HVAC Community Hub | Fabio | Activity

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 10:24:28 +1200

I charge T&M and I make good money doing it but I’ll be honest when I see what the flat rate guys in my area charge for the same work I sometimes wonder if I’m the idiot in this scenario.

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:12:46 +1200

🤦

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 09:55:01 +1200

The toothbrush with pink slime on it is doing the lord’s work tonight.

In reply to - Pietro posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs The smell when I cracked this thing open was unreal. Customer said the pump was running constantly but water was still backing up. Float […]

Fabio posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: What's everyones go-to recovery machine right now? […]

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:13:00 +1200

What’s everyones go-to recovery machine right now? Mine just died and I need to replace it today.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 02:21:25 +1200

White rooftop membranes are basically giant leak detector sheets, you can see oil trails from 50 feet away on those things.

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs When the roof tells you the diagnosis before you even open the panel. Didn’t need a leak detector today just followed the oil like a treasure […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 00:48:22 +1200

$300 fix turned into a $300 fix plus a window unit plus wall damage plus mold risk plus potential CO exposure. The savings really added up.

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:03:37 +1200

What was actually wrong with the real system that made him do this in the first place?

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 05:54:08 +1200

We use Square for the guys in the field. Pretty simple and the customers seem to have no problem with it.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Looking for something that works well for HVAC service calls and installs. Mainly looking for something easy for the techs to use in the field, […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:39:14 +1200

Depends on the bird. Most backyard birds are 12-14 days. Could be close to hatching already.

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got called out for a no cool. Pulled the fan grille off the condenser and found a tenant that didn’t file a work order. Three eggs sitting right […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 10:48:10 +1200

The hardest part about rooftop maintenance contracts is getting people to agree to pay for something when nothing is broken yet.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Maintenance contract call on a rooftop today. Carrier package unit installed last year, customer said it’s been running fine but wanted […]

Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Thinking about taking on a business partner to help with […]

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:29:00 +1200

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 scheduling, invoicing, customer follow up, all the admin stuff. Would own 30% of the business.
Has anyone done this? Did it work out?

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:52:18 +1200

Every hvac shop looks like this at some point, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

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

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:16:42 +1200

What I won’t do is make a customer feel stupid for choosing repair over replacement. some of them genuinely cannot swing a $12,000 RTU replacement and we need to remember that before we judge.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs If your customer has been “repairing” a unit that looks like the one on the right for 6 years and you kept taking the repair calls without pushing […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:54:55 +1200

Nobody in this thread is wrong honestly. it depends on the customer, the equipment, and the relationship. there’s no universal answer.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:09:33 +1200

Been doing this 18 years and people never stop surprising me.

In reply to - Jules posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Customer says the unit just stopped working last week.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:02:18 +1200

This is actually a good point. I do service a lot of different brands,.

In reply to - Felix 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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 23:54:23 +1200

50 hours per week? I remember my first part time job 😂 Good on you for being conscious of your guys though.

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 03:17:10 +1200

Good install guys are underrated though. If it’s installed right, service calls drop a lot.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs You guys enjoy installs or you’d rather be out doing service calls feels like two completely different jobs sometimes.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 06:16:05 +1200

Equipment financing. Don’t pay cash for trucks or equipment when you’re growing. Keep cash liquid for payroll and slow weeks. Let the asset pay for itself over time.

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.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 21:19:57 +1200

Duct cleaning is something I’ve avoided because the equipment cost seemed high to get started. Is it worth the investment?

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs How are you actually surviving the slow months financially as a small business owner. Not the textbook answer. The real one. January through […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 20:26:02 +1200

The October billing timing is something I never thought about. I’ve been billing whenever contracts come up for renewal which means nothing is predictable.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 19:57:57 +1200

That’s exactly it. Everyone posts the busy summer wins. Nobody posts the February bank account.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 27 May 2026 08:23:51 +1200

Screenshot this reply. Frame it.

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Quoted a job on Monday. Customer said they needed to think about it. Just drove past their house and saw another company’s truck in the driveway.

Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: How are you actually surviving the slow months […]

Tue, 26 May 2026 23:40:00 +1200

How are you actually surviving the slow months financially as a small business owner.
Not the textbook answer. The real one.
January through March nearly killed me this year. I had two techs to pay, two truck payments, insurance, and the phone was basically silent for 6 weeks straight. I burned through almost everything I had saved from… Read more

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Mon, 25 May 2026 02:58:18 +1200

This is why I send a written summary after every service call. What I found, what I fixed, what I recommend, and what I saw that wasn’t related. Creates a paper trail for exactly this conversation.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Replaced a capacitor for a customer in February .Today they called because the system isn’t cooling. Different problem completely. […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 21:29:19 +1200

There’s probably thousands sitting behind HVAC shops all over Texas right now.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Random question for the guys doing a lot of changeouts… what are you usually doing with all the old equipment after jobs? scrap yard recycling […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 08 May 2026 03:55:29 +1200

Hiring the right people helped more than any ad ever did.

