HVAC Community Hub | Ethan | Activity

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:30:39 +1200

Blower motors are the one I regret not carrying more of. Lost two same day jobs to availability when I could have closed them on the spot with stock.

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 […]

Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Question for the group. How many of you actually carry […]

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:17:00 +1200

Question for the group. How many of you actually carry spare parts on the truck versus ordering as needed.
I’ve been stocking capacitors, contactors, common motors, basic boards. Feels like it saves me a callback trip half the time but it’s also a lot of cash sitting in a truck doing nothing until it’s used.
Trying to figure out if I’m… Read more

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 00:10:47 +1200

TikTok and Facebook. Be honest, don’t take advantage of people, and eventually you build a reputation. It takes a while but it’s real when it comes.

In reply to - Oliver posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious on what people did for marketing starting out. I have been posting in Facebook groups and boosting Facebook posts. Started in March. April […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 21:33:20 +1200

The problem isn’t what you’re charging. It’s who you’re marketing to. Property managers and flippers will always tell you you’re too high because they’re squeezing every dollar. Homeowners who own their home and care about it will pay fair rates without blinking.

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.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Tue, 19 May 2026 19:03:13 +1200

Fast approvals help a ton when the customer’s already stressed about a dead system.

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 […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 16 May 2026 02:40:57 +1200

Freon’s probably low after changing the filter 2 hours earlier 😅

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 […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 21:11:32 +1200

The second you start hiring people full time the business side gets real.

In reply to - Alessandro posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started looking into health insurance options for employees this week and honestly didn’t realize how all over the place pricing […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 08:49:43 +1200

Especially on rooftop package units.

In reply to - Emiliano posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Need to order new company shirts, hoodies, equipment stickers and yard signs before things get busy again. Last batch looked great for about a […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Mon, 04 May 2026 20:23:40 +1200

Hard bottom + good zippers. everything else is secondary. most bags fail at the zipper first.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Just getting into HVAC and already realizing I’ll probably go through a few tool bags 😅 trying to figure out if it’s better to start cheap […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:19:53 +1200

If you ever need help handling calls or booking jobs I work with a team that does that pretty affordably.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Been around HVAC for a while now, started back in the early 2000s. Most of my time’s been in service and chasing weird issues on both residential and […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:26:11 +1200

Make sure you can survive 30–60 day payments.

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 […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:15:06 +1200

Worst part is explaining why it’s not just a quick fix anymore.

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 […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:36:14 +1200

Not enough to be consistent, that’s the issue.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Thinking about outsourcing SEO/marketing but hard to tell who actually delivers vs who just sends reports every month. Anyone here had a […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 08:46:23 +1300

Learning curve on controls caught me. Residential is a thermostat and a board. Commercial RTU you’ve got BAS integration, economizers, staged cooling, demand control ventilation. Took a while before I stopped feeling lost on the controls side.

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Genuinely curious from people who made the switch from residential split installs to commercial RTU work. Not looking for the “commercial is […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:07:06 +1300

Yep. Especially on replacements where nobody adjusts for duct design. Blower set wrong from day one and everyone blames refrigerant.

In reply to - Zachary posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Had something weird happen today. Didn’t even realize my techs were out here making bets on what the issue would be. Sent two of them up to […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:26:39 +1300

Everyone loves blaming boards, but 9 out of 10 times it’s grounding. Flame rectification is stupid simple. If the ground path sucks, the signal drops. Heat just exposes it.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Flame rectification dropping below spec once cabinet temp rises past 120°F. Runs fine cold, problems show up after it’s been on a while.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 12:26:35 +1300

Can’t we just clean it and see what happens?

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

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:39:26 +1300

Did you dye it or nitrogen test after spotting the oil?

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Had this condenser open today while chasing a capacity issue. Pressures weren’t screaming low, superheat was borderline acceptable, but something […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:37:56 +1300

Happy Holidays everyone 🎅 Appreciate this group a lot.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors 🎄 Merry Christmas from HVAC Community Hub 🎄 Wishing everyone here a peaceful holiday season and a well-earned break. Thank […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:40 +1300

Hard lesson, but true.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Spent a few days chasing a control issue that just didn’t make sense. Return air temp kept drifting higher every afternoon, driving resets […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:39 +1300

That’s likely the fix here too.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:37 +1300

That lines up – this happened mostly during light load.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:36 +1300

That pattern was the biggest clue something else was going on.

Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Spent a few days chasing a control issue that just didn’t […]

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:35 +1300

Spent a few days chasing a control issue that just didn’t make sense.
Return air temp kept drifting higher every afternoon, driving resets that didn’t match what the spaces were actually feeling.
Turned out the sensor wasn’t wrong – it was sitting in a tall plenum where warm air stratifies by the end of the day.
Same building, same system…… Read more

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:36:46 +1300

If the pump VFD is dropping too low, your valve authority might be garbage. Low differential = coil starving instantly.

