and replace a capacitor?
It's costs my company (out of pocket) over $100 for a technician just to drive to your home. This doesn't include any additional time and materials. That's just to show up.
I did HVAC for 25+ years. On a capacitor call, I’d give the system a once over (check the filter, condenser coil, wiring condition). However, I didn’t check the refrigerant unless the unit had a history of going low, the temp drop is bad, etc. There’s really no need to check the refrigerant without some sign that something’s amiss. Moreover, when it’s 5:30 PM and you still have 3 or 4 calls to do, you don’t have time to check everything.
HVAC in SC, hello. my AC compresor/condencer unit quit @ 1 month ago. A snake shorted across the capacitor terminals and blew the breaker. An HVAC tech changed the cap only and left. after that, I did a crash course in AC repair and discovered the compressor coils are also burnt. I am still waiting for him to return to replace the compressor unit ...
It doesn't matter to me what trade it is, i seriously appreciate a tech, like you, who goes the extra mile, has an eye for detail and strives to be an expert at whatever work they do. Good for you. There's a pat on the back for you. Keep setting the bar higher and keep up the good work.
I can't agree with this more, I find myself skipping steps in my process sometimes when it's hot and slammed and it bites me every time. Most important call of the day is the call you're on, you'll get to the others when you get to them. Thanks for the videos!
Michael Housh Thanks Michael!
Exactly.. The most important call IS the one your one.. Be thorough and enjoy no callback...
Just make sure your boss knows this lol. Most times its the dispatcher/boss trying to hurry things along if you dont work for yourself.
I take my time but however im not working all hours of the day either. If i dont get to one then there is always tomorrow.
In a company this can and will cause problems so best to make sure to set up some ground rules first and not be taken advantage of.
I work to live
I dont live to work
@@eclipse369. We have "ground rules".... Dont do things half ass and be thorough on every call. If a guy is more focused on getting done and going than making sure things are done right then he can go to one if the other 300+ companies in the area.
Thankfully my employer appreciates their employees and doesn't work us like slaves which gives us even more incentive to work hard and do things the right way every time.
Thanks for the comment. 👍
Man that's the best I've ever heard it put , " the most important call is the one your on " .... I'm plant maintenance electro mechanical tech and your absolutely right about your statement..... short cuts will bite you every time.
I never let anyone work on my unit. I might actually trust you though. Thank you for making this video. I hope there are more technicians out there that actually care about their work. Some people have passion and integri, and some just want a Quick Check.... Much respect for you Sir.
Last time an AC guy came out he told he put in 14 oz of refrigerant, yet when I asked him how he knew it was 14 oz he got mad. He didn't put 2 7 oz cans of refrigerant in, nor did he have a reverse scale. When pressed he said he had a calibrated elbow. When I got his bill, I subtracted the refrigerant charge and told him I have a calibrated check writing hand. Never BS a BS er.
@@TheDigitaldoug There are crooks in every line of work that involves $. Typically it's the guys that offer to diagnose the system for "free" or drastically discounted "diagnostic" rate. 🤷♂️
I think the people who have come to watch this video and made comments are an example of people wanting to be better at what they do by looking for information anyplace they can.
Ya your a good tech very rare I think it happens often ..my ac wasn't heating in the winter tech says low freon gas 2 pounds should do it...3 months later next tech says oh you need more freon I called the company and check the system properly the did later had to change the radiator on the unit outside...three service calls one REAL fix...most of them don't go any further than they have to put freon it works ...see ya sucker.2 first calls 150 each time third 150 but they changed the parts under guarantee.wtf..thieves!that's all it is stealing my f@cking money!
There is a lot that you and many customers don't consider when companies price their parts.
They aren't charging you $300 for the part alone. Its the part, labor, 1 year warranty on the repair,, service fee to pay for insurance, gas, the employees time. Healthcare, office staff (who don't generate revenue) and all other overhead associated with running a successful business.
No different than any other profitable business out there. Smaller companies have smaller overhead and therefore have lower prices.
