Brian. I really enjoyed this post. I listened to you last night on HVAC shoptalk. I had a question and I don’t know if you answered it because you guys are way past my bedtime. Here’s the question. With all that you do. How do you find time to be a Dad for your 10 kids?
Highest paid guy at my company is actually an installer. Been doing it 25 years and he is a magician with the work. Makes our techs lives much easier because when we have to work on our systems he installed everything is where it should be. Dont knock installers.
I'm a retired Tinner. I started out as a helper doing residential replacements around 1972. After about 3 years, the contractor I was working for decided to go union. I took advantage of the education/night classes the union offered and expanded my skills. I performed A/C service work at times, but after working residential for about 5 years I was ready for a change to commercial and industrial sheet metal including arc welding due to the higher wages paid. I'm glad I learned the residential part of the trade, but I found that the commercial and industrial jobs were more stable, had better working conditions, and paid the highest wages for me. During my working years, residential work meant I was working by myself (most of the time) with a lower wage rate and when I moved to commercial/industrial, I was working with co-workers and was paid a higher wage rate.
I enjoy doing offsets which I can do any field offset or transition where it becomes needed.. but I generally don’t like roughing in ductwork anymore honestly it gets old fast..
Exactly what I was thinking, getting into this trade & I thought about this because I wanted to know the process inside & out before I try troubleshooting anything
I think it may be best to service first it’s true you need some good training, but if you’re aware of what makes servicing easier your more likely to think of it when installing. Very often you find situations where installers make something nearly impossible to service because they’ve never had to service their own install.
Brian is spot on with the fact that installs are more taxing on your body. I've done both, started as a technician, and after some 7 years off the industry, I took a job as an installer. Probably one of the best decisions of my life, actually. You get to see more of what goes on, and if your goal is is be a very efficient and knowledgeable technician, it helps to know how the Installation process goes.
Installers, particularly those in the south are industrial athletics. Been a service tech the last 15 years. Big props to those boys sweating in those attics.
The company for whom I work is small. There’s five of us on the HVAC side, residential is all we do. My experience level is twenty years. I attended UTI to learn service and my first employer put me on installation for a few weeks. Then I rode with one of the senior guys for a few weeks to get the basics of maintenance and service. Within three months I was in my own van running maintenance and service solo while helping on installations. My manager at that time encouraged (I use this description loosely, because Marines have a unique way of encouraging 😆) me to learn as much as possible to make myself more valuable/marketable. Over the years I have learned most aspects related to all three areas; including sheet metal fabrication, pipe fitting, electrical, and carpentry. It is possible to achieve high proficiency in all three areas, but the ability to master all is rare.
will you recommend to go school for the trade or learn on dutty I'm 23 yrs old and right now I'm in the middle, already register for class but also I find out jobs that are willing to teach you in my area Thanks in advance
@@quietgameplays8246 It varies, but for me, I wanted to learn how and why everything works the correct way instead of just hoping what some random supervisor is telling me is true.
Great points. I really believe that a new guy should start on the installation side of things to get to know how systems work then afterwards learn how to fix things that go wrong with them.
You're absolutely right I just got into the field recently I did six months as an installer and my boss made me a service tech night and day difference I learned just enough
I'm currently attending HVAC school and that's my train of thought once I get in the field. Start out in installation and once I'm 100% comfortable then I'll look at service.
I remember when I first started out as a junior. I was put as a helper to install. Almost noone liked to work with me because I was slow. I'd still be outside doing the condenser while the senior was already getting his ductwork and coil done. I took alot of time to make sure everything was square. I was kind of slow with the hefty tools now that I think about it. I've been told on more than one occasion that this trade maybe isn't for me but I had a door open for me elsewhere and became a service technician. I excelled in my studies, gained confidence from my superiors to be flyed out and trained and I'm doing pretty well. Better than the bubs that put me down. I don't ever see myself going back to an installer or a residential tech. I love the commercial side.
This hits too close to home for me. I also excelled in class and have a pretty good grasp of HVAC theory. But I suck at all of the mechanical skills. I'm 1 week into an install job and my crew gives me a hard time for being slow and doing things wrong. I really hope to get good at it though and become a tech in maybe 6 - 12 months. Hope you're still doing well in the field.
