All the Ways to do an AC Preventative Maintenance Wrong

ROOKIE PM TECHNICIANS:

1. Improper training.
2. Insufficient time allotment between PM appointments.
3. Not taking the time to talk with the customer regarding equipment concerns and recent issues such as health problems possibly
related to indoor air quality.
4. Failure to follow a detailed, step-by-step checklist. Even if your
company does not provide you with a checklist or if the checklist is vague in structure, a conscientious rookie technician will
make his own detailed PM checklist.
5. Failure to make darn sure the system is turned back on after the
clean-and-check is completed.
6. Not tightening the Schrader caps.
7. Not rinsing the condenser coil thoroughly.
8. Using the wrong coil cleaner, especially on micro-channel coils
that should be cleaned with water only.
9. Not cleaning up loose insulation or wood fragments and other
debris that may have dropped out of the sky.
10. Not explaining the exact results of the PM in detail to the customer and having pricing ready to ofer for recommended repairs.

INTERMEDIATE TECHNICIANS: 3 – 5 YEARS
1. Being over confident and having a somewhat cocky attitude
when greeting the customer. Don’t get riled up if this doesn’t
describe you.
2. Hurrying too much.
3. Not allowing sufficient time for refrigerant pressures and temperatures to stabilize before assuming that the system has a problem.
4. Letting potential issues go undocumented because
you don’t want to be the one who might be asked
to make the repairs.
5. Overselling common and easily replaced components in order to look good to the boss or pad your
commission.
6. Frequently blaming previous technicians’ companies for overlooked issues.
7. Leaving personal and company tools, parts and
supplies.
8. Abusing company vehicles. Not continually staying motivated
enough to keep a well-stocked van and a clean and professional
personal appearance.
9. Failure to take personal responsibility for mistakes or overlooked
issues.
10. Inability to let things go. Carrying a grudge against the boss,
supervisor or other technicians.
11. Becoming complacent and not researching and studying newly
serviced equipment.

SOMEWHAT SEASONED TECHNICIANS
1. Poor attitude because you feel that pulling PMs is beneath you.
2. Skipping steps and pencil whipping the paperwork.  inking
you’re smart enough to cover your backside when a callback occurs due to your shortcuts.
3. Checking the equipment properly and thoroughly, but then
half-assing the paperwork.

OLD TIMERS AT AROUND 20 YEARS
1. Unwillingness to change and adapt quickly to new techniques,
ideas and technological advances in the industry.
2. Assuming previous technicians did their job properly.
3. Too quick to blacklist a difficult customer because we don’t
want to take the extra time to listen to their complaints and use
our experience, expertise and communication skills to resolve
the issue professionally.
4. Not being patient with helpers or other technicians and not
thoroughly explaining what you want them to do and
the appropriate amount of time to get the task done
properly.
5. Not pushing as hard as you know you can on all
aspects of the job and not demanding the same of
subordinates and holding them accountable

RSES Journal – June 2019