If you think any company's going to come out, diagnose, and replace a capacitor for $50 out the door, you are sadly mistaken.
@@HVACinSC did you even read my comment?I know how it works the come three times and charge me a total of 600$instead of 300$I said they should fix it the first time if they know what they are doing.totaly unprepared.or thieves.!
@@jimbeam5560 No... because your comment was from a year ago. My obvious reply was to the comment of "U Tube Surfer" which was left..... YESTERDAY..... 🤔🙄😏
Amen Brad!! Great Video man. This is so true. We can’t have blinders on when we pull up to a call. Even though a customer says it’s outside I still check inside first before I go outside. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
HVAC Uncensored Couldn't agree more. Thanks for watching brotha!
When I did calls the customer paid for an hour and I gave them the hour. Even if it was something like the Tstat turned off (more common than you would think) I would check charge, clean coils if I had time and make sure everything was in good shape. Also when I had to pull sheet metal I used power tools. I saw techs who would slowly turn screws with a nut driver and say they got paid by the hour. I wanted to give the customer what they paid for so they would call us again. If I found a bad Schrader valve I would replace the core without charge. I can't tell you how many "techs" I met who didn't carry a bottle of nitrogen in the truck. :/
Is the nitrogen to kerp the refrigerant in the system while u change the valve or do you have to suck it all out, replace the valve and then recharge?
@@punkrocktv8229 When you remove the refrigerant to make repairs you flush with dehydrated nitrogen. This keeps moisture out of the system. Moisture is very bad) Also if you are brazing on the system a slight purge of nitrogen keeps the inside of the copper from oxidizing and contaminating the system. When repairs are complete then you pressurize the system with Nitrogen to make sure there are no leaks. Then you remove the nitrogen and pull a vacuum before charging the system.
I really hope you are not saying you pull out the refrigerant to replace a valve core.
I was taught by a guy who went from 0 to 100 A to Z... Never missed something and always in depth as so. Share your knowledge !
You sir, are the definition of integrity. You are doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. You’re a good person.
And always get video proof before starting any repairs because that's the only way to prove you did the right thing when nobody was looking.
@@jasrak221 jealous much?!
Jealous? I agree with everything he explained and added a bit of wisdom that I have learned from experience. If you don't have proof "before" you start the job some dumb ass like you would say the technician caused the burnt wires.
I’m guilty sometimes of just swapping the capacitor. I will take this advice!
It would probably also be dispatchers or bosses fault why we only change caps sometimes. Most bosses are on you making sure you in and out. 🤦🏻♂️
@@One1WestKings I agree with you.. there is not enough time alloted to be this thorough, especially when we have a time limited schedule per call and each home is different. Pulling out the 8 ft ladder, going back and forth, talkative customers watching over your shoulder etc.
Thank you.... recently had two different HVAC contractors tell me my compressor has a intermittent internal short. The unit started tripping the breaker randomly. Sometimes once a day. Sometimes once a week. So two different companies diagnosed it as a bad compressor that was intermittently shorted... I didn't believe it. Ended up finding that my outside disconnect panel had a loose connection and burned up the panel and breaker contacts. Wouldn't trip the outside breaker but would trip the inside. 60amp outside. 40amp inside. Put a new $18 outside disconnect panel in and works flawlessly. The unit is older so I guess it was easy for them just to condemn the unit.
That's all they do. Mo money
Lot of snakes in the biz unfortunately
They would have had a call back for the same thing then looked like dummys
@@kevinmccool3719 not exactly snakes, id put it more to inexperienced or don't know. If they are younger in the trade. If they have 10+ years then id say lazy. As checking checking compressor windings before condemning it should be first and foremost. For me, I open all panels on a maintenance.... sad part is commercial is different. They bid time. And usually its just enough to change filters and ensure its cooling or heating...
That's because you called companies with Sales Techs not service techs, sales techs have no experience in depth to know how to actually diagnose a system.
I went on a call the other day and customer told the same thing. Breaker lugs were very loose and the breaker was tripping on heat. Sales tech wouldn't have a clue!
