Hvac........Good Job or not?

[Tractor boy 239]

I am a considering changing my job as a small engine mechanic to a HVAC tech. I have a couple of friends in the industry who can get me hired. I’m looking for pros vrs cons of the job from someone who’s been in the industry for a while. It is definitely going to be the commercial side of the feild. 
@squonk  

Thanks Guys. 
-Tractor boy

[adsm08 2,022]

Well my BIL who was an HVAC tech for years used to complain that the estimators would just cookie-cutter the proposals.

 

He referenced one set of jobs where the first install was planned and estimated pretty well and was almost perfect. Three months later he was sent to do an install for the same company in a different city, different facility, different types of facilities, buildings were not the same size or shape. He was given the exact same plans and materials for both jobs.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,300]

  You can’t go wrong with any of the trades. I’ve been an electrician here in Connecticut since 1986 and it’s been great to me. Spent my last 12 years in the trades working as an electrician for a large mechanical contractor and the HVAC guys made good $$. In 2010 I changed careers and now I install submarine trainers for the Navy (living in New London Im sure your familiar with Electric Boat/ General Dynamics) but I keep my electrical license up to date just in case I need to get back into the field. 
  I say go for it! 

[Pullstart 62,785]

I have never been in the trade, but have been around it enough to know that commercial work is the better route if you can.  If you can gain knowledge and experience without burning bridges along the way, the more experience you have the better in today’s society even if it is with different companies.  I say try it out and if you can do the move on good terms you should be able to get back in with the small engines.

 

@WHX24 

[oliver2-44 9,679]

As said above, you can't go wrong with the Trades.  One pro and con to the HVAC business is the callout in winter and summer when a system goes down.   There's good overtime money in callouts, but they can wreck your evening or weekend.  This is probable a bigger issue on the residential side.  On the commercial side while offices may be empty, computer rooms, data centers, etc have to be kept temperature controlled.  

[Cvans 1,009]

Spent 31 years working with industrial refrigeration systems. Anhydrous Ammonia (R-717) and Freon systems. To a lesser degree environmental systems (Freon). I have no regrets. If you can get into a facility that is willing to reward you for your work I would suggest that as the first option. If you get into install and service work you can end up spending a lot of time away from home. Especially in the commercial or industrial fields.  Something to discuss with your family. 

It's like anything else, if you have an interest and are self motivated it can be very rewarding. Being able to work with electrical controls and understand schematics is a must. There is or at least was a big demand for experienced people to operate and maintain Anhydrous systems.

Give yourself at least 3 years to become proficient. Just for the records, refrigeration systems break down 24-7. 

 

[WHX?? 48,767]

Wow... where do I even start here.... BTW  guy I have been in the HVAC trade for 50+ years or so now so have an inkling of what's going on. I have done everything from large commercial/industrial to residential which is wher I prefer to be now. I have also taught HVAC in a tech school setting. 

First off start low but aim high. You get your teeth cut..pay can be as much as you demand you apply yourself. Techs in my field are very hard to find and you go to war for your employer you can write out your own ticket. As Sparkeye mentioned also I cut my teeth working at EB/GD.

You need to very mechanically minded and way above average with electrical skills. Communication skills are a huge plus. Ability to read, and write, wiring diagrams is an ace in your hole as well as reading  blue prints you get into new construction.  

As Ollie said the down side is possibly having to be on call but again you have the mettle the $$ can be huge. 

Be advised work in this trade can result in being an apprentice for a few years but then look out. A good journeyman can make as much $$ as a doctor or lawyer.... no fooling. Like I said it's all about applying yourself, willingness to learn and your work ethnic. You got those the sky's the limit. Also be advised this trade in the big city is not for the faint at heart and often comes with working in adverse condtions but again $$. 

