HVAC Community Hub | Jack | Activity https://hvachub.co/members/jkrabinson/activity/ Activity feed for Jack. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:23:45 +1200 https://buddypress.org/?v=3.3.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 f5f3e89febe98f66d82447cef9350a5b Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8200/#acomment-8231 Sat, 25 Jul 2026 15:04:40 +1200 How much are you getting for a walk in build like this in your area?

In reply to - Logan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Walk in cooler build done. Restaurant opens next week. ]]> a45eebe63db21990f39b003e343046ce Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8129/#acomment-8137 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 10:18:35 +1200 The diagnosis speech before you even open your toolbag. Classic.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Lady met me at my truck before I even turned the engine off. Already knew it was the compressor. It was a capacitor. ]]> 763d622658ede6c434487261625724d2 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8093/#acomment-8113 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:09:44 +1200 How bad is the airflow restriction from the bent section?

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Best way to repair a microchannel condenser coil that took some damage? Bent fins on about a 6 inch section, not leaking yet but it’s […] ]]> 629084666e8707858bb6c9a543825680 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8093/#acomment-8096 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 19:04:27 +1200 Fin comb won’t do much on microchannel, those fins are a different animal than traditional coils.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Best way to repair a microchannel condenser coil that took some damage? Bent fins on about a 6 inch section, not leaking yet but it’s […] ]]> 6eca4e6bb45bbbf9129e4376075b83ba Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8091/#acomment-8092 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 08:20:07 +1200 Keep doing it yourself. I have had partners and it never worked out. If you are ok sweating on a Saturday night in an attic making them money then it will work out. Otherwise please listen to me, you can build your business yourself.

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 […] ]]> 6359e068e8447ecc5f9a31fdc5263121 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8068/#acomment-8078 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 03:26:34 +1200 Good luck, finding reliable help in DFW right now is rough.

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anyone in the Dallas/Fort Worth area looking for work? I’m trying to find good help for HVAC repairs. Need someone with experience and knowledge […] ]]> 71f5328ca3f5ed6726cf00d72d1d8eeb Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8027/#acomment-8052 Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:53:32 +1200 I always ask the customer how long they plan to stay in the house. If they’re selling in two years the calculation is completely different than if they’re staying for ten.

In reply to - Nathan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Alright fellas, genuine question. At what point do you stop repairing and just tell the customer it’s time to replace. I’ve got a 14 year old […] ]]> 21446782ad11e464245cec027a91baf3 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7825/#acomment-7832 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:41 +1200 This is the new yelp reviewer energy.

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. ]]> 38601ddf6fbee2b2910ad1438a7dadc8 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7746/#acomment-7761 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:08:50 +1200 Synchrony too. Credit tightening across the board.

In reply to - Alessandro posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Question on financing. We offer it through Wisetack and Synchrony both. Lately feels like every other call wants financing now, even on […] ]]> 9f325b81306939df367dabca5d1aee20 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7716 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:32:10 +1200 Most owners aren’t. Get a bookkeeper who knows trades. Changes everything about how you read your own numbers.

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, […] ]]> f838346d43cee0cc9ee746ffb937d74b Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7630/#acomment-7700 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:04:09 +1200 20 percent of gross or adjusted gross. Do you include owner pay as part of net. Do you move payroll for field workers to cost of labor above the adjusted gross margin. All of these things matter when comparing numbers. Nobody is comparing apples to apples in this thread without knowing each others accounting setup.

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, […] ]]> f6d264e61038acfe9a4536e618d13daa Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7524/#acomment-7538 Sat, 30 May 2026 19:10:20 +1200 Exactly. They priced a system in 2020 and that number is permanently stuck in their head as what systems cost

In reply to - Michael posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anyone else feel like equipment prices are just never going back down. Quoted a 3 ton Carrier install today. My cost on the equipment alone […] ]]> c93eb06510590ca1c187611ce926af2d Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7373/#acomment-7457 Wed, 27 May 2026 20:47:06 +1200 That’s probably the most accurate summary of what I’m feeling right now honestly.

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 […] ]]> 46b01ff427395b36922c7f417099e30f Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7424/#acomment-7440 Wed, 27 May 2026 19:45:19 +1200 We’ve all done this and nobody will admit 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. ]]> cb96fe22de5824809d4560ecaac01c8d Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7112/#acomment-7128 Thu, 14 May 2026 05:16:35 +1200 A lot of online print places use cheap blanks with nice marketing.