Good tip! Whenever I get called out for a capacitor I go ahead and change everything. We demo the house, rebuild it, replace the septic system, repave the driveway.
It will save you in the long run!
Sweet. How much you charge for this? My cap went out....
Super Tech
I got no problem being a Super Tech. Its FAR better than being a Sucky Tech.
@@HVACinSC that comment was not directed at you, it was for Donald! I don't know why I even try to explain, like talking to little children!
@@jeffreykreft5442 👍
I disregard Donald Dick.. He always sounds like a guy that got bent over and took advantage of. I was just lucky enough to be the video he watched to see how things should be done.
The ac company that installed my unit came out a few times under warranty. No issues. 2 months after the warranty, guy comes to service my unit with nothing wrong other than a capacitor. Guy said this that & the other with only hooking up the test lines. He eventually figured out with me demanding he actually find the problem and not just guess hundreds of dollars of cleaning when he never once cleaned the unit but when he was here, it magically popped on. That lead me to believe it must not be simply "dirty coils". He replaced the capacitor and told me $400 plus. When i looked up the part, it was a cheap $8 dollar part that was not the proper size. It died less than 6 months later. I replaced it with a new one that was designed for my unit, no problems since. AC techs are sometimes told to rob you by the company they work for. Don't even try to figure out the real problem until $500 plus in cleaning is done then charge $400 for a $8 part, 3 bolts & 4 wires, 5 minutes of work. Crazy. This guy has a real love for his job, very few who do all this nonsense are doing anything more than robbing you blind.
Good video... And always check wires to verify they're firmly terminated.. I've found so many loose wires that it's almost scary..
If you don't work on the unit yourself, at least pay for a biannual service check up.
How can you go to a home to diagnose a system without checking everything.
Dirty filters - dirty coils- dirty blower wheel- pitted contacts- bad capacitors- undersized ductwork low on charge -over amping motors etc
An experienced tech should be able to do this in under a hour. If your the $49 tune up guy this doesn’t pertain to you because you already priced yourself out of the market. You cannot go to someone’s home for $49. It’s cost more than that just to get the phone call book it and dispatch it. Even if you did all the above yourself. Your already losing before you get there. We all have this misconception that we are in the HVAC business We are not. We are in the people business. Your sole purpose is to find people and keep people some times called customers.
You do this by providing superior service using superior products at a fair price with a fair profit.
Set yourself apart from your competitors. People will pay more for superior service.
I cannot tell you how many times I have had customers say I was the first tech to ever put a drop cloth down in front of the air handler closet or to wear booties in there home. I did these things because my father taught me respect. You are invited into someone’s home several time a day. Your there to help them. You should do your job. Your job is to check everything and then speak to the owner about the repairs. Most comments on this video seem to say that this not your job to check there system but that is not true it is your job. All the parts as a whole make a system you have check everything.
It takes years to build a successful business and you can’t do that if you can’t do your job
You saying this is very honorable. Thank you Sir.
Not to nit-pick, but in your description you say "one time or another weather we admit...", the correct term would be "whether". And thank you for your time posting this video to help others. Sorry about my being obsessed with grammar. I guess in a way, we are helping each other.
🙄😆👍
I've been an HVAC tech for 38 years and you are on point with this , I've been on so many call-backs because a tech that was there recently just changed the cap and didn't bother to check anything else . Hell I learned that my first year in the field . Be thorough and , like dude said It won't bite you in the ass . Good video brother .
Isn't it funny to see a tech here with 38 years of service and still likes to learn new ideas, or just brush up on skills?
Good job James p.rogers. That's what sets guys like you apart from the rest.
@@fistpunder JD: I was in the business for 55 years, retired 10 years ago and still watch these videos and learn something every day.- Better than watching about how bad is the economy or foolish politicians. lol.
@@bobboscarato1313 Thank you.
If only we had the knowledge we do now with the bodies we had in our youth we could teach a whole new generation our trades. Hell, I'd do it for free if I could.
