HVAC Community Hub | Elijah | Activity

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:06:04 +1200

Does the week end at noon on Thursday.

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 […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 23:54:42 +1200

😂😂 damn okay.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs What are yall charging for service calls? I have been told im way too high @ $125 and $60 per hour per man.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 21:39:36 +1200

Honestly when you put it like that I haven’t actually sat down and done that math properly.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs What are yall charging for service calls? I have been told im way too high @ $125 and $60 per hour per man.

Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: What are yall charging for service calls? I have been […]

Thu, 28 May 2026 17:04:00 +1200

What are yall charging for service calls? I have been told im way too high @ $125 and $60 per hour per man.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 05:35:10 +1200

First employee nearly broke me. I wasn’t ready for payroll taxes, workers comp, the slower weeks still costing the same in labor. I thought hiring someone would free me up. For the first 6 months it just meant I was stressed AND broke instead of just stressed.

In reply to - Logan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I want to know, what was your strategy to get to 1, 2, 3 employees? Regarding cash flow, keeping everyone busy, funding trucks and equipment.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 05:07:00 +1200

Started 8 years ago with a pickup truck, a set of gauges, and my tools. Had my license and zero clients. I’ve been there man. It works if you keep pushing.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:20:00 +1200

Okay 80 to 120 is the target then, I’m at 23 right now so still got work to do.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’ve been in this industry for 11 years and I want to ask something that nobody really talks about honestly. Is HVAC still actually worth it […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:01:22 +1200

How many maintenance contracts would you say you needed before it actually changed how the business felt financially?

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 26 May 2026 20:28:53 +1200

That’s probably the most honest thing anyone has said to me about this. I’m a great tech. I’m still figuring out the business side.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 26 May 2026 20:12:00 +1200

I keep telling myself that but it’s hard to watch jobs walk out the door to someone charging half your price.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 26 May 2026 19:47:48 +1200

The specialization point is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, commercial refrigeration, chillers, something not every guy can just jump into.

Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: I've been in this industry for 11 years and I want to […]

Tue, 26 May 2026 01:42:00 +1200

I’ve been in this industry for 11 years and I want to ask something that nobody really talks about honestly.
Is HVAC still actually worth it as a business in 2025?
I’ve seen the industry explode in the last 10 years. Certain markets are completely oversaturated. Margins on installs are razor thin because every guy with a van and a 608 cert… Read more

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:24:36 +1200

I had one like this. stopped sending invoices by email started hand delivering them to whoever was physically in the office. funny how that works.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Ran into something today that honestly just frustrated me. Did a full changeout for a property management company back in March. Two units. Big […]

Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Ran into something today that honestly just frustrated […]

Tue, 19 May 2026 03:30:00 +1200

Ran into something today that honestly just frustrated me. Did a full changeout for a property management company back in March. Two units. Big job. Invoice was sent same day we finished.
It’s May. Still nothing.
Every time I call I get oh yes we have it, it’s in the queue for processing. What queue? It’s been 8 weeks.
At what point do you… Read more

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 07 May 2026 08:31:38 +1200

I always walk the job with them before leaving. Cuts down a lot of this stuff.

In reply to - Nicolas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Had a weird situation recently with a customer after a job was already wrapped up. During the work everything was normal. Walked through […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:24:59 +1200

Higher resistance at the contacts increases heat at that point, but more importantly it reduces the voltage available to the motor. Lower voltage – higher current draw – overheating. It’s a chain reaction.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Swapped a contactor today that looked fine at a glance, but under load it was dropping voltage across the contacts. Getting about 240V in, […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:10:09 +1200

I used to rush more slowed down a bit and my callbacks dropped a lot.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Callbacks are killing time over small misses lately. Anyone else dealing with this?

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:51:23 +1300

Always purge. Not because of contamination risk on small repairs because it’s a habit. The day you start making exceptions is the day you forget on a job where it actually matters

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Nitrogen purge when brazing. Every time. No exceptions. That’s what we’re taught and honestly that’s what I believe. But I’ve had this argument […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:45:32 +1300

Quoted a full TXV replacement on a system with high superheat. Customer approved it. Went back to do the job, popped the panel, found the sensing bulb had just fallen off the suction line. Strapped it back on. System ran perfect. Charged for the diagnostic only and wanted to retire on the spot.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Worst misdiagnosis you’ve made that turned out to be something embarrassingly simple. We’ve all been there. Spent an hour or two […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:36:27 +1300

The ones that only happen when you’re not watching are the worst kind.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Three hours. Checked the board, checked the contactor, checked the capacitor, checked every connection in the system twice. Everything […]

Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Three hours. Checked the board, checked the […]

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:53:16 +1300

Three hours. Checked the board, checked the contactor, checked the capacitor, checked every connection in the system twice.
Everything tested fine. Every single time.
Turned out to be a nick in the thermostat wire inside the wall. Only shorts when the front door slams hard enough to flex the drywall.
I found it because the customer’s kid ran… Read more

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:01:42 +1300

Did they at least give you enough rod? Or you cutting and coupling all day?

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices 30’ ceilings + scissor lift all day. Trying to keep the trunk straight while dodging steel and sprinkler lines. Whoever drew this on paper […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:29:19 +1300

You sure it’s oil and not just dirty evap coils? Residential maintenance is rough these days.

