Should YOU Choose HVAC As A Career?? My Honest Opinion…
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- Опубликовано: 15 фев 2022
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I get asked all the time, should I start a HVAC career?? In this video I talk about it. For me there are three main reasons why I think you should start a career in the HVAC trade. Hope you enjoy the video, LET'S DO SOME WORK!!
#skilledtrades #hvac #career 
Кино
I’m an in house hvac tech for an inner city school system in Connecticut. I’m one of 3. Job is great. 125k a year ish and a van to commute in. Plus a great pension and 1 month vacation and 15 days pto along with 23 paid holidays off. No on call. Super awesome. 😊
Man that sounds sweet bro
Is the pay and all of the vacation time because of being in the business a long time or what?
How long have you been at that job?
@@dmac2899 probably because its a government job. When its tax money paying for something, the sky's the limit.
Are you union?
16 years in the HVAC trade and I love this video. Some of the fine points are;
1) The opportunities. If you get bored with one aspect you can move onto another.
2) Job gratification. The thanks and praise when you give a customer heat on a below freezing day will leave you satisfied, regardless of how your day went.
3) Job demand. No ones shipping your job over seas or out sourcing you! You are in demand and will be recruited regularly.
4) Daily challenges. You will never do the exact same job everyday. This is not an assembly line job.
5) You will learn all the other trades and be expected to perform the tasks. Plumber (hot water boilers, steam boilers, hot water tanks)
Electrician (control wiring, high voltage wiring, schematics)
Tinsmith (ductwork, venting)
Millright (picking up, putting down, assembly)
If you love a challenge, like working with your hands, and are people oriented, the sky and your ambition are your limit!
People oriented meaning ?
Love this :)
@@bryanayalaq9259 Meaning you enjoy people. Being friendly and courteous in people's homes and business as well as making them comfortable and trusting with you.
@@whothennowbitches thank you for taking the time to answer me thinking about the field even more now thank you
I’ve never held tools in my life seriously. I’m only 19 starting community college classes for HVAC-R Technology. I know some people are just mechanically gifted and hands on but I don’t really know that If I am or not. Will I be alright starting in on this?
Allow me to add to the other side, as a 22 y/o that quit after about three years.
I worked at a couple companies, first one I did a lot of resi install, next I did resi service, then got into a local union doing commercial refrigeration for about 18 months. I learned the trade pretty well, and honestly, yes- it can be rewarding, pay can be good, and you're learning a valuable skill. But I quit for a variety of reasons, mostly specific to my circumstances. The union contractor I got singed up with was really bad, and ultimately drove me out of my apprenticeship. But I'll leave my own specific circumstances out of this because there's too many little details.
Here's the things that drove me away from the trade:
-You're never at home field, you're always the away team. This means that you are always a visitor or a contractor. This use to wear on me because sometimes I just wanna take an hour to myself but there's nowhere to get comfortable because I always felt like I was being watched.
-You basically live out of your truck/van. And most likely you're not gonna get a company that cares to replace vehicles until 300k miles. Its normal, especially in the commercial world, to spend 3-4 hours a day in your van, whether driving, eating lunch, paperwork, etc. I started to hate being in my van/driving. And if you hate being in a vehicle all day, you won't last long.
-Pay is good, but making GREAT money as an service tech is hard unless you're in a union in a good city. I was part of Philly's union, at rate over there is 49 something an hour after the apprenticeship, but I turned my back on that because I hated doing refrigeration work in (shitty) Philly, driving to and from work an hour each way. Otherwise, if you're part of a mom and pop shop, you'll get to maybe 35 an hour as a lead tech after you have 10-15 years of experience in the field. It's just not, to ME, a financially viable option for trying to make GREAT money.
-Because these systems are like cars, they're rarely properly maintained, and I always found that extremely frustrating. I hated having to fix a condenser that a homeowner buried behind bushes. I've been stung by nests of hornets in said bushes. I hated seeing a furnace buried in homeowner garbage and they don't move anything out of the way. I hated putting my hands on extremely old equipment because it was just a callback time-bomb that I could not do anything about.
-You're among the very general public. I was exceptionally good with people. So much so that a company offered my a commission structure because I was so good at selling new systems if a homeowner needed one. I declined the sales offer. So I'm good with people, and I couldn't stand them. You'll walk into hoarder houses, get nasally assaulted, walking around dogshit on floors and moldy basements, people cooking fish while you're working, bleh. I found people to largely be fine but there were enough that just disgusted me and enough that didn't maintain equipment that I was getting anxious going to certain houses, or even to a new house hoping that it wouldn't be disgusting.
So, for these reasons primarily, and many smaller ones regarding my specific experiences, I quit. Service work had a lot of stress and I wanted to get off the road, and away from people.
I got a job as a power plant operator, and I make $35 an hour starting. There's built in overtime in my schedule, with plenty of opportunities to pick up extra shifts. With the overtime and picking up shifts, I'm making about 100k right now with much, much less stress. I'll top out at around 150k after I reach top rate.