What caused those wires to fry like that? I was a tech for ten years, I never ran into anything like that. Fan motor pulling too many amps from tight bearings? Poor wiring job?
Changing caps for 20 years never had a problem. If I do a maintenance check on a every system I would be fired in a week.
+Toli P Cool
Watching thos on Florida with a broken a.c. because the tech didn't do a good job
Love this, I am a maintenance guy and I always try to teach the new guys to give the entire ac a once over. Check the coils, change the filter if it's dirty, check your refrigerant levels. It takes literally ten extra minutes and saves the headache of a call back.
If there is enough time considering certain variables like attic FAUs with high ceilings. I find that on a maintenance there is no way you can be this thorough when you are limited to about an hour on some homes or customers
Just started my apprenticeship and I thank you for this video.
Amp draw test before you leave saves time my friends.
layman forchrist Yes! How many techs will even think of doing this easy test? It will give you an inside look into the condition of the fan motor or compressor. As easy as a charge check and just as revealing. But I am sure this is what a thorough check means. This video only covered this one call. Many more different problems can be discovered by a simple run through with testing of the unit while you are there. Great job, great video and a good reminder.
Feels good when you do the little things that hardly ever find an issue and you find it! Good Job.
Good job...keep up the good work.
Maintenance is the key here. People today think they can just run a piece of equipment forever without preventative maintenance. Many HVAC problems can be solved before a breakdown.
Let me tell you, this is excellent advice. I think we just fixed an air handling unit today that had reportedly been serviced twice by an HVAC company. I normally don't service this type of equipment but the customer wasn't getting anywhere with the HVAC company so we took a look. We stumbled onto a wire that went from the capacitor to the contactor. We are pretty sure that the connection was bad because it was a little bent out of shape. After making the repair, the unit seem to behave normally. Even in my own work, I know being thorough always pays dividends. That's what separates you from the competition. - A Sparky in Washington.
Not to mention make more money, honestly serving your customers interest.
I’m a new technician thank you for showing me this it’s good for the newbies to watch these types of videos.
So frustrating that these kind of techs exist and i don’t know them! The techs that come to my house just try to sell me new systems and I’ve even had one tell me that R-22 refrigerant doesn’t exist anymore, so I have to get a new system. My recent journeyman told me all my capacitors were bad and it would be a cool thousand dollars to replace. Luckily I had some new ones on hand and he was caught in a lie so he felt guilty enough to fill up my r22 lines. Ugh I’m so over shady hvac techs...
R-22 does still exist, however it is in the process of being phased out like R-12 was
LOL He 'filled up' your r22 lines.
Philip 6 well it wasn’t cooling at all before he came. So I don’t know how he didn’t. I bought all three capacitors for $22 total.
Houston TX Comfort Star
We do all of that & then some. Great tips on this video. AHU had burnt wires that operated the Furnace. Ppl listen to what he said. Do the extra work. Customers will pay you &/or it will pay off in the long run
This is the type of video that the industry really need. Not those ME-HAVE-LOT-OF-WORK-ADMIRE ME.
tecnico Exactly! Thanks for watching!
Outstanding job. When you go above and beyond you save yourself re-work and more important, customers respect you. Great video.
Good to check,dirty condenser ,disconnect for loose wire outside, indoor coil/blower and you caught loose connection..Good job.
You are so correct sir, wish everyone just took the extra time and looked around .
JH HVAC & Plumbing Thanks for watching Justin!
Loved his comment " just because you saw it on you tube, doesn't make it right"
Most certainly applies to this video.
good video!! Question: I'm changing my capacitor (silver) in outdoor unit just because it's 14 yrs old. Should I also change the Hard Start kit (black) ???????
nice find, always wise to check all the basics quickly. never know what kind of mess you'll find.
the problem is, the big players want more service calls and claim unrelated issues, which in reality it is, but it's pure sloppy and greedy not checking it over :)
+throttle bottle Very true. Thanks for watching
I'm not a professional but, that don't look right. Holy cow.