I just finished trade school with my EPA at 19 and I started my first job as an Hvac installer helper and I’ve already been told this might not be for me , we’re in a heat wave currently and they have me carrying the tools and equipment for both leads, and working 9 hours without any breaks, I’m really rethinking this whole installer thing.
@@CaptainFuckboy I am now a technician. I was surprised that my company put me in training for 1 month, then gave me my own van. This is by far the best job I've ever had (compared to retail, fast food etc). I'm not making a ton of money yet but the freedom is amazing.
I went to school for being a tech. I got a job at an install company Air Technology. Now I just do hvac service and repair. Your emails help me to keep up with a lot of aspects of tech work.
Installations is where the money is, I prefer troubleshooting but find most problems are from installation issues on units 10 years old and newer. Same trade different modes, learn both !!!!!!!!!!
Or if you are a small company and you do a mixture of everything. which keeps things interesting because some days you do service or service turns into a change out or sometimes people call for a bid on new construction where we do our own manual J D S and design a system for that house. In other words if your someone like me who can't stand doing the same thing every day it works out well to join a small company or start your own. I've learned a lot in the 5 years I've been working.
My instructor in school always says "work with your mind, you are not a laborer" but for me I rather learn to install and put in the work then go to the service side. That's makes sense to me. :)
I love this video. Just mention what is happening to me. I started being a Mechanic and fell in love with sheet metal and fiberglass jobs, then I started doing change out and new installations, and I also fell in love with that, then I started making emergency service calls and I realized that I am also good doing that. but I still like to do ductwork... I really enjoy all your videos
The best hvac technician is one that can do BOTH, and do both WELL. You will be far more valuable to any company. I install 24/7 and prefer it. Pros and cons to each. In my experience of 20 years, install has better hours, no on call, holidays off, same or higher pay than service, and stays far steadier than service. Every company will vary state to state. Large cities typically pay great wages. 80-130k for service/install where I’m at. Nice video
Been doing HVAC since 1974,you'll do better starting with service, tip use your ears more than mouth, read all u can, don't use rule of thumb, be fair on price but don't undercut yourself or you'll go out of business, install with acca standards ,load calcs, don't use substandard equipment and you'll do well, this guy doing video is correct.
All of my employees were Service and Install... Everybody that wanted to only be one or the other honestly wasn't nearly as valuable. My employees were paid better than any in my area because of their flexibility.
I do both. As a small company I do service for plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical as well as put in new for all three trades. Versatility has made me alot of money.
Out of school straight to service helper for 6 months then into service and on call start of summer. Sink or swim situation. 5 years later doing more commercial work now and running with the skill 👍
When I first broke into HVACR, I worked for a small commercial contractor for 3 years learning all facets to the trade. I then split off to work for a bigger commercial/industrial company that was strictly service/maintenance only, I thought I’d really enjoy it since I did when working for the smaller outfit, but the grass was not greener. At my former company I would start at 4am-5am and would be off no later than 1pm. Now I’m on-call, swamped with mental stress, and sometimes working very late. I am now starting a new job as a HVACR Mechanical Pipefitter for a large non-union shop, and probably will never work in service again.
Fresh out of school and personally feel more comfortable doing service over installation. I hope I get more installation work to get the fear of doing it off of myself lol. Guess it’s all in my head
Although I’m only 22. Having been in a bad car accident and my body not agreeing with me, I definitely prefer the service side of thing. Besides I find it more enjoyable to diagnose and think for myself rather than follow a plan
Bryan what is your take on guys like myself that went straight to service from maintenance. I have always been service oriented. The issue I have now is my install skills are poor. I lack the sheet metal skills that most guys would have learnt while being an installer. Now I want to go backwards and learn the necessary skills on the install side but my employer doesn’t want to pay my wage to tag along with a lead installer. I wish there were more videos online showing sheetmetal. The only thing I can think of is going in on my days off and tag along with a good installer.
Speaking about installation or protects , in some point (started up ) , you need those skill to do it , and it's not a physical job its more mental job and also , where would you fit design part ?
