I finally hit 1000 fridge compressor swaps and learned something weird

So I kept a log for the last 3 years and just crossed the 1000th compressor swap on a side by side Whirlpool. What surprised me is that about 60% of those failed because of dirty condenser coils, not bad compressors. I started cleaning coils first on every call and suddenly half my compressor jobs disappeared lol. Saved customers like $400 a pop and I finished way earlier in the day. It made me realize how many guys skip the simple stuff before blaming the part. Anyone else notice a pattern in their call logs that changed how you diagnose?

2 comments

2 Comments

charles_wilson25d ago

Got caught up in that same trap myself for years. I used to swap compressors first and ask questions later, thinking it was always the part. Then I had a run where three calls in a row the coils were caked with dog hair and dust, so I cleaned them and the fridge cooled fine. Felt pretty stupid charging people for a compressor they didn't need. Now I always hit the coils with a brush and a vacuum before I even grab my gauges. It's embarrassing how many times that simple step saves the whole job.

adams.taylor25d ago

Haha, "swap compressors first and ask questions later" - that's basically the HVAC version of "shoot first, ask questions later" except way more expensive and heavy! I love how you admit to feeling stupid charging for parts people didn't need, because I've been there too. Three calls in a row with dog hair caked coils, that's the universe basically screaming "clean the damn coils" in your face. It's almost embarrassing how often I'll walk into a house ready to diagnose a bad board or compressor, then just see a wall of lint and realize I'm basically a glorified janitor with a multimeter. But hey, at least it saves the customer money and saves me from hauling a 60 pound compressor for nothing.