HVAC Community Hub | Salvatore | Activity

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:29:00 +1200

Happens more than owners want to admit when commission is on the table.

In reply to - Dylan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Currently giving techs 10% commission on changeouts they sell. Gave them all the tools to quote jobs on the spot and they still aren’t […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:02:08 +1200

Well all you are doing is making a crook out of them. Is a perfectly fine repair being turned into a scam sale for commission. Honorable company or thieves. Which one.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:33:11 +1200

What did you pay for part time office help and where did you find someone decent.

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I struggle with the field vs office balance a lot.When I’m in the field I’m making money but the business stuff piles up. When I’m in […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:03:07 +1200

That gap is exactly what scares me. I can see it coming and I don’t know how to bridge it financially.

Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: I struggle with the field vs office balance a lot.When […]

Sun, 31 May 2026 21:08:00 +1200

I struggle with the field vs office balance a lot.When I’m in the field I’m making money but the business stuff piles up. When I’m in the office catching up on quotes and follow ups I feel guilty I’m not on a job generating revenue.Feels like I can never be in the right place at the same time.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 28 May 2026 19:27:27 +1200

I picked up a contract with a property management company specifically for winter. They need boiler work, heating system checks, hot water maintenance. Work I wasn’t doing before. Not my favorite customer type but in January I have zero complaints.

In reply to - Fabio posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs How are you actually surviving the slow months financially as a small business owner. Not the textbook answer. The real one. January through […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Wed, 20 May 2026 02:17:07 +1200

The ones who ghost you on day 4 were already interviewing somewhere else. They were using you as a backup.

In reply to - Hunter posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices I need to vent for a second placed an indeed ad for an experienced tech. $28-35/hr depending on experience plus benefits. had 47 […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sun, 17 May 2026 22:38:46 +1200

The confidence level is always way higher than the actual knowledge level.

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 […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:01:19 +1200

Google and YouTube created a whole generation of professional homeowners.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 19:01:17 +1200

People mostly just wanna know if they’re looking at 8k or 25k before calling.

In reply to - Hunter posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Seeing more HVAC websites lately adding instant quote tools and online pricing. I get why companies are doing it because customers wanna […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 14 May 2026 06:47:54 +1200

We started using AI for after-hours call summaries and missed call follow up. Office girls love it.

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Anybody here actually using AI heavily inside their HVAC business yet? Not talking about basic Facebook posts and emails more actual […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:11:50 +1200

A clean install costs money. Good labor isn’t cheap anymore.

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

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:55:35 +1200

Feels like you either spend time learning the software or just do it yourself quicker.

In reply to - Andrea posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Been looking into software for material takeoffs on commercial jobs and honestly getting overwhelmed with options. Trying to find […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:55:52 +1200

The one time you travel light is the one time the job turns weird.

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 […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:04:17 +1200

I stopped removing tools, just accepted the back pain at this point.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 04:46:47 +1300

HP switch tripping at 445 on R410A at 74°F ambient is actually not unreasonable if the switch has drifted. Bench test tells you the trip point but doesnt tell you if it’s drifted under operating conditions with vibration and heat cycles over winter.

In reply to - Lucas posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Carrier 24ACC636, R410A, 3-ton. First startup of the season. Suction 115 PSI Discharge 445 PSI. Superheat 8°F. Subcooling 18°F. Ambient 74°F. Charge […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:47:29 +1300

If the board is empty they come back to the shop. Clean vans, restock parts, organize tools.

In reply to - Ethan posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices For the guys running crews out in the field, how do you handle downtime when the board gets slow? I’ve been wondering how others keep their […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 05:28:42 +1300

Would you run that in your own house?

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 […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 06:25:39 +1300

Standing there wondering how airflow, electricity, and physics were all optional.

In reply to - Davida posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Hello,

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 22:25:06 +1300

That’s always the weakest point, no matter how tight you tighten them screws, and always during the winter months.

In reply to - Jacob posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Another one from loose connections.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:10:47 +1300

Seen this a lot on older units where the wire wasn’t strain-relieved properly from day one.

In reply to - Austin posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Found this inside the unit today insulation split open and the copper conductors exposed and fraying. Not failed yet, but this is exactly […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 09:27:04 +1300

That’s how you cook a transformer or take out a board for no reason.

