HVAC Community Hub | Lucas | Activity https://hvachub.co/members/lucas_reed/activity/ Activity feed for Lucas. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:34:18 +1200 https://buddypress.org/?v=3.3.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 ec1eaea4e540cfce6be10127208731dd Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8501/#acomment-8533 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:49:13 +1200 Checked it after. Superheat and subcooling both landed right where they should once the head came down. Charge was fine the whole time, just couldn’t reject heat.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got dispatched for a “system not keeping up” call. Showed up and couldn’t even find the condenser at first. Homeowner pointed me to the […] ]]> 00ad7ba1f8d834b5210f953c01a44079 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8501/#acomment-8523 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 23:42:53 +1200 Maybe 30% of the fins on that side are bent flat. Got most of them back with a fin comb but that section is never going to flow air the way it should. Told her to keep an eye on it.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Got dispatched for a “system not keeping up” call. Showed up and couldn’t even find the condenser at first. Homeowner pointed me to the […] ]]> d5df86af61e0977a6e664e153c6af977 Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Got dispatched for a "system not keeping up" call. […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8501/ Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:01:00 +1200 Got dispatched for a “system not keeping up” call. Showed up and couldn’t even find the condenser at first. Homeowner pointed me to the backyard and I thought she was joking. The landscaping has literally eaten this unit alive. Bushes on three sides pushed right up against the coils, fins crushed where the branches have been growing into them… Read more

]]> 14 42942e06b99c253d4c2f022ad7e8672b Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8335/#acomment-8350 Sun, 02 Aug 2026 22:40:12 +1200 I stopped using foil tape on boots years ago. Mastic and a zip tie or a clamp. Every time. Foil tape will fail eventually no matter what. I don’t care what anybody says.

In reply to - Harry posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Customer complaint was one bedroom not cooling. Found this under the house. Flex completely disconnected from the boot, just dumping […] ]]> 2a4a1af69185fc268e7300249588ce88 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8174/#acomment-8275 Mon, 27 Jul 2026 08:09:18 +1200 Did you actually put your hand on the suction line at the compressor or just going off gauges?

In reply to - Robert posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs 2019 Bryant 2-ton R410A heat pump. Customer said the compressor made a terrible noise and then quit going. Outdoor fan runs fine, compressor […] ]]> 261dc7f71e32dfe78a91ef8e8672df55 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/8093/#acomment-8128 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:54:51 +1200 Run it and monitor pressures, order the coil, don’t touch the fins.

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 […] ]]> c73f6d331b4834eda104b61b96ca7f40 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7828/#acomment-7833 Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:12:22 +1200 Ask for the cross reference sheet. Most distributors have one even if the counter guy doesn’t know to look.

In reply to - Juan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Anybody else’s supplier just randomly stop carrying a part you’ve ordered for years with zero warning? Needed a specific contactor today, […] ]]> e13f0d682794167451eeb487dab18e9c Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7807/#acomment-7814 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 21:21:05 +1200 I just smile and nod now. Saves everyone time.

In reply to - Jordan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got a customer today who watched a 4 minute YouTube video and informed me my diagnosis was wrong. Video guy has never seen this unit, this house, […] ]]> 0792e476772a4751eee5b86c7940495b Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7468/#acomment-7477 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:48:11 +1200 The truck question is what got me. I bought too soon. Financed a $45k truck in year one because I thought it looked professional. That payment nearly killed me during a slow February. A $12k used truck with my logo on it does the exact same job.

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. ]]> 62de055b7f161645bd46425be12982ac Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/7163/#acomment-7175 Fri, 15 May 2026 19:35:11 +1200 Dealer fees hurt but losing a 15k replacement because the customer has no payment options hurts worse.

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 […] ]]> c8a71134be295890584ace296a4936fd Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6978/#acomment-6983 Thu, 07 May 2026 08:25:39 +1200 Commercial accounts changed everything for me.

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 […] ]]> 17a3a00daae1e801cf5af58edd3ceff0 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6753/#acomment-6758 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:19:48 +1200 Either you run terms or you don’t… can’t be in between.

