Moisture in POE Oil Permanently Damages HVAC Systems with Jim Bergmann

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie welcomes Jim Bergmann, President of measureQuick and Director of New Product Development at Redfish Instruments Inc, to discuss system cleanup after moisture contamination and compressor burnouts. Jim explains why moisture in POE oil cannot be fully removed with evacuation and highlights the importance of using filter dryers and proper procedures. The conversation covers real-world scenarios such as water entering a system and the steps needed to reduce damage and extend equipment life. Gary and Jim also talk about evacuation best practices, decay testing, and how poor installation habits can lead to long-term system failure.

In this conversation, Jim explains how moisture affects refrigeration systems and why it cannot be fully removed from POE oil using evacuation alone. He discusses how technicians should rely on filter dryers, oil changes, and proper cleanup methods to reduce contamination. Jim and Gary talk about real situations like water entering a system and compressor burnouts, and how these issues damage equipment and shorten its life. They also explain the importance of good installation practices, proper evacuation, and decay testing to prevent future failures and ensure the system stays clean and dry.

Expect to Learn:

Why can moisture in POE oil not be removed using evacuation alone?
How filter dryers help remove moisture and acids from HVAC systems.
Steps technicians can take when water enters a refrigeration system.
How compressor burnouts contaminate systems and affect performance.
Why proper evacuation, decay testing, and installation practices prevent system failures.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] - Intro to Jim Bergmann

[01:53] - Jim Returns & POE Oil Moisture Discussion

[03:24] - YouTube Demo: POE Oil Stays Cloudy After Evacuation

[05:40] - Scenario 1: Water in System from Cracked Coil

[08:55] - Mini Split Story: When a System Pulls in Moisture

[12:45] - Scenario 2: Compressor Burnout Cleanup

[16:25] - Flushes & Solvents: Are They Worth Using?

[17:54] - The Real Root Cause: Poor Evacuation Practices

[19:03] - Micron Gauge Placement: Does It Matter?

[23:34] - Final Tip: The Blue Vac Gauge & Best Practices

This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: