HVAC Community Hub | Andrea | Activity

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:40:01 +1200

Hire a virtual assistant for $500 a month before you give away 30% of something you built with your own hands.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Thinking about taking on a business partner to help with the office side while I stay in the field. Someone reached out wanting to handle […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:31:25 +1200

Jobber has decent financial tracking built in too if you want an all in one field service solution.

In reply to - Cameron posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Quickbooks is by far the best because it will scale with your business. It works well especially if you are not using any CRM right now. There […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 22:32:11 +1200

if the repair cost is more than 50% of a new system just say it.

In reply to - Nathan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Alright fellas, genuine question. At what point do you stop repairing and just tell the customer it’s time to replace. I’ve got a 14 year old […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 07:11:01 +1200

Informing them once is fine. Going back 6 times and taking repair money without pushing harder is on us too.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs If your customer has been “repairing” a unit that looks like the one on the right for 6 years and you kept taking the repair calls without pushing […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:37:47 +1200

I just start narrating back to them in technical jargon until they get bored and leave. Works every time.

In reply to - Maxime posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs ok this is a vent more than a question. just got back from a call where the homeowner stood over my shoulder the entire time narrating what I […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:14:35 +1200

My way. told him if it doesn’t fix it the diagnostic fee doesn’t get reapplied.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got a customer today who watched a 4 minute YouTube video and informed me my diagnosis was wrong. Video guy has never seen this unit, this house, […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:29:47 +1200

We lose money on overstock more than understock honestly. Parts sit, go obsolete, or get damaged bouncing around the truck for months unused.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Question for the group. How many of you actually carry spare parts on the truck versus ordering as needed. I’ve been stocking […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:50:21 +1200

Yep you’re doing it right. These people working 60-80 have no life and are miserable.

In reply to - Hugo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs During peak summer months is a service tech averaging 40-46 hrs per week considered overworked. I have techs saying we need another hire because […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:45:02 +1200

Solo with no employees is a completely different world on insurance. Apples to watermelons.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs What’s everyone paying for insurance these days. Workers comp, general liability, commercial auto. Small company, 3 techs, 4 trucks, […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 21 May 2026 19:35:30 +1200

That’s actually a really fair point. We know what separates good work from bad work. They don’t. That’s on us to communicate better.

In reply to - Theo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs People want quality HVAC work until they see what quality HVAC work actually costs. Then the cheapest quote in town suddenly starts looking […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 02:14:30 +1200

Good bookkeeping and paying vendors on time helped build credit faster than anything else.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Realizing lately being good at HVAC and actually growing a company are two completely different things 😅 Feels like everybody online’s selling […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 02 May 2026 23:22:33 +1200

Variable speed systems made service more interesting, not gonna lie.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs You guys enjoy installs or you’d rather be out doing service calls feels like two completely different jobs sometimes.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 02 May 2026 21:35:39 +1200

People act like zero callbacks is possible it’s not.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs how many callbacks do you guys actually consider normal before you start second guessing the original job? i’m not talking about random stuff breaking […]

Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: You guys enjoy installs or you’d rather be out doing […]

Sat, 02 May 2026 06:36:00 +1200

You guys enjoy installs or you’d rather be out doing service calls
feels like two completely different jobs sometimes.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:09:39 +1200

Yeah and then they say I barely touched it 😂.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Ever had a customer try to fix it themselves before calling you… and make it worse?

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 03:11:49 +1200

Quick call turns into see you in a few hours 😄

In reply to - Wyatt posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got a call thinking it’d be a quick fix, customer said the system just stopped. Opened it up and it’s like nothing’s been touched in years coil […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:33:44 +1200

Don’t chase builder work if it’s going to kill your margins.

In reply to - Hunter posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Trying to get in with a few builders right now and still figuring out my pricing. Feels like I’m coming in too high because I’m not getting […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:12:05 +1200

If I use it every day I’m buying the better one.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Bought one of those cheaper tools thinking it would get me through a few jobs, and now I’m replacing it way sooner than expected. Starting to […]

Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Been looking into software for material takeoffs […]

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 21:25:00 +1200

Been looking into software for material takeoffs on commercial jobs and honestly getting overwhelmed with options. Trying to find something accurate but not a pain to use day-to-day. Anyone here using something they actually like?

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:13:59 +1300

More than half honestly.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Finally picked up a micron gauge this week. Been in the trade 9 years and have been judging vacuum on the manifold needle the whole time […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:25:43 +1300

Dye and documentation is the minimum. Agreed.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices System is low on charge. No obvious leak. No oil staining anywhere on the lineset, no traces at the fittings, coil looks clean. Customer […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:27:43 +1300

This is probably the most practical answer on here.

Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: System is low on charge. No obvious leak. No oil […]

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:51:41 +1300

System is low on charge. No obvious leak. No oil staining anywhere on the lineset, no traces at the fittings, coil looks clean. Customer hasn’t had it serviced in two years and just wants cold air today.
Do you top it off get them running and tell them to call if it happens again? Or do you refuse to charge it until you’ve found and fixed… Read more

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:41:57 +1300

Blocking returns doesn’t balance the house, it just makes the system work harde

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Just closed on a house built in the 1920s and the furnace looks pretty new installed around 2022 from what I can tell. While walking through […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:38:11 +1300

Yep. And suddenly that random failure becomes lack of maintenance.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello,

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:23:13 +1300

For full design + energy modeling we’re using IES VE. Expensive, but clients like seeing those reports.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello,

Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: I’m looking at getting into HVAC and trying to figure out […]

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:15:59 +1300

I’m looking at getting into HVAC and trying to figure out the best first step.
Trade school isn’t something I can commit to right now, so I’ve been looking at online options like SkillCat or Course Careers just to get some basics under my belt. For the guys already in the field do employers actually take those certifications seriously, or is it… Read more

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:30:06 +1300

That adjuster is always a pain in tight panels.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices System starts and runs, but once everything is online the behavior isn’t consistent. Supply temp swings after runtime, heat transfer isn’t […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:31:46 +1300

Google has been solid for us but only after we stopped throwing money at ads and focused on the basics. Reviews, photos, and answering the phone fast mattered way more than budget.

In reply to - Ryan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Been trying to figure out where the best return actually comes from when it comes to getting work in the door. We’re steady, but not booked out the […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 04:45:52 +1300

Looks messy but if it works, it works.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Someone before us clearly had a long day here. Arrows, notes, airflow directions written straight on the duct. You can tell they were […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 21:30:46 +1300

Shell side condenser water makes sense, but if approach is drifting I’d be looking at velocity through the tubes too. Seen a lot of these sized right on paper and still under-perform once fouling starts unevenly.

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices One of my guys was on this shell & tube heat exchanger today and it turned into one of those jobs where nothing is failed, but nothing […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:20:40 +1300

Social media isn’t for “selling HVAC.” It’s for staying top of mind. When the unit dies, they remember you.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious how many guys in here are actually using Facebook, Instagram, or anything else to bring in work. Does it really help, or is it mostly […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:27:34 +1300

Half the time the control issue isn’t technical – it’s organizational.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Didn’t even touch the unit today. Spent 40 minutes just figuring out who actually controls it – tenant says one thing, building manager says […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:27:19 +1300

I agree mostly, but I’ve also seen inexperienced helpers cause callbacks that get blamed on the lead tech.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Callbacks are often blamed on lack of experience. But in many businesses, callbacks increase after technicians […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:13:46 +1300

For us it’s the notes… customers give info, but it never makes it into the CRM correctly.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Client Onboarding Excellence The more I talk with you guys, the more it’s clear that onboarding is where things quietly fall apart for a lot of […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:51:31 +1300

If your DP sensor is drifting, the pump will chase it in big jumps.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors CHW pump VFD is jumping in big 10–15% steps instead of ramping smoothly, and it’s throwing the whole loop off every time it moves. Feels […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:10 +1300

mixing plenum design on some units is garbage. air just layers and sensor freaks out.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices noticed the mix plenum temp jumping all over the place today… like 8-10° swings even though OA + RA temps aren’t moving. dampers […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:07 +1300

Simple fix if that’s all it is.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Got a drive that behaves fine at full speed but trips on overvoltage the moment it starts slowing down. No issues on ramp-up at […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:05 +1300

Yeah this fan is huge. Might be exactly that.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:04 +1300

Possible. If the bus can’t absorb the energy, that would make sense.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:03 +1300

Interesting. Didn’t think about the motor side causing regen.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:01 +1300

😂 Accurate. It’s perfectly happy until the second it ramps down.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:29:00 +1300

I didn’t look at decel settings yet. Might be set crazy low.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:28:58 +1300

That’s kinda where my head was going — something with the energy dumping back into the drive.

Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors: Got a drive that behaves fine at full speed but trips […]

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:28:57 +1300

Got a drive that behaves fine at full speed but trips on overvoltage the moment it starts slowing down.
No issues on ramp-up at all.
Only faults during decel, which makes zero sense to me right now.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:16:59 +1300

Could be a crushed or kinked duct. Seen that so many times.

In reply to - Daniel posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Weak airflow in just one room, even though the filter’s new and the rest of the system is blowing fine. Anyone dealt with this before? Trying […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:23 +1300

That’s a solid lead. The building grounding here is..questionable.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment The AHU’s fan VFD keeps dropping off the BAS network for a couple seconds at a time, then snaps back like nothing happened. Cabling and grounding look […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:22 +1300

😂 Exactly. Nothing like random dropouts to ruin a morning.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:20 +1300

Good one. Shield might be bonded at both ends on this install. I’ll recheck.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:18 +1300

Yeah, bus length might be part of it. There’s a lot hanging on this loop already.