But I wouldn't have gotten this job without the beginnings in HVAC, learning diagnostic skills, mechanical skills, plumbing, electrical, and even a tiny bit of carpentry skills I learning in HVAC. So I would recommend HVAC if you intend on moving to a large industrial scale like I did. The environment is significantly better. This, or be fully intent on working for yourself because that's where the real money is too.
Thank you for the honesty and perspective!
Thank you for that.
I'm in a similar boat. I started on the other side of hvac. duckwork, dryer vent, cleanings and repairs. I've been doing it since I was 17, I'm almost 21 now. in the beginning it started as just a job to do during and after high school, I had plans to go into the hvac heating and cooling side of things, but nowadays I'm just getting so tired of the trade life at least residential trades. like you said a lot of people are disgusting and for some reason even know they're literally paying for a service they have no idea how to do they always look down on you and give you nasty attitudes, not all people are like this but the fact that anyone acts like this to begin with is beyond me. I'm also tired of the stress, practically living in the truck, rushing to jobs, having no time to myself whatsoever, and stressing my body. tbh the money isn't even that good for what I do its honestly garbage and not worth it, I'm just stuck in the job because I'm not sure what I wanna do after realizing heating and cooling's gonna be the same shit as what I do now except even more taxing on my body. even in my area heating and cooling doesn't pay the best, there's only 1 company I found that gives you the possible potential to reach 100-115k a year (sidenote the average small family house in my area is 500k). I can only say a few good things about trades as of rn and its that everyone should learn 1, even if its just the basics of any of em. since I started working with my hands it gave me the balls to work on my own car, I've always been interested in cars and I have a true passion for them (mostly BMWs). about a year ago I started my first projects on my personal car (a BMW) and fast forward today I owned 3 BMWs, bought them all broken, fixed them myself, and sold 2 off to make some side money. I excelled in the auto field because of my trade and only after 1 year of a weekend hobby and self learning, my mechanic will give me a buzz from time to time to get my input on what's going on with some of the BMWs he gets in his shop. its not that I hate trades entirely but I think every tradesmen should get a fair pay even if its simple tradesmen work, I hate this trend in trade that most boomers follow that you NEED to be a specific age and have a certain amount of years in the companies to get paid good. I understand that if your new you shouldn't get as much as a 30 year vet but if you excel at your work no matter the age you should get paid a livable wage as even 65-70k a year (average trade salary in my area) is barely enough to live just by yourself. like I said before I do have a true passion for cars and I know I can take the work of a mechanic but the salaries are mostly garbage. even know I technically have experience and I know for a fact I know how to do 100 times more then the kids fresh out of auto school, ill get borderline scammed with my pay and assigned to the slave work just because I'd be new. that's just my rant and personal output on the trades that I wish my dad told me going into it, the truth is a decent amount of people that don't even know how to put a screw in the wall are making more or very similar then most tradesmen and that's pretty sad.
Stationary engineer here. Maintaining utilities is half my job and HVAC is the other half. This job/apprenticeship is by far the best thing that ever happened to me. I went from a deadbeat living at home with mom to supporting a family of my own, in the SF Bay area no less. Wish I had known or at least been motivated for the trades a decade ago
Dayum son! Respect! ✊
Also a stationary engineer for local 39! Welcome to the trades!
Hey Danny, I also live in the SF Bay Area and have been trying to get into the trades, did you go to school somewhere or how did you get started?
I admire your job man I will work towards building engineer or start a buisness
Congratulations! Amazing and inspiring story to read. If I may ask though, how down one become a stationary engineer?
I’ve been doing this for 2 and a half years and I want people to understand is that HVAC saves lives too. Getting an old ladies Furnace up and running when there is -20 degree wind chill and the weather is terrible saves a life and we do that. You can life without cooling but not heat.
Been in the hvac game for 4ish years total. I started my own commercial/residential HVAC-R business specializing in service maintenance business about a year ago.
That fulfillment he is talking about I have never personally experienced. its a job that will allways be in demand no matter the economic situation. It's hard to be enthusiastic about air conditioners and furnaces. However For a trade I would recommend.
It’s hard to be enthusiastic about residential equipment. It’s very easy to be enthusiastic about larger industrial equipment. Doing a start up on a 24M BTU biglow boiler was a highlight in the few years I’ve been in the field. Chillers in my opinion are fun to work on and are hard but very rewarding
How did you start your business? Was it hard?
I’m in residential and get fulfillment from the homeowners being happy with finally having comfort in their home during cold or hot days. It’s mainly from the full cut-ins and difficult jobs. The pull-push jobs are just easy work.
Where is your business based out of? I am looking to do HVAC am currently going to take a 12 week program for it and would love an apprenticeship if your company offers it
Did u go to school for hvac
I’m currently in college because of my family to be totally honest with you I’m not enjoying it. So I’ve been looking at other opportunities and I think I’m going to go into hvac instead of spending another 3 years doing something I hate. This video helped a ton when it comes to making my decision.
How’s it going?
@@victoruchiha4550 I start hvac in august if I can pay for it I won’t be having any financial aid
@@jamesstricklin4056good luck man been looking for my own path to travel. You like it so far?
