CAREER CHANGE TO HVAC?

Cody,
Excellent career choice. Learn the basics like electric controls, how capacitors work, motors, transformers, etc. Learn on your own with books from Delmar (Cengage publishers). Get a job with an HVAC contractor and get some on the job training. Take all the call you can handle and you will be the owner's favorite and will get shown the ropes and shortcuts faster. At the end of four years compare your knowledge and bank account to someone who has been to trade school with no OJT. I am proud of you serving our country and wish you great success.

Thank you for the tip. Im sure it will help my family & I a lot.

I just got out of the Marine Corps about 5 months ago. I took some classes down here at San Diego City college for a semester to learn the basics. At the same time I got a job in commercial refrigeration with a small company out here. What Kenny says is right, take all the overtime you can and ask lots of questions. Between the classroom stuff and the OJT, it all comes together much faster. Well, good luck.

Dave,

I was in the USMC for awhile, separated in Japan and been here ever since. I worked in HVAC and refrigeration here, but I dont like it here anymore. Are there jobs in San Diego? I got the NATE Heat pump cert. Any info you could put up would be appreciated.

Cal

Dmj in Houston, Texas said: I'am a 35year old male about to make a career change from carpentry to HVAC,I would like to know is HVAC a good career or not? SERIOUS ANSWERS PLEASE,THANK YOU!

Hay I wish you the best. I have been in the field as a technician in Florida for almost 8 years now. I can say my salery went from $12per hr. to 17.50 per hr. but I have been laid off now atleast once per year due to economic slow downs, I get a job and at the end of a season after the companys make promises I get dumped. If I had it to do over I would have stayed in law enforcement, where there is a posibility of a pension and retirment and insurance and steady work, which by the way is what I am trying to do now. There is money to be made, but I would suggest going north and goining the plumbers and pipe fitters union and doing there apprentiship program, or you will struggle to get quality training. The plumbers and pipe fitters union is on the web, look them up. Goood luck. Paul

Cal
As long as you have an EPA cert and some experience, you will be just fine. There is a lot of work out here now because it's summer time. If you stick with commercial refrigeration there will always be work. The more bonus certification you have the better.
Dave

I( thinking of following a training in hvac technician career,now that i am reading all the comments ia am not sure about this anymore. is this a good career choice to follow please anyone honestly?

HVAC is an ok career field but it definately has its draw backs.

1. no company that I have worked for has ever had an employee that has retired from them, and is paying for there retirement. That being said you are on your oun to save, unless you work under the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union up north, but they are not as strong as they use to be.

2. Most of the work is seasonable, even here in florida, and it is subject to the slowing housing market.

3. Mostly it is up to you to get your oun training. Get your Universal EPA card right away so you can work on any size system, then go to a traid school, or go through the Plumbers and Pipe fitters union and go through there apprentiship program (you will get your best training through them, no one can beat them).

4.I strongly recommend learning commercal HVAC first, that is where you can learn the most and have more opportunitys.

Good luck, be prepaired for long hours and low pay, and having to work on call. This career field is definetly not for a family man.

Well to be honest I work for a school that trains individuals in HVAC and like everyone says the industry has its ups and downs.

In Chicago there is always a need for a technicians because it is always cold or hot.

The market says that within the next year many of the technicians now will be retireing leaving large openings for new technicians.

Keep in mind that it is a hard industry to find employment, so don't think you will be making a three digit salary coming out of school. It will eventually get up there but you need to be dedicated and patient. Like in any industry you need to look around and get your feet wet.

I know companies like Texas Air Systems in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are hiring for HVAC folks. Both techs and mechanics.

www.texasairsystems.com/

I am looking to get into the HVAC apprenticeship program does anyone know some places to check around portland,OR I found one place and they arent training all the time is there more? or what should I do? thank you so much for your help

find a union hall and go into an apprentice program or find a small company to work for and learn as much as you can. big companies dont want to spend the time training and youll be stuck where they put you with limited learning and limited pay.better option find a diff job and save you body from premature destruction.