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 22:57:09 +1200

People don’t understand thermostats aren’t speed controls. It’s a setpoint not ‘how hard the AC works. You can put it at 60 or 70 it’s still running the same way.

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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 03:47:10 +1200

Could probably borrow one from a supply house if you know someone there.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs staying with family out here and ran into a small ac issue… looks like a pinhole somewhere. i’ve got some tools on me but not enough to fix it […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:51:02 +1200

Raise them every year even if it’s just a little.

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

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:09:01 +1200

It’s not speed it’s lack of a proper routine. Speed just exposes it.

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?

Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Thinking about outsourcing SEO/marketing but hard to […]

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:06:00 +1200

Thinking about outsourcing SEO/marketing but hard to tell who actually delivers vs who just sends reports every month. Anyone here had a good experience with a company?

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:54:09 +1200

Regular maintenance of the condenser coils is a vital check that often gets overlooked, but it can make a big difference in system performance.

In reply to - Alessandro posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hey folks, ever hit up a service call with a complaint of no cooling, only to find the system running fine? It’s one of those perplexing […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:50:10 +1300

The TXV argument is the one that gets me. Seen a TXV fail from contamination exactly once in 12 years and it was from a full evap coil replacement with zero purge. Not a 90 second repair.

In reply to - Callum 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 […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:46:36 +1300

20% minimum. sometimes 30 depending on the headache factor.

In reply to - Brodie posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs When you guys bring in a sub on a job, do you usually mark up their labor or just pass their rate through to the client?

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 03:46:23 +1300

Crane operator better be good with that parking lot space.

In reply to - Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs New RTUs just landed for a warehouse changeout. Three units going up on the roof later today. Always a bit of coordination getting the crane […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:03:16 +1300

Nobody asks about workmanship warranty until something fails at year 2. Then suddenly it’s the most important thing in the world.

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

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:51 +1300

What total ESP were you targeting on this layout?

In reply to - Luca posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Spent a good hour on this one just trying to balance it without overcomplicating the layout. Biggest headache was keeping velocity where I […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 09:46:01 +1300

Mine looks like that every cold snap. As long as it goes into defrost you’re probably fine.

In reply to - Wyatt posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Noticed my outdoor unit basically turned into an ice block after the last stretch of brutal cold and snow. I know some frost is normal, but […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 21:11:47 +1300

I let it run and watch trends. If you jump straight into parts or adjustments you end up chasing symptoms instead of the cause.

In reply to - Grayson posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Ran into a situation on this unit where performance just wasn’t lining up with what we expected. Everything was technically running, but the […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:21:15 +1300

That’s exactly what it feels like. Cold start numbers look decent, then once it’s been running a bit everything starts chasing itself. Watching the valves now to see if one starts drifting under load.

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 […]

Fabio posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: System starts and runs, but once everything is online […]

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:36:04 +1300

System starts and runs, but once everything is online the behavior isn’t consistent. Supply temp swings after runtime, heat transfer isn’t steady, and it never really settles. Refrigerant side looks okay, airflow is there, but the response doesn’t line up with the actual load.
A lot of pieces interacting here, and it feels like something… Read more

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:49:50 +1300

Code says one thing. Field conditions say another.

In reply to - Callum posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system.

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:25:27 +1300

Any chance one circuit has a slightly different superheat target or TXV behavior even though controls match?

In reply to - Alexander posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices We’ve got a dual-circuit water-cooled chiller where one circuit runs fine and carries load, but the other keeps cycling more than it […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 20:53:52 +1300

That wiring above the tile is doing way too much.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Opened the ceiling expecting to verify a sensor location. Instead, found mixed low-voltage runs, a temporarily hung device, and airflow right where […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:35:57 +1300

Great to see a community like this growing. Happy New Year all.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Happy New Year from the HVAC Community🥳 Wishing every HVAC business owner, technician, contractor, manufacturer, and student […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:20:34 +1300

Totally agree. A “set and forget” CRM doesn’t work anymore.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC CRM Playbook: From Lead Capture To Customer Loyalty Something I keep seeing inside the group: a lot of HVAC businesses set up their CRM or automations once… […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 14:06:30 +1300

Loose neutral connection maybe? Seen it cause similar symptoms even when voltage looks fine.

In reply to - Wyatt posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Has anyone dealt with an ECM blower motor that randomly restarts? Power supply’s stable, board looks fine, and no error codes showing. It runs smooth […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:56:25 +1300

Variable speed compressors are great for efficiency, but make sure your VFD settings are tuned correctly – otherwise you lose gains.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I’ve been thinking about compressors lately – scroll, rotary, screw -they’re really the heart of any cooling system. With variable speed or […]

Fabio posted a new activity comment

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:23:40 +1300

I disagree – funny stories are distracting. We should stick to serious troubleshooting.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Hi friends, I just wanted to say – this community works best when everyone shares their wins, fails, and tips. Even a small […]