@@jamesstricklin4056 good for you man keep going
if i were you i would try to get on as a controls apprentice you will learn hvac super quick from being around the equipment and messing around with a voltage meter and temperature
Zac, you always make great videos and just like you said this career is rewarding. I diagnosed a furnace where the ecm motor was not turning on, so i verified that it was the control board and not the motor. I replaced a control board on a 98 Lennox 90ugf furnace. Walking out the door made feel good that I left some heat for a customer with a 2 yr old there.
I got a lot of inspiration from this video. i have been working since last year in hvac and in the beginning i felt that is little tough but now my feeling has be changed with the learning process and i will never give up. thanks for this motivated video 👍
I've been following you for a while now and love your content. I know for me I've been in the industry in Detroit for 10 years first 8 I worked for an employer that did not care about his workers and I was miserable. I now found a company who takes care of us and I feel over pays us for what we do. The happiness is all about who you are doing it for. I honestly feel I have found my home until I retire in break off on my own.
When you are certified and very good about your qualifications you actually are the Boss! Many times over the past 38 years I loved what I did! Continuous learning is part of the job, it never ends! Always keep fluent!
Been 2 years in the trade and I absolutely love it!! Wouldn’t choose anything else in the world! This trade is my passion. Everyday I’m learning. I chose this trade because I wanted to find a sense of security and find something I would like doing. To the new guys I would advise them to not look at how much you will get paid at first. I would learn as much as possible because when you learn more you become more valuable and that’s more then a just paycheck if you ask me 🔥. Great video!!
That’s good. Don’t forget about family.
Hey bro I wanted to get into it myself. I was wondering how your schedule is? Do you work weekends and holidays?
@@bumslightrail2382 it really depends on the company you choose. Some companies do not do on call whatsoever but those companies usually require you to have at least 5 years of experience before they even consider hiring you. Companies that hire people straight from school or right off the street usually are the ones that have on call and require you to work ridiculous hours.
Give it a couple more bud
@@bumslightrail2382 mon-sun 8-6 or 8-8 in the summer
I totally agree. I chose HVAC blindly after high school and I have never regret it. The only difficult part is the hours not because I do not like to work late but less time with family.
Thank you.
How many hours a week you pull?
@@alvaroromero8683 sorry, for some reason RUclips doesnt notofyme. I would say 10 hour daily avarage.
What about in the winter do you still work long hours year round? Or just during peak season
@@jrob2kmusic333 winter time can be slow especially for new techs. Also depends on the company.
@@1984juant so 70 hours a week?
I just got into Hvac for 4 months now and I’m really glad I am beginning this career! Your first point was spot on, it is rewarding when you care about the work you’re doing and seeing a nice finished project!
I have been looking for HVAC job but I found it so difficult to get please can you help.me?
@@frankoomamah1210 if you live in a big city I would suggest you look for employers like comfort systems USA, they are more likely to hire you with no experience or just coming out of trade school. If you live in a rural community like Montana I suggest that you look for staffing agencies that supply skilled trade workers. If you have to choose the staffing route you will probably start out as a HVAC technician helper either installing or retro and the pay will not be that great but it gets your foot in the door. Once you have the experience and start getting a lot of the certifications the sky is the limit. HVAC is a little different than most careers, your pay is dependent on certifications and years of experience.
EPA universal, Nate certifications, electrical and plumbing certifications. Go a long way in boosting your pay.
Thought the same thing am coming up on a year next month in this trade and love it. Just sit back looking at the craftsmanship and being prideful of it
I got paid 9.50 lol got raised to 10.50 and it sucks…. I’m an apprentice but I still have heard what I make is low as hell. I have to door dash on the side just to make extra cash for bills
Love Videos like this keep me driven through school. Can't wait too be graduated a be out in the field putting all this knowledge to use.
The best part of our industry is the smiles on your way out the door..
No one is happier then when its 100° outside and the ac is pumping!
Love your stuff mate, all the way from Melbourne Australia as a fellow hvac tech I appreciate your content. I ve been 4 years out on my own and it has been such a rewarding and profitable career thus far
Turning 27 in January and I start hvac school in January also. Looking forward to the next 5 years changing my life
Im 24 and thinking about starting aswell, goodluck on your new chapter bro 🙏🏾
Same here ma brother im thinking of going to trafe school for it 🔥
@@GrindSzn7 Im a month into the program already and I love it. Hope you are doing great.
@@JoseCarlos-db1uw Yeah im a month into trade school already. Im loving it so far cant wait to see where it takes me. Good luck man hope you prosper
@@jwcatalano3867 I'm interested aswell hows it going
Hey Zac been working for a small company for about 9 months now and gotta say I feel alot of pride when I do my installs and change out furnaces and ac systems cause I know what I'm touching isnt just metal or duct board but the way our clients stay warm and cool and it affects they're lives just as much as mine and knowing there is something I did that makes their life better gives me a great sense of pride.
Good video keep them coming.
Gotta admit watching your vids got me into the trade so keep up the great work Zac.