In reply to - Davida posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Found this during a service call. Insulation gone, copper strands oxidized and starting to fray one vibration away from an intermittent fault or […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:23:07 +1300

Once resistance starts climbing, coil temp just accelerates the failure. You’ll see chatter next.

In reply to - Francesco posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Contact points are showing early signs of heat stress and wear. Pitting and discoloration suggest rising resistance, which can lead to voltage […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 14:14:50 +1300

Pretty much. Surprised it lasted as long as it did 😅

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Chasing airflow issues and it turned out the return liner was pulled in and packed solid. Unit kept taking the blame, but air was […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 10:20:03 +1300

Probably, but it’s easy to miss unless you open it up.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:46:20 +1300

Yeah, system was working overtime just to move air.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 06:48:12 +1300

Return side only.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:46:10 +1300

Way higher than it should’ve been. Explains everything.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:05:47 +1300

Lined hard pipe. Liner came loose and folded in.

Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices: Chasing airflow issues and it turned out the return […]

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:16:48 +1300

Chasing airflow issues and it turned out the return liner was pulled in and packed solid. Unit kept taking the blame, but air was never getting back to it in the first place.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:47:24 +1300

I’ve seen this when return sizing or transitions weren’t right and people kept adjusting instead of reworking duct.

In reply to - Charles posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Someone before us clearly had a long day here. Arrows, notes, airflow directions written straight on the duct. You can tell they were […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 03:31:04 +1300

If nobody’s been logging approach, that HX’s been losing capacity for years. Doesn’t happen fast, just quietly.

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices One of my guys was on this shell & tube heat exchanger today and it turned into one of those jobs where nothing is failed, but nothing […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 14:27:17 +1300

When experienced techs stop getting feedback, small misses become normalized. Nobody’s wrong, but nobody’s catching drift either.

In reply to - HVAC Community Hub posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Callbacks are often blamed on lack of experience. But in many businesses, callbacks increase after technicians […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:16 +1300

😂 It really should.

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 […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:14 +1300

Honestly… I’m starting to agree with that.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:12 +1300

Right. The knowledge gets lost between visits.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:11 +1300

And somehow you’re expected to solve the ending.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:09 +1300

Actions without context don’t help the next visit.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:08 +1300

😂 Exactly. Monitored what and why would’ve helped.

Salvatore posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs: Walked into a job with a full service history attached… […]

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:07 +1300

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 explained why things were done.
By the end of the visit, I understood why the last tech ignored the history – it didn’t actually tell the story of the system.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 19:01:03 +1300

If three diagnoses exist, nobody owned the problem.

In reply to - Carlos posted an update in the group HVAC Contractors & Subcontractors Same system, same complain.. three different techs, three different diagnoses. Each one made sense on its own, but now nobody’s sure which […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 07:08:43 +1300

Love when you’re expected to work around someone’s Christmas decorations.

In reply to - Alessandro posted an update in the group HVAC Installation Best Practices Showed up to a site where the unit room was technically accessible, but stacked with boxes, ladders, and random storage. Spent more […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:42 +1300

I need to verify the physical setpoint, not just the drawings.

In reply to - Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment Catching intermittent relief valve venting on the condenser with no high-head alarms or trips. Data looks normal, but something’s clearly slipping […]

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:39 +1300

That’s exactly why this is bothering me.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:38 +1300

System history is a bit unclear. Definitely possible.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:36 +1300

😂 Feels like that.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:34 +1300

We do have bypass active at low load. That’s worth checking.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:33 +1300

Agreed. This isn’t something to ignore.

Salvatore posted an update in the group HVAC Tools & Equipment: Catching intermittent relief valve venting on the […]

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 11:17:31 +1300

Catching intermittent relief valve venting on the condenser with no high-head alarms or trips.
Data looks normal, but something’s clearly slipping through between control samples.

Salvatore posted a new activity comment

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:00:13 +1300

Seen actuator backlash cause this. Command changes, valve overshoots, then chases itself.

In reply to - Alexander posted an update in the group Troubleshooting & Repairs Spent half the day chasing a CHW valve that just won’t sit still at low load. Setpoint isn’t moving, but the valve keeps opening and closing […]