This blog post was written by a guest contributor and HVAC educator, Brad Cooper. Thanks, Brad!
Having the right air conditioning technician by your side can make a big difference in how well your system runs. A great technician takes the time to check everything and find the real cause of the problem. They don’t just swap out parts until the problem stops happening or recommend a new unit without good reason.
Instead of taking a sales-based approach, a “check-everything” approach helps your air A/C work more efficiently, last longer, and use less energy. “Check-everything” techs focus on solutions, not just sales, and their approach will ultimately save you money on electricity and repairs. That’s why a thorough technician is essential. We’re going to cover some tools in a “check-everything” tech’s toolbox. We’ll also explain how they make detailed reports that identify core problems and share ways to improve your A/C system’s performance.
Tools and Reports
A “check-everything” tech takes their time, checks everything, and uses the right tools to make sure the air conditioner is running as close to 100% efficiency as possible. Without the right tools and a way to get reports on the system, there’s no way to know if your A/C has been fixed and is operating at its best.
Here is a list of some key probes that help measure different parts of an A/C system:
- Air pressure probes (airflow)
- Temperature probes (temperature difference across the air handler)
- Psychrometer probes (humidity)
- Electrical multimeter (voltage, amps, and resistance)
- Gauge manifolds or refrigerant pressure probes (refrigerant or Freon pressure)
All of these tools help us get a complete picture of your A/C system’s health. Skipping steps can lead to costly mistakes, unnecessary repairs, or even installing a new A/C unit when a simple fix would work. For example, a dirty filter can cause low airflow. Low airflow can make the air and refrigerant pressures look off, even if there is nothing wrong with the refrigerant or internal parts. Techs could change the wrong part or quote a replacement when there’s a very simple fix.
Nowadays, many of these digital tools also connect to Bluetooth. The tools can send their data straight to an A/C tech’s phone or tablet. Techs can then use software to turn these measurements into reports they share with customers. When you see these reports, you can trust you’ll get the real facts about your A/C system and make informed decisions about repairs.
What to Expect in a Report
A report with the system readings can give homeowners a clear, easy-to-understand overview of their air conditioner’s performance. The apps that generate reports often use color-coded indicators to make it easy to see problems. Some may also have a simple 0–100% rating to show how well the air conditioner is running.
The report also provides a detailed list of major issues, evaluates efficiency, and keeps a record of any work performed. Instead of relying on guesswork, homeowners get real, data-backed insights; they’re the ones in control of repairs and upgrades.
The Benefits of Having a “Check-Everything” Technician
If the refrigerant level, air pressure, temperature, electrical readings, and humidity are all properly balanced, your A/C will use less power, need fewer repairs, and last longer.
A performance report can help homeowners understand how well their AC is functioning, but the real goal is getting it as close to 100% efficiency as possible. The right tech will present a proposal with upgrades to help you get closer to that goal, but they won’t pressure you to purchase every single one.
Having the right service tech in your corner is crucial. A thorough tech carefully inspects every detail and offers solutions that help your system run efficiently, last longer, and keep energy costs low. A tech who is the cream of the crop will show you thorough reports of their findings and recommend fixes to the main problem and other areas that might be worth a look.
At Kalos, our technicians are taught to use ALL the tools we mentioned, share reports, and come up with a comfort plan that works for you. We take calls and texts 24/7 at 352-243-7099. One of our customer service reps can get you set up with a service call or a membership plan to keep your system in top shape, meet your comfort goals, and get that system efficiency closer to 100%.
