HVAC Community Hub | Luca | Activity

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 21:59:16 +1200

Fire a couple. I wish I had a part time job.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:35:05 +1200

Burning out at 46 hours in summer is a retention problem not a workload problem.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:46:02 +1200

lol our guys work 50-70 a week and they want it. You don’t need another tech you need techs that don’t complain. That’s normal hours 😂

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:26:16 +1200

Year 1 almost killed me too. year 3 is when it finally felt like a real business. Keep going.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Honest post here because I see a lot of highlight reel stuff and I want to share something real.Year 2 of being on my own. started with my truck, […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 16 May 2026 12:20:45 +1200

Most YouTube HVAC videos skip all the actual diagnostics.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 08 May 2026 23:07:10 +1200

I think some of them genuinely overthink things after the work is done.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 22:36:59 +1200

Customers say same problem and it’s not even close half the time.

In reply to - Owen posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs how many callbacks do you guys actually consider normal before you start second guessing the original job? i’m not talking about random stuff breaking […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 01 May 2026 19:25:58 +1200

Always good to see more guys from the field here.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:14:23 +1200

Once you grow you kind of have to track it.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started thinking about this recently… I don’t really track where most of my calls come from. You guys keeping track of that or just letting it run?

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:01:22 +1200

Doesn’t have to be fancy but you need something.

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious what you guys are spending on your websites these days. Feels like it can go from cheap to expensive real fast.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:06 +1200

We stay busy without builders never liked that side of the business.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 20:05:17 +1300

That’s a valid concern, but often mergers result in better resources and improved customer service despite initial skepticism.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:47:08 +1300

The manifold needle cant tell you anything below about 1,000 microns. You’re essentially flying blind on the most important part of the evacuation.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 10:15:48 +1300

The EPA would like a word with anyone just venting and topping off repeatedly on the same system.

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 […]

Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: New RTUs just landed for a warehouse changeout. Three […]

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:53:35 +1300

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 set, rigging right, and making sure the curb measurements actually match what was ordered. Nothing worse than getting everything up there and realizing something doesn’t line up. Long day ahead.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 09:20:27 +1300

Which means higher static pressure and shorter equipment life. I’d open them back up if possible.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Just closed on a house built in the 1920s and the furnace looks pretty new installed around 2022 from what I can tell. While walking through […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:53:53 +1300

Same here. When you sound unsure, customers feel it. Confidence sells more than discounts.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hi All,

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:37:27 +1300

Upsized the trunk early and kept the takeoffs spaced out. Still planning to verify with a hood once it’s live.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:35:33 +1300

Trying to stay under .5, but with the branch lengths it was tight.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:52:06 +1300

Started with friction rate, then reality of the framing forced a few compromises.

Luca posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Spent a good hour on this one just trying to balance […]

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:15:17 +1300

Spent a good hour on this one just trying to balance it without overcomplicating the layout.
Biggest headache was keeping velocity where I wanted it while not oversizing the trunk. Every time I adjusted one branch CFM, it threw off the static on the other side. Had to rethink the elbow placement too so I wasn’t stacking pressure drop for no… Read more

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:11:14 +1300

Especially if it’s not insulated or barely strapped on. Readings go crazy once cabinet temp climbs.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:26:07 +1300

Looks like long-term imbalance or belt tension issues too.

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.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:31:05 +1300

Don’t underestimate just walking into places and talking to people. Property managers, restaurants, small warehouses. It’s slow but it sticks.

In reply to - Ryan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Been trying to figure out where the best return actually comes from when it comes to getting work in the door. We’re steady, but not booked out the […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:31:46 +1300

So far it feels clean and easy to use.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hey everyone just checking in. If you’ve faced any issues using the community, or if there’s anything you’d like us to improve or […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:31:04 +1300

Bet it’s been topped off more than once.

In reply to - Noah posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Still running… just waiting for the right day to ruin someone’s schedule 😬

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 13:10:40 +1300

Takes a few extra minutes but saves a ton of headache later.