Short, sweet, and to the point. This is the unfortunate truest advice available. Even rats avoid attics in the summer. If you learn the trade you will bank serious money. I have made $2K in a day on my own. Never had a chance to go to medical school and my parents never had anything so HVAC makes me a rock star on my block. You could always do data entry, chat with the skirts all day, meet for drinks and chips on thursdays while discussing how the heck you are going to pay the rent and bills on $1200 month less taxes. You should be healthy though with company sponsered gym membership.

the only one I know of is the plumbers and pipe fitters union. they are based out of new york but go as far as north florida check out there site.

Iv been kicking around the idea of being a HVAC tech for the past 2 years now cus i cant seem to keep a stable job in Mi. with out a college degree. Iv been in dealerships for the past 8 years now and its getting me no where. I seen the commercial to attend a 9 month program at a trade school near me. I went and checked it out and like most schools will promise you great success when you are finished. I signed up and it came out to $5,000 i would be owing when i finished the course. I attended my 1st day with an introduction speaker in the field and he was saying how slow the biz is and you will only make about $10 hourly when finished? You should of heard all the sighs in the class room at that moment. People were pissed that they spent all this money any new they made a bad decision. I instantly raised my hand and asked to talk to an admissions concealer to not attend this "school" before it was too late! The school was the most ghetto looking piece of sh*t iv ever seen and the people that taught there looked in worse shape! These are supposed to be master of the trade n it looks like they should be begging on the streets! No wonder they have to come teach her for extra cash cus the more i research this HVAC life the more its not worth it. You just end up a glorified ditch digger and beat your body into the ground! Im glad i came across this site today! I may not be the smartest cookie but im glad i didnt get into this field. Id rather apply at a union which is taking a chance and slim to none but seems to pay off better then these privately ownded companies who could care less about you. Sorry for ranting but thanks for all the information that directed me away from this trade.

no one starts at the top. you have to work and prove yourself, trades are not the place that will pay you for a fancy title, where you know enough to be dangerous, as for how they look not so importent it is what they know, so of the worst looking, worst dress, guys with the cheapest set of tool i have found know more than the guy who comes to the site with the best work cloths and tools and do not know crap.
As for me after 20 years i hate and despise the trade, but it pays the bills, and i tell my boss, i do not bustr my ass anymore no nights and no weekends, take it or leave it, been there done that only person getting rich is the government and the owner of the company, so i think let them do it, as for me i know my job after 20 years, you want good you ? then the company owner needs to bend some too, you want crap they are everywhere.

Sorry if i offended you about the "appearance" of what i seen at the school. Didn't know i would strike a nerve. They just look like the most run down miserable people iv seen. I just dont want to end up that way paying for all this schooling to hate my job and life. Im still young and want to have a successful career. This site and personal exp. from that school helped me decide not to do it. Thanks for your response though. Its nice to get more
info to stay away from the trade. Hope you can find a mgr job in the field with all your exp sir. Iv applied to the local union near me. Its a long shot but worth a try. Just trying to make something of myself and want to make the right choice. Lifes a gamble thats for sure if you take a break for too long.

no you did not offend anyone, just making a point that you cannot judge a book by the cover, i remember when i was in college this accounting professor i had, i thought to myself "it looks like he just rolled out of the gutter." but he knew his stuff.
As for liking your job, in reality i cannot think of anyone i know at least, that likes their job,guess some do, but personally i have not met any in 44 years. But you get out what you put in to any job/trade/career/profession.
For management well there is an old saying "It is not what you know it is WHO you know" and let me tell you truer words have never been spoken, i have worked with enough idiots who did not know a flat tip from a philips but they knew someone and thats all that mattered.
Yes the Unions well now I may strik a nerve here with some people, as for me I never liked Unions to socialest communist for my taste, 3 people work and 5 slack and we all make the same money, just because your in the union doesn't mean your good, I have worked in union shops and I can tell you most of these guys a cry babies, and if you want to be working, all of the time, you better be in good with the shop manager/foreman because he will damn well be sure his friends and extended family are working every job, while your paying your dues to sit at home.
But honestly for most HVAC/R companies they are non union and if you start out a service guy 9 times out of 10 this is where you will stay until you retire, after all your not going to take your bosses/owners job, unless he sells his business to you for millions. but remember in trades, union or not it is a lot of ass kissing, and they do not even give you the courtesy of a reach around. bottom line you are and will remain a number on a time card, and thats it

Most people do not like their jobs, as far as I can tell. The bottom line is this: When you are working, how much are you worth? Working on the side, this is in the neighborhood of what you could charge: Dig a ditch; $20-30 hour, Frame a wall; $20-35 hour, Install a breaker box; $20-50 hour, Intstall new compressor and liquid filter in condensing unit; $500 labor, 2-1/2 hours work. I am not expensive: My competitors charge around $900 labor but it's blended in the parts bill.
What I am saying is the more you know, the more you can earn in less time, that's all.