I’m 8 months into hvacr, my company does work for all the big grocery chains, I particularly work on food equipment and will start doing walk ins soon, doing work for grocery stores I never have to worry about not having work.
As a career, I think HVAC is going to be more and more in demand, especially as things are getting hotter.
I just graduated a 3 month hvac/refrigeration course at New England HVAC institute in Boston. Literally graduated a week ago. Through out the class I would watch HVAC videos on RUclips. So now I have my EPA cert. And cert of graduation. I'm ready to get going ASAP
How’s it going?
I started the trade when I was 18 about to be 21 one of the best decisions I’ve made
I’ll say this in regards to joining the HVAC career. Simply put it’s hard work, much harder than other trades, you have to be ready to figure stuff out on your own, work long hours and endure intense weather.
But most importantly, finding balance between work and family. So many guys have multiple marriages because they were never home.
It’s a great career, and forces it’s workers to become great.
You can't let the career take over.
So well said! So many facets to this trade and it does provide lots of opportunity and unfortunately, some of those opportunities are bad. There are opportunities for growth and income, but also for ruining relationships and burnout from overwork :-(
Why don't you simply stop after 8 hours and return the next day?
@@damienholland8103 over time pay is really really nice.
@@jsb7546 Sure, but he seems to be implying that there's pressure to work longer hours.
Great video zac I’m new to the hvac trade and your videos really help keep up the good work man 💪🏻
Coming up on 49 years and I still run many calls. I still love it over all. I do hate the hot attics and the difficult jobs, but owning my own company I can fish out the less desirable customers and service the customers I have had for 30+ years Ive been on my own.
Your always seeing different things, meeting people, traveling, 90% in the field instead of an office and fixing problems.
Nice comment. I’ve done construction trades for 30 years. Is age a huge factor ?
I know installation is more important than the brand, but if all of them were equal in price, which brand would you choose for your own home? Lennox, Carrier, Goodman, Bryant, or what would you choose???
How much u make
Dude… this video was extremely well done. You explained everything very well and didn’t over do the cinematic side of the video either. I’m currently a video editor but looking to make a career change. HVAC is one of the trades I’ve been looking at. Your video is the first step to my research. Thanks for the video man. 🙏🏻
Wow same
What type of videos do you edit?
I love these videos man, you motivate a lot of young individuals.
Good look Z I'm glad that I started school after looking at your videos thank you for the motivation
I love your videos. I run a sewing and vacuum store, where we do repairs as well - I specialize in repairing sewing machines. During the pandemic, business was actually booming - 2021 was our best year in a decade. People will always need to sew and vacuum . . find a trade that is secure, I love mine - but I also love learning about yours.
I got my hvac certificate about 2 years ago . For foolish reasons I didn’t walk the path . But lately I’ve been watching your videos and I feel like it’s time for me to walk the path and really stick with it . Thanks
Keep up the hard work and the videos love the channel!!
I just got into this field, doing deliveries for people around middle tn, im thru M&A supply and ive definitely been considering this as a career path. I got alot to learn but i like what im doing and learning so far. And the ppl im meeting give me advice daily. Cant wait to get deeper into it
I have been considering this as a pivot from my soul sucking office job. I was a repair technician for Sprint for a decade before I switched to tech. It’s been 10 years, and I still miss solving problems. You pretty much sold me that I’m on the right path talking about that fulfillment (that is what is lacking in job). What a great video.
I completely understand this. I’m 23 and have been in customer service since I could work. I’m currently a call center rep and the lack of fulfillment I have is absolutely soul sucking. I’m getting my epa certification and then going to be getting an apprenticeship in hvac hopefully in the next month🤞🏼
@@Cam-re9piHow are you liking your apprenticeship?
I admire your work it's always Neat and professional 👍
Love your videos man. I would really like to see one where you go over how you deal with low voltage short. I recently found one on a heatpump where low pressure switch wire had rubbed a hole from touching up against the condenser coil metal frame.
I had to pause your video at 1:39 seconds. I am only 4 months into hvac hands on and the sense of fulfillment and a days job well done is amazing. I snuck a sneaky pic and sent it to my dad and he said he was proud. Piped a 1 compressor unit in 2 days on month 4. Great trade.
All trades are good the issue is finding the right company , right city right state . The right timing for the right opportunity to come up
Since the air handler at my house gave up in March’22, I’ve spent most of my days watching HVAC RUclips videos. This is right up my alley…seems way more rewarding than what I do now. Thanks for the video!
Same boat! Did you end up going into HVAC??
@@josephmiller9180 I did not, still a hobby 😂
@@mpmfr haha, me neither :)
Great video!
I’m a carpenter by trade framing residential houses for 8 years or so and decided to make the switch to hvac/refrigeration.
Up here in Vancouver canada it was nice to get out of the weather framing and work mostly indoors .
Was lucky enough to get in with the union even having no prior refrigeration/hvac experience.
I work for a great company installing new refrigeration systems in grocery stores (cases and walk ins). And also doing allot of renovations of groceries stores.
But the trade itself is awesome if you’re mechanically inclined it comes easier but I’d recommend it to anyone.
