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Do you have your EPA card? Is there a community vo tech center nearby?
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Hello, and thanks for reading this.
A bit of history. I have worked for a customized commercial HVAC manufacture for the last 12 years, first as a electrical assembler working on control panels, then testing units to make sure everything in functional, setting the charge, ensuring proper cooling and heating. Doing this I have learned a fair bit about these system, and am thinking about switching over to service. I was wondering about how to go about this. I do not have the time or money to go through a school program, and I already know alot of what they would teach me, no where near enough to consider myself a tech or mechanic really though. The shop has basically taught me the bare bones, and there are skills that I need to improve. I would really appreciate some advice.
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Do you have your EPA card? Is there a community vo tech center nearby?
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Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Working on getting my EPA card at the moment. There are plenty of places around but I have to work at the same time, and I would not be eligible for student loan assistance. Miss spent youth. Some really messed problems with student loans while attempting to get a degree in Comp Sci. I don't have the money to pay out of pocket, due to family problems and garnishments that I can't seem to get fixed.
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The vo tech centers are where a lot of employers will contact instructors for good prospects.
You'll need an EPA Card to get a serious consideration ....
A possiblity might be with a residential / lite commercial company thats hiring installers.
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Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Thanks for the ideas. I have a really weird skill set at the moment I have figured out already, which is why I was looking for advice. I have experience with stuff that lot of new hires would not have, but am lacking a lot of basics that they would know. I know more about TXVs, hot gas reheat, digital scrolls and other options that we outfit our units with but lack knowledge for things like orifice/pistons. Hell I have more expeince with 410a and 407 then r22.
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You'd not be considered unusual around here. We've got a least five (or more) major
manufacturers around town. Lots of guys swinging in and out. They'll work 7 - 4 with
bennies and then get laid off or sick of it and move over into service in the field. They
get stuck in the loop until they have their licenses.
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Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Good to know I'm not alone in this. I think I work for the only HVAC manufacturer in this area. I was hoping to learn more when I moved from electrical assembly, but they seem keen on keeping me from picking up certain things. They do have a history of losing people from their testing positions.
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There's likely people working in the plant, supervisors etc., that are licensed. Check around.
Find out who's doing installs / changeouts and offer your services.
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Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Then send them some work and be there to help.
You have to be patient ... and have your EPA.
The last thing they need is someone getting hurt. (A good Pro
can make the job look easy, it isn't and can be pretty dangerous)
They'll prefer to use family members for some very good reasons.
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Last edited by Sleuth; 09-09-2012 at 08:20 AM.
Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Curious as to what a customize hvac manufacture shop is? Is it a company that designs commercial systems to then be installed for a customer or a manufacturing plant that builds then ships to hvac companies? Does this outfit have any paid education benies?
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We basically build what ever the customer wants. Units ranging from 3-40ton. Customized controls ranging from compressor lockout to DDC with customized sequence of operations. 100% OA units or recirculating or combos. Electric heat, or gas, natrual gas or liquid propane, ranging from 100,000 BTU 600,000 BTU We will take customer supplied parts, ranging from sensors and controllers to heat exchangers and install them in our units. Air to Air, Air to water, and Water to water. Basically what ever the customer wants. The company is actually hurting pretty bad, so no they don't offer much in the way of education. I have been with the company through three different owners, the second of which basically ran us into the ground quality wise. We have been attempting to rebuild our reputation for a number of years now, and the economy is not helping much. Do to all of this I have some expience with some weird combinations and setups
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Mammoth, Governair, Temptrol, Kraftair ... lots & lots of custom / spec manufacturers.
You got the money, they'll build it.
Lite - middle of the road bennies. Those good ole days are gone.
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Do not attempt vast projects with
half vast experience and ideas.
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Sounds like alot of "big daddy" stuff. Epa card is the first step, then nate certificates and there are a bunch of different certs. Maybe if they have a warrenty dept. That you could do 1-2 days with to help out. Your long term dedication with the comp. Is a plus. If i was in your shoes start reading at home on a/c and heat basics. Maybe get the local college hvac program books w/0 taking class for now. And after you have your epa uni. card offer some "help" with a local hvac comp. If your current comp. Doesnt mind on your off time of course experience is best and takes time and dedication as well as various types of hvac areas. Resi, comm., walkins, ect ect.
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A community college hvac course would help , if you can join your local RSES ? If you can not afford it you can still go to meetings or the educational portion?
Of course there is nothing like experience!
This industry has an extremely low starting wage making it a difficult trade to enter when you are older with a family and bills.
Good luck
Frank
lmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
not the same thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you need thousands of dollars of tools!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
license
free training on your own time usuallyu
for me starting out for nonn union shops
means not getting paid for call backs
no overtime
or should i say no overtime pay
they will actually take pay away from you if another guy ran a call back on you
while taking pager, cell phone, uniforms and whatever else they can take out of your check.
there was plenty of times when i went in on pay day and OWED money!
with most low paying jobs you only have low wages but get paid for 40 hours.
in this trade starting out you may not work much in the winter either?
it is all good once you have some years under your belt or get in with a union contractor.
but i promise you it is a slow start!
if you are starting in residential brush up on your sales.
there are actually some good books in pdf on the net such as the honeywell grey manual.
there is an educational forum here that has a lot of good stuff also!
true knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.
The company you work for now must have field service techs for warranty issues. I would concentrate my efforts on getting into that. Let the company know your willing to do what ever it takes. You might have to go to school but maybe they would help pay for it.