HVAC Community Hub | Miles | Activity

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 03:46:55 +1200

I went out on my own 2 years ago and I’ll be honest I’m barely making more than I was as an employee right now when you factor in all the expenses, truck payment, insurance, tools, accounting, phone, marketing, fuel, it adds up insanely fast and the work you do for free like quoting, invoicing, following up on payments, driving to the… Read more

In reply to - Aiden posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been going back and forth on this for about 6 months now and I can’t sleep tonight so figured I’d just ask. I’m 31, been working for the […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 11:56:36 +1200

You just got used to it over 19 years is the answer to about 40% of all callbacks on new installs honestly, people forget what their old system sounded like and compare the new one to a memory that isn’t accurate.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Just got off the phone with a customer who wants me to come back and “fix” a system I installed 3 weeks ago. Her complaint? The vents make a […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:50:05 +1200

The ratchet strap barely on the old unit in the truck bed, you were done with that thing emotionally by the time you loaded it weren’t you 😂

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 […]

Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: When the roof tells you the diagnosis before you even […]

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 22:29:00 +1200

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 map except the treasure is a bill nobody wants to pay.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 02:59:48 +1200

22 years out of a condenser is a solid run, whatever brand that was they don’t make them like that anymore.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Old and new. 2004 vs 2026. Changeout day.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:41:16 +1200

I love how dispatch always gives you the address but basically zero useful info about what’s actually wrong, just shows up as “not working” and you’re supposed to figure out the rest standing in someone’s basement at 6:30am.

In reply to - Matteo posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs First call is a no heat on the other side of town and I told dispatch I’d be there by 6:30. Customer has been without heat since last night and […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:47:02 +1200

8-8 Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays. Auto replies turned on after hours and voicemail says the same. My customers appreciate we are family oriented and wait.

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs For those owner/operators who are a one man band, do you do emergency service? What is a reasonable response time for these before they look elsewhere?

Miles posted a new activity comment

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 17:47:19 +1200

Usually 1-2 hours unless I’m mid install then it would be after that. The main thing is answer your phone. They will wait for you if they know you are coming.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 22:17:41 +1200

Were they flowing nitrogen when they brazed the original install?

In reply to - Samuel posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Pulled these out of a 4 year old system today. Nobody ever changed the filter drier.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:25:47 +1200

14 years on a Goodman is honestly already borrowed time.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 23:40:48 +1200

Document every recommendation in writing. when the compressor goes next month you want that paper trail.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 19:18:26 +1200

😂😂

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

Miles posted a new activity comment

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 02:44:10 +1200

I need this exact story to happen to me just once.

In reply to - Maxime posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs ok this is a vent more than a question. just got back from a call where the homeowner stood over my shoulder the entire time narrating what I […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:39:52 +1200

Genuinely scary that someone charged money for this.

In reply to - Tristan posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Customer called because the system stopped blowing cold. Found this when I pulled the panel off.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 20:25:45 +1200

Pietro’s right though. Rectangular still wins when you need max airflow in min height. Spiral isn’t the answer to everything.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Whoever specced rectangular duct on this job clearly never had to install it in an 11 foot ceiling with beams every 6 feet. Switched the […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 02:51:14 +1200

Which is wild because people need it more now than ever and approvals are harder.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:25:29 +1200

Wisetack approval rates have gotten noticeably worse this year. More declines than 2 years ago.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:23:08 +1200

DM me. I’m 6 years in, started with nothing, $1.2M last year. Happy to get on a call.

In reply to - Nathan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Looking for guidance and possibly a mentor.4 years ago I walked out of my job and started my own thing on a hope, a prayer, and betting […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sun, 31 May 2026 20:51:42 +1200

You’re not selling a box. You’re selling a working system, a warranty, an install done right, and someone to call when something goes wrong. Price the whole thing.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sat, 30 May 2026 21:01:54 +1200

I stopped quoting equipment costs separately on my proposals two years ago. I present one price for a complete installed system with warranty and support. Nobody questions line items they can’t see. The ones who demand a full breakdown are usually shopping and comparing to online prices anyway and they were never going to be good… Read more

Miles posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 08:01:10 +1200

Installs for the off season if you have the license and ability. Otherwise all will come in due time. Work on making a website. We used WordPress, tried a designer and ended up being a waste. Register on Yelp, create a Google account. Just try to make your business known everywhere you can. Nextdoor app is surprisingly good for local… Read more

In reply to - Oliver posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Curious on what people did for marketing starting out. I have been posting in Facebook groups and boosting Facebook posts. Started in March. April […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Fri, 29 May 2026 01:40:36 +1200

The ones who call you shady for recommending replacement on a 19 year old R22 system with a dying compressor are the same ones who would call you back in August furious that it broke down in a heat wave after you topped it off and left.

