As we progress further into the modern age, industries are required to evolve and adapt or risk being left behind. The Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning industry (HVAC) is one such industry that is approaching a major change. As older analogue refrigeration testing is being phased out in favour of more intuitive digital monitoring tools, there has been some hesitation from technicians nationwide towards embracing the change. So we decided to dive head first into the issue to see if digital refrigeration monitoring is the future of HVAC.
Why are analogue tools still in favour?
It is completely understandable that HVAC technicians who have been in the industry for a while may have some hesitations. Firstly, if you’ve used the same equipment potentially for decades, it may seem like a huge undertaking to embrace a totally new way of recording data. Secondly, there is the initial investment in purchasing new equipment, so they associate digital equipment with significant expense. That is until they realize the numerous positives of deploying digital refrigeration testing solutions, which ultimately saves time, and therefore, money.
What are the benefits of digital refrigeration monitoring?
The main advantage of digital gauges replacing legacy analogue devices is their ability to allow technicians to work smarter rather than harder. It creates a more streamlined and efficient workflow for the completion of their day-to-day tasks.
This change can be broken down into three different categories:
- Precision
No matter the location or application, digital monitoring tools are designed to provide accurate data and readings, with less equipment. In the past, technicians using analogue tools would have to carry around different gauges for different refrigerants, and use PT charts and manual calculations to generate the data needed. This is a thing of the past, as Testo’s high-end tools are multi functional, and can calculate pressure recordings without the need for a large range of equipment.
- Durability
Digital solutions have become the benchmark over analogue solutions across numerous industries. We are facing an all-digital future, one in which digital devices are designed with smarter functionality in mind. For technicians this means a more flexible approach to on-site reporting and logging, connecting gauge equipment to the Testo refrigeration app seamlessly via smart devices.
- Ease-of-use
Digital monitoring tools that are durable and more precise than analogue solutions could be enough evidence for technicians to embrace the digital evolution. But couple this with improved ease-of-use functionality and you’ve made a case that’s hard to fault. Digital tools are simply more adaptable to different situations, meaning that technicians are able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Technicians no longer require a suite of equipment, making it far easier to get work done quickly and efficiently
Finding the right digital tools
Testo has a wide range of digital monitoring devices that are perfect for collating digital refrigeration data, including:
Digital Manifold 557 equipment
These devices are optimised to work in all conditions. They deliver precise data from a durable and easy to use device. For further information on transition to digital monitoring tools, or specifications on any Testo device, contact Testo today!