I agree with giving everything a once over before calling it fixed. That being said, I'm not a fan of always checking the charge without a reason, especially using a traditional set of manifold gauges. Every time they get connected to the service ports, the hoses and manifold fill with refrigerant that is lost when they are disconnected. Using the newer wireless smart probes partially solves the problem since there are no hoses or manifold. But even then, some refrigerant is lost during connect/disconnect. I like to check the delta T instead.
I agree. It's a good idea to check temp drop first before putting gauges on any unit.
No... Most of tech's just tell the owner the unit is bad and sell them a $10k unit...
Great Tech tips!!!!
Agree with you 💯
Great video
What caused the wires to fry???
I dont remember. This video is from 2018. Probably loose connections.
Great video n advice!! I ended up changing capacitor myself after calling several techs each giving me diff quotes ranging from $100-$400. There’s no consistency in pricing which is why a lot of homeowners lean towards these DIY videos. Need more quality folks like yourself out there.
I worked for a couple of AC companies. I was a straight shooter but it's the dirtiest business I've ever been a part of. Having to bite your tongue while watching honest people get shafted isn't how you want to live your life. I make less money now but I'm happier.
The national average cost to replace a dual run capacitor is about $250.
This includes the diagnostic fee.
$400 is way too high.
The damn capacitor cost less than 30 dollars around here. If you have electronics and electrical experience you can easily do this.
Damn, 250 to 400 bucks average price for a service call to do this is ridiculous. Most tech's I've seen swap the cap and are gone it 15 minutes, not really checking anything else.
It's really a shame.
@@kevinmccool3719
As I said in another post if you can replace the capacitor yourself then please do it. There is no shortage of work for me to do. But when you call an AC company to do that repair there are multiple employees that are involved in the process.
First there is the technician who has to get paid and I don't work for minimum wage.
Second there is the shop manager that works 8 hours a day doing inventory to make sure all the trucks in the company are fully stocked so the repairs can be done. He has to be paid.
Then there is that nice lady you talked to on the phone who booked the service call for you. She gets paid too.
Then there is the boss of the company who wants his cut.
Not to mention the cost of the part it's self.
All of this is what is known as (Overhead cost) and every business has overhead costs and nobody is in business to break even.
That's why AC companies charge what they do for capacitors.
Sean hit the nail on the head.
I like having a nice work vehicle, health insurance, and great pay for the work I do.
The same people that complain about our prices are the same folks that don't flinch buying $8 Starbucks coffee or $100 shoes that actually cost 5% of their retail price. Seems like mechanics (Auto, HVAC, Plumbing, ect) are expected by some people to work for peanuts. Not gonna happen. My experience and expertise comes with a price tag.
Good work aint cheap and cheap work ain't good. Choose wisely.
I'm a proud DIY'er that loves to try and take things on myself (when possible). Getting this kind of insight is very valuable, so thanks for putting this out!
As a homeowner, I don’t have the tools or skill set to diagnose all of the things you mentioned. I do have a multimeter and can check the capacitor. If it’s bad, I’ll swap it and move on, saving hundreds of dollars. If it’s good, I’ll call a tech and pay. What’s wrong with that?
Threedog1963 This video has nothing to do with homeowners or what they want, or should try and fix themselves. My videos are for people in the HVAC industry, as the description states.
Also looks to me that the wire nut wasn't put on correctly, wires got oxidized causing resistance, causing heat. You would make a good home inspector!
Also appears way to many wires were wire nutted together. The whole thing looks extremely dodgy and dangerous. Shit.
Wire nuts are perfectly safe when properly used.
This is how many people respects a good technician
⬇️
Pretty fine example of your point. Thank you, I’ll remember that.
I understand what you’re saying and I agree with you 100 percent. But, I don’t think most guys are showing their entire service call on video.
+BigKen_NJ Very true, including me. But we have all swapped a capacitor and ran in our careers and this shows it can bite you.