Oddly I learned more diagnostics 12 years of it first now I’m trying to get install practices just takes longer to install when you aren’t used to doing it every day practice 👍/ I feel ya on the mentally taxing part worth it when you fix something very satisfying worst feeling when you can’t fix a problem right away and have to come back with parts or have to plan for 2-4 hr repairs if all goes well you have to account for saying hey I can fix this or hey it’s not worth it , it’s ktime to replace the unit which is a pain cause many people think you are just trying to get sales for units when it’s really a worn out system lol great video! Sorry for side tracking great video👍
I start school next August for residential HVAC technician. I’m 20 yo, and I’m super exited because I love problem solving. Any tips on how to get a head start in learning some?
There is a ton of quality material online and especially here on RUclips to help you familiarize yourself with Residential hvac systems, their components, and common troubles and their corresponding solutions. Check our Jay's channel wordofadvicetv it's one of the best I've found
I know it’s an old comment but see if there’s a company that would hire you part time or if they don’t hire you see if you can find a company that lets you go ride along with the guys maybe you won’t be getting paid but you will get the experience
Was an install helper for about a year doing mostly changeouts. Went over to the service side and quickly got put in my own truck. Now im on call for the summer. And ill tell ya, this on call stuff is a killer. I dont mind overtime, i just wish i knew when it was coming. Thinking about trying to get back into install but im sure i dont have enough experience in most companies eyes to run a truck on my own. Any advice from you guys?
I noticed sometimes installers don’t install equipment where it is very accessible to work on. When I worked for company back 2009-2014 when there was a large problem evaporator coils leaking refrigerant, after a while we made the installers start replacing the coils, let me tell you it broke that habit quickly, then they started looking at the big picture.
That is a great proven tactic in many trades. I know of a company who designed and manufactured electronic equipment and they would put the design/engineering team in service while that generation product line was in warranty. That cycle from service would go to create the next one and so on.
Mostly worked as a mobile facilities tech for banks, retail chains, etc, never liked the push for sales in res/comm settings, always see other techs in parts houses boasting how much they took their customers for, excellent pay, benefits, co van, cards, phone and guaranteed min 40 hrs with no badgering to up sell unnecessary items. Nowadays I see ads for "Sales Techs" for a/c companies, no ads for actual service techs, most svc calls get units condemned and sale is pushed.
You learn on installation, you make money on service, hopefully not fixing installations. All techs should start out in installation, work their way up to service. Learn equipment that their shop installs
I’m blessed to be both mechanical and technical I’m a service tech now but I can build some great transitions and things if that nature and I enjoy doing things like that truth is there is more money in service especially when you get into commission based income
So I’m almost done with my degree in HVAC and I was helping a few people out with over the phone diagnosis and have been noticing the run capacitor has been the culprit on most cases. The lady I spoke to I’ve already run through the troubleshooting steps now we’re down narrowing it down to the condenser and compressor the suction line is cold and sweating and the liquid line is hot which tells me that the compressor is running but is it possible that the run capacitor is going out and not cooling the house? She has her thermostat set at 73 and Ambient temps are in the 80s so it’s not cooling. We’ve run down the line of condensate line flush, filters, dampers, rinsing condenser coils, she told me the house was wired wrong and the T stat used to increase the temps when you tried to lower it but they have since had lots of problems corrected. I’m just curious what other trouble shooting I can do other than using gauges to check for low refrigerant charge?
In larger outfits, the division between installers and service techs, can be at times very comical. This was a good video and brought back some funny memories.
The worst thing is to work for a small family business where screwups are defended by being related, crap like brazing without nitrogen purging and especially be wary where service dispatch is done by people having never been in a van doing service for a year.
I see many comments from people who call themselves super techs and talk bad of installers... remember that if there are no units installed, there are no repairs for super techs
I did installation from 1988 till really I’ve not officially gotton out of it until recently. I try to stay strictly to service repair and the occasional change out.
For years I always told young guys just starting out, go into service and repair, or spend a few years doing installation to give you more of an understanding of both ends of the industry. I stayed in installation perhaps to long.
How do I even get my foot in the door? I graduated HVAC school almost 4 months ago, and most places I go to either want someone with 500 years of experience or don’t even give me the time of day. How am I supposed to even get experience if I can’t even get in? This is becoming very frustrating and demoralizing. Starting to wonder if going to school for this trade was a huge waste of time and money.