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 […] ]]> ffac97421db9fca5f589468de8e235b8 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7044/#acomment-7046 Tue, 12 May 2026 05:47:56 +1200 Good luck 😂

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 […] ]]> 52ec247ab6cc923d377f1b0ab552420f Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6960/#acomment-6964 Mon, 04 May 2026 00:32:59 +1200 I went straight to a good bag hurt once but didn’t have to replace it

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 […] ]]> 2e30893856695b2bebbd30c4d18f2de7 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6855/#acomment-6955 Sun, 03 May 2026 19:16:37 +1200 I’ve started telling customers straight up if it’s reaching setpoint, the system is fine.

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 […] ]]> 0933c6a2170bcdc2a12d2eb4b3c11ce6 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6800/#acomment-6808 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:08:54 +1200 I’m near Keller not sure if that’s close to you.

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 […] ]]> 4dd2731eec7da5d1cddec8b56ff94f3d Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6568/#acomment-6606 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:25:46 +1200 Moisture on the coil from low airflow can start icing it slightly then your readings get even more misleading.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Ran into a system today where suction pressure looked low so it seemed like a charge issue at first, but after checking a bit more it turned out to […] ]]> 13c6346e50cd8fc1c594729e20300566 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6583/#acomment-6588 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:53:21 +1200 Most of our callbacks were wiring or airflow checks getting skipped.

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? ]]> 5f25db2b068c3fc65c0ca428b17a6e9f Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6570/#acomment-6581 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 21:56:40 +1200 Mainly liability right now maybe expanding later.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been reviewing our business insurance lately and realizing I probably don’t understand half of what we’re actually covered for. Feels like […] ]]> dedbe2f2961cad281e7a8530a12bfa7b Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Been reviewing our business insurance lately and realizing […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6570/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:30:00 +1200 Been reviewing our business insurance lately and realizing I probably don’t understand half of what we’re actually covered for. Feels like every policy looks the same until you actually need it. Curious if anyone here has a setup they feel confident about or something they learned the hard way.

]]> 11 d0ff99be5985f103bd1cac5db2070e3c Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6460/#acomment-6475 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:34:19 +1300 Mergers like Mingledorff and The Home Depot ultimately signal the end of truly tailored repair experiences, reducing everything to faceless transactions rather than the meaningful connections we need in the repair community.

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 […] ]]> 1f39083bd910ffee33c20acb2e4bc1f8 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6315/#acomment-6352 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:49:19 +1300 And that’s a pricing problem, not a technical problem. Build leak search into your diagnostic rate.

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 […] ]]> 866f539c9713b120cb53f8ba39b24e77 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6306/#acomment-6328 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:45:07 +1300 Markup covers your admin time alone. coordinating a sub isnt free.

In reply to - Ethan 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? ]]> 4d97c49d44d18869e873700e5b84fea9 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6271/#acomment-6284 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:20:45 +1300 18/8 saves the day more often than people think.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs ]]> bba8f583e53e8ab4abcbb218e9d95e42 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6182/#acomment-6189 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:51:39 +1300 Those are my favorite. Unit starts every third try and they swear it was perfect the day before.

In reply to - James posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Had a customer today tell me, It was working fine yesterday.” Funny how that sentence usually means I’m about to find something that’s […] ]]> f30d7628a50df3385e95353b29132b6d Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6081/#acomment-6106 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:01:34 +1300 100% this. Software is just a tool. Garbage inputs = garbage outputs.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello, ]]> cfff75c0e44de84e6bbbc298151e77a6 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6065/#acomment-6085 Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:02:53 +1300 Yeah flex is basically a sponge with wire inside.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Alright I need a reality check. Redoing some duct runs at my Dad’s place. He bought flex and left it sitting for a while. Mice clearly […] ]]> c0499d24e2f9c2bd00d60b07743a361e Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5984/#acomment-5990 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:17:19 +1300 Looks like plain analog gauges to me. Nothing wrong with doing it the way we’ve always done it.

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 […] ]]> 62ce12e91b99f109766a20c2b349404a Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5847/#acomment-5869 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:26:14 +1300 Older unit?

