Need advice... Is HVAC over for me?

[fbomb]

Hello guys, I would need some advice. I've been an auto/marine mechanic for over 8 yrs and about 3 years ago I decided to change into HVAC I took a 1 yr program, aced the class with no issues. I landed a job with a small residential company and stayed only for about 2 weeks (it was a joke poor management). I ended up landed a job with a unionized commercial company one of the biggest in my region, which isn't what I expected. They don't pay travel time(sucks in the canadian winter without winter tires), don't pay for getting supplies at the supplier, heck they wont even pay you to bring their van to get an oil change at the dealer (dealer is their request), they don't follow the union regs, don't allow overtime and you can really complain because the union rep is a former employee (long story short, out of the question). My boss has a "stale" attitude and does a lot of favoring (giving better/more enjoyable jobs to his buddies). Anyways, that's not why I'm writing today (just giving you a bit of a background). The reason I'm writing today is for advice, I'm scheduled to start the in school portion of my basic refrigeration training and ever since I started working in the Hvac field my knees have been failing me pretty bad some days I can barely walk. A fellow employee just received surgery on both his knees and he's only in his mid-late 40s. If I continue in this trade I'm sure I'll need some kind of surgery on mine also and possibly in shorter time than it took him. Should I get out now and pursue a different field that's not so brutal on my knees or should I stick with it? Is residential better on your knees? I know a lot of people say that you wont get as high a pay in many other fields but what good is a high salary if you can even walk at the end of your shift. Rather rest you legs on the weekends instead of enjoying the weekend pursuing a hobby (hunting,fishing Atv and others) and really don't want to loose those passions because my job ruined my physical health, I believe my health is more valuable. What are your thoughts? Thanks

[timebuilder]

I would talk to the union management and see if you can get in with an employer with a better reputation.

There are a few Canuks here who might offer advice. I'm only 50% and born down here, so I don't really count.

[Chasespeed]

It is what you make of it. One of my legs was put back together(prior career). It does cause pain. However, it's not an all the time thing.

Which one is harder on the knees? Tough call. Residential involves a lot more kneeling and getting back up. But, commercial will require more heavy lifting, and ladders.

With a good commercial company, you will get better pay, better benefits, etc.

It's your body, and your call. My knees don't bother me half as much working commercial, as they did residential. Take that for what it's worth.

Chase

[toocoolforschool]

Pain pills work. Just saying, oh but you have to answer to the stale boss who has to pay your check.

[fbomb]

Thanks Chasespeed, I don't believe its the kneeling since I haven't been doing much since starting in the commercial side but probably like you said "heavy lifting, and ladders." I think that's the killer. Being a smaller frame individual 125lbs 5.6" I'm sure doesn't help.

toocoolforschool, I agree "Pain pills work" but taking them everyday cant be good for you. The boss I can deal with or just move on to another company. I'm just trying to find out if I'm in over my head since I already have bad knees, that will in time only get worse if I keep beating them up as I'm doing now.

[blitz]

buy a good gel knee pads. your 10 bucks pad won't cut it. and you need to build muscle mass if you want to work commercial. you may have to drag smaller compressor up the roof instead of getting crane (you could, but your boss will look at you funny). they weight about 200 # ish some of them. two or three guys with a rope. even a 5 horse motor is a pain to rope up. I'm 5'4, 168 lbs. so I know how it feels. can't get ladder down from the big 2500 van, more effort in doing pretty much anything, etc.

[jimmytee]

How old are you? And yes your employer sucks. There are less physically demanding jobs in HVAC-R, but some of those only come after many years of experience, paying your dues so to speak. Jobs in controls, management, sales, parts or for specific manufacturer reps are some that come to mind, but most people in those areas have specific training and or years of "Field" experience already. For the most part ,though, doing service work is physically demanding. If you are having knee trouble, maybe you should seek medical attention to determine the severity of your problem. It could be that you'll have to seek another line of work, but that depends on you and your knees. Most service guys, regardless of experience , have some fairly physically demanding aspects to the job. Some of my clients, even without the need for extension ladders, have acres of square feet to cover with stairs a plenty. That alone can tax your knees.

[hvacker]

Your going about this a$$backwards. Go to a doctor and find out what's wrong with your knees. Maybe they can be fixed but your making life plans w/o any information.
It's said most people take more time planning a 2 week vacation then their lives.