You should be a (Helper). Like find a friend that does Hvac and you can help him out. That’s what I’m gonna do but first I wanna get my certificate just in case if I can’t find someone that I can help with. I’m saying this cause some companies (Bosses) are so 😑😑😑😑😑. So I wanna work with a friend or with someone and then get my license so I can be my own boss in the future.
@@jonathanortega8089 I expect to start at the bottom as the helper and be the butt of all the senior tech’s jokes, which I’m fine with. I know I’m good and will learn very quickly and probably run circles around all techs that made fun of me early on. But just getting my foot in the door as the lowly helper has proved nearly impossible. I’ve also learned that this BS pandemic has made many of the companies very hesitant to hire people like me that are just starting out.
Oh you mean crawling around in an attic on your knees on two-by-fours inhaling insulation dust all morning? Yes you're definitely right residential and Commercial work is hard work. My first day on the job I was dissecting a gigantic plenum the Sawzall 30ft they are doing demo it's definitely bad ass
Great explanation i loved it the way of speech also excellent but where my personal request to you which is talk slowly because asian peoples couldn't get your sentance when you speech was fast and yeah iam a indian 🇮🇳 so that's why iam requested 🙏🏼
Variables in installation are "less" depends on the company and the senior/sales etc title. Such such sold a modulating ac... Only 2 wire outside and no way to run new wire. Two stage Ac and furnace with 5 wire... Yup variables. Kinda a every day thing for install.
Installers please blow out your drain lines on them change outs so the service guys don’t have to go back behind you. And if you are a service guy getting call backs or someone has to go back for you because you only clear drains with a vacuum you need to go back to installing.
There’s only one way to push through those long ass summer days whether your install or service…get a prescription for adderall. You’ll be working circles around everyone. Thank me later lmao
We are in need of HVAC Installer in Flemington, NJ If you are a Residential or Commercial HVAC installer with a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience, EPA certified, Must have a valid NJ Driver's License, are not happy with your present job or looking to make a change we want to talk to you. We offer the best benefit package. Salary is negotiable- to be discussed during the client interview. Please contact me at gabueme@jobility.com
Brian. I really enjoyed this post. I listened to you last night on HVAC shoptalk. I had a question and I don’t know if you answered it because you guys are way past my bedtime. Here’s the question. With all that you do. How do you find time to be a Dad for your 10 kids?
Highest paid guy at my company is actually an installer. Been doing it 25 years and he is a magician with the work. Makes our techs lives much easier because when we have to work on our systems he installed everything is where it should be. Dont knock installers.
I'm a retired Tinner. I started out as a helper doing residential replacements around 1972. After about 3 years, the contractor I was working for decided to go union. I took advantage of the education/night classes the union offered and expanded my skills. I performed A/C service work at times, but after working residential for about 5 years I was ready for a change to commercial and industrial sheet metal including arc welding due to the higher wages paid. I'm glad I learned the residential part of the trade, but I found that the commercial and industrial jobs were more stable, had better working conditions, and paid the highest wages for me. During my working years, residential work meant I was working by myself (most of the time) with a lower wage rate and when I moved to commercial/industrial, I was working with co-workers and was paid a higher wage rate.
Install first.....service later. Walk before you run. Its the best way
I just started installation but your comment really helps.
I enjoy doing offsets which I can do any field offset or transition where it becomes needed.. but I generally don’t like roughing in ductwork anymore honestly it gets old fast..
Exactly what I was thinking, getting into this trade & I thought about this because I wanted to know the process inside & out before I try troubleshooting anything
Bullshit!
I think it may be best to service first it’s true you need some good training, but if you’re aware of what makes servicing easier your more likely to think of it when installing. Very often you find situations where installers make something nearly impossible to service because they’ve never had to service their own install.
Brian is spot on with the fact that installs are more taxing on your body. I've done both, started as a technician, and after some 7 years off the industry, I took a job as an installer. Probably one of the best decisions of my life, actually. You get to see more of what goes on, and if your goal is is be a very efficient and knowledgeable technician, it helps to know how the Installation process goes.
