Thanks for the career advice, TAG

[EtherealWidow]

So about a year ago or so I was asking y'all for advice on which career field to jump into to raise a family and many of you suggested HVAC. Well, I started school about 2 weeks ago. Should be all done in about 15 months with an Associate's Degree ready to work on just about anything with a heater or cooler in it. The first couple of days were pretty breezy as it was all Ohm's Law and basic electronic theory. Just wanted to thank y'all for the wise idea!

[xtian]

Cool! I mean, hot! I mean, what part of the country are you at?

[LeftyStrat]

I find for the most part, the denizens of TAG are caring and compassionate human beings. There is the occasional disappointment. It feels somewhat strange to say that I can vouch for so many people I have never met.

It's not a perfect indicator, because certainly some new guys are deserving of trust, but join date and continued posting helps. Except for Reeltarded, he's a wildcard. Hide your wife and daughters.

[cbass]

Way to go you gotta specialize nowadays . it can be frustrating cause there are a lot of dishonest HVAC businesses along with everything else.. People have no idea what's going on with their unit so a lot of them just sell them a new one instead of fixing it. A lot of them have no idea how to troubleshoot anyway. Just yup its worn out you need to buy a new one from us. But if you can find a good company to work for it should be all good.

The biggest HVAC business here does total shit work . I don't think they have a clue how to install high efficiency furnaces. You can be garunteed that if it takes 5 extra minutes to do it right it wont get done. My HVAC guy just shakes his head and laughs at them. I quit telling people that their install and duct work is all fucked up . their like but the best company in town put just it in. Then they're actin like I'm the shadey one.

[Structo]

Congrats!

Great field to go into.

[JoeCon]

Yeah Cbass is right most don't know the new stuff or want to learn it either.

We just had a ductless AC system put in our home and got 5 quotes from HVAC guys. Best price came from the smallest bussiness. Just a middle aged guy and his nephew, just 6 months out of HVAC school, but they did great work and knew right off the top everything I asked about the system. Great install for a great price. And they're my service guys now too...

[EtherealWidow]

Xtian, I'm in Phoenix, AZ. Horridly hot. This field pretty much ensures that I can't move anywhere with a moderate climate and hope to scratch a living. It's gotta be somewhere on a miserably polar end of the spectrum.

[M Fowler]

HVAC is needed every where, it gets hot in Minnesota too. But the humidity is the real reason I run AC. I lived in Gilbert, AZ too.

The heat runs from September through May and I've had so much trouble with a new install I had to switch to another HVAC company.

Mark

[cbass]

Xtian, I'm in Phoenix, AZ. Horridly hot. This field pretty much ensures that I can't move anywhere with a moderate climate and hope to scratch a living. It's gotta be somewhere on a miserably polar end of the spectrum.

Naw man people need HVAC everywhere . the humidity here runs them harder than a hot dry place. Trust me I'll take 105 and dry camarep to 95 and humid any day .
I've barely ran the ac the last two weeks its been freaking nice.it was 52 yesterday morning that's gotta be a record I ain't complainin

[EtherealWidow]

That's very good to know Cbass. You know, TAG has also provided me with a huge advantage in my class. I'm already familiar with all the electrical concepts that I've been able to take my time with for years now while everyone is expected to cram all this within 20 days.

[C Moore]

Well done.!
The mechanical trades are a great way to make a living.
My wife's son went to a trade school (for HVAC).....I hope he puts the education to use.
It is a good living.
Whether for a company, or for yourself...you will never be out of work.
Good Luck

and yeah.....HVAC is needed EVERYWHERE.....that stands for HEATING vent and aircon.....NOT just AC
You will have a technical skill that will always keep you afloat.
best

[johnnyreece]

Yeah, man. Get finished up, then tell me how to fix my vents here! Had my furnace stop working once. Guy said the board was fried and I'd need $400 for the part. I pulled it out, found a fried resistor, hit Radio Shack, and BAM! Fixed for a couple bucks. That's about the extent of my HVAC experience.

[cbass]

Yeah, man. Get finished up, then tell me how to fix my vents here! Had my furnace stop working once. Guy said the board was fried and I'd need $400 for the part. I pulled it out, found a fried resistor, hit Radio Shack, and BAM! Fixed for a couple bucks. That's about the extent of my HVAC experience.

I've fixed a couple of boards also.ive also bought new boards and we still couldn't get it goin
On air conditioners 9 times outta 10 its the capacitor on the compressor.bunch a junk ass chinese caps nowadays . I swear I'm gonna find some surplus US caps one these days.
Most of our houses have heat pumps and those things are hard on caps too

[EtherealWidow]

Yeah. Just about none of the guys in here know how to solder, which could save the customer SO MUCH MONEY. Obviously, that's not really what they're after, but I figure if there's no use replacing the entire board, especially if I know how to solder a $0.15 part to it. :/ Maybe I'll have to do that when I build a clientelle and start doing stuff on my own. Can't imagine the boss man liking that too much.

[C Moore]

Yeah. Just about none of the guys in here know how to solder, which could save the customer SO MUCH MONEY. Obviously, that's not really what they're after, but I figure if there's no use replacing the entire board, especially if I know how to solder a $0.15 part to it. :/ Maybe I'll have to do that when I build a clientelle and start doing stuff on my own. Can't imagine the boss man liking that too much.

It is a service call.
200 bux for the call.
300 bux for a new board vs. 200 bux for the call and 100 bux to solder in a 20 cent resistor.
Home owner will probably be more pissed-off by the latter.
Sign of the times .....unfortunately.
good luck