[Mike'sHorseBarn 2,984]

My dad does HVAC for a living and he likes it. Money is good and he is on call one week per month, but the guys can trade weeks around if they want to accommodate vacations etc. He works hard so be prepared for that. In my neck of the woods there are all kinds of HVAC jobs available as young people want nothing to do with it. I'm one to talk though.....dad always told me to go to college so I didn't have to work like him so I did and got a degree in something you can actually use and I don't have to work like he does, but I'm rambling now....

 

Overall I would tell you to go for it, I think you'll find it rewarding and once you get experience the sky is the limit.

 

Did I also mention that doing residential HVAC work gets you in a lot of people's garages and that means you fall into a lot of deals on horses! 

[Razorback 1,035]

I see the advantage of getting to see in people's garages...... however...... I would go towards the commercial side. You should see some of the equipment needed to cool a large computer installation...... impressive!

[squonk 41,021]

I would go commercial /Industrial myself. Lots of heavy lifting though. Starting  as an in-house  school/hospital  guy ect  is a good way to learn.  If you really like computer stuff, get into controls, building automation. All those guys carry is a laptop and a meter! 

Edited April 30, 2020 by squonk

[953 nut 55,065]

There are so few young people entering the building trades today that you will have no problem finding openings. Take advantage of any trade schools in your area that offer electronics and refrigeration classes. A sound education is going to be the key to success, things are changing in all trades and the workers who invest in their future will be the workers who have a future. Opportunities will present themselves and if you are prepared to take advantage of them you will do well.

[Racinbob 11,040]

Fresh out of high school in the mid 70's I applied for a spot in the electrical apprenticeship in which only 15 would be accepted. I got in and all my buddies wondered why I wanted in. The starting pay was only 40% of the journeyman pay and they were making more in their factory jobs plus they didn't have to go to school every week. With the guaranteed (as long as you did your job) pay increases every 6 months it was less than 2 years before almost everyone of those guys were trying to get into the apprenticeship in the trade of their choice. Only one of them made it (noisy  tin knocker...……) and I just happened to be talking to him yesterday and for some reason those times in the 70's were brought up. We are both comfortably retired now and can thank the trades for that. Well, sorta. The trades offer the means but only if you do your part. The trades don't 'give' you anything. Like the others have said, you can't go wrong with any of the trades as long as you do your part. I would also suggest industrial/commercial but certainly wouldn't shy away from residential. In this day the younger generation seem to think that working with your hands is beneath them so instead of only 15 out of a couple hundred applicants getting in you should be able to pick and choose which trade you want. I say go for it, do your part and you will be rewarded with a very solid career. 

 

One thing that will happen though, more so in some of the trades, are calls from buddies needing help. Yea, that  tin knocker had an electrical issue. 

[ZXT 2,401]

Though I'm not terribly familiar with the HVAC trade, I do know that those stinkin' guys will go out of their way to put a vent right smack where I need to put a light box 

 

I got into the electrical trade, working for a friends dad while I was in college because he was flexible and let me take off any time I needed to for school work. 3 years later, and a year after getting my bachelors, I'm still working for him.. I need to find another job.. Wouldn't be so bad, but It's a very small company so I don't make much.

Edited April 30, 2020 by ZXT

[WHX?? 48,767]

21 minutes ago, ZXT said:

I do know that those stinkin' guys will go out of their way to put a vent right smack where I need to put a light box 

Lol you know how it goes … first the tin knockers get on the job, they got the biggest stuff, then the plumbers, lastly the electricians... they got the littlest junk!

 

Seriously the thing about any of the trades is all the branches off that you can get into.... building controls, pipe fitting, estimating,  fabrication, maintenance heck even crashing submarine trainers! 

[squonk 41,021]

I’ve seen plumbers cut holes in ductwork to install a sewer pipe! 

[Tractor boy 239]

So the only downsides are the over time?

[Achto 27,502]

4 minutes ago, Tractor boy said:

So the only downsides are the over time?