Installers, particularly those in the south are industrial athletics. Been a service tech the last 15 years. Big props to those boys sweating in those attics.
The company for whom I work is small. There’s five of us on the HVAC side, residential is all we do. My experience level is twenty years. I attended UTI to learn service and my first employer put me on installation for a few weeks. Then I rode with one of the senior guys for a few weeks to get the basics of maintenance and service. Within three months I was in my own van running maintenance and service solo while helping on installations. My manager at that time encouraged (I use this description loosely, because Marines have a unique way of encouraging 😆) me to learn as much as possible to make myself more valuable/marketable. Over the years I have learned most aspects related to all three areas; including sheet metal fabrication, pipe fitting, electrical, and carpentry. It is possible to achieve high proficiency in all three areas, but the ability to master all is rare.
will you recommend to go school for the trade or learn on dutty
I'm 23 yrs old and right now
I'm in the middle, already register for class but also I find out jobs that are willing to teach you in my area
Thanks in advance
@@quietgameplays8246 It varies, but for me, I wanted to learn how and why everything works the correct way instead of just hoping what some random supervisor is telling me is true.
Great points. I really believe that a new guy should start on the installation side of things to get to know how systems work then afterwards learn how to fix things that go wrong with them.
You're absolutely right I just got into the field recently I did six months as an installer and my boss made me a service tech night and day difference I learned just enough
@@quinnlane7257 how old?
I'm currently attending HVAC school and that's my train of thought once I get in the field. Start out in installation and once I'm 100% comfortable then I'll look at service.
I have been doing service work for 40+ years, never liked install. Currently mostly commercial refrigeration. The industry is constantly evolving.
30yr in I know a good installer makes a good tech and problem solver I'm both still not perfect that's why I love it
I remember when I first started out as a junior. I was put as a helper to install. Almost noone liked to work with me because I was slow. I'd still be outside doing the condenser while the senior was already getting his ductwork and coil done. I took alot of time to make sure everything was square. I was kind of slow with the hefty tools now that I think about it. I've been told on more than one occasion that this trade maybe isn't for me but I had a door open for me elsewhere and became a service technician. I excelled in my studies, gained confidence from my superiors to be flyed out and trained and I'm doing pretty well. Better than the bubs that put me down. I don't ever see myself going back to an installer or a residential tech. I love the commercial side.
This hits too close to home for me. I also excelled in class and have a pretty good grasp of HVAC theory. But I suck at all of the mechanical skills. I'm 1 week into an install job and my crew gives me a hard time for being slow and doing things wrong. I really hope to get good at it though and become a tech in maybe 6 - 12 months. Hope you're still doing well in the field.
I just finished trade school with my EPA at 19 and I started my first job as an Hvac installer helper and I’ve already been told this might not be for me , we’re in a heat wave currently and they have me carrying the tools and equipment for both leads, and working 9 hours without any breaks, I’m really rethinking this whole installer thing.
why do you like commercial?
@@zackwhite5959 how you doing now
@@CaptainFuckboy I am now a technician. I was surprised that my company put me in training for 1 month, then gave me my own van. This is by far the best job I've ever had (compared to retail, fast food etc). I'm not making a ton of money yet but the freedom is amazing.
I went to school for being a tech. I got a job at an install company Air Technology. Now I just do hvac service and repair.
Your emails help me to keep up with a lot of aspects of tech work.
Installations is where the money is, I prefer troubleshooting but find most problems are from installation issues on units 10 years old and newer.
Same trade different modes, learn both !!!!!!!!!!
Or if you are a small company and you do a mixture of everything. which keeps things interesting because some days you do service or service turns into a change out or sometimes people call for a bid on new construction where we do our own manual J D S and design a system for that house. In other words if your someone like me who can't stand doing the same thing every day it works out well to join a small company or start your own. I've learned a lot in the 5 years I've been working.
My instructor in school always says "work with your mind, you are not a laborer" but for me I rather learn to install and put in the work then go to the service side. That's makes sense to me. :)
Helping and working on installs should be the only thing you do your first two years when learning this trade.
