HVAC Community Hub | Charles | Activity https://hvachub.co/members/charles_hill_01/activity/ Activity feed for Charles. Sat, 26 Sep 2026 01:23:03 +1200 https://buddypress.org/?v=3.5.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 ee23ca944fa889dbc277a7e01a284f66 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/9128/#acomment-9174 Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:22:45 +1200 I love this group 😂

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got a 1-star Google review overnight from a customer I’ve never heard of and have zero record of in my system. Different city. […] ]]> a86c5aede0996f6a3b07be42a5784be4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/9142/#acomment-9167 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:00:16 +1200 No way 😂

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices After hours emergency call, customer said the unit keeps shutting off. Walked around the side of the house in the dark and found this. […] ]]> 074c74a24894882b44e2083d6ec84311 Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Got a 1-star Google review overnight from a customer […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/9128/ Mon, 21 Sep 2026 19:12:00 +1200 Got a 1-star Google review overnight from a customer I’ve never heard of and have zero record of in my system. Different city. Different state. Pretty sure they reviewed the wrong company. Google won’t let me remove it and their support chat told me to “respond professionally and the review will speak for itself.” My overall rating just… Read more

]]> 18 5682318be5bb82a1ec2413085bb01e01 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/9051/#acomment-9115 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:53:40 +1200 Post what you find when you go out there, genuinely curious what $2800 worth of shortcuts looks like under the panels.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got a call from a customer I quoted last week for a condenser replacement. She said another company came in at $2800 less than me. Asked if […] ]]> 09130be6d73f0b4ed4b76c9f0def227e Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/9057/#acomment-9059 Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:18:57 +1200 Don’t

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been going back and forth on this for about 6 months now and I can’t sleep tonight so figured I’d just ask. I’m 31, been working for the […] ]]> 208c76658ac7d230b2fd0e0a1b911553 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8991/#acomment-9032 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:12:46 +1200 Whatever you buy put your name on it with a paint pen immediately because tools grow legs on job sites and in shared vans faster than you’d believe.

In reply to - Mathew posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Just passed my EPA 608 Universal yesterday. 3 months into the trade. What tools should I actually spend money on first vs what can wait? […] ]]> 55a0ecb1c20cc6b8a520694913c7c18a Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8991/#acomment-9004 Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:41:18 +1200 How much are you trying to spend total right now?

In reply to - Mathew posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Just passed my EPA 608 Universal yesterday. 3 months into the trade. What tools should I actually spend money on first vs what can wait? […] ]]> 9000f49cd22c6b0e00270ed35d65b19b Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8955/#acomment-8983 Sat, 12 Sep 2026 09:55:12 +1200 I bought a used G5 off Facebook marketplace for $400 last year and it runs perfect, might be worth checking before you pay full retail especially if you need it today and can pick up local.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices What’s everyones go-to recovery machine right now? Mine just died and I need to replace it today. ]]> 38b34e11736188f80088b05803be3033 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8821/#acomment-8918 Sat, 05 Sep 2026 21:29:12 +1200 Will do

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day. ]]> 86c441fc5961c82bb122411e26e55808 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8838/#acomment-8902 Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:32:03 +1200 I’ve just accepted it as part of every install at this point, if I don’t have to go back to the supply house something is wrong.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Sorry for the late update, promised I’d post this after the job was done and completely forgot until now. Took a little longer than […] ]]> 8dd6abc3cdee156ec6608f8858ef2995 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8821/#acomment-8866 Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:20:34 +1200 $7200 installed for everything, equipment, labor, new disconnect, filter drier, startup, permit. Southeast market so prices might be different where you are.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day. ]]> cd1812fb6bb21248e590a23a36bc2272 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8821/#acomment-8839 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:48:45 +1200 It’s been sitting there for 10 seconds relax. 😅

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day. ]]> 1f1db27634164dae0191e82085cd83a2 Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Sorry for the late update, promised I'd post this after […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8838/ Wed, 02 Sep 2026 19:21:00 +1200 Sorry for the late update, promised I’d post this after the job was done and completely forgot until now. Took a little longer than planned because the existing whip was too short and I had to run back to the supply house for a new disconnect but other than that it went smooth. Pulled a vacuum to 340 microns, held solid, charged to spec and… Read more

]]> 10 8672d30380b16f47b7b6312479f15854 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8821/#acomment-8834 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 14:16:38 +1200 4 ton 16 seer2 going into a two story colonial, existing ductwork is in decent shape so just a straight equipment swap today, fingers crossed nothing weird is waiting for me inside.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day. ]]> 3f52e1ae5a0ae0bd5f08cd8e2fe8bead Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day. https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8821/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:09:00 +1200 Old and new.
2004 vs 2026. Changeout day.

]]> 22 70a2c3b286d1d7dc7929460fb77e92ff Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8684/#acomment-8704 Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:08:33 +1200 The gas can in the background next to a rigged electrical setup. This photo is giving the fire marshal anxiety.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Customer called and said the AC isn’t keeping up. Got to the house and the outdoor unit is actually running fine. Went to check airflow at the […] ]]> c8812b13f9fd16d2b088c21fd21f0206 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8631/#acomment-8678 Thu, 20 Aug 2026 01:01:43 +1200 Maybe her local store is a gas station.