In reply to - Harry posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Got a couple small commercial accounts that are good for the money, but every invoice turns into a wait. Not chasing bad debt, they eventually pay… […] ]]> 0d02de43e27081ef47dc05eae5f9ccd2 Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Nitrogen purge when brazing. Every time. […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6405/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:51:17 +1300 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 with enough experienced techs to know it’s not as black and white as the textbook makes it sound.
On a brand new install no question. Purge the whole time. Copper oxidation in a new system is a… Read more

]]> 8 c40d3a7ba46004027a75d05d8cebd146 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6182/#acomment-6205 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:36:34 +1300 Deferred repairs always come back around. Just usually at the worst time.

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 […] ]]> 88ace0e851c73ae4e0cd555f66862ef6 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/6131/#acomment-6135 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 07:00:59 +1300 Most homeowners don’t realize warranty and insurance aren’t the same thing until something big happens.

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello, ]]> 9f5f74c8064e7b1ad8be6c6c9c6c8b97 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5984/#acomment-6006 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:35:55 +1300 Hey, beer can cold is undefeated… until it’s not. I’d rather know why it’s cold than hope it stays that way.

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 […] ]]> 1482074b826494b1f560fd4198974483 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5885/#acomment-5925 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:42:21 +1300 Commercial is different. If I’m already on site, I’m checking everything because downtime costs real money.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello All, ]]> e197d11b3eaf4d07541461363e224067 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5671/#acomment-5675 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:51:12 +1300 If it’s a heat pump, some ice is normal. If it stays iced up all day, that’s when I’d worry.

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 […] ]]> 22bcdb68fd64751f7cac506f18e98563 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5653/#acomment-5673 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 05:07:13 +1300 How long had it been off before you fired it up?

In reply to - William posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Cold start on an older boiler today. Took longer than expected to come up to temp. ]]> 466a37f0181a5c1d3111d9275029588c Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/5549/#acomment-5572 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:19:10 +1300 Gusto’s been simple for us. No major issues so far.

In reply to - Nicolas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Thinking about switching payroll providers. What are you using and would you stick with it? ]]> caebd808166ba7dbed48330993711993 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4972/#acomment-4979 Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:47:25 +1300 This is why I separate consumables by job type. Electrical, controls, service-only. Otherwise it’s chaos.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Restock time ]]> 197e822b3b395952ed6bbf8e92c64dd2 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/#acomment-4890 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:20:48 +1300 Until they’re paying for water damage or leaks.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. ]]> ed0fea4d0e7ed2a7ad52cf2ecbf6d535 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/#acomment-4883 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:25:39 +1300 But someone eventually pays for it anyway.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. ]]> 3f181a99ec47119c3ce74ed318a10fd5 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/#acomment-4877 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:20:34 +1300 Nobody wants to be the first one to undo it.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. ]]> 86e11ed3cbb44e2bc65b0f8f73b2a526 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/#acomment-4869 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:12:24 +1300 Agreed. It just gets ignored because it works.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. ]]> f243799871b85de4cac420d80d04c843 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/#acomment-4865 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:39:37 +1300 And that’s how it keeps growing.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. ]]> 99ff29216b5f8ab26e507918ade02374 Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Started as a temporary fix. Somehow it became part of the system. https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4862/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:52:02 +1300 Started as a temporary fix.
Somehow it became part of the system.

]]> 11 ab72eef7ec534c8403f6c082d5b1ba8f Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4834/#acomment-4838 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:05:22 +1300 Every single night.

In reply to - Edward posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices GN. Done for the day. Still scrolling work stuff though. ]]> 773b08a5c9323997c75450f90b1d73ad Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4670/#acomment-4683 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 07:52:50 +1300 😂 Different kind of stress back then. I’ll take the gauge anxiety over guessing.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Pulled vacuum, watched the gauge, and waited. Some days the numbers cooperate… some days they don’t. ]]> 9b4212ab0d89422f57a082a014535791 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4670/#acomment-4678 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 05:33:08 +1300 Every. Single. Time. I swear it knows 😅

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Pulled vacuum, watched the gauge, and waited. Some days the numbers cooperate… some days they don’t. ]]> 22e1e5230c6245e48d6ab1cd7c9bc60a Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4670/#acomment-4674 Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:59:35 +1300 Yeah, isolated it twice just to be sure. Letting it sit before calling it done 👍

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Pulled vacuum, watched the gauge, and waited. Some days the numbers cooperate… some days they don’t. ]]> 2c92154797a38a6302b744587f33fe68 Lucas posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors: Pulled vacuum, watched the gauge, and waited. Some days […] https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4670/ Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:12:03 +1300 Pulled vacuum, watched the gauge, and waited.
Some days the numbers cooperate… some days they don’t.