Very rewarding seeing a project from start to finish.
The best way I could describe it is you’re the Jack of all trades, electrical, refrigeration, plumbing, gas fitting.
Can you tell me what union you are with and what were the requirements? Thanks
Ua516 and depends what company you’re hired on by some companies want experience some companies will give guys a chance without prior experience.
I'm 27 and work as a Glazier but I'm thinking of making a switch to HVAC, are the jobs mostly installation or is it more driving job to job doing maintenance?
Im about to go to trade school in houston for this. Got a second baby on the way and security just isn’t gonna cut it anymore.
Seeing the way you work, with it being hands on and what not. Its very much appealing. Thanks for the intel.
Damn good video with real service call examples! Thanks man
Thanks for these videos not a lot of people speak on things and these all have helped me pursue what I want after timeless thinking of what to do out of high school. I’m 19 and just getting into it and love it
I love it I started a couple years ago and I love that I learn something new everyday
I started in HVAC back in November, was running parts and got bored of it very quickly, ended up getting bumped into training for maintenance and I absolutely love learning and the classes my company puts us through. I worked a dead end job for a long time and it feels really good to be able to fix things and even do simple humidifier installations. We are kinda slow at the moment over here in NJ, the weather isn't the most ideal at the moment for breakdowns but I know it will pick up soon enough. I get my own truck soon so I'm stoked
pay good? I'm in school for it right now in Cali
@@marcusaurelis all depends on what you're doing and where you're at. NJ they started me at 18, I got a bump when I was gonna leave but ended up staying on and doing maintenance. im around 20 an hour but apparently some of the senior guys can make mid to high 30s an hour if not more.
@@johnstrh1 tnh, I thought seniors would be making more than that. That's just $65k a year. I heard HVAC can sometimes pay up to 100K a year? I guess that's with OT and commercial only or no?
@@marcusaurelis it can get very high but that’s usually big cities and you have to be very well versed in whatever they want you do to get over 40 an hour and yes overtime is what gets you 100k. However it’s not really that, what brings the money home usually guys who are that good have something on the side that basically triples or quadruples their weekly salary.
@@Chris_junya What are the hours like for you? I've seen a couple reddit threads wheres HVAC guys were saying the hours were brutal and lots of guys leaves because it kills your social life. I'm not against working OT, but i don't want to be working 70+ hour weeks all the time
It's a great career. A good way to make a living. It kind of reaches a dead end when you reach a high knowledge & being able to fix anything and everything. You'll end up basically running the company making a workers wage, going back on call backs other guys screwed up. At that point you may as well be in business for yourself.
You got it Mike. I got tired of fixing other’s mistakes. I left HVACR over 40 years ago. I had saved up enough money to go back to college for an engineering degree. HVACR is a great trade for youngsters but climbing ladders and crawling through attics is not something you want to do when you get older.
@@picklerix6162 dope still in some HVAC!?
People like you are the ones who give me the to continue. I'm already in HVAC school. And thank you.
Hey man I was wondering how school and life after is doing you? I’m starting school in the spring and I’m freaking nervous as fuck.
@@ItsJ4KElol same
@@tredadon444 good luck bro! We got this 💪💪💪
Been doing HVAC repairs,installs and appliance repairs for 20 years. Finally started working for myself last year, definitely suggest putting your time in if you want to know the trade and build up them go to guys to keep you going along the way. Lots of people who don’t maybe do the best work can make great money in this field no doubt, the skill set has diminished greatly over the past 10 years .
17. I’m just looking into all trades right now, and colleges. But this hvac really seems intrsting. It looks hard, but I’m ready.
Im 23 years into the trade. I do not regret it at all. Have i had crappy days and second guess myself on my decision.....sure, but still to this day i don't want to do anything else for a living. I'm a commercial/ industrial service tech working on much more complicated equipment that presents more difficult challenges and thats what drives me. The challenge of the call and getting the equipment back up and running correctly. I was in residential for most of my career and I'd found that the trade was loosing its luster and i didn't feel challenged much at all. So i made the switch and it brought the love and desire back to my day to day life. Plus i didn't want to be a part of resi sales tactics garbage that exists for most residential companies. Im a mechanic....not a salesman. That is just my perception and mine alone.
I never thought I would ever describe a video on hvac as gorgeous - great production
Like your videos man! I’m going to start hvac next year August 10
thank you man big respect
Started off working at the shop and delivering parts my first year then got into maintenance did that for 2 years, and now I'm in my first year as a tech it's very challenging at times and make so many mistakes, but I do enjoy what I do and how much I learn.
I feel you on the making mistakes I make so many every day I sometimes wonder if this is the right trade for me but at the end of the day mistakes are a part of learning keep up the work bro this is a really good trade to be in
thanks for that! I'm jumping in to be a teck and I've heard the first 6 months suck
@@jarakharmison5350 yeah bro first months are always the hardest but it does get easier to manage over time
@@luislopez6055 thanks man I'll remember that
@@jarakharmison5350 your welcome bro best advice I could give you is just be consistent in what you do and don’t ever get complacent no matter what. Do that and You’ll be running service on your own before you know it
Sadly there’s to many sales companies now. However still an amazing trade to always have paths forward. It can take you anywhere as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Even at your house read up and learn.