In reply to - Antonio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Opened the filter slot and found this. Homeowner bought the wrong size filter, couldn’t return it, so she cut the old one in half with scissors […] ]]> 63be56f6c88150f701d269922499ecb4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8521/#acomment-8595 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 20:38:26 +1200 Getting worse. Way worse.

In reply to - Alexander posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I need somebody to explain to me why I’m the fourth company this customer has called about this. Three other companies came out, looked at it, […] ]]> 720e1749bdeba9de18272b3cdfedcde2 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8504/#acomment-8553 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:30:32 +1200 Serious question do you guys clean these out as part of a standard maintenance visit or only if you find a problem?

In reply to - Leonard posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Showed up for a routine maintenance call. Went to pull the disconnect and this is what greeted me. Mud daubers have been running […] ]]> 536d437d57eaab20c54af8069705d7e5 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8418/#acomment-8459 Sat, 08 Aug 2026 05:52:19 +1200 Are those circulators original or have they been replaced? They look older but if they’re still running strong sometimes the best move is to leave them alone and just monitor.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs First visit to a new commercial customer today. They said the previous company just stopped showing up about 6 months ago and nobody has been in […] ]]> 40e5e7adf7ea38e30bf6863bd538d295 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8335/#acomment-8337 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 23:48:01 +1200 lol.

In reply to - Harry posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Customer complaint was one bedroom not cooling. Found this under the house. Flex completely disconnected from the boot, just dumping […] ]]> 33d869ab3b0349967e2915b7be73a520 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8318/#acomment-8321 Sat, 01 Aug 2026 05:29:16 +1200 Disconnect the reversing valve coil and check O/B to C again. If it comes back to 24 the coil is shorted and dragging the voltage down.

In reply to - Rahmir posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs

I’m having a problem with a unit I been working on. I’m not getting my 24 to reversing valve and when I test O/B to Common I onlyg get 14v but R […]

]]> 102bd92bd4c158e1a1d59531dbba4c88 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8165/#acomment-8217 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 03:17:49 +1200 This is actually a really good question and now I’m going to think about it all day.

In reply to - Jackson posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices If you polled 1000 people in your town and asked them to name three air conditioning companies how many do you think would mention yours? ]]> 2d83c42504730711f383c5047a2d7c63 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8144/#acomment-8179 Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:31:20 +1200 My dad did this 38 years. Both knees replaced at 62. Still says he’d do it again if he had to.

In reply to - Harry posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Turning 44 next month. Knees are shot, right shoulder clicks every time I reach over my head. Been doing this since I was 19. What are you […] ]]> cb32727a6ffe0235e7807ec4191bf066 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8091/#acomment-8112 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:20:14 +1200 Partnerships work when both people bring something irreplaceable. scheduling and invoicing is not irreplaceable. your trade skills are.

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 […] ]]> a3920f840e7cc6755861f2af7dc25404 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7823/#acomment-7944 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 06:06:26 +1200 I had a guy follow me out to the truck to watch me grab parts like I was going to steal his garden hose on the way.

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 […] ]]> 55a566f49a45346961a3d50fa30e239c Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7711 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 23:19:13 +1200 oh you’re answering a different question 😂 wrong thread maybe.

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, […] ]]> aa50aa923a264952ae94c754ece274c4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7708 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:16:21 +1200 27% of what

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, […] ]]> 37a581be9dd46e52c66066916d892b0e Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7707 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:16:20 +1200 okay that’s fair. I’m probably not even calculating mine correctly.

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, […] ]]> 49cbc69795b61f35a50ecf0e24848d60 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7662 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:58:20 +1200 wait what state.

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, […] ]]> 5e7812e15ea3eceffa5c31699dceade0 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7647 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 08:21:17 +1200 health insurance is its own nightmare honestly

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, […] ]]> dd92bea69c0bb00fbeeb35b1247464c4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7643 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:11:20 +1200 11 years and that much difference. That hurts to read.

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, […] ]]> 32b0037cec9c73dc0fd27a0ff9e5ba82 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7639 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:06:56 +1200 California is its own category of pain

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, […] ]]> 149ab0717c4a540497f2339aa7ac37ed Charles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: What's everyone paying for insurance these days. […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:45:00 +1200 What’s everyone paying for insurance these days. Workers comp, general liability, commercial auto. Small company, 3 techs, 4 trucks, residential mostly.
Mine just renewed and went up 22 percent with zero claims. Starting to think I need to shop around.

]]> 34 751f705a3a58bc25b897d68f686329a1 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7565/#acomment-7592 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:32:58 +1200 following this thread hard right now.