Dmj in Houston, Texas said: I'am a 35year old male about to make a career change from carpentry to HVAC,I would like to know is HVAC a good career or not? SERIOUS ANSWERS PLEASE,THANK YOU!

I am a retired police officer and like most i had to redirect myself and my training in other areas to survive. The road seemed long and the tests were not all that easy or at least not for me. I had been working around Residential Air Conditioning off and on for about 7 years while i was in Law Enforement learning what i knew from him. Just recently i passed my EPA universal and already have companies calling me. But i believe i am going to try it on my own. As far as rewarding you bet, people are always going to want to comfortable, And like anything else in Life you will get from it what you put into it. Good Luck

what is the difference between a hvac technician and a hvac mechanic and is there much difference in pay?

there is no difference just depends on who is looking at it my employer says mechanic..the other place i worked called me tech. pay is the same

A technician usually troubleshoots the systems and makes repairs after proper diganosis. The mechanic on the other hand usually rebuilds systems and replaces systems.

I don't know what the difference is. I like the sound of mechanic better but that's my opinion. If you work in a small company your title will be mechanic/technician/salesman/bookeeper/purchasing agent/bill collector/ceo/janitor, etc. Get the drift.

YEAH IT REALLY DOESNT MATTER. WE TROUBLESHOOT,REPAIR OR REPLACE 3 KEY INGREDIENTS WOULDNT YOU SAY

Dmj in Houston, Texas said: How far can I go with HVAC? I was told you can get an ASSOCIATES DEGREE in HVAC,is that true? OR can I get A BACHLOR or MASTER'S DEGREE?

U can get a diploma,wich is 6 moths......u can also get a assosiate degree wich is 2 years...and the only university that offers the bachelors degree is in michigan i forget what is called but i know that they are the only ones that offer a bachelors in the whole usa...

deploma..associates.. really to be honest makes no difference..the pay will be the same no matter where you work, and with a BS in HVAC what is the point..? what are you going to do with it..remember this is a TRADE they are not asking for your BRAINS outside of the trade that is they are asking for your ability they could gave a damn less on what that piece of paper says, because the starting salery will be the starting salery .....in this trade like any other go and get a BS in HVAC,, you will make the same money as a guy with a deploma

stefon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: deploma..associates.. really to be honest makes no difference..the pay will be the same no matter where you work, and with a BS in HVAC what is the point..? what are you going to do with it..remember this is a TRADE they are not asking for your BRAINS outside of the trade that is they are asking for your ability they could gave a damn less on what that piece of paper says, because the starting salery will be the starting salery .....in this trade like any other go and get a BS in HVAC,, you will make the same money as a guy with a deploma

What if you ALREADY have a BA & MS degree in something else but want to change careers. Is 33 too old like it is in corporate America where 30 is the new 40?? The thing is that my degree is in a 'white collar' field but I really can't stand sitting at the same desk every day for 8-10 hours doing the same monotonous work.

I guess I am probably 10 years too late to enter the field. Also how do you gain experience. Even the jobs that pay $8.00 an hour in the NYC area want 'two years' experience.

Let me give you the low down on HVAC or Refrigeration work. A degree in engineering dont mean jack unless you got guts, common sense, and troubleshooting ability. Ive worked with so many "engineers" who were nothing but a pain in the rear because they dont want to work but instead want to impress us with their "knowledge" which we could all do without and get more done. Ive read so many books but none of it makes sense until you put it into use. After you done a few years of this work, you begin to realize why the old timers dont care about it like the newbies do. It wears you out. Trying to find a leak for hours on a system, tearing a system apart in order to get access to the brazing point, travel, fatigue, hours, etc. This aint no job for an intellectual, thats for sure.

A technical 2 year degree gotten over time won't hurt but working experience is important. An engineering degree is required if you want to sit in an office and using theory and perhaps some past experiences, DESIGN a new system or major Mod to a system for some reason. Engineers should serve a minimum 2 year apprenticeship but unfortunately do not. If they don't have the maturity to appreciate your trade experience it gets difficult. Good Luck!