I’m a week into hvac school and so far I’m loving it, everything is intriguing to me
Yoo how has it been???
@@tbejames5634 you tryna get into hvac? How old are you ?
Thank you! I am interested because of this video. Also I like the beat “Another Day Gone”
Damn good video as always. I love the knowledge and advice. Keep them coming it keeps me motivated in School as I learn new things and I look forward to taking them to this level in the future.
I'm glad to hear u say this Zac because man I am 30 years old, just trying to get my life together and I chose the hvac trade to try and make a living. I am a few months away from finishing school and getting out there. I was worried I am too old to just get into it but I don't think that's the case anymore. It's something I am passionate about so far and I think I'll love it. It being seasonal is my main concern now. Getting layed off in the winter, that would suck.
Appreciate all your videos man. 👊🏻
Get into commercial side, it slows down some in winter but if you're worth a damn they won't let you go.
I started in HVAC/R at 30 too. Definitely not too old, just take care of yourself, there is a lot to learn and plenty of work out there to do.
I'm 37 , I started at 35 and I work with a company that does ac and plumbing. Cross train in plumbing and you'll have work all year.
I started at 30 myself and I know a lot of guys who started at an older age and are very successful in the trade. Just take care of your body and learn as much as you can.
@@Dunhambulance I’m sad I’m 29 lol I started Hvac trade this week I’m scare
Just got my epa 608 type 1 & 2 now onto my epa 608 type 3 Universal lets go!!!!!
love the vids man really informative and seems like ride along training lol
Decided to apply for a hvac helper position last August after seeing a video of yours . Just got enrolled for an apprenticeship program.
How’s it going so far
@@javiercastillo905 yeah how's it been? i'm considering entering myself.
@@naughti_penguin2340 I've also started in an apprenticeship role. Doing a lot of installs and learning a lot. Go for it
@@taylorfriberg3620 hey how's it going?!
How's it going?
25 years old & currently 2nd year at 50% scale in Bay Area . Love what I do 🙏everyday I get to wake up knowing I’m doing something everyday that I love is amazing .
Hey Luis, I go to school at foothill college. Im getting into the apprenticeship for hvac it’s sponsored by the local 467. How has it been? Any companies you recommend working with ? - Thanks
I know that feeling
When you're proud of your self
Once I did something for chicken factory to cool water and it was my own idea And it worked
I was so happy and so proud of my self
I’m excited to be joining the industry soon. Currently military and will be taking a 8 week course to get NATE and EPA certs.
Started at 22 and I’m 1.5 years in working in Az. Very tough work but best decision of my life. I make good pay and it is very fulfilling
In az? Respect bro😭 the summers here in Colorado make me want to fucking die on the roofs
@@fransiscoh9450 lol yeah most summer days it’s 115 and could be higher. Most attics are about 130 degrees and rises and most roofs are white so it’s 115 degrees but sun shines back up into your face!
@@DiggidyD yeah nah that’s crazy I start to loose my composure around the 90s I had to switch out a condenser motor on this roof and everything I touched was cooking my skin alive I couldn’t imagine that at 115
@@fransiscoh9450 yeah it’s a different kind of beast in Az. But hey summer time is when we make bank so 🤷🏻. I always tell my buddies, friends, and family I’ll bitch and complain in the moment but once that paycheck comes around it’s more than worth it!
@@DiggidyD damn right
Thank you for making this video.
i like ur branding, the logo with the military style etc.
Thanks for sharing brutha, i know what i'm doing now.
Man you really described everything spot on.
Great vid brother Thanx. Im really looking into getting into this as well and wanting some insight on this career. I had a career as a trucker for many years but that industry is slowly dying or dying in my opinion so gotta move. Lol but Thanx going to move forward with this.
This guy is such a beast at the trade. One of the reasons why I want to join it
Im about to start school for HVAC on the 25th and im excited
Thank you for the video bro
IT'S HOT, LOTS OF CLIMBING, LOTS OF DUST, CONSTANT UPDATED F0R TECHNOLOGY
MOST OF THE TIME YOU WORK ALONE, but when the A/C not working. . . .
you become the most favorite person ...
Great video 💯
I think hvac is one of the most challenging trades with the lowest bar for entry in most states. It is also full of incompetence and scam artists so you may have to avoid companies that encourage or overlook both bad aspects. The biggest scam are the companies who encourage their techs to sell new rather than repair. Often with barely adequate wages unless they cash in on commissions. Training is essential in today's ecm, inverter and communicating system world, yet an epa test covers none of these things. As anywhere the owners will accumulate wealth fastest if they can manage and grow reliable and longterm employees. Easier said than done. For the few who become successful businessmen it is a great business with little downturn potential. For emoloyees who can land union jobs the prospects in certain states are good. Or if the employee finds the less than common Kalos or similar, success without burnout is likely. Personally I believe declining personnel resources will force the manufacturers to up their quality and product lifespans while simplifying the less frequent repairs and replacements. Same thing happened in the auto and tv business when quality was once low and maintenance techs were in every neighborhood. Now high tech autos rarely fail especially compared to their early versions that were worn out in 50k miles. TV repairmen are a lost career today.