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I struggle with the field vs office balance a lot.When I’m in the field I’m making money but the business stuff piles up. When I’m in […] ]]> da39870af2b1eaef01ff278a07b47eb2 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7344/#acomment-7357 Sun, 24 May 2026 02:56:54 +1200 Turn on an out of office message with an emergency contact number. Customers feel taken care of. You get actual time off. It works.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Honest question for the business owners in here. Do you actually take days off or do you just call them days off and then work anyway? I […] ]]> 574eb28a5b52361814e62ddd25d35dc6 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7344/#acomment-7355 Sat, 23 May 2026 23:52:09 +1200 I took Sunday off once. Came back Monday to 7 voicemails and a 1 star review from someone whose call I missed. Haven’t taken a full day off since.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Honest question for the business owners in here. Do you actually take days off or do you just call them days off and then work anyway? I […] ]]> 193372a9cd04adaa18b279271961ee91 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7312/#acomment-7350 Sat, 23 May 2026 19:21:20 +1200 Independent broker who works with multiple carriers. Single agent with one company is almost always going to be more expensive.

In reply to - Hugo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I want to know who else is getting absolutely crushed by insurance this year. General liability went up 22% at renewal. Commercial auto up […] ]]> 716dadc376e60bebb2c0a74a3f99ada4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7293/#acomment-7306 Thu, 21 May 2026 20:38:33 +1200 And did you take the callback or let them figure it out?

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 […] ]]> c433fa214376e8a2283513d3725c75ca Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7232/#acomment-7258 Tue, 19 May 2026 22:26:14 +1200 That’s probably fair. I’m still building the brand side of things.

In reply to - Davida posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Genuine question and I want honest answers not judgment what are you guys actually charging for a diagnostic call right now. not the […] ]]> c6884c1d06f6fe2c2d46ba3c38dfa1a4 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7052/#acomment-7209 Sat, 16 May 2026 23:03:58 +1200 The customer sees 10 year warranty and thinks nobody should ever charge them again.

In reply to - Brandon posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Everybody talks about warranty like it’s free work for HVAC companies Meanwhile you’re driving back out, dealing with parts, labor, callbacks, […] ]]> 18ca557eb265c6032eadf453c8976b17 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6855/#acomment-6959 Sun, 03 May 2026 21:28:23 +1200 This is why systems get overworked and then they blame the equipment.

In reply to - William posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices walked into a house today and thermostat was set to 60 place already freezing. customer goes it’s not cooling right stood there for a second […] ]]> 27730bf26cc2399a1a2611e00a50370b Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6795/#acomment-6807 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:33:20 +1200 I built one early on thinking that was enough. Looked decent but didn’t get much from it. Had to go back and invest properly to start seeing results.

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious what you guys are spending on your websites these days. Feels like it can go from cheap to expensive real fast. ]]> f5f357752a378ead913173f68ea4e6c6 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6773/#acomment-6786 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:12:31 +1200 i use it for writing up quotes quicker just clean it up after.

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Anyone here using AI for day to day office work? ]]> 16f8067d0ce597ed3f7ab10883987971 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6753/#acomment-6757 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:35:56 +1200 I’ve got a few like that… always 30-60 days behind but they keep paying.

In reply to - Harry posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got a couple small commercial accounts that are good for the money, but every invoice turns into a wait. Not chasing bad debt, they eventually pay… […] ]]> 03ecc75d0cc4e7e7f04c7de1953c77b7 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6727/#acomment-6752 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:09:35 +1200 Every time.

In reply to - Maxime posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs So yesterday around 11pm I get a call, customer says the AC isn’t cooling at all, so I send my team out. They find the issue, fix it, run the system […] ]]> e7270951684c9f001cc89970d5a96910 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6353/#acomment-6379 Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:50:32 +1300 Had almost identical numbers on a Carrier last spring. Turned out the liquid line drier was completely saturated from sitting all winter. Subcooling was high, head pressure climbing, TXV getting blamed for everything. Swapped the drier and it came right back into spec within 20 minutes

In reply to - Diego posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Carrier 24ACC636, R410A, 3-ton. First startup of the season. Suction 115 PSI Discharge 445 PSI. Superheat 8°F. Subcooling 18°F. Ambient 74°F. Charge […] ]]> 2e2bf7f4ebc2e46e2fbbecb1ad4e5594 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5807/#acomment-5817 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:29:15 +1300 Cold calling sucks but it works. I spent mornings walking strip malls and it paid off months later.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Trying to push more commercial work and still figuring out where the real leads come from. We do HVAC, refrigeration, kitchen equipment service […] ]]> 4f7fdd602da7985ebdfd388ea0e7e20b Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5598/#acomment-5606 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:29:44 +1300 Hard to compare numbers without knowing area, code requirements, and what you’re actually installing.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Trying to tighten up how I’m pricing new residential builds. I’ll go deep into plans, take my time, and still end up missing jobs or finding out […] ]]> 45b59dc648f64460602a40e94e6c2291 Charles posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5558/#acomment-5585 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:24:43 +1300 If it’s draining today, customer usually doesn’t want to touch it. Hard sell unless it’s already backing up.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices This drain setup is a future service call waiting to happen. Condensate issues shut more systems down than bad boards lately. ]]>