HVAC Community Hub | Luca | Activity

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:01:42 +1200

The biggest problem with T&M is that it punishes the good tech, a senior tech who diagnoses it in 10 minutes bills less than a new tech who takes an hour to find the same problem, flat rate at least makes the price about the job not about how fast or slow you are.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:02:00 +1200

Every single time.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 08:47:09 +1200

They never are but there’s literally no other way unless you want to disassemble the air handler into pieces and carry it down in parts which takes twice as long and costs more in labor anyway

In reply to - Leonard posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Tell me how I’m supposed to get a new air handler through this. That’s a 3 ton unit sitting up there and the access hatch is maybe 18×18. […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:06:44 +1200

Cut the ceiling, no other option, I’ve done it probably 15 times in houses like this where the original equipment went in during framing and nobody thought about what happens in 20 years when it needs to come out.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:08:06 +1200

Just replace it at that point, those little pumps are like $60 and not worth the hour of scrubbing.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:33:44 +1200

Post the finished install photo tomorrow.

In reply to - Logan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Furnace changeout in a house where the utility closet is at the end of a hallway barely wide enough for the unit to fit through. Had to bring the […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:43:44 +1200

That’s a solid job, how many weeks total you thinking?

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:54:19 +1200

The duct tape peeling off the top means he’s also pulling unconditioned garage air into the return on top of everything else. So the central system is fighting garage heat while the window unit fights the central system.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 16:26:51 +1200

I’d send the landlord a written estimate for the full scope of what actually needs to happen. Plumbing, drainage, vapor barrier reinstall, possible furnace replacement, electrical inspection. Put the real number in front of them. Most of the time they ghost you but at least it’s documented and the tenant has something to show a housing… Read more

In reply to - Alexander posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs I need somebody to explain to me why I’m the fourth company this customer has called about this. Three other companies came out, looked at it, […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 04:47:54 +1200

Yep. Drywall is soft and discolored in a 3 foot section of the hallway ceiling.

In reply to - Brandon posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Went outside to check the condensate drain and found this 🙄. New homeowner, bought the house last year, system has never been serviced. The drain […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 22:51:04 +1200

Home inspectors 😂😂😂

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:18:36 +1200

The extra fittings just in case is the most experienced thing in this whole post. Anybody who’s been doing this long enough knows you always find something under the house.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:11:21 +1200

I reorganize my van every January and by March it looks exactly like this again. At some point you just accept it.

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been running out of this van for 3 years now. Finally got the shelving where I want it. Still looks like a disaster to everyone else but I […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:59:38 +1200

shut it down.

In reply to - Grayson posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Called out for a no heat. Found this. Customer said the other company was out last month and told them everything was fine.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 02:04:39 +1200

Not sure, which means behind probably.

In reply to - Liam posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Halfway through the year. Real talk time. Are you ahead of where you thought you’d be financially, behind, or honestly not sure because […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 19:46:20 +1200

Game changer for truck stock specifically. Less inventory more coverage.

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 […]

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:23:04 +1200

Universal capacitors saved us a ton of SKU complexity. One part covers most of what we used to stock five separate sizes for.

Luca posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:37:36 +1200

Depends heavily on brand mix in your market. If you’re mostly one or two brands stocking makes sense. If you service everything from everyone the variation kills the value of carrying inventory.

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 - Viktor 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 […]

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 […]