In reply to - Henry posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Seeing more systems lately that just run longer and feel weaker. Makes me wonder how much oil fouling gets ignored in residential.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:45:19 +1300

True. Every tool has weak points. End of the day it’s not analog vs digital it’s whether the tech understands the numbers.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices There’s a difference between it feels cold and actually checking what the system is doing. Pressures, temps, airflow that’s what tells the […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:17:18 +1300

Fieldpiece quietly stopped supporting the 3 series. Found that out the hard way last year.

In reply to - Daniel posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Has anyone successfully added R-454B or R-32 to the SMAN 360, or is that only supported on the SM380V? I’ve been digging through updates and […]

Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: There’s a difference between it feels cold and actually […]

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:23:10 +1300

There’s a difference between it feels cold and actually checking what the system is doing.
Pressures, temps, airflow that’s what tells the real story.
If you’re not measuring it, you’re just guessing.
Before summer hits hard, make sure your unit is actually performing the way it should.
If you want it even more trade-group style and less… Read more

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 18:33:52 +1300

Honestly the biggest jump for me was getting out of the truck part time. Even one less day in the field made a difference.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Mid-size market, roughly 900k population in our service area. Median household income around low 70s. We’re running 2 trucks plus me still in […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:45:42 +1300

If it’s minor, adjust. Once blades are distorted, replacement’s usually cleaner.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Damper blades are bent and out of alignment. Even with the actuator calling, airflow isn’t modulating evenly, which explains the uneven […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 16:45:05 +1300

Yeah, definitely not their first problem.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:50:25 +1300

True.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:35:10 +1300

Looks like age and wear. No impact marks, just fatigue.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 09:02:04 +1300

Actuator’s doing its job, blades aren’t following.

Elijah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Damper blades are bent and out of alignment. Even with […]

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:15:58 +1300

Damper blades are bent and out of alignment. Even with the actuator calling, airflow isn’t modulating evenly, which explains the uneven static and poor unit response.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 07:15:22 +1300

Wait… this is your first post?

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs First post here, so thought I should finally introduce myself 😄

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:40:27 +1300

Cleaning was enough. Once the flow was back to normal, the system started behaving properly again.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Big problem on this heat exchanger almost blocked flow was very bad system not holding temp at all everything old space tight nothing wanted to […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:30:54 +1300

From a customer’s perspective, this is the kind of fix they never see but benefit from immediately. From a technician’s side, it’s where experience really shows.

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Pressures were inconsistent during operation, which led to further inspection of the refrigerant line. A restriction was identified at […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:05:01 +1300

Yes, that’s exactly what it was. Flow through the heat exchanger was restricted, so the system kept running but never held temperature. Old valves and tight piping made isolating it take much longer than planned.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:10:20 +1300

Yes one valve not closing fully took long time.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:55:44 +1300

Yes lot of dirt inside once open it was clear.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:21:30 +1300

Main issue was flow heat exchanger almost blocked.

Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Big problem on this heat exchanger almost blocked flow […]

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:35:24 +1300

Big problem on this heat exchanger almost blocked flow was very bad system not holding temp at all everything old space tight nothing wanted to move took way more time than planned just one of those days where you keep thinking it should be simple but it’s not.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 10:30:46 +1300

For me it’s usually the thermocouple, especially on older units.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices If a furnace pilot light keeps going out, what’s the first thing you usually check thermocouple, dirty pilot, or gas pressure?

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:31:12 +1300

I’ve had days where I know for a fact I restocked them, and then when I’m on site and under pressure… nothing. Makes you feel like you’re losing it

In reply to - Matthew posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Had plenty of Schrader valve cores last week. Needed one today gone.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:34:20 +1300

Clearly they’re watching a YouTube tutorial 😂

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Put the phones down, the unit’s watching 👀😂??

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:47:57 +1300

Customer probably watched you work for 3 hours thinking this is expensive and then saw it fixed in 5 minutes.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Hey guys, something funny happened on site today. The customer called saying the unit keeps shutting off randomly and cooling drops for […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:43:20 +1300

I’ve had houses sit at 45–50% and still feel dry because of short cycling. Numbers look fine, but the run time tells the real story.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Was checking voltage at the condenser today and had that moment where everything looked fine… but my gut said otherwise. Didn’t chase it right […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 09:20:41 +1300

Any history on the unit? Storms or power issues in the area lately?

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Check ground and incoming voltage before blaming the board. A lot of ‘bad boards’ aren’t bad at all.

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 06:11:33 +1300

I’ve seen this a lot where the system technically meets spec but behaves inconsistently because of how things were tied together over time.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Opened the unit and found no single failed part, just inconsistent behavior caused by messy wiring and multiple small issues stacked […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 19:46:53 +1300

Controller averaging or filtering too aggressive?

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Mixed air temperature doesn’t match the math of OA and RA values. Sensors are steady, economizer is responding, but the mixed reading […]

Elijah posted a new activity comment

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:58:45 +1300

Wouldn’t surprise me if this started after a drain issue or a bad reheat cycle.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Internal fiberglass insulation inside the unit has degraded and detached. The insulation has sagged into the airflow path, collecting dust and […]