I have a BS in of all things Aviation management and a diploma in HVAC/R age in reality is not going to hurt you in this fiels unless your over 50, and until you obtain experience you are going to eat crap. and you may also eat it after you have experience i have 20 years as a service tech and i am still eating it, and in reality i am no better off now then i was 20 years ago, still cannot afford a house a decent car, nice vacations, but if you want to change fields then look around unless your willing to work long hours nights weekends holidays and not have much of a life, and get paid crap to do it then go for it, but the large problem that is driving down trade wages are the companies that take on illegial immergrents and pay them minimum wage or slightly over, how can you compeat with that.? like i said i have been a service tech now for 20 years, now if the companies where so great you would think that i would be more than this after 20 years. THINK ABOUT CHANGING ANYTHING UNTIL YOU SEE IT ALL THROUGH.

I have eight years as a Senior Service Technician, I was laid off in December for lack of work. I have applied to over 30 HVAC companys in the area, since December to no availe, and will now need to leave Florida to survive. I will not be going back to the HVAC field except as a last resort. I would follow this persons suggestions the HVAC field is on the sippery slope down hill.

contact me for work
john
farmergoods@aol.com

i'm 34 years old and i have been looking very hard into the hvac industry ...i need to know what are the top schools in the chicagoland area to attend for this trade....i don't want to be wasting time and money learning hvac from a second hand school

Jenny

I have been working in the HVAC trade for eight years.

I am at the senior technician level. I have both residencial and commercial experiance.

I have also been laid off since December of 2007, in Florida. There are very few openings, and companys are scaleing back due to a sinking economy.

I am sure you have heard this already, but I will tell you too. The adds are b.s.. If you can find a job, and if you can keep it you will be paid very little, you will starve for atleast your first two years out of college, and you will work very long hours in the on season, and starve in the off season. If I had it to do all over I would have stayed in the Air Force, where there was always work.

I suggest the medical field, it will always be there. AC comes and goes.

If you are still wanting to do AC, the best education is through the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union in New York State. They put you through the most intense Journeyman course, and pay your salary while you do it. When done they place you, and you will be paid top dollar to do it. It is the best choice. THere are a few collages but they are not worth the money.

Im a young technician who does mostly commercial refrigeration (walk-ins, reach-ins, self-contains,etc.) and am also going to community college at San Diego City College for HVACR. I plan to get an associates there and maybe roll it into a BSME. I work for a small company and really like being a technician, but I don't plan on doing it forever. I want to do some sort of system design or retrofitting. I don't really know what education I should be getting or who I should be talking to. ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

{{{If you are still wanting to do AC, the best education is through the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union in New York State. They put you through the most intense Journeyman course, and pay your salary while you do it. When done they place you, and you will be paid top dollar to do it. It is the best choice. THere are a few collages but they are not worth the money.}}}

So how does the average person get into this union especially if you are over 30 and 'too educated' you know actually have a college degree and maybe want to change careers. Or do you need to have the right connections --- you know have 'family' in the trades or in this union, be from Staten Island and have mob connections or be from a family of Police officers or the FDNY. I lived in NYC for 32 years of my life, it isn't easy for the average person to get into this union. Forget if you are a minority from the South Bronx or East NY.

AMEN, buddy, good enouragement.

I AM GOING TO MY LOCAL COLLEGE TO GET A OCCUPATIONAL CERT AS A HVAC/R TECH, I WILL BE GETTING OUT DECEMBER 11 OF THIS YEAR. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF OJT, I WANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I CAN GET A JOB HERE IN HOUSTON AND HOW MUCH WILL I LIKELY TO MAKE?? PLEASE BE HONEST AND SERIOUS THANK YOU!!!

JacknJill in Houston, Texas said: I AM GOING TO MY LOCAL COLLEGE TO GET A OCCUPATIONAL CERT AS A HVAC/R TECH, I WILL BE GETTING OUT DECEMBER 11 OF THIS YEAR. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF OJT, I WANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I CAN GET A JOB HERE IN HOUSTON AND HOW MUCH WILL I LIKELY TO MAKE?? PLEASE BE HONEST AND SERIOUS THANK YOU!!!