In reply to - Nicolas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got an AHU coil losing every time the CHW pump VFD ramps down, even though the control valve shows 100% open. Strainer’s clean, no air, CHW supply […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:51:34 +1300

Had a case where the SF was fine but the mixed-air section was collapsing internally. Check panels too.

In reply to - Nathan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Showed up this morning and the supply fan is pegged at 100% again, and we’re STILL not hitting building static. Feels like half the damn […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:53 +1300

😂 BAS logic never lies… right?

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hey guys, ran into something odd today – a few pressure-independent VAVs that look perfect in the BAS but fall way off when you take […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:52 +1300

Makes sense – building is pretty dusty lately too.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:52 +1300

Good tip – this site did have an update last month. Might be part of it.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:51 +1300

😂 Exactly. Independent from reality maybe.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:50 +1300

I’m leaning toward bad flow rings or sensors that haven’t been touched in years.

Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Hey guys, ran into something odd today - a […]

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:49 +1300

Hey guys, ran into something odd today – a few pressure-independent VAVs that look perfect in the BAS but fall way off when you take real readings.
Trending says they’re holding CFM, but in the field they’re drifting 20–30% like the sensors are telling their own version of the story.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:30 +1300

Head pressure climbing is your giveaway. Reduced airflow = reduced heat rejection. Motor RPM is off or blade efficiency is low.

In reply to - Nicolas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Out on a commercial RTU today and the “new” condenser fan motor isn’t moving air the way it should. Voltage and cap are spot on, but the RPM is […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:59:22 +1300

Yeah, seen this plenty. Usually ends up being a weak relay or voltage drop under load.

In reply to - Noah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Weird one today – condenser fans don’t all start together. Sometimes one or two just hang out for 10–15 seconds, then decide to join the […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:14 +1300

Good reminder -the coil was cleaned recently, but I’ll double-check airflow across sections.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Anyone experienced sporadic compressor overheating on multi-circuit RTUs? 🤔 One circuit keeps running hotter even after checking charge […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:12 +1300

Yeah, I’ll check the TXV screen and drier. That could definitely cause uneven load.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:12 +1300

Interesting, never thought of firmware. Will check if there’s an update available.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:10 +1300

Good call. I’ll inspect that – could explain why one side runs hotter.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:09 +1300

Yeah, that’s what I’m starting to suspect too. Might try swapping sensors between circuits.

Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors: Anyone experienced sporadic compressor overheating […]

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 13:55:09 +1300

Anyone experienced sporadic compressor overheating on multi-circuit RTUs? 🤔
One circuit keeps running hotter even after checking charge and airflow.
Could it be a TXV issue or control logic fault? Looking for insights from the pros!

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:08:41 +1300

I’d isolate the sections and work one at a time with nitrogen. Process of elimination saves a lot of time.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Had something strange happen on a service call today. While pulling a core using a screw-style remover, the internal seal tore off and somehow […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:33 +1300

Couldn’t agree more. You can have top-tier equipment, but without balance, comfort is gone.

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Air balancing isn’t just a final step; it’s what decides if the system actually performs the way it was designed.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:26 +1300

Office keeps calling asking for readings from two days ago – by then the tech barely remembers which site it was.

In reply to - Connor posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors I think every HVAC company faces this – the work in the field gets done, but the details don’t make it back to the office. You know how it […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 14:03:05 +1300

Could be air trapped in the system -even small pockets can reduce flow noticeably.

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Noticed a weird drop in flow on one of the chilled water pumps in a large commercial system. The pump seems fine – no strange noises, amp draw […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:09:50 +1300

Could be a bladder leak-had one once and it caused similar swings.

In reply to - Logan posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Seeing pressure fluctuations on a hydronic expansion tank – swings nearly 10 psi during normal operation. Make-up water and pump seem fine, so I’m […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:47:50 +1300

Good point. I haven’t opened it yet, but that might explain the gradual loss.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Chilled water pump giving trouble-flow rate dropping under load, but everything else looks normal (sound, amp draw, no leaks). I’m suspecting VFD […]

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:47:48 +1300

Didn’t think of that. I’ll check bypass operation during tomorrow’s run.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:47:47 +1300

That’s interesting I’ll trend the frequency and see if it’s oscillating under load.

Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Chilled water pump giving trouble-flow rate dropping […]

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 05:47:46 +1300

Chilled water pump giving trouble-flow rate dropping under load, but everything else looks normal (sound, amp draw, no leaks).
I’m suspecting VFD tuning or impeller wear, but nothing obvious so far.

Ethan posted a new activity comment

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 21:23:59 +1300

Make sure filters are cleaned regularly, or efficiency drops fast.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Installed an ERV recently – airflow improved, energy bills dropped. Anyone else working with ERVs in commercial setups?