In reply to - Matteo posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Had a moment yesterday that’s been sitting with me.Called out to a longtime customer. Widow in her late 70s, been using us for 11 years. […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:00:43 +1200

Lien the property. watch how fast accounts payable finds your invoice.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Ran into something today that honestly just frustrated me. Did a full changeout for a property management company back in March. Two units. Big […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sun, 17 May 2026 21:51:08 +1200

We started building dealer fees into pricing instead of trying to absorb it.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 00:50:50 +1200

We finally found a local place that actually understood workwear.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:00:12 +1200

I’ve seen guys underbid jobs so hard I don’t even know how they stay in business.

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

Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Anybody else feel like customers think HVAC companies […]

Mon, 11 May 2026 21:48:00 +1200

Anybody else feel like customers think HVAC companies just randomly started charging more overnight 😅
Meanwhile equipment prices, parts, materials, refrigerant, trucks, insurance… everything keeps going up every year.
Feels like a lot of people see the final invoice but never see how much the actual cost of doing business has changed the last… Read more

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 05:39:13 +1200

The real growth happened once I stopped trying to do everything myself.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sat, 09 May 2026 02:31:25 +1200

I don’t even argue anymore. I just stick to what was approved and documented.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sun, 03 May 2026 02:22:42 +1200

Did installs for years, moved to service. Once you get good at diagnostics it’s hard to go back.

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.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:15:09 +1200

Honestly most of mine is referrals so I never bothered.

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?

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:37:09 +1200

Both

In reply to - Matthew posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices How are you guys getting most of your work right now still word of mouth or more online? Feels like it’s changing a bit lately where I’m […]

Miles posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Curious what you guys are spending on your websites […]

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:23:00 +1200

Curious what you guys are spending on your websites these days.
Feels like it can go from cheap to expensive real fast.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:57:13 +1200

We started explaining upfront that fixing one issue might reveal others.

In reply to - Cameron posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Fix one thing and something else shows up right after… feels like some calls just don’t want to end. You walk in thinking it’s a quick job and […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:39:29 +1200

They’ll ghost you even if your price is good just part of dealing with builders.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:07:09 +1200

Most of them look the same until you need to file a claim.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:24:35 +1200

😂 the ones you rarely use but can’t leave behind.

In reply to - William posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Every time I try to lighten my tool bag, the very next job needs the one thing I took out… so now I’m basically just carrying everything […]

Miles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Spring startup call this week. Customer mentioned the […]

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:50:06 +1300

Spring startup call this week. Customer mentioned the system had been running a lot lately but didn’t think much of it.
Opened the panel and found this. 😐
Contactor contacts completely welded shut. Compressor had been running nonstop through cool nights, through cold mornings, didn’t matter. Thermostat satisfied, system kept running. Customer… Read more

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:51:25 +1300

Honestly some of these guys know exactly what they’re doing. get paid and disappear before anyone checks.

In reply to - Caleb posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Sub passed inspection on paper, got paid, and disappeared. Now the GC is calling me every morning and the rework is coming out of […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:33:34 +1300

Funny how nobody cares about access until the first service call, then suddenly it’s why is this so hard to work on?

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Finished a job like this today and I honestly don’t know if we installed an HVAC system or designed a maze for the next tech. On the plans it […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 11:28:50 +1300

What was static looking like when you checked it?

In reply to - Jackson posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Airflow was basically choked off high static, blower working way harder than it should, and this is how motors cook themselves.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:11:27 +1300

This trade will humble you fast. Anyone acting like they know everything either hasn’t been doing it long or hasn’t been tested yet.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Everyone’s busy, but don’t hesitate to ask questions here. No such thing as a dumb one in this trade.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:25:16 +1300

Looks like someone tested airflow with a forklift.

In reply to - Jack posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Coil is visibly collapsed and airflow is completely compromised. Between the bent fins and distorted coil face, heat rejection is shot […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 20:23:08 +1300

That exposed copper is just asking for a nuisance short. Surprised it hasn’t popped the fuse already.

In reply to - Marco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Low-voltage conductors pulled out of the control compartment with exposed copper and improper terminations. No strain relief, insulation nicked […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 20:31:03 +1300

We only run ads when things slow down. Otherwise they just bring tire kickers.

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 […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 04:31:05 +1300

Bet you thought it’d be in-and-out.

In reply to - Jackson posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices First job of the day looked clean, pressures were fine, and we thought it was going to be easy. Turned out to be a control issue mixed with […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:31:26 +1300

Yeah, restricted flow will do that. System looks fine on the surface, but it never really settles once it’s running.

In reply to - Elijah posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Big problem on this heat exchanger almost blocked flow was very bad system not holding temp at all everything old space tight nothing wanted to […]

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:41:45 +1300

Thought about that, but no. Issue was dirty condenser coil. Once cleaned, unit ran normal.

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Pressures aren’t stabilizing. Head keeps climbing even though airflow looks fine.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:06:09 +1300

Not charge. Dirty condenser coil causing high head. Fixed after cleaning.

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Pressures aren’t stabilizing. Head keeps climbing even though airflow looks fine.

Miles posted a new activity comment

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:10:19 +1300

Turned out to be airflow on the condenser side. Didn’t look bad at first, but once cleaned, everything stabilized

In reply to - Miles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Pressures aren’t stabilizing. Head keeps climbing even though airflow looks fine.