Between air conditioners, wiring, and impossible diagnostics, discover the technical talent I have developed outside the office for more than 13 years.
Talent Behind the Desk
There are talents that are never announced… but are deeply appreciated when you need them most.
For the past 13 years, I, Carlos Alberto García Ovalle, from the Maintenance area at Vívaro Telecom, have combined my role within the organization with a trade I learned long before stepping into an office: air conditioning maintenance, electrical work, and fault detection.
It all began when I was in high school. In a part-time job, I accompanied a friend’s father to perform air conditioning maintenance in schools and facilities. There, surrounded by tools, coils, and long workdays, I learned the basics… and then the advanced skills. It wasn’t something I studied in a classroom, but something I learned directly on the job, solving real problems.
Over time, I understood that maintenance goes far beyond simply “cooling properly.”
An unchecked air conditioning unit can generate unpleasant odors, increase energy consumption, and even cause health issues due to mold buildup.
When it comes to electrical installations, the risks can be even greater: leaks, short circuits, and accidents.
From my experience, the ideal approach is to service air conditioning units every 6 to 8 months, or even sooner when they are used daily.
When maintenance is delayed, the consequences quickly appear: the system becomes strained, electricity consumption rises, drainage lines clog, and performance declines. The electricity bill—that one we all fear—is often the first warning sign.
Living in a city where the heat can be intense, my advice is clear: don’t wait for the peak season. During those months, technicians’ schedules are full, wait times increase, and costs may rise. Prevention, in my view, saves money, time, and more than a few headaches.
And what do I enjoy most about this work? Learning new things. Every different diagnosis and every uncommon fault—like the time I detected three separate issues in a single unit—represents a challenge that helps me grow professionally. It is also, of course, a way to generate additional income by applying knowledge effectively.
To close, I offer a practical and simple piece of advice: clean filters regularly, keep air conditioning between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius, avoid overworking the equipment, and always use proper materials in electrical installations. These are small actions that, over time, make a significant difference.
Because sometimes, the most valuable talent isn’t just in front of a computer… but in knowing how to keep everything running.
Tips to make better decisions and avoid headaches
Beyond technical maintenance, everyday actions and informed decisions help protect your equipment, your finances, and your home’s safety.
🔍 Get informed before approving repairs
Before accepting a service, it’s reasonable to ask what will be done and why.
A clear diagnosis helps distinguish between a necessary solution and an unnecessary expense.
🤝 Prioritize trusted relationships
Having a trusted technician reduces the risk of excessive charges or poor-quality work.
Recommendations from family, friends, or acquaintances are often more reliable than improvised services.
🧾 Ask for cost transparency
Requesting a general breakdown of what will be inspected or replaced helps maintain control.
Avoid accepting additional charges that were not explained from the beginning.
🕒 Plan ahead, don’t improvise
Servicing equipment in advance allows you to make better decisions, without pressure from extreme heat or urgent failures.
Decisions made in haste are often more expensive.
⚡ Take care of what you can’t see
Even when it’s not visible, a faulty electrical installation can affect other household devices.
Checking connections and avoiding overloads helps prevent damage to electronic equipment.
🏠 Proper use is also maintenance
Keeping doors and windows closed while the air conditioning is on improves efficiency.
Curtains, blinds, or solar films can reduce the system’s workload.
📉 Think long term
Well-maintained equipment lasts longer, consumes less energy, and experiences fewer failures.
Prevention is almost always more affordable than major repairs.
