HVAC Community Hub | Eric | Activity

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:37:38 +1200

The capacitor example is always the one people use in this argument because it makes flat rate look bad, try running this same comparison on a compressor changeout or a leak repair where you’re there for 4 hours and suddenly T&M doesn’t look so customer friendly either.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Flat rate is a scam and I’ll die on this hill. Charging a customer $450 to swap a capacitor that costs $12 and takes 8 minutes is not “selling […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:12:16 +1200

I take this exact same photo on every maintenance call where the filter is bad and I send it to the customer in the invoice email, they never argue about the filter charge when they can see what came out of their system.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Customer asked me why her electric bill doubled this summer.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:44:47 +1200

I had the exact same call last month, customer said the new furnace was “too loud” compared to their old one, their old one was a single stage running on low speed 24/7 and the new one is a two stage that kicks into high when the house is actually calling for heat, it’s doing what it’s supposed to do but they hear the difference and… Read more

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Just got off the phone with a customer who wants me to come back and “fix” a system I installed 3 weeks ago. Her complaint? The vents make a […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:13:37 +1200

Appion G5 Twin, not cheap but it’s fast and I’ve had mine for 4 years with zero issues.

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.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:49:23 +1200

Is this even up to code where you are because in my jurisdiction stud cavities can only be used as returns if they’re properly sealed and lined which this clearly is not.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Customer has been complaining about dust in the house no matter how often she changes the filter and said it smells musty when the heat […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:50:48 +1200

Six supply runs and one return trunk, every single one on coat hangers, not a single piece of proper strap or hanger anywhere under this house.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got into the crawlspace today and I want to know who decided that wire coat hangers were an acceptable way to support ductwork because I have […]

Eric posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Got into the crawlspace today and I want to know who […]

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 01:30:00 +1200

Got into the crawlspace today and I want to know who decided that wire coat hangers were an acceptable way to support ductwork because I have some questions for that person. Every single run under this house is hanging from twisted up coat hangers and half of them have already cut through the outer jacket. There’s a belly between two of… Read more

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:43:19 +1200

What the building actually looks like versus what the drawings say it looks like, if that’s not the most accurate description of commercial construction I’ve ever heard?

In reply to - Alejandro posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Week 3 on this commercial buildout and we’re finally getting the main trunk runs hung in the east corridor. Would have been week 2 but […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 22:37:04 +1200

The breaker trips for a reason. That reason is to prevent the house from burning down. Bypassing it doesn’t fix the problem it just removes the last line of defense between the problem and a fire. I cannot believe people still do this in 2026.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Found a penny jammed behind a breaker today. Customer said the AC keeps tripping the breaker so the last guy “fixed it” so it wouldn’t […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:19:57 +1200

5/16 too. Somebody needed that back and never came looking for it.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Opened up an air handler for a routine maintenance and found a nut driver, a soda can, a shop rag, and about 15 loose screws sitting on top of […]

Eric posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Opened up an air handler for a routine maintenance and […]

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:28:00 +1200

Opened up an air handler for a routine maintenance and found a nut driver, a soda can, a shop rag, and about 15 loose screws sitting on top of the evaporator coil. Thanks to whoever was here last.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:49:48 +1200

6 inches from the deck boards to the fan grille. Where exactly is the hot air supposed to go. It’s just recirculating right back into the coil. That unit has been rejecting heat into itself for 3 years.

In reply to - Grayson posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Customer said the system just stopped keeping up last summer and has been getting worse. Asked where the outdoor unit was. She pointed at the […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 07:12:12 +1200

How far is the crawlspace. I’m already tired thinking about running a lineset through a crawl in July.

In reply to - Michael posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Early morning supply house run. Got a changeout today, 3 ton Carrier split system going into a ranch style home with a crawlspace. Customer has […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:31:21 +1200

How was this thing even running?

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Pulled these out of a 4 year old system today. Nobody ever changed the filter drier.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 06:13:17 +1200

Txv fixed orifice like what are we doing here bud.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs 2019 Bryant 2-ton R410A heat pump. Customer said the compressor made a terrible noise and then quit going. Outdoor fan runs fine, compressor […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 21:03:58 +1200

Moved to sales at 53. Miss the field sometimes but my body doesn’t.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 19:28:17 +1200

Book them Monday.

In reply to - Henry posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Genuinely curious how you all handle the customer who calls at 4:55pm on a Friday saying their AC has been out since Wednesday.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:57:07 +1200

second the bookkeeper recommendation. mine saved me more in tax deductions the first year than she cost me.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 03:22:13 +1200

What’s on the shelves, mostly parts stock or tools?