In reply to - Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got called out for a small leak and yeah… it wasn’t small. Unit’s running fine, but the condensate line is backing up and dripping right at the fittings.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 11:10:21 +1300

100%. Easy to overlook until there’s water damage and panic involved.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 08:57:48 +1300

You already know it. Cleaned it out and suddenly everything behaves again.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:21:03 +1300

customer always says AC is leaking but the system’s fine it’s the drain line causing all the drama.

Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Got called out for a small leak and yeah… it wasn’t […]

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 05:35:35 +1300

Got called out for a small leak and yeah… it wasn’t small.
Unit’s running fine, but the condensate line is backing up and dripping right at the fittings.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:24:46 +1300

Because nobody budgets for them.

In reply to - Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Opened the wall expecting to swap a control wire and walked straight into this. No box, no connectors, bare copper twisted and buried like it was […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 05:23:55 +1300

Legally maybe. Practically? Hard to walk away.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:11:50 +1300

Yep. And somehow that makes it okay in their mind.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:37:03 +1300

That’s what bothered me too. One movement away from trouble.

Luca posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Opened the wall expecting to swap a control wire and […]

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:52:11 +1300

Opened the wall expecting to swap a control wire and walked straight into this. No box, no connectors, bare copper twisted and buried like it was never meant to be seen again. Unit’s been running fine, customer had no complaints, and honestly this probably sat here for years without anyone touching it. This is the kind of thing you only find by… Read more

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:50:06 +1300

Hard to explain to customers why troubleshooting this costs more than replacing parts.

In reply to - Michael posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Saw this setup today and honestly, this is where experience quietly matters. On the surface everything looks installed properly – piping […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:46:08 +1300

I think the compressor is gone
i think the unit is too old
I think it needs replacement
Meanwhile it’s a terminal screw hanging by faith.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:20:15 +1300

It works, but it eats time. Between service calls and paperwork, content is the last thing I want to do.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious how many guys in here are actually using Facebook, Instagram, or anything else to bring in work. Does it really help, or is it mostly […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 21:55:32 +1300

Classic start to the day.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Just started the day… and yeah, this is how it’s going.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 19:36:00 +1300

Happy New Year! Hoping this year brings better coordination between field and office.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:27:37 +1300

Had a hospital job like this. Three departments, three control points, zero coordination. Took longer to get permissions than to fix the fault.

In reply to - Mason posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Didn’t even touch the unit today. Spent 40 minutes just figuring out who actually controls it – tenant says one thing, building manager says […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:00:45 +1300

If it’s dripping, the bearing’s probably washing itself out. Replacement is usually cheaper than waiting.

In reply to - Noah posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Pulled the cover and found oil dripping out of the motor housing. Unit’s been noisy on startup and drawing a little higher amps than usual. Looks like […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

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

Check airflow across the coil. Too much air will hit LAT but kill dehumidification.

In reply to - Daniel posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Seeing supply air humidity creep up even though leaving air temperature stays right on setpoint. Cooling looks fine on paper, but the […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:13:28 +1300

We changed from Do you have any questions about the estimate? to Just checking in – want us to hold a slot for you?
Reply rate jumped.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group HVAC Email Pipeline Builder |Nurture Leads. Follow Up. Close More Deals Bit confused with our email pipeline right now… people are opening the automated emails, but barely […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

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

The simple stuff is usually the last thing anyone checks.

In reply to - Luca posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Seeing an RTU economizer pulling in way more outside air than it’s commanded to. Minimum position looks normal in the BAS, but mixed air temps keep […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:48 +1300

Yeah, rooftop winds here do get pretty wild.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:46 +1300

Seen filters collapse and create a pressure imbalance — economizer opens to compensate.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:45 +1300

Good call. A weak motor could be losing the fight against wind pressure too.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:19:43 +1300

Facts. The “minimum” reading is just a number if the actual hardware is off.