Condensate Drain Problems: Causes, Fixes and Prevention
Clogged condensate drains cause water damage and shut down air conditioners. How the drain system works, why it clogs, how to clear it and how to prevent a repeat.
Category Trade Guides
Reference guides for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, appliance repair and pest control.
Heat Pump Basics: How They Work and What Goes Wrong
How a heat pump heats and cools, what the reversing valve and defrost cycle do, how auxiliary heat fits in, and the faults technicians see most often.
Wire Gauge and Ampacity Basics for Technicians
How wire gauge relates to the current a conductor can carry: AWG sizes, common breaker pairings, what changes ampacity, and how to read an HVAC nameplate.
Voltage Drop Explained: Causes, Calculation and Limits
Voltage drop is the voltage lost in a wire between the source and the load. Learn how to calculate it, the commonly recommended limits and how to find it in the field.
Temperature Split (Delta T): What It Tells You About an Air Conditioner
Temperature split is the difference between return and supply air. Learn how to measure it, what range to expect and what a high or low reading suggests.
Static Pressure in HVAC Systems: What It Is and How to Measure It
Static pressure is the resistance air meets in a duct system. Learn how to measure total external static pressure, what the reading means and what causes it to run high.