residential? lol, get real, you will go broke
Hi all
1st of all, I would like to mention that I am glad to find this great website. I am a Mechatronics Engineer, during my degree program, i had couple of courses of Refrigeration and air conditioning systems + load calculations.
Now I would like to focus on HVAC engineering, so Im seeking for a guide to a start point from zero. In order to be an HVAC engineer and maybe a certified one, whats the best approach to develop myself, resources to read, courses or training.
The reason I wanted to focus on HVAC is because a friend has an engineering company and we would like to start a new activity which is air conditioning design service for residential as a start and then maybe light commercial.
I appreciate your co-operation. Waiting for the experts ..
Regards
Ahmad From Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
residential? lol, get real, you will go broke
mike dixon
Hey, as i said it is a start for me to develop myself technically + there is a high demand on ACs for residences in my country since today is 48 degrees celcuis
Thanks
Residential systems usually don't require engineering expertise. Any half-decent resi tech should be able to design and install a proper solution. Industrial-Commercial-Institutional is where you wanna be. Already being a mech eng is a huge leg up, but you will need to take some additional courses to develop a proper level of understanding for the subject. Here's a good resource to get you started http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...5&feature=plcp
here in the US HVAC techs use ACCA manual J for residential load calculations, books and software can be purchase from the website: https://www.acca.org/store/
As you know unlike the rest of the world we here use crappy inch-pound/Fahrenheit units, dont know if the ACCA has the manuals in metric units.
Moonrunner
in my country, the demand on residential applications is very high, we need the AC mostly even during winter. I understand that I need extra training and this is I posted this thread to know where to start from. I will check the link you provided.
I appreciate it, Thanks
valdelocco
Thanks for the link. I did the calculations based on ASHRAE standard in college, which uses the same units you mentioned (PI).
thanks again
Ahmad, the demand may be high, but for resi applications, it's already been engineered at the factory. The technician runs the air distribution system (if there isn't a decent one in there already) based on established best practices and installs the equipment. If you wanna get in on the technical side of it, great.. We could use more engineers willing and able to get their hands dirty without making a mess of things. I'm just telling you that there is precious little engineering work done in resi applications and it's usually done by the manufacturers and techs.
One resi scenario where it pays off to hire an engineer: When you're doing lots of identical units, like a townhouse complex, as a package deal, that's when the builder can save on space/equipment/materials if an engineer gets in there and starts tweaking the design.
Heya Man
Yes there is a need but I dont think you need to get a super degree to meet it. I think especially for residential you only need to get a degree in experience. Find the right guy or gal and hang with them for a while and they will teach you everything you need to know. I know from first hand experience! I have a 4 year deg from Ferris State in Michigan and I have not really had the chance to use the degree to often but to get my foot in the door for an interview. That was expensive but worth every penny.
I say to you go big or go home! Residential unless you want your own company some day will bore you!!!!
Need to get into duct design. A lot of installers don't give a crap about good air distribution. Manual D tells how to do it. ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook 2009 Edition is even better. Get them and become an ace on proper air distribution / duct design and that should help you a lot along with load calculation which ASHRAE covers in the same book. Manual J is great but I like ASHRAE method in chapter 17 of Fundamentals book even better. Good luck
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Ahmad,
what kind of residential HVAC systems are predominant in your country?
the middle east has a love affair with mini-splits,VRF etc.
I have studied some duct design, from the aspect of sizing. I had practices calculating the required size during my college course. I Agree with you, air distribution is critical, as calculating the cooling load required is not enough.
Thank you for leading me to the materials of methods. I am more familiar with ASHRAE, gonna start from there.
Thanks
You are right, there is a huge demand on split-duct AC systems and Central AC.
Duct designing is really on high demand even for personal houses especially the big ones.
We have big families that live together and build big villas, and they demand package AC systems and split-duct system. For townhouses complexes in some areas, they tend to use chillers and then of course ducts for air distribution, especially air cooled chillers.
thanks and regards .
Ahmad,
In your experience, how are the residential HVAC opportunities in Dubai? I am actually looking at possibly relocating to the area from the United States. I am currently just gathering information and verifying the prospects of making the move. Any insight would be greatly appreciated...
Cincinnati, Ohio
Well, alot of residential projects for AC work. Big companies are controlling the market. I am not sure if you are looking to start your own business in here, or to join a company.
If you are thinking of joining an existing firm, one thing that i can tell you. It all depends on your expectation of how much you will be paid, since most companies here employ engineers and technicians from countries like India and Pakistan who dont cost much.
Regards
I am most definitely looking to work for an established company. Residential/Multifamily estimating and design as well as energy analysis are my strong points. What is a reasonable salary you would expect to see in the current market? Regardless of nationality... Or would I simply be overlooked as an American?
Thank you for the feedback.
Many factors must be considered in estimating the salary, the company need, your experience and qualification, and your nationality too.
Lets make it simple, I see you as an american, u may get high salary from a high reputation company in case if they hired you to be a leader or a manager. or if you have to do a job in HVAC that the others from the countries i mentioned before cant do. Anyway, I just know one case of an English man who has an experience of 4 years as mechanical engineer and a surveyour as well, his salary was about 6.5k US dollars per month. Thats not an exact or it may not be even close to what offer you may have. just an idea to give you. Moreover, you have to consider the cost of living in Dubai for example.
I hope i helped. dont hesitate to contact if you need extra details.
Regards
Thank you. It is of great help. I am simply trying to gain a broad overview of the market there. There is still quite a bit of "creative recruiting" out there and I prefer to have the facts straight prior to starting conversations with potential employers.
Again, Thank you.