HVAC techs

Like many others these days I was laid off from my job of eleven years and have been looking to go in a new direction. I worked in the distribution field prior to now. I found a job with a vending machine company but don't see myself wanting to do this for an extended period of time(low pay). I've recently looked into going for training in HVAC service work. The salaries look fair and it looks like it's a trade that has a future. Hoping some current men/women working in this field could sound off with some positives and/or negatives regarding this line of work. Thanks Dan

A good friend of mine has been in the business for 25 years. Can't be too bad.

Where are you? Climate has a lot to do with job availability. Here in SoFla, LOT'S of openings. People can actually die without AC. Would imagine it's that way in a lot of places. Phoenix, probably, Texas, Atlanta, etc. Fairbanks, not so much.

on the other side of the coin, if you are in a moderate climate that sees a cold winter, and a hot summer, while there may be no imminent threat of death, people still will need their heating/cooling systems repaired in all seasons.

Lovely Cincinnati, Oh. Potential for hot summers and cold winters.

cwh wrote: People can actually die without AC. Would imagine it's that way in a lot of places. Phoenix, probably, Texas, Atlanta, etc. Fairbanks, not so much.

Remember that the H in HVAC stands for heating...those people in Fairbanks aren't too happy if the furnace quits.

HVAC is a good field, especially for younger guys starting out. What kind of training is available to you?

What I've seen around here is adult Vo-Tech, 60 hrs of theory, evacuation, brazing, charging and troubleshooting residential and light commercial. The Universal Refrigerant License course and test was available too. That may get you an entry job as a helper where you can learn more hands on from the senior guys and you don't have to spend a lot of time and money w/ full time school. I know a kid that climbed the ladder like that in a small shop, he had to get his feet wet w/ installations before the service work though.

Degree from community college, a lot more cred but more time and money also, not as good as a dedicated trade school IMO.

2 year Assoc. Degree from RHVAC trade school, best bang for the buck as that degree will open a lot of doors, but 2 yrs full time if can afford the time and $33K tuition for the program last I checked. You can start higher up the ladder. Great start for a kid outta HS.

Granted, entry level pay is lower but the more you know the more you're worth. I have a 2 yr degree from '79, worked as a tin knocker before leaving the company for an industrial job. That old degree still opens doors.

Service work will keep you busy. AC tune ups in the spring, AC breakdowns in summer, heating tune ups in the fall, heating breakdowns in winter. The only downside I've seen is going on a service call in the middle of the freezing night on unplowed or freezing roads. Some people can be a bitch too.

I'm 37 so not sure if I still qualify as young. There's a local vocational school that has a night course that last a year and cost $8500 ,tools included. My wife is an instructor at the local community college so if they have classes I could go there for free. One of the larger HVAC companies is having an open house tomorrow for entry level positions with no experience required. I'll be attending that. I'm making $12 an hour at my current company but not a lot of potential to really make more than that so entry level might be ok for now to get in the door with a good company.

I have a friend who was an HVAC tech, quit for a factory job, and now is getting a degree in accounting. He said its pretty dirty work, and getting called out at all hours of the night during the worst weather sucks. YMMV.

the guys i know with the most toys ($100k drag cars), all own their own HVAC company

do it...

From the outside, it looks like good dough, sometimes earned by working in unpleasant places at unpleasant times.

Don't forget that HVAC can include commercial refrigeration. Have you ever noticed the number of coolers in a grocery store? I think its an industry with a future.

In reply to dankspeed:

let us know how the open house went

In reply to fasted58:

Sure will fasted58! Thanks everyone!

Back from the recruitment open house. First thing they had everybody do was take a 60 question quiz made up of engineering and physics questions. If you passed that with at least 70% correct you went onto an interview. I sadly did not pass. I thought I did well but apparently not well enough. Wish there was someway to find out what I got wrong.

If you like to work on mechanical things, look into becoming a service technician. Anything that is automated or is a machine needs regular repair and maintenance. ATM machines, vending machines, CNC machines, robot welders, copy machines, forklifts, escalators, elevators...the list goes on and on. If you can get in with something general like pumps or electric motors, you will have a lot of options down the road.

Well I can speak for the copier/printer industry. It varies by location, of course, but expect to start pretty low on the pay scale. Here in the Midwest that's usually around the mid-$20k range, with it topping out in the upper $30ks for a tech, or slightly more for a manager.

Additionally, most places require you have your own car, and 15-30kmi per-year isn't uncommon. You get reimbursement for it, but it generally only covers 75%-80% of your actual cost.

It's become a very competitive industry, with a lot of pressure on techs to fix problems correctly on the first visit(often with little or no training), do more with less(parts, etc.), and complete more calls per day.

The good points are its pretty much an 8-5/mon-fri gig, you're not stuck in the same place all the time, and it's a good opportunity to learn a lot about a wide variety of businesses.

All that said, after 13-years(4 of those as service manager), and getting completely burnt out twice, I've spent half of this year transitioning into more of a sales/consulting role, and feel not only happier but feel like I'm accomplishing much more.

The college my wife works at has a "Power systems Engineering Technology Certificate" program I'm going to enroll in. Since she works there I can take the classes for free. Hopefully that will set me in the right direction.

Bump: News?

Check with your local plumbers & pipefitters hall.They have special programs (or should have- my hall does) for older guys- of which you are one- who want to get into the field.Not only w ill they teach you all you need to know, but will hook you up with a contractor so you can earn while you learn.Most going into the field chase the bigger hourly rate working commercial, but a decent serviceman can knock down a good living and the benefits and pension are usually the same.

I'll look into that. Thx minimac! No news to report. Classes don't start til February

News?

I'm following this because HVAC seems enjoyable.

I ended up landing a job at a local company that manufactures steel doors and frames for commercial construction. It super close to the house, pays well, and has the potential for advancement. I figured I would stick with this instead of the hvac. Thanks again guys!

Congrats!

In reply to BoxheadTim: Thanks Boxhead!!

I know some commercial HVACR and they do well. Big jobs get big parts. Start small then get on a building HVAC maintenance staff. Steady work with lots of side work.