 

Over time can be a down side in any service job. Problems don't always happen from 9 to 5 on a week day. So expect some after hours & weekend work.

[Tractor boy 239]

Just now, Achto said:

 

Over time can be a down side in any service job. Problems don't always happen from 9 to 5 on a week day. So expect some after hours & weekend work.

That’s one of the reasons i am thinking about this trade........lot’s of over time. 
Mostly i like the fact that the problems change at every call and the scenery is changing at every job. 
Yeah  you might be at the same store a couple of times a week but it’s always somewhere different every day 

[WHX?? 48,767]

By overtime I take it you mean having to be on call? An apprentice usually doesn't have to worry about that but as your employer gains confidence in your skills and your ability to fly solo...yes. Usually the best apprentices are called out to assist journeymen after hours.  For some guys they love it, mostly . linemen for example that have to go out during a storm and fix power lines example they make big bucks. They understand this going into the job. For us old coots it gets to be a pain and having to go out at midnight and get a furnace running it just gets old. 

10 minutes ago, Tractor boy said:

That’s one of the reasons i am thinking about this trade........lot’s of over time. 
Mostly i like the fact that the problems change at every call and the scenery is changing at every job. 
Yeah  you might be at the same store a couple of times a week but it’s always somewhere different every day 

Very true... you are definitely not stuck on an assembly line! You do see something different every day. With the shortage of tradesmen these days there is usually plenty of overtime. This Corona BS kinda throws a monkey wrench in everything now but this too shall pass. 

[squonk 41,021]

If you want overtime get into refrigeration. Freezers and coolers don’t care what time it is and they don’t care about Corona Cooties !

Edited April 30, 2020 by squonk

[JCM 9,130]

I might as well add my      in here about the Plumbing  &   Heating Trade for anyone who lives in Massachusetts and says they can't find work the average age of a Journeyman Plumber is 58 years old, not good. The next generation of Plumbers will be commanding a very nice wage and be able to name their price I believe.I have heard they are now starting apprentices anywhere from 20.00 to 30.00 . I remember in 1976 my first wage was 2.00 per hour and 9.00 when licensed 5 years later. One thing I recommend is take care of your back and knees, if you don't you will not enjoy your 60's.

Edited April 30, 2020 by JCM

[squonk 41,021]

Yup   Knees and back are shot. 

[Pullstart 62,785]

Also, remember that even when it’s indoors... the rule of thumb is:

 

when it gets cold out, stuff breaks.

[Cvans 1,009]

55 minutes ago, pullstart said:

when it gets cold out, stuff breaks.

When it gets hot out refrigeration equipment is under it's heaviest load and more prone to breakdown. Get ready to be very busy. A food service business with a broken cooler is a panic situation. Used to look forward to fall.

[squonk 41,021]

Got called to a school at noon time. They were nearing the end of a big project. New walk-ins were part of it. The refrigeration guy hadn't shown up for days. Food was on it's way and the cooler and freezer were not done. I get there and there is no power to to either box. Expansion valves not fully installed. Line insulation not done. Of course the union electricians didn't want to finish the electric. Their job was to get power there and that was it. These boxes had all the latest and greatest electronic controllers, ECM motors, "smart" evaporators, LED lighting, Powered air curtains, the works. Whatever the architect could sell them. I had like 3 hours before the food was supposed to arrive. Lucky for me 1 electrician stayed and got me the lights on. The other guy I work with was on his way but it would be an hour before he got there. Units used a refrigerant that we don't carry. Reefer tech had a tank connected to the cooler but not much left in it. Had to send a school worker to the city for more refrigerant.

 

                       I get the cooler started up. My partner starts working on the freezer. The reefer tech used Zoomlock crimp fittings on the lines. The freezer starts up and runs about 5 min then BOOM HISS HISS HURRAH!! Reefer guy forgot to crimp a fitting in the ceiling. Reefer oil everywhere! Needless to say the freezer was not done that day!