Residential HVAC is a relatively easy trade to get into. If you want to get into commercial HVAC, I suggest that go to community college to get some advanced training. I tried for years to get a job with a commercial HVAC company but nobody would even consider me without 5 years commercial experience.
@@picklerix6162 that's interesting. What I'm hearing lately is that there is high shortage and high demand on the commercial side right now. Is that not true in your view?
Acutemp is one of them. they quoted my friend 26k for a 300$ fix. These big companies brake a tiny bit off to the techs for selling and then to install vs actually diagnosing electrical
issues and testing components
@@picklerix6162 work alone bro
I know installation is more important than the brand, but if all of them were equal in price, which brand would you choose for your own home? Lennox, Carrier, Goodman, Bryant, or what would you choose???
I like your work ethic so much.
It is all about passion I am looking on when my country will advance and get to this point you are at what I mean is value for experience this trade is amazing unfortunately in my country companies do exploit so much but irrespective we are still glad that we serve from the best of our knowledge and as I always say we are the doctors of HVAC/R machines I will also be considering looking for an opportunity internationally
I've spent the past 10 years factory hopping to get wage increases. Started at $10.25 an hour as a temp and made $73,000 + $7,700 bonus last year.
Left it for HVAC. I start Tuesday after Labor Day.
Best decision of my life.
How has it been ?
@@huncho2020
Been a lot of fun. I'm doing clean and tunes, and assisting on other projects. Did some trunk line installations, some rooftop adjustments for commercial units, a little bit of plumbing assistance. Installed two panel boxes now.
Not on call yet, on account of being new and "still in training", but I am easily identifying problems all the time such as refrigerant leaks at A-coils, bad heat exchangers and faulty transformers.
@@lotsaspaghetticodejr.6488 Im considering the hvac apprenticeship at my college.. some of the comments on YT are kinda discouraging
@@huncho2020Pay no attention to the negative comments on here. You can do this!
@@huncho2020those negative comments are lazy fucks who just complain about anything they can find a reason to complain about about not everything will be sunshine and rainbows but would you rather slave away 60 hours per week doing a warehouse job for $18-$22/hr in climate controlled building? Or make $50-$60/hr working for yourself in some shitty temperatures sometimes or more. Difference is both jobs are physically demanding but at least doing this you know you’ll get rewarded for that hard work. The positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Happy hunting
Good video bro !!!
Sent to my son, as we go through career options. Thank you
Im switching to HVAC from EMS as an EMT on an ambulance. Its not really fulfilling anymore and it quickly showed how EMS is. Public sucks and has unrealistic high expectations at what we can do and realizing healthcare needs to be improved. So many BS 911 calls where people can take themselves and even doctor offices calling 911 for BS. Insurance companies are the worst. I like working and tinkering with my hands so i hope i can be one of the best out there in HVAC
Those bs calls were always the worst ones.
Metoo. I’ve been in the healthcare field for 4 years as a certified nursing assistant/technician while working at a hospital. I thought of furthering my career, but I’ve come to the realization that it isn’t for me. I came across HVAC because I would like to work in a field that’s hands-on and not a desk job. It also sounds very rewarding, and I'm willing to learn. However, I’m not really confident I'll succeed because I'm not much of a handyman and have very little knowledge of tools.
What stopped me from being an hvac tech was the weather aspect. I was always told I'm going to be on the roof when its the coldest or the hottest. Because that's when things break. I'm a journeyman electrician now and I've spent my fair share of work in -30C and 30C... Love these videos always makes me want to apprentice in hvac.
Go for it man, only live once
I wouldnt see the point as he's already an electrician. They pull in a bit more $ as well 👍
Your the man good video already I'm watching it I showed my sons there adults now
17 years later and it’s finally paying off.. long road lots of pains and aches with tons of non stop learning . But honestly it’s all I know is working with my hands and my brain
I just turned 18 nd my step dad is doing his 2nd year for hvac getting his associates, he’s real passionate about hvac and is leading me on I hope hvac does great for me. Any advice ?
Hvac has unlimited job and different branches to embark on a career or Business . Unlimited hours if you want them. Building automation to installing.
I’m always trying to talk experienced automotive technicians to become HVAC TECHs. All the sensors and controls on cars 40+ years ago are all getting introduced to hvac in the last decade it a vary easy career change.
Every thing in hvac is so easy to get to compared to cars. It’s great to steal a automotive tech over to hvac.
Every automotive tech I know change over to HVAC love it. And wished they did it years earlier.
Hvac is a excellent business to start. You will be continually learning new thing for life.