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. ]]> 504e1a11fe74609c5d56cb596dea020a Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5807/#acomment-5835 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:29:32 +1300 Commercial isn’t about volume, it’s about being the one they trust when something breaks at 2am.

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 […] ]]> b229aec9bdbf39b494cf88a3cf3ef03c Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5820/#acomment-5828 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:26:15 +1300 Bet it ran hot for a long time before it finally gave up.

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs This motor’s been making noise for a while. Guess today was the day it finally quit. ]]> 99e12d4408cf3f0a67b6c270d2f2c570 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5751/#acomment-5791 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:25:59 +1300 I love getting blamed for systems that were already on life support.

In reply to - Davida posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello, ]]> a7a4f4f17ae7a5e6c5c59a7dfdf087b8 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5598/#acomment-5630 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:26:25 +1300 Honestly, if you’re doing full systems and duct for dirt cheap, you’re better off working for someone else.

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 […] ]]> dfbae631e6f5428419ca00ea4d2e654b Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5439/#acomment-5467 Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:12:38 +1300 Some supply houses around here will do takeoffs if you’re buying equipment through them. Not perfect, but helpful.

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Hello ]]> b21cb0a4dd04c4e02bdb39b4b40c3db2 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4490/#acomment-4496 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 03:10:23 +1300 I’ve started testing my meter before I even step inside now.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got to site today and the digital multimeter started acting up. Readings kept dropping and resetting, so we spent almost an hour just […] ]]> cf4c2585fab62dc9933f3dddc0566e59 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4233/#acomment-4234 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:58:29 +1300 That dust buildup always tells you how often no one’s been inside there.

In reply to - Emiliano posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors This unit’s been running longer than it should without anyone actually checking it. Numbers were fine. But the panel told a different […] ]]> 7ed950b0ce6ddd4761414cd6eded8b42 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4094/#acomment-4103 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:13 +1300 Bad notes are worse than no notes.

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Walked into a job with a full service history attached… and still felt like I knew nothing. Notes said checked, adjusted, monitor, but none of it […] ]]> b39361243acf85d1f9c3f987fbebfbf6 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/3985/#acomment-3992 Wed, 24 Dec 2025 13:42:39 +1300 Sensor placement is everything.

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 […] ]]> e7778121fe2c5f8a3d285cb899e9fc8f Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/3290/#acomment-3293 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 18:10:16 +1300 That’s the classic “I’ve been dying quietly for months” look 😂

In reply to - Maxime posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Found this inducer motor dripping oil today while checking a no-heat call. Not sure how long it’s been leaking, but the whole thing feels weak and […] ]]> dd81b6e41bfc861adaab9897d0345948 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2713/#acomment-2715 Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:56:34 +1300 Exactly. The system’s only as good as its airflow setup.

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. ]]> f2e288e32af02745ea366e47066d86d8 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2677 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:14 +1300 Haha, fingers crossed it’s just a connection and not a full teardown.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> 5026fbd678ba0110b4f461dad59ee1b7 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2675 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:13 +1300 Ah, hadn’t considered firmware. I’ll check the VFD version and see if updates are needed.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> e211f3daab4a6d40e1f53518d28ebbe6 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2673 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:11 +1300 Great call! It’s a single pump now, but worth knowing for future multi-pump setups.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> 227ee645a5a54de82b1f3475bc3328c6 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2671 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:11 +1300 Haha, exactly! Feels like you need a PhD just to read the manual sometimes.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> fe3688b3b235b933bc65966a80796330 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2669 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:09 +1300 Yeah, I was thinking impeller wear too – might have to open it up for inspection.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> 83c680bbc672eba425d455e878f5d9e3 Jack posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/#acomment-2667 Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:08 +1300 Good point! I’ll review the frequency limits and see if that stabilizes it.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even […] ]]> 97512f2500f7860704ba20beb20e68bd Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD - pump […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2665/ Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:26:06 +1300 I’m troubleshooting a chilled water pump with a VFD – pump is running, amps look normal, but flow rate is inconsistent. Sometimes it dips even though the system demand is steady.

Checked for air pockets, leaks, and filter restrictions- all good. Suspecting either VFD parameter misconfiguration or pump impeller wear, but haven’t opened it up… Read more

]]> 11