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Finally started organizing the shop. One step at a time 🇺🇸 #hvac

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:32:32 +1200

this is genius and I’m absolutely doing this next 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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 08:04:09 +1200

I had a guy do this with the actual parts list too, like he was going to argue me down on a capacitor brand based on a chatbot. I just let him talk, said okay, and quoted the exact same price when he was done. He booked it anyway.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anyone else getting customers who pull up ChatGPT mid-call and start reading you the “correct” price for the repair? Happened twice this week.

Eric posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Just got my EPA 608 cert last month. Working under […]

Thu, 21 May 2026 01:24:00 +1200

Just got my EPA 608 cert last month. Working under a licensed guy right now learning the trade. Couple questions for anyone willing to help. What do you wish someone told you in year 1 that would have saved you the most time or money?
Residential or commercial to start?
What tools should I actually invest in first vs what can wait? Not looking… Read more

Eric posted a new activity comment

Tue, 19 May 2026 20:17:25 +1200

Good outcome though. you got the job, customer got a fair price, everyone wins except the guy who tried to steal from them.

In reply to - Adam posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Customer called at 4:55pm. system not cooling. told them I could be there in the morning. they said never mind they’ll call someone else. called back […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sun, 17 May 2026 23:05:27 +1200

And it’s always from a 12 year old forum post too.

In reply to - Matthew posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Homeowners are way more educated now but also way more confident in completely wrong information 😅 Feels like every other call lately […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 16 May 2026 20:19:00 +1200

Yeah two companies can give the same homeowner completely different results.

In reply to - Connor posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been looking at changing financing companies after one of our dealer fees jumped from 1.9% to almost 4%. Not a huge deal on smaller tickets […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Mon, 11 May 2026 22:24:51 +1200

Most customers only learn the difference after getting burned once.

In reply to - Cameron posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Hey,

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:03:48 +1200

Seems like a lot of guys eventually move that direction.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 09:58:30 +1200

I had one where the disconnect was off because landscapers hit it. Customer thought the whole system died. Turned it on and it was fine but still charged because I had to drive 30 minutes out.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Do you still charge a service fee if it turns out to be something simple like a tripped breaker or switch off?

Eric posted a new activity comment

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 21:17:25 +1200

COD solves it real quick.

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… […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:24:19 +1200

YouTube techs strike again.

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?

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:14:09 +1200

That’s a bad contactor all day.

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, […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:19:06 +1200

End of the day it’s usually something simple you assumed was fine.

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?

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:47:59 +1300

Agreed, past mergers often lead to reduced quality and service focus, making it tough for us in the repair community to rely on consistency.

In reply to - Zachary posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hey everyone, just heard the news about Mingledorff’s merging with The Home Depot. I’m curious what we think this means for us in the repair […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:46:33 +1300

1,840 and the manifold looked fine. That’s the whole argument for a micron gauge right there.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:45:42 +1300

I charge it, get it running, then do a full leak search while its operating at pressure. Better chance of finding it with the system running than with nitrogen anyway. If I find it I fix it same day. If I dont I document it and schedule a follow-up.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:02:37 +1300

Tell me you had to re-hang at least one section because it looked straight from the floor but crooked once you got up there.

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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 09:23:15 +1300

We use HAP for most of our high-rise load calcs. Not perfect but it’s solid if you know how to use it properly.

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

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:50:37 +1300

Appreciate that. EPA seems like the common answer here.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs 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 […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:25:00 +1300

Let me guess… inspector shows up tomorrow and wants it moved 6 inches.

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Spent more time planning the lift than the actual setting weights, rigging points, curb alignment, clearances. One bad pick and it’s an […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:33 +1300

Excel. Been using the same sheet for years. Ugly but it works.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Looking for recommendations on sales quoting software for unit replacements. Not trying to overcomplicate things just want something consistent, […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:51:22 +1300

That’s true.

In reply to - Eric posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Didn’t even plan to post this, just snapped the picture and moved on. One of those moments where you see it, your brain goes huh… okay, and […]

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:47:36 +1300

It’s not a good feeling.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:36:00 +1300

Not hope. Just timing.

Eric posted a new activity comment

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:03:09 +1300

That’s a fair way to put it.

Eric posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Didn’t even plan to post this, just snapped the picture […]

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:16:50 +1300

Didn’t even plan to post this, just snapped the picture and moved on. One of those moments where you see it, your brain goes huh… okay, and you keep walking because you already know stopping to think about it will only make the day longer. It’s not wrong enough to fix immediately and not clean enough to feel good about, so it just sits there in… Read more

Eric posted a new activity comment

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:56:56 +1300

Explaining that part is always fun.

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 […]