[Roncool]

Get out today your knees are everything . if you can't fix that don't see good things down the road

[toocoolforschool]

I'm thinking about trying those kneed pants.

[fbomb]

Thanks for the replies guys I'm in my early 30s. I don't think knee pads will do anything since I haven't been kneeled down in quite a while. I believe it's the heavy lifting and stairs/ladders causing this. I just don't believe ill last long enough to get one of those easier jobs like controls or management but part sales may be an option. Or I'll retrain in something less physically demanding

[timebuilder]

Your going about this a$$backwards. Go to a doctor and find out what's wrong with your knees. Maybe they can be fixed but your making life plans w/o any information.
It's said most people take more time planning a 2 week vacation then their lives.

I agree. Get with a good knee doc, one who treats athletes, not old folks.

[fbomb]

But is the trade worth all this harm to the body?

[NiHaoMike]

Thanks Chasespeed, I don't believe its the kneeling since I haven't been doing much since starting in the commercial side but probably like you said "heavy lifting, and ladders." I think that's the killer. Being a smaller frame individual 125lbs 5.6" I'm sure doesn't help.

I know a friend of mine who is about that height and weight. She did residential HVAC for 2 years before moving on to designing HVAC equipment. She never had a problem lifting the stuff. If a girl can do it, you can too...

But is the trade worth all this harm to the body?

In the US (I'm assuming that's where you're from), the usual problem is getting too little exercise, not too much. Just follow good safety practices and you'll be fine.

[Al Gregory]

Some days I get out of bed and can hardly move. You do what you have to to feed your family. Dont like it work in retail

[hvacker]

Someone told me that by the time your 40 you'll have the body you deserve.
If your having problems at 30, see a doctor.

[hvacker]

But is the trade worth all this harm to the body?

Welcome fbomb. In all likelihood it's not the trade that gets to them it's what they subject their body to by the choices made every day.
Lack of exercise and diet is what is killing Americans along with an ingredient no one knows or no one is telling. Something has changed. It seems to be complicated enough to rule out some kind of conspiracy.

Then there's smoking. Even when all that's known about smoking, people still choose to do it.
If one could chose their way to die, I doubt lung cancer or not being able to breathe would be on their list.
Understand, SMOKING WILL LEAD, IN ALL PROBABILITY, TO AN EARLY DEATH! and if not it will contribute to future problems with health.
But I know what I write doesn't matter to an addict.

Long ago and far away in school we had no fat kids. A couple a tad chubby but none obese. We also didn't have kids going nuts in class, running around causing chaos.
It's not entirely diet as Wonder Bread was on our table and few counted calories.
I believe there is something, no one knows what or they are sworn to secrecy, in our food that has changed how our bodies fail to adapt to what we eat.

But don't blame the trade for physical problems. Actually it keeps one active. Not like exercise will but at least off their butt. The time some b$tch about being on their knees isn't enough to create the problem they complain about. Don't believe me, time it. No, really. Carry a stop watch and time how much your actually on your knees.
You can't count the time sucking up to the boss.
The problem isn't the job.
If you want a list of jobs that can hurt and KILL I guess I'd start with coal mining. Actually any mining.

[brian.cornell]

HVAC work can be very demanding on your body. I started doing it when I was 18 and now 20 years later I have bad knees and aches and pains related to work on a daily basis. I took a fall down an icy roof ladder a couple of weeks ago and I am still limping around from it. The reason I do this kind of work is simple- to provide a good life for my family. I guess you just have to make a decision whether the aches and pains bother you bad enough to find another line of work. Either way you need to find a different company to go to work for.

[timebuilder]

I'm probably old enough to be your grandfather, and yesterday I ran 7.69 miles. I go up and down 28 foot ladders all day long. I haul compressors and coils and motors on to the roof using ropes. I don't have any bad knees (I have a little bursitis in my shoulder and that's from judo years ao) so if I can do this at my age, you can do this at your age.

[hvacker]

I'm probably old enough to be your grandfather, and yesterday I ran 7.69 miles. I go up and down 28 foot ladders all day long. I haul compressors and coils and motors on to the roof using ropes. I don't have any bad knees (I have a little bursitis in my shoulder and that's from judo years ao) so if I can do this at my age, you can do this at your age.

Exactly.
Use it or loose it.