I own Infinite air, we do primarily duct cleaning not installation and when people ask me what I think about it the fulfillment answer has always been what my mind immediately goes to. Shit pays well to though lol
It's a love hate relationship. I love the relationship I have with my customers. People are relying on you in emergency situations where they think it's the end of the world because let's face it, no heat in the middle of winter is an emergency and elderly people can't take temps below 70-75 for 3-4 days. The same for cooling seasons. When you are efficient and fix the call in a matter of minutes or hours your customers will never forget that in their time of panic and you leave with such a sense of accomplishment. There's never an end of work for us, in fact we work alot more during cold snaps and heat waves. Most of my customers call to me for almost everything related to their homes because I've gained their trust and like I said there's nothing more satisfying than being there for them and fixing the problem and not selling them a new system. Hvac is a great trade to be in, you will never be out of work. I suggest learning both service and install whether residential or commercial
what's the hate?
Awesome video Planning to get out of the service after 15 years and looking to get into hvac Quick question do you think I should do the 4 month course at a university or should I just go into apregnancy ship program
Just started doing hvac best decision ever. I can’t wait to learn a lot more about it 😁
How has it been going ? Im considering going getting into this
@@huncho2020 been going good a lot to learn but definitely worth it in my opinion👌🏽
All I’m saying is trying out multiple aspects of hvac. I really don’t like doing installs but maybe a couple times a year but service is good most of the time.
Good video man
HVACR technicians are the most universal technicians because we need to understand every trade in order to do our trade. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical skills. It's incredible what you become when you become an HVACR technician. We are the best of all the trades combined in one. I'm proud of all my HVACR brothers and sisters out there. Let's go!
looking forward to get into the trade - was looking for some good information about HVAC and here i got your channel. Can you please guide if starting by enrolling in the college course is the only best way to get into HVAC
It is easy to see you love your career choice and do it correctly. I wish I knew you when I had my heat pump installed, they seem to care less, one guy cussed at me, threatened me, I am 71 I don't fight anymore but will always protect myself. I went to another company to just have an inspection done. Well he found both pressure valve wires were completely cut, wrong size copper tubing used on the outside from the Air Handler to the filter dryer. I blame this of course on the installers, but the guys that did the service calls were also to blame for not even trying to fix problems, they had to install 3 compressors which includes the original new one. I think they wasted a lot of Trane's money by not finding the real problem that was causing the compressors to not work properly. This all started about a year ago and is still the problems I listed above found by the service Tech from another company. Of course I had to pay him for the inspection and will probably pay to have it all fixed. I have no intention to go back to the other company. Oh did I forget he found a lot of pressure problems on his testing device, a lot I think from the pressure valves being completely cut, the high and the low. I can't get a hold of Trane except for customer service that say they don't deal with those issues!!!! That is why I can appreciate your desire to do the job, but correctly. It is full of a lot of things that have to work together.
Hey Charles, HVAC tech here, from Canada. I’m sorry about your experience with that company that’s sounds terrible. From what you have wrote I suspect the technicians over sized the lines obviously and when trying to start up they were not getting pressure on the low side (hence the cut pressure switches) they cut these switches and “jump them out” to force the unit to run as they are safety’s. I am wondering if these guys had left the pressure switches jumped out and kept replacing compressors? The high pressure switch generally protects your compressor from over heating/ burning out and the low pressure switch does the same thing, eventually the compressor will run into a vacuum, if the low pressure switch does not tell the compressor that it’s met it’s required pressure the compressor will keep running pumping the “refrigerant” or in the case of a vacuum literally nothing until the compressor burns out.
Debating on going to become a Law Enforcement Officer or HVAC tech.. I did hvac install for a year at a company that didn’t pay very good and had bad hours. I liked the trade just the management and hours to the amount of pay weren’t adding up. Now I’m thinking about going to an 8 month trade school to get my certs and become a tech.
What did you end up doing?
The first 20 years of my career I apprenticed on refrigeration and HVAC, all commercial which meant I spent a lot of time on a roof lol. I'm up in Michigan so for you guys doing rooftop units in cold climates, you get it. I also know it's a bitch in summer in Pheonix, because I did a lot of work there. The second 20 years I worked for a manufacturer that built commmercial and Industrial Dehumidification systems and VOC Abatement systems. You can move up in this field if you want to put the work in. If you've been on top of a Walmart, you probably know what company I worked for. No sugar coating, it's hard work. I started out when everything was relay logic and it seemed like overnight it went to a PLC processor based controls with communications blah blah blah. I know some of that stuff was out in certain applications already but not specifically for HVAC only systems. The last 20 years, I worked all over the country and abroad because it was specialized work. But it was the first 20 years that got me in the door. Good luck to all you new guys and kudos to the older guys who stuck it out, fish hooks and all lol.
Really intrigued by your videos and appreciate the insights. I have a question and was wondering your honest thoughts. What do experienced pros think about people who try to transition later in life and don't have a prior trade experience? I'm in my mid 30s and my career has been successful, but it's in an office environment and really looking for a change. The high six figure salary keeps me here, but the excitement is gone and enjoy working with my hands and serving people. Thanks again for any advice and insights
wow, am glad to have watched this. am planning to join the career by finding a school here in Toronto so that i start classes, the only question i have is, how long is it possible to find a job as study?