I love this video. Just mention what is happening to me. I started being a Mechanic and fell in love with sheet metal and fiberglass jobs, then I started doing change out and new installations, and I also fell in love with that, then I started making emergency service calls and I realized that I am also good doing that. but I still like to do ductwork... I really enjoy all your videos
The best hvac technician is one that can do BOTH, and do both WELL. You will be far more valuable to any company. I install 24/7 and prefer it. Pros and cons to each. In my experience of 20 years, install has better hours, no on call, holidays off, same or higher pay than service, and stays far steadier than service. Every company will vary state to state. Large cities typically pay great wages. 80-130k for service/install where I’m at. Nice video
Been doing HVAC since 1974,you'll do better starting with service, tip use your ears more than mouth, read all u can, don't use rule of thumb, be fair on price but don't undercut yourself or you'll go out of business, install with acca standards ,load calcs, don't use substandard equipment and you'll do well, this guy doing video is correct.
All of my employees were Service and Install... Everybody that wanted to only be one or the other honestly wasn't nearly as valuable. My employees were paid better than any in my area because of their flexibility.
I do both. As a small company I do service for plumbing, heating, cooling, electrical as well as put in new for all three trades. Versatility has made me alot of money.
Any tips on starting a business if you’re fresh out of school?
@@Chrisro0619lmao that ain’t gonna happen bud. Get some experience first
Out of school straight to service helper for 6 months then into service and on call start of summer. Sink or swim situation. 5 years later doing more commercial work now and running with the skill 👍
When I first broke into HVACR, I worked for a small commercial contractor for 3 years learning all facets to the trade. I then split off to work for a bigger commercial/industrial company that was strictly service/maintenance only, I thought I’d really enjoy it since I did when working for the smaller outfit, but the grass was not greener. At my former company I would start at 4am-5am and would be off no later than 1pm. Now I’m on-call, swamped with mental stress, and sometimes working very late. I am now starting a new job as a HVACR Mechanical Pipefitter for a large non-union shop, and probably will never work in service again.
Fresh out of school and personally feel more comfortable doing service over installation. I hope I get more installation work to get the fear of doing it off of myself lol. Guess it’s all in my head
More comments/feedback from those right out of school lol!!!
Although I’m only 22. Having been in a bad car accident and my body not agreeing with me, I definitely prefer the service side of thing. Besides I find it more enjoyable to diagnose and think for myself rather than follow a plan
Well said. Been an installer since 2014 and doing service work when needed!
What is your hourly wage?
Yessir…. We can do service.. but service techs can’t install!
@@BabyKMoney🧢
@@brianbrannanHVACTech trust
Bryan what is your take on guys like myself that went straight to service from maintenance. I have always been service oriented. The issue I have now is my install skills are poor. I lack the sheet metal skills that most guys would have learnt while being an installer. Now I want to go backwards and learn the necessary skills on the install side but my employer doesn’t want to pay my wage to tag along with a lead installer. I wish there were more videos online showing sheetmetal. The only thing I can think of is going in on my days off and tag along with a good installer.
Same problem here don't know what to do .I started with commercial rtu 2otons and chillers now no skills on install for homes
If you ca, work,commercial you can work residential. Same process but less electrical components and actually much easier. Tech wise at least.
Went to school for service but currently a install apprentice
Best installations are done by the best service techs.
Sean Mack definitely
Sean Mack because most best service techs used to do installs.
That’s a lie
Sean Mack I think it’s more best service techs did install also before
The hell you smoking
Speaking about installation or protects , in some point (started up ) , you need those skill to do it , and it's not a physical job its more mental job and also , where would you fit design part ?
Oddly I learned more diagnostics 12 years of it first now I’m trying to get install practices just takes longer to install when you aren’t used to doing it every day practice 👍/ I feel ya on the mentally taxing part worth it when you fix something very satisfying worst feeling when you can’t fix a problem right away and have to come back with parts or have to plan for 2-4 hr repairs if all goes well you have to account for saying hey I can fix this or hey it’s not worth it , it’s ktime to replace the unit which is a pain cause many people think you are just trying to get sales for units when it’s really a worn out system lol great video! Sorry for side tracking great video👍
I'll be happy to get a job doing anything in this trade. I'm in my second semester of school.
I really love doing installation!! Very physical work but rewarding
I’m a female getting into hvac. Can I reach out to you please?
