Want to become the most valued HVAC technician in your shop? Or even in your city? Not only do you need the skills to solve every problem, but you need to do so efficiently. Then you can accomplish more every day, which increases revenue for your employer. Our HVAC repair tips can help you do more in less time and fix problems correctly in one visit.
8 HVAC repair tips that help you get the job done faster
1. Be prepared for every job: history, equipment, and problem information
Before you head out to a job, take a few minutes to learn as much as you can about the customer, their equipment, and the problem they reported. The few minutes you spend collecting data can save much more time on site.
Check your online customer data system and/or the information captured when the customer called, to find out:
- Equipment type, brand and model
- Age and maintenance history
- Repair history
- Symptoms reported and their duration
If you know the brand and model, make sure you have documentation from the manufacturer that you can refer to during your repair visit.
2. Have the right tools & supplies with you
When you’re prepared with equipment and problem data, you already have clues about the problem you will encounter when you get there. That allows you to make sure you have everything you need to fix the problem.
For example, if you know the equipment brand and model and you suspect that the problem is a refrigerant leak, you can be sure to have leak detection equipment and the right refrigerant in the truck.
3. Organize your tools the right way
If your tool bag or box is a jumbled mess, you’re definitely wasting time on every service call searching for the tools you need. Same goes for your truck. Improve your efficiency by organizing your tools and supplies so you can easily access the things you use most.
Learn more:
Organizing Your Tool Bag (Why and How)
4. Get the details from the customer
When you arrive at a customer location, it’s tempting to head straight to the equipment. But instead, take a few minutes to talk with the customer and get more details about the problem. Asking pointed questions and listening to their description of the problem can reveal information that leads you to a diagnosis faster.
5. Keep your eyes and ears open
Armed with detailed information, you probably already suspect what’s causing the problem. But don’t let your expectations impact your powers of observation. Pay attention to everything you see, hear, and even smell while you’re examining the equipment. That includes the setting and what’s going on in the space.
Using your senses and keeping an open mind helps you notice more clues and hone in on the cause of the problem.
6. Use problem-solving strategies
Especially for a tricky problem, you may have a number of clues to work with and there could be a number of possible causes. So how do you eliminate possibilities and uncover the solution? Applying an efficient problem-solving framework saves time.
Learn more:
Technical Problem Solving Strategy For Service Technicians
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills for Tech Repair
7. Ask for help when you need it
If you’re faced with an unfamiliar problem or piece of equipment, you may need help to get to the root cause of what’s going on or the right way to repair it. Don’t waste too much time on trial and error if you know you’re in over your head. The smart and efficient thing to do is get help:
- Check the manufacturer’s documentation
- Check online resources provided by your company (such as video training)
- Get a more experienced technician or your service manager on the phone (or better yet, on a video call)
Looking for help gets you to a solution faster and on to the next service call. Just make sure you learn from the situation so you’re prepared to solve it on your own next time.
8. Learn HVAC repair tips from others at every opportunity
As a service technician, learning as much as possible is incredibly important for efficiency. Of course you learn every day from each service call. But take the time to learn more on your own:
- Read online resources such as industry publications
- Listen to HVAC podcasts (TIP: listen in the truck)
- Attend manufacturer training whenever possible
- Join online discussion forums on Reddit or Quora
More resources to help you become the best you can be
HVACR Career Connect NY has lots more resources to help you learn HVAC repair tips and improve your skills. Read our blog, watch our videos, and sign up below for our monthly newsletter.
HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.
Learn about technical careers in the HVAC & Refrigeration industry, how to get hired and tips to build your career.