HVAC Community Hub | Andrea | Activity

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.

Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment: The AHU’s fan VFD keeps dropping off the BAS network for a […]

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:16 +1300

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 clean, but the controller logs are full of tiny communication hiccups and it’s starting to mess with the fan sequence.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:58:44 +1300

Also check any splices or wirenuts in the low-voltage run. Seen high resistance joints cause the same voltage drop.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got a 24V control circuit that drops to around 18–19 volts as soon as multiple relays kick in. No direct shorts found, wiring looks clean, and […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:16:44 +1300

Sometimes installers leave balancing dampers too tight even after test and balance. That’ll push static up fast at full load.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Newly commissioned duct system keeps tripping high static pressure alarms at full load – fans and dampers check out fine. Looks like a sizing or […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:07:03 +1300

That’s impressive, mind sharing what kind of bonuses or incentives work best for you?

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anyone else feeling the pinch when it comes to finding solid HVAC techs? Every time I think I’ve got a good one, they’re gone within months.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:07:02 +1300

If someone figures that out, count me in! HVAC cloning lab, coming soon.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:07:01 +1300

Fair point, We’ve tried raising pay and still lose them, though. Feels like loyalty’s become rare.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:06:59 +1300

Same story here. Seems like everyone wants to go solo now – no one wants to stay long enough to grow.

Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Anyone else feeling the pinch when it comes to finding […]

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:06:58 +1300

Anyone else feeling the pinch when it comes to finding solid HVAC techs? Every time I think I’ve got a good one, they’re gone within months.

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:24:20 +1300

Totally agree about forms. The longer ours got, the fewer leads we received.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Hey friends, I’ve noticed something while going through a few HVAC websites-most look great but don’t convert visitors into […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 18:11:25 +1300

Agree! I once saved hours of work by following a tip someone shared here.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Hi friends, I may not know all the technical details, but I love seeing how everyone learns and grows here. This community […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 12:58:19 +1300

Misreading gauges is the worst. I double-check now, even if I feel confident.

In reply to - Nathan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I just had one of those days on the field where everything that could go wrong… went wrong 😅. I misread a pressure gauge and didn’t notice a […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:54:22 +1200

Do you recommend adding a dehumidifier on every commercial project?

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Last summer, we got a call from a commercial client: The AC is on, but the office feels hot and sticky. We went in and quickly found […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 19:10:41 +1200

Totally agree, flat-rate pricing keeps things simple for clients.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Pricing & Contracts Masterplan One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that pricing jobs in HVAC is never one size fits all. Material costs, labor, warranties, and […]

Andrea posted a new activity comment

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:25:55 +1200

36 clear aisle meets OSHA and causes no backache carrying tools inside.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Just wrapped up an install for a walk-in cooler mechanical closet. We kept all piping and control wiring on one side, left a clean 36 […]