@@keemasfabshab4257 sure what’s up !
as an AC company, are you responsible for hooking up the electric to NEC specification or do you leave it the homeowner to fix afterwards?
Great video. I always enjoy your outlook.
I start school next August for residential HVAC technician. I’m 20 yo, and I’m super exited because I love problem solving. Any tips on how to get a head start in learning some?
There is a ton of quality material online and especially here on RUclips to help you familiarize yourself with Residential hvac systems, their components, and common troubles and their corresponding solutions. Check our Jay's channel wordofadvicetv it's one of the best I've found
I know it’s an old comment but see if there’s a company that would hire you part time or if they don’t hire you see if you can find a company that lets you go ride along with the guys maybe you won’t be getting paid but you will get the experience
Was an install helper for about a year doing mostly changeouts. Went over to the service side and quickly got put in my own truck. Now im on call for the summer. And ill tell ya, this on call stuff is a killer. I dont mind overtime, i just wish i knew when it was coming. Thinking about trying to get back into install but im sure i dont have enough experience in most companies eyes to run a truck on my own. Any advice from you guys?
Which pays more or does knowing both make u more valuable...
HVACR Worked for school district 6 to 3 , 5 days a week, all benefits
I noticed sometimes installers don’t install equipment where it is very accessible to work on. When I worked for company back 2009-2014 when there was a large problem evaporator coils leaking refrigerant, after a while we made the installers start replacing the coils, let me tell you it broke that habit quickly, then they started looking at the big picture.
That is a great proven tactic in many trades. I know of a company who designed and manufactured electronic equipment and they would put the design/engineering team in service while that generation product line was in warranty. That cycle from service would go to create the next one and so on.
Mostly worked as a mobile facilities tech for banks, retail chains, etc, never liked the push for sales in res/comm settings, always see other techs in parts houses boasting how much they took their customers for, excellent pay, benefits, co van, cards, phone and guaranteed min 40 hrs with no badgering to up sell unnecessary items. Nowadays I see ads for "Sales Techs" for a/c companies, no ads for actual service techs, most svc calls get units condemned and sale is pushed.
Got my epa test on Tuesday, really looking for universal to mess with low and high pressure systems.
You learn on installation, you make money on service, hopefully not fixing installations. All techs should start out in installation, work their way up to service. Learn equipment that their shop installs
I’m blessed to be both mechanical and technical I’m a service tech now but I can build some great transitions and things if that nature and I enjoy doing things like that truth is there is more money in service especially when you get into commission based income
So I’m almost done with my degree in HVAC and I was helping a few people out with over the phone diagnosis and have been noticing the run capacitor has been the culprit on most cases. The lady I spoke to I’ve already run through the troubleshooting steps now we’re down narrowing it down to the condenser and compressor the suction line is cold and sweating and the liquid line is hot which tells me that the compressor is running but is it possible that the run capacitor is going out and not cooling the house? She has her thermostat set at 73 and Ambient temps are in the 80s so it’s not cooling. We’ve run down the line of condensate line flush, filters, dampers, rinsing condenser coils, she told me the house was wired wrong and the T stat used to increase the temps when you tried to lower it but they have since had lots of problems corrected. I’m just curious what other trouble shooting I can do other than using gauges to check for low refrigerant charge?
I wouldn’t say service is better than install, just smarter
In larger outfits, the division between installers and service techs, can be at times very comical. This was a good video and brought back some funny memories.
The worst thing is to work for a small family business where screwups are defended by being related, crap like brazing without nitrogen purging and especially be wary where service dispatch is done by people having never been in a van doing service for a year.
I’m lucky enough to work for a company that does both.
Best way to install copper pipes for minislip system behind walls in a apartment
I see many comments from people who call themselves super techs and talk bad of installers... remember that if there are no units installed, there are no repairs for super techs
You are good teacher sir, I learn from your video thank you
So helpful, thanks :D
I a 608 certification need to install a factory charged helium compressor unit ?
I did installation from 1988 till really I’ve not officially gotton out of it until recently. I try to stay strictly to service repair and the occasional change out.
For years I always told young guys just starting out, go into service and repair, or spend a few years doing installation to give you more of an understanding of both ends of the industry. I stayed in installation perhaps to long.
