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Thread: Buying parts (no license)

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    Buying parts (no license)

    Hi, am graduating from an hvac program soon and was wondering how I can buy parts without having my licence yet? I have epa cert.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    Hi, am graduating from an hvac program soon and was wondering how I can buy parts without having my licence yet? I have epa cert.
    Depends on the supply house. Some places, you have to at least a cash account, to purchase anything. And they won't open the account without a license, not even for cash.

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    Are you going to be working for a company? Or jump out on your own?
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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    Hi, am graduating from an hvac program soon and was wondering how I can buy parts without having my licence yet? I have epa cert.
    EPA cert means you can purchase, sell & use refrigerant and gauges. It doesnt mean you have any idea what your doing. Graduating from an HVAC Program generally means you know even less. Sorry just being truthful. Get a job as a helper or better yet get a job with a Union Shop and go thru the apprenticeship program, put your time in the field that's needed before touching anything.

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    Quote Originally Posted by pecmsg View Post
    EPA cert means you can purchase, sell & use refrigerant and gauges. It doesnt mean you have any idea what your doing. Graduating from an HVAC Program generally means you know even less. Sorry just being truthful. Get a job as a helper or better yet get a job with a Union Shop and go thru the apprenticeship program, put your time in the field that's needed before touching anything.
    THIS ^^^^^

    Sadly... these trade schools promote their classes as magic... they are NOT!

    You need a few years in the field before you are safe enough to do the work.

    There is a reason the license requires 4-5-6 years experience...

    Not busting you... just trying to save you from some really messy situations!
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    *The value of comfort, over the long term; leave economic choices behind!
    Choose your contractor wisely!

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    Excellent!…more job security.

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    Four months online, don't even have to get your hands dirty

    The Ashworth College online HVAC training program helps you prepare for a career in Heating and Air Conditioning. Our HVAC courses cover the latest heating and air conditioning procedures and techniques. Also included is a $75 voucher for the ESCO Institute 608 Certification Exam as well as the 12 page EPA section 608 study Guide that will prepare you for section 608 certification. Start anytime, study at your own pace and graduate in as few as 4 months.

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    I'm working in the industry, but not strict heating and cooling. I have someone that wants me to take care of their rental properties. Thanks

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    I worked at as a helper before I came here. I know just as much as my friend that is about to be finished with his apprenticeship.

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    It doesn't take 4 years to learn basic troubleshooting. Obviously I don't know everything but I have been able to figure out the few calls I have been on. I'm not planning on starting my own company, just friends and family is what I am asking for.

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    Yes... one can pick up some VERY BASIC stuff easily...

    However...

    Did you know that once you touch a system... you are 100% responsible for ANY damage it does to property and life?
    If you replace the thermostat batteries... and 3 months later the system causes a case of CO (carbon monoxide poisoning)... YOU are responsible.

    And if you do not have a license nor liability insurance...
    You are probably going to jail!

    Think it over carefully...
    You are biting off a larger chunk than you realize.
    GA-HVAC-Tech

    Your comfort, Your way, Everyday!

    GA's basic rules of home heating and AC upgrades:
    *Installation is more important than the brand of equipment
    *The duct system keeps the house comfortable; the equipment only heats and cools (and dehumidifies)
    *The value of comfort, over the long term; leave economic choices behind!
    Choose your contractor wisely!

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    And you can't judge schools on just a handful YOU have heard of. My program is 4 hours a day for two years. The state I am in accepts credits from my school towards the apprentice program because we are actually accredited. I have worked my a$$ off to get the grades I got here and for you to say that I know less really pissed me off.

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    Yes. Safety was a very big part of my program. And I am only going to accept calls that I know I can handle.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    It doesn't take 4 years to learn basic troubleshooting.
    No it takes a life time!

    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    Obviously I don't know everything .
    The really hard part is knowing when to say when.

    Once money changes hands or you barter for services you own it and are responsible.

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    That is a tricky one. If it were me I would start with

    Oh wait - what forum is this?