As far as when you can start; I would start putting my resume online now with speacilty websites like WWW.HVACagent.com, WWW.MEPJobs.com and also careerbulider.com and Monster.com. You can also do a search on Google and enter hvac jobs in Houston Texas and you will see a number of differant websits. As far as how much you can make well that is up to the company which hires you. you can start out doing installs and make 13.00 to 17.00hr that's here in NC Charlotte Metro area. but I woul d guess that that may be a good guess for your area as well.Entry level service which is mostly doing pm's and start ups average 15.00 to 18.00hr once again thats here in NC and differant company's pay differant amounts.

bobby in Hackensack, New Jersey said: I( thinking of following a training in hvac technician career,now that i am reading all the comments ia am not sure about this anymore. is this a good career choice to follow please anyone honestly?

I have been in the HVAC industry for over 30 years and have found my career chose to be a very rewarding. The HVAC field offers technical many options form service, controls, programming, installation management and training. For those with the initiative the HVAC industry can be personally, professionally and financially rewarding. The key to success in the HVAC industry or for that matter any industry is continuing to develop your skills. This is an exciting time in HVAC industry filled with many challenges and opportunities linked to the industry focus on energy efficient green products. You can take this career as far as you imagination will let you, for me it has lead to very happy life and my second year in a doctoral program. I wish you the best in your journey.

I am sorry for noticing, but your words are an inspiration to anyone who is working on a doctoral. I am encouraged that spelling and use of pronouns are not a requirement to earn the ultimate educational distinction (don't critize me for noticing your poor writing skill).
It is important to examine the facts before making a career choice. Specifically, what can a group of ten individuals entering the business new tomorrow expect to have in common in a year? The answer can be found looking at the forum. Evidently, business owners do very well. New hires earn average wages and work nights and weekends. Some write that layoffs are common. One common theme appears that the plumbers and pipefitters offer the best training. Ask specific questions and don't settle for anything but the facts.

I work in light refrigeration for an ice cream maker company. I have also worked in HVAC. Allot of folks paint a negative picture about HVAC-R, but its because they are afraid to take on a new challenge. You dont have to work only in the service sector, you can work for facilities maintenance as well, which is an easy job. There are many choices out there, you just have to enjoy the work and look for opportunities. You might have to quit, or in my case, get fired, to find that other opportunity. Ive never let things like this bother me, because I work hard and Im good at what I do. I was fired by a dumbazz who knew nothing about HVAC or hard work for that matter and it was all political. Yes, service engineer work does suck because of the hours and travel, but there are other options available.

What Certifications do you need to become a HVAC Tech?

Reynaldo

Bob in Cherry Hill, New Jersey said: Go to the United Association Website and fill in the information under UA careers, it is worth a shot.

Hi bob this Dupree from neptune nj do you think hvac union is the key .If it is it hard to get in .

Start training for a career in
Heating, Air conditioning, Refrigeration career
at Boces technical school at night!

oakdale long island n.y

Question? I am going back to college for my hvac certificate. What is out of school pay? Then after say first year? I have saw many listing for 3rd year and past. But, nothing for the new college guys. Also, are most hourly or commision? I guess I am asking for a break down for what to expect. =)

Also, my back isn't the best. Will 50+lbs be required to lift? Or it depends on job/company?

Thanks in advance.

Is it possible if you are 'older' say over 30 where ageism comes into play?? What if you already have a degree and want to switch fields?? Good idea or completely crazy?

38yr here and changing. =)

GCRN7081 in Hesperia, California said: Question? I am going back to college for my hvac certificate. What is out of school pay? Then after say first year? I have saw many listing for 3rd year and past. But, nothing for the new college guys. Also, are most hourly or commision? I guess I am asking for a break down for what to expect. =)

Also, my back isn't the best. Will 50+lbs be required to lift? Or it depends on job/company?

Thanks in advance.

Dear GCRN7081, I am not sure about the pay in your area but here in NC entry level salary ranges from 12.00 to 15.00hr depending on the company and some companies pay hourly plus commision and some strait hourly pay. Asfar as the lifting well some compressors weigh 50+lbs.and almost all units so if you might have trouble in this area you may want to reconsider. This field does require a lot of heavy lifting in excess of 50 lbs.