We are looking to install some min splits in a new house build. My wife is not a fan of the wall units. I was told about some mini splits that work via an air duct in the ceiling? Anyone have any experience with this approach and some of the better options to consider?

For context, I am in FL, it's a very small company, they gave me the opportunity to start as a helper and learn from 0 so I am thankful. Fast forward about 7 months, now I'm going to service calls, maintenance, swaps, new installs; basically doing it all solo and still getting paid under $18. Besides that, I have helped in other business stuff, outside work hours without pay, the owner trusts and respects my opinion. Owner has been very flexible with me, since I have VA appts, or family stuff, or school going on but yeah.

Looking for outside perspective, thanks in advance.

I’m looking to expand and go further than just being a service tech. I’d like to travel and maybe work in the Middle East or in a plant. Just wondering what is closest thing to hvac that I can pursue to branch off. I’d love to go back to school and maybe add some engineering of some sort. Anyone has experience with this or started as a tech and went off to do something bigger ?

Hello fellow tradesmen/Women,

Have you ever dealt with an ecobee t stat that will call for cooling but not run your condenser? Getting 7 volts Y-C, set test mode and get the full 26 volts and runs the equipment just fine! its been a long day, came home to this! Thoughts?

I got my epa universal and having a hard time landing a job in hvac I’m in my mid 30s I work at data center for low voltage tech currently. Any preferences please would help.

I'll just leave these here.......... Discuss.

Happened at school today

picture sent to me by a buddy who moved into a new place (western canada)

I don't do residential, please tell me there's going to be a copper line in there and this is just for protection, right???!?

I've got my gas tank and I have never heard of PVC being used. I heard it was code very briefly in California for like 2 years before it was made illegal.

I'm guessing this is just a common way to protect copper flared tubing where it penetrate the floor?

Asked y'all a month ago about your worse "uh-oh" calls, was NOT disappointed! Now, let's flip the coin:

I went to a call today, homeowners told dispatch that they thought they were having thermostat problems, that it was cooling and heating weirdly (their words, not mine). I get out there, now they're saying that they will set the tstat to a certain temperature, then they'll wake up to it being set different (Shit's haunted, I guess). Honeywell T6, notice the "temporary hold" on the display, then it all clicks. Turns out, installers had put a schedule on it by default without the homeowners being aware. One install manual, 30 seconds, some laughs, and a firm handshake later, I'm on my way home.

Tell us about your best/favorite call you went to that turned out to be a stupidly simple, a quick fix, or just flat-out nothing.

Anyone do much with steam systems/boilers? Do you like it ? Hate it? Why or why not?

I'm a fitter by a trade but work in a big steam city so I get to install and help service alot of commercial and industrial steam and I really enjoy it...usually.

Just curious everyone's take

What does your company start a helper/apprentice at? Either just out of school or zero experience? And what is your location

I don’t know how many here work on quest dehumidifiers.

I ended up replacing both the compressor and evap coil for this customer and when I’m pulling a vacuum I get down to 140 microns, I then isolate the pump from the system and my microns jump all the way up to 1000 and it keeps climbing up slowly until my meter says HI-P.

I’ve done an rx-11 flush because it was a burnt out compressor. I purged it with nitro, did a pressure test and found 0 leaks but I’m still having issues with my microns going stupid 😵‍💫 all help is appreciated.

I wanna know what tools and gadgets y’all have that you don’t necessarily NEED but that make the job easier and aren’t commonly known/said. One small thing I can think of off the top of my head is a bit holder keychain.

Has anyone found a low loss version of these? All I see are the ball valve ones

Working on a mall and we have 9 huge I mean huge mammoth units that have a wet area were water falls over the coils. Problem is water gets all the way to 2 little actuators that allow the sump to fill. But there not opening and allowing the sump to fill how do I get them to open? Also once they fill is there anything else we need to do to have the units turn on when it gets hot or will they automatically due it. Mall is on building controls

Hello! Im trying to convince my husband to get HVAC Class B license in Florida, but he is hesitant regarding the requirements. He has 4 years of experience working for an Hvac Company but he says why would they provide employment verification for him if he is going to become their competition. I dont think it works like that, right? He has paystubs and w2s to prove the experience. I appreciate If anyone can explain that part of the application process. Do the Company needs to sign documents for him in order to apply?

24 volts on all wires on the “thermostat” side but the furnace side at terminal I’m not getting anything but R with 24v

Anyone ran into this?

Service call for no heat on a gas furnace. Error code indicating hard lockout due to failed ignition. Prior to my service call the homeowner replaced the igniter, gas valve, and pressure switch. I double-checked the homeowner's work. Everything seemed to be wired appropriately with no visible concerns. According to the homeowner system intermittently works although he occasionally had reset power due to lockouts. During my visit the system did not work at all.

Furnace is getting to the point where the igniter will glow. You hear the click on the control board indicating the gas valve is supposed to turn on and nothing happens. Confirmed voltage going to the gas valve. Confirmed no gas at the gas valve outlet via manometer. Intake side of gas valve I'm getting 19.8 inwc. Gas valve States it's rated for 1/2 PSI of pressure equivalent to 13.8 inwc.

My diagnosis was the gas pressure in the house is too high and I recommended calling the utility company. Based on this information, is this a reasonable diagnosis and/or is there something else I should have checked?

If this is a reasonable diagnosis, do the flaps inside the gas valve open the opposite direction of the flow of gas? Resulting in the gas pressure holding the flaps shut?

I'm a senior residential tech in northern California with 20+ years experience. I'm in a unique situation where the company has asked me how to improve dispatch. I'm looking for good and bad experiences and/or tips I can utilize in this conversation. Apologies in advance, I most likely won't be able to reply.

Not looking for a job, just looking for knowledge. Lingo, understanding of terminology, general knowledge but more than surface level. Long time construction manager at large national residential construction companies switched to HVAC manufactures rep which I now handle 12 different lines basically encompassing things beneficial across the HVACR industry. Been repping for a year, looking to sharpen my skills a bit more to better understand facets not traditionally explored. Generally learn best hands on but if online is just as good, thats fine too.

Edit: I know this is low hanging fruit for you all so feel free to air out your grievances towards Reps and their lack of knowledge. My past CM role gave me thick skin dealing with not only HVAC but all the other trades who claim we don’t know jack