    Never mind. See if you can get your post-count up enough to Turn-Pro here. Then I can help you. Or try to anyway. <g>

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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    It doesn't take 4 years to learn basic troubleshooting. Obviously I don't know everything but I have been able to figure out the few calls I have been on. I'm not planning on starting my own company, just friends and family is what I am asking for.
    PHM
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    When faced with the choice between changing one's mind, and proving that there is no need to do so, most tend to get busy on the proof.

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    Read it and remember it

    http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/20/ob...star-dies.html

    The tech that installed it was convicted and served 6months before it was overuled, the owner of the company................

    No Time

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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    Yes. Safety was a very big part of my program. And I am only going to accept calls that I know I can handle.
    How will you be pulling a business license and obtaining insurance?
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    That is the attitude of the perpetually mediocre. To be truly good you will have to abandon it. You must instead always push for those calls which you cannot handle - because only then will you be forced to rise higher than you are and to do More than you can do. If you are comfortable - you're just treading water.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rp13 View Post
    . . . I am only going to accept calls that I know I can handle.
    PHM
    --------

    When faced with the choice between changing one's mind, and proving that there is no need to do so, most tend to get busy on the proof.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ga-hvac-tech View Post
    Yes... one can pick up some VERY BASIC stuff easily...

    However...

    Did you know that once you touch a system... you are 100% responsible for ANY damage it does to property and life?
    If you replace the thermostat batteries... and 3 months later the system causes a case of CO (carbon monoxide poisoning)... YOU are responsible.

    And if you do not have a license nor liability insurance...
    You are probably going to jail!

    Think it over carefully...
    You are biting off a larger chunk than you realize.
    After five years I can confidently say it's almost always basic. Tedious and boring...to the point where you're looking hoping for something different and weird.

    Quote Originally Posted by pecmsg View Post
    Read it and remember it

    http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/20/ob...star-dies.html

    The tech that installed it was convicted and served 6months before it was overuled, the owner of the company................

    No Time
    Installed what? What did he do...vent it inside? I often hear these dramatic claims of liability like GA's above, but never see any documentation or details. 100% liable for the entire system after changing tstat batteries...for life? For a year? I don't feel responsible after mere weeks of proper operation. What law or document makes me responsible and for what period of time?

    If I change the batteries in AC season am I liable for the furnace in heating? If you do a PM on a furnace, including CA, early in the season; are you liable for a blocked flue late in the season. I mean...negligence is just that and I accept that risk, knowing that I wouldn't do anything gross or alter a system design. But changing a part that needs to be changed literally puts someone's life in my hands? Jesus...how many lives am I responsible for now? Where does it end?

    Seems like so much drama...or incredibly incompetent lawyers
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    Quote Originally Posted by hurtinhvac View Post
    After five years I can confidently say it's almost always basic. Tedious and boring...to the point where you're looking hoping for something different and weird.



    Installed what? What did he do...vent it inside? I often hear these dramatic claims of liability like GA's above, but never see any documentation or details. 100% liable for the entire system after changing tstat batteries...for life? For a year? I don't feel responsible after mere weeks of proper operation. What law or document makes me responsible and for what period of time?

    If I change the batteries in AC season am I liable for the furnace in heating? If you do a PM on a furnace, including CA, early in the season; are you liable for a blocked flue late in the season. I mean...negligence is just that and I accept that risk, knowing that I wouldn't do anything gross or alter a system design. But changing a part that needs to be changed literally puts someone's life in my hands? Jesus...how many lives am I responsible for now? Where does it end?

    Seems like so much drama...or incredibly incompetent lawyers
    He was pulled off the job before completing the exhaust vent. Later someone (no one knows who) powered it up, turned on the gas and left.

    This building was zoned as a Pool house not guest quarters.

    The only one to serve any jail time was the original tech, His conviction was overturned months later but too late the damage was done.

    Property owner, Pool Company owner, anyone else evolved had the means for a legal defense except the low man on the totem pole.

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