Great job explaining and your right.
While talking bout installations being physically taxing, he said everything but LUGGING THE DAMN UNIT IN AND OUT THE HOUSE 😂😂
I can do both. I like service way more but my installs look awesome also. I know installs drain you physically and service drains you mentally.
How do I even get my foot in the door? I graduated HVAC school almost 4 months ago, and most places I go to either want someone with 500 years of experience or don’t even give me the time of day. How am I supposed to even get experience if I can’t even get in? This is becoming very frustrating and demoralizing. Starting to wonder if going to school for this trade was a huge waste of time and money.
Where are you located?
@@andrewcastleberry4921 southern CA high desert area
You should be a (Helper). Like find a friend that does Hvac and you can help him out. That’s what I’m gonna do but first I wanna get my certificate just in case if I can’t find someone that I can help with. I’m saying this cause some companies (Bosses) are so 😑😑😑😑😑. So I wanna work with a friend or with someone and then get my license so I can be my own boss in the future.
@@jonathanortega8089 I expect to start at the bottom as the helper and be the butt of all the senior tech’s jokes, which I’m fine with. I know I’m good and will learn very quickly and probably run circles around all techs that made fun of me early on. But just getting my foot in the door as the lowly helper has proved nearly impossible. I’ve also learned that this BS pandemic has made many of the companies very hesitant to hire people like me that are just starting out.
@@gregmercil3968ever got hired or your foot on the door?
Install beat me up for the past 10yrs. hope to jump into service soon
Have you yet?
@@EastDallasKicks not yet I’m now a team leader in the install department
@@andrewmartins5932 Damn that sounds like a pay increase but a step farther from where you want to go
Oh you mean crawling around in an attic on your knees on two-by-fours inhaling insulation dust all morning? Yes you're definitely right residential and Commercial work is hard work. My first day on the job I was dissecting a gigantic plenum the Sawzall 30ft they are doing demo it's definitely bad ass
Great explanation i loved it the way of speech also excellent but where my personal request to you which is talk slowly because asian peoples couldn't get your sentance when you speech was fast and yeah iam a indian 🇮🇳 so that's why iam requested 🙏🏼
You can set RUclips on .50x or even .25x speed.
thank you
Great video
Variables in installation are "less" depends on the company and the senior/sales etc title. Such such sold a modulating ac... Only 2 wire outside and no way to run new wire. Two stage Ac and furnace with 5 wire... Yup variables. Kinda a every day thing for install.
Hvac Installer- A hvac professional who installs hvac equipment, because they aren't smart enough to be a hvac Technician.
The cover photo for this video led me to believe Bergmann would be in this video. I feel cheated.
Honestly the differences are kinda self explanatory lol.
Which gets paid more?
@@stevendizazzo6331 service
@@stevendizazzo6331 where I work installers get paid more hourly than service techs bc of the commissions they make
Don’t forget the difference between commercial and residential.
Good tech is has to be good installer.
But we all cool 😎
Installers please blow out your drain lines on them change outs so the service guys don’t have to go back behind you. And if you are a service guy getting call backs or someone has to go back for you because you only clear drains with a vacuum you need to go back to installing.
which one make more money?
Service Technicians here in Houston, Texas
Service guys... and they don't get near as dirty or work as hard as us installers.. Service is more technical I guess.
great vid thx
Run both.
There’s only one way to push through those long ass summer days whether your install or service…get a prescription for adderall. You’ll be working circles around everyone. Thank me later lmao
I get more maintenance than anything else
I went from school to service .
We are in need of HVAC Installer in Flemington, NJ
If you are a Residential or Commercial HVAC installer with a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience, EPA certified, Must have a valid NJ Driver's License, are not happy with your present job or looking to make a change we want to talk to you. We offer the best benefit package. Salary is negotiable- to be discussed during the client interview.
Please contact me at gabueme@jobility.com
👍
I do installations and repairs
follow the money.
company I work for pais residential $40
commercial refrigeration $50/hr.
the thumbnail looks like a guy with really skinny arms
It is
I worked on military ships and commercial and homes are garbage compared to there standards
can you check us out thank you
Meth and more meth.