Thanks for watching
HVAC in SC , are split systems down your was attic jobs? For some while in FLORIDA, attic jobs are banned for new jobs , why Too many guys have passed out. , some have DIED, +too many do NOT, install, a secondary drain pan, then too many ceilings collapsed , from CONDENSATE leaks, so now a/h in garage, Conner near outside. from Maplewood NJ
To my knowledge plenty of systems still get installed in the attics of houses in Florida and all over the south. Lack of basements due to sea level is the main reason for this.
OSHA wants to change that bit as of now it is not a national code.
People pass out and die in these conditions because they a foolish and dont know when to take breaks to cool down. The last person to die in this trade directly related to attics was about 3 summers ago in Texas to my knowledge. Not a super common thing.
Good advice on an endless day! Generally I'm already running late for my next 5 or 6 calls for the day. Going back does suck for sure... Usually a crapshoot. Depends on the schedule really
Good job! Some customers complain about paying upwards to 200.00 for changing a 15-20 dollar capacitor. But they fail to realize that we do s lot more than change s capacitor. We do exactly what you do my friend and I'm glad you posted this video. GOOD JOB.........
The problem is, of course, that half the time the tech is only changing the capacitor and doing nothing else. After all, if you can squeeze in ten $200 capacitors a day instead of five, that's money my boss likes to see. And with enough repeat service calls, customers get frustrated and end up springing for a brand new unit installation. That's even more profit.
So what,,another 100 dollars to lool,,,lol,,, that's why I'm taking away HVAC guys bussiness, I'm fair,,,and self taught, I can do all the trades, and yours was the easiest for me to learn.
Trust me Georgie boy... You aren't taking any AC guys business. 🥴🤣
There all a bunch of thieves, and most don't have a clue about what there doing,, process of elimination, and call themselves technisions,,lol,, I do the same with all the trades even auto repair, I've taught myself how to do all of them. And better then the so called professionals.
@@georgespangler1517 These so called thieves and hacks are far from professionals they are nothing more than a "Harry Homeowner" with a van. Not even close to licensed professionals.
Fantastic job! Even though it’s hot as heck in the summer, spending just a few minutes in the attic saves a ton of heartache for you and the homeowner!
Problem is, customers want the cheapest price and companies want business, so they skip the system inspection thinking if it goes out again, they’ll go over it to see what’s faulty or pulling too much draw.
But for now the customer has AC and the company got paid.
Kicking the can down the road.
Unfortunately that’s what happens when we race to the bottom.
Glad we have never worked like that in the 20 plus years I've been in this industry. We always do it right or not at all. Quality trumps quantity every time. If they are looking for dirt cheap, call the Chuck in a Truck.
Well done mate I wish there more technicians like you, from a fellow technician
+Robert Gaitskell I appreciate that Robert!
Good catch buddy
Thanks for the video
100% agree, always do a quick check
Too busy to check the attic every time. Customers need to regularly have their systems completely inspected. Not just when it breaks. If the system hasn’t been checked in five years and has multiple issues, that’s their problem, not ours.
And this is what separates good techs and good companies from all the other Chucks in a truck. The most important customer should be the one you are at. I bet if you tell that customer before you arrive that you "don't have time to do your job properly and be thorough" they would just call a company like mine instead.. But do you man. 👍
Thanks for the information. That is good to know.
The byproduct of GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE?? MONEY!! A good technician, No a GREAT technician always thinks things through. And thanks for posting your thoughts.
Unfortunately a lot of companies take advantage of their best technicians and run them in the ground till they leave. New hires with little to no experience making 2 bucks less than they pay good technicians. Seems like no matter how many headache calls you fix for other tech's the boss never appreciates or notices, they just push and push making them rich, taking all the credit but meanwhile wearing you out. I've been job to job many lasting 10 years each and they all don't respect or want to pay to keep good qualified people.
We’re told not to check a refrigerant charge unless we’re sure their might be a problem with it. Since doing so can effect the charge/the atmosphere etc. the rest is great tips though.
Edit: unless you have those wireless probes that hold barely any Freon
There are also ways to check refrigerant charge without using gauges at all. It's called the non envision method.