]]> 6 b54ce29cf1fbf0dc9732170a36a49320 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4490/#acomment-4493 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 02:52:08 +1300 Those delays never show up on the invoice.

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 […] ]]> 3a2de63c57edcd40b57a9fad36d6ff98 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4490/#acomment-4492 Sun, 11 Jan 2026 02:32:17 +1300 At least you figured it out before changing parts.

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 […] ]]> 812344cce5bae80435c23fb398ac6798 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/4309/#acomment-4320 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 18:30:11 +1300 These are the calls that eat the whole afternoon.

In reply to - Julien posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Everything checks out on paper, but the space still doesn’t feel right. Air’s moving – just not where it’s supposed to anymore. ]]> a6a2334c4084ceb84885814787a748ba Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/3624/#acomment-3627 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 09:44:54 +1300 Trend humidity, valve position, fan speed, and LAT together – the conflict usually shows up there.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Cooling’s doing its job on temperature, but RH keeps creeping up anyway. Feels like dehumidification is getting undercut somewhere – airflow, coil, […] ]]> 705c15b63a095e8114adbafbeec3dd8d Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2923/#acomment-2924 Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:58:29 +1300 Check your low-pressure switch cut-in and cut-out range. Sometimes new compressors react faster and trip before stabilization.

In reply to - Benjamin posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Swapped in a new scroll compressor last week, and now it’s short cycling every few minutes. Charge looks spot-on, pressures are steady, […] ]]> 90766e49e817b154580aa18cf51bedc2 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2599/#acomment-2600 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:57:49 +1300 Check the actuator – sometimes it moves, but the damper doesn’t fully open or close.

In reply to - Brandon posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I’ve been working with a VAV box controlling airflow in a commercial system, and noticed some zones aren’t getting consistent airflow. […] ]]> 558fe787792bc3e69904dc5bd0bbb11a Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/2569/#acomment-2578 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 13:56:31 +1300 Check for suction and discharge superheat regularly – small changes can indicate big issues early.

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 […] ]]> 27b707e300b95982455b922d6933b9b4 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/1768/#acomment-1779 Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:56:00 +1200 Improving COP is way more reliable than temperature tweaks.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices While optimizing chiller efficiency on a recent project, I found myself caught between reducing approach temperature and improving the […] ]]> d6a6e9ccef05455cb79ab5deae4ca5e4 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/1444/#acomment-1449 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:31:59 +1200 Sometimes a subtle restriction in the TXV or drier causes short run cycles without any codes. While everything looks charged, the metering device may be lagging under hot load.

In reply to - Alejandro posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Just serviced a rooftop heat pump that was short-cycling-runs 2 minutes, shuts off for a minute, then repeats. Capacitors and filters checked […] ]]> 136a22265ee664223a4c23a15e9caab8 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/1369/#acomment-1370 Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:30:58 +1200 Check your low-voltage circuit. Sometimes a weak transformer can hold 24V under no load but drop when the contactor pulls in.

In reply to - Adam posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Looking for some guidance with a Carrier 38AKS unit. This one predates the newer ComfortLink controls and is still running on an ICM board paired […] ]]> a843f29f5ccf7f77ab7159c0542dbf62 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/862/#acomment-877 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 10:43:36 +1200 My favorite is when the client says “it didn’t look like that before,” and I just send a pic… with their dog already in the frame.

In reply to - Tristan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices One habit that’s saved us more than once: taking photos before and after every install or repair. Didn’t think much of it at first, but […] ]]> b0bce11ef87a3f706beeca65eeebe867 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/485/#acomment-506 Mon, 05 May 2025 12:33:32 +1200 Valves always seem to cause trouble when you least expect it.

In reply to - Hugo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs

Had an interesting moment today on an office project. We were troubleshooting a server room with a 100 TR chiller, and everything seemed fine. […]

]]> fada6008cfe12ef0c6ed88247950ae39 Lucas posted a new activity comment https://hvachub.co/news-feed/p/271/#acomment-279 Thu, 01 May 2025 07:32:39 +1200 Unit was oversized for the space. Ran for 3 minutes, then shut off constantly.

In reply to - Tyler posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Quick Tip: If your system is short cycling, check the air filter and thermostat location first—both can cause the unit to shut off early. Start […] ]]>