Sir, you are a professional, and this is why you need people that know what they are doing, have the training AND experience to give them a complete system vision of things, thereis no substitute for that and its multiplied with your honest actions towards your client's best interest. God bless you and allows safe returns you to your family every day.
I realize that good HVAC techs tend to have a very busy life. Especially in areas of the country where the weather can be in the extreme. Trying to stay on schedule and stay in business. However, it's not wise to take short cuts in any repair. Especially when this kind of repair can lead to further damage or even a fire placing someones property/ life in jeopardy.
When a component goes bad it behooves the tech to dig further and find out why it failed. It may well be just that one component that has gone bad. However it could just as easily be something within the circuit of that component that led to its demise.
Better to do the job right the first time than have to go back and do it for free the next time. Stay safe out there folks. The life you save may be your own. 😉
👍
Great reminder it’s not always fun getting in those tight small attics to check an air handler tho
I recently had all the symptoms of a bad cap, but really ants decided on mass suicide in the main contact. Interestingly enough, they conduct enough electricity to make everything hum but not run.
Ants love electricity. I've seen them get into a window ac unit before in the main power hi med lo switch causing a malfunction. Cleaned them out, clean switch contacts and good to go.
Yeah but these people see whats wrong and a fix on you tube. And cant understand if that made it run why are you trying to charge me 2 hours when you-tube says its a 10 min fix????but who gets blamed if the house catches fire you again because wasn’t that what you charged me for diagnosis, And inspection. The tech never wins. In most cases not all, but Some. and some folks actually are happy that you took the extra time. Nice work!
Joe Medin Maybe if you tried explaining why you’re charging them for 2 hours instead of just handing them a bill things would go better.
Capacitors only last 1- 5 years 😮
Had mine replaced 2 years ago and it broke again you can hear the compressor very faintly trying to kick on. I just replaced a brand name thermistor in my dryer that also went out after two years and I paid about $20 for it too. This time I got the Blue Star amazon special $10 for 2.
On average
Always best to look at and consider the whole picture!!! Often videos are not whole picture as they focus in on small fragments as HVAC is huge area of study! You have to start somewhere but the whole sum must be considered for accurate calculations and maintenance!!! Always keep on learning and earning up! In all ways practice safety to go the distance.
+KungFuMaintenance Very true but unfortunately many viewers (especially new guys in the field) dont know that and only see what we share.
Thanks for watching.
If that blower wheel was cleaned up there air flow would quadruple plus evaporate coil then you look like a a/c pro Repeat buisiness
If they wanna pay for work to be performed then great but I do not make those decisions for customers. PS - I am the AC Pro boss. I di not need to try and look the part. 🤣💪👍
Enjoying going back to watch some older videos again. So true about checking for additional causes or contributing factors. You are probably also familiar with Nor Cal Dave who must be the king of finding "multiple offenders". A real problem in the industry now is a five year old unit may well be on it's third capacitor but a twenty year old unit may likely still have the original capacitor. They need to make them like they used to. Good video.
Thanks! Yeah man, Norcal Dave is a TH-cam buddy of mine!
My old unit was an old general electric made in 1976. Changed out some original capacitors in it for the first time in late 90's and a contactor. Around 2010 replaced another capacitor. Finally around 2015 the original compressor finally died and replaced every thing inside and out. Within the first 3 years of a brand new Trane the capacitor is bad. Replaced it, checked every thing else, all appear good. Clean coils often and filter changes.
Capacitors now are just crap. Always keep a spare on hand plus a contactor.
When my AC unit quiets working I’ll tell my wife the reason I’m not replacing it is because it identifies as a heater
Good advice I like to try and find the reason for failures.
HVAC inSC, Hello, had not seen you in a while , way back, We had those wires burn mostly on CARRIERS but was a cituation ALU/CU WITHOUT THE CONDUCTING GREASE stay well brother , glad you showed those melted wire it’s/ wiring,,, cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
That looked like it was toasted for years. Great save on your part
Yes it appeared fried I indeed, very scary and dangerous, could of started a house fire.
Seeing those wire nuts that failed just reinforce my decision to use Slice cap crimpers connectors. I hate wire nuts!!!
Ask yourself what would John do.
Ask for more money
I just replaced the motor run capacitor it ran fine for 9 hours then stopped blowing air. The big fan on top is working fine unit comes on without a problem now when i turn ac on the blower will blow air out for 10-15 minutes then it shuts off what could be causing this problem. Please help
i think checking the charge routinely once a baseline is established is a bad idea - there's a small loss of refrigerant each time and risk of contamination. it's a sealed system, other tests which don't disturb it can indicate reduced capacity.
if it's the first time around and or other things were obviously done wrong it's a different story - like fan speed set wrong. apparently common with furnaces - 3 ton drive and they put in a 1.5 or 2 ton unit and leave it on high!
You can measure the temperature differential between intake and vents at some various temperatures and humidity levels when the system is fairly new, and just record it. Later on, if you suspect a charge problem, refer to to the records to see if performance has degraded. If so, it's almost certainly the charge, because A/C motors do not slow down as they age, they simply use more power...until they fail catastrophically.
That umbrella statement about motors is inaccurate. There are drastic differences between different types of AC motors. PSC, X13, ICM, ect. Thats how non experienced people go down the rabbit hole of attempting to "diagnose" their equipment.
@@HVACinSC I'm talking about a consumer understanding what is wrong, not a trained technician with all his gear. If you're a pro, then obviously don't take shortcuts. While there are some variable speed compressor systems out there, they are really very rare compared to the typical fixed speed systems which are almost universal.
You’re right I learned years ago to spend the extra time .It will save on call backs and putting a bad taste in the customers mouth.Great video 😀
Phillip Joy Thanks for watching Phillip!
If only people could be honest...
In a day and age of digital libraries, you are doing a true service to the DIY-ers.
I've falling prey to this at least half a dozen times. By fall prey I mean the dual run cap was the only problem BUT there is always a potential for other issues.
Good point I always hope the service guy or company is honest and not trying to rip me off not everyone is bad but the chances are there unfortunately.
SmokinZen They're are far to many crooks out there unfortunately that give us all a bad name. That's one reason I make videos. To show that there are several of us that are more interested in doing right by the customer and providing the best service we can.
Thanks for watching!
Great Video. Thanks!!!
I’m a Hvac contractor, I’ll let you do my Ac
You the man
+Khalid Khokhar Thanks brother
Thank you for taking time to explain this issue, because more than likely there's an underlying problem causing the capacitor to fail. Best to find an ac company with qualified tech to diagnose the overall system safe / save in the long-term.
Not when your boss is breathing down your neck taking about cmon we got another customer waiting , how long is this going to take??? Blah blah blah . Companies fault not techs.
Sounds like you need to find a new company 🤔
If this house happened to burn down. It would likely be the tech getting questioned about liability. Especially if he is a licensed journeyman.
@@HVACinSC I agree , some bosses tho
Yep it's likely you find secondary issues you are right
Joe Shearer multiple offender baby!!! All of them.
Hey Joe!!
VCG Construction yo! I just ordered that one key set online for 125!!!!! It's online at that price!!!!!
Thank you so much for this video. So i was wondering if i could get some help. I had a Brand new Goodman 3.5 Ton ac unit put in my 3 story townhouse in December 2019 (So 6 months now) Yesterday the AC was running non stop and not cooling. Company came out and he stated the Capacitor was bad. he showed me it had very low voltage (He also checked the refrigerant which was fine) He installed a higher voltage capacitor.. The one that it came with was a 45/5.
So i was wondering why did this only last 6 months? also is it ok that he replaced it with a higher voltage capacitor? Thank's much everyone.
Love it. Sometimes because I’m old I have to be reminded..... Be thorough! Great video and lesson. Have a great weekend. God bless.
Blaze Eisner Same to you and thank you for watching !
Just swap out the capacitor.
Nice catch,you are right most will not check anything. Just leave and move on. Enjoyed this video. A good reminder for all of us.
drifter436 Thanks buddy!