Does anyone here have experience working in the HVAC industry?

[HappyFace]

I'm looking into possibly taking a 7 month M-F morning class to learn what I need to become an HVAC tech. The program offers a job placement service, that has been sucessful with 99 percent of its graduates.

Does anyone here have any experience with personally or know someone who does this for a living? It seems the money can be damn good once you've gained several years of experience and additional certifications. Any information from someone in the business would help me in my decision. Thank you!

 

[1prophet]

Originally posted by: HappyFace
I'm looking into possibly taking a 7 month M-F morning class to learn what I need to become an HVAC tech. The program offers a job placement service, that has been sucessful with 99 percent of its graduates.

Does anyone here have any experience with personally or know someone who does this for a living? It seems the money can be damn good once you've gained several years of experience and additional certifications. Any information from someone in the business would help me in my decision. Thank you!

I personally know of several people one has even branched out on his own. You can make alot of money but you have to pay your dues as an apprentice and I seen many drop out.

Commercial is where the good money is made as opposed to residential. Knowing both the electronic controller side as well as the mechanical side (refrigeration, chiller or burner) and continued education, keeping yourself up to date, is a must as well as whatever certifications are required (and don't wait for the boss to pay for the education and certifications, if you must do it on your own). If you can get into a good union shop to start out with that can be good also.

If you go for it and decide to make a career out of it you can make alot of money after a few years 1000-1500 a week or more.

 

[kindest]

all i can say is that if it something you can enjoy and find rewarding then you should try it out.. if your doing it solely for the cash you will hate it.

 

[Marinski]

I did HVAC work for about a year. I was a helper/apprentice, whatever you want to call them. The work isn't too bad but it is physically taxing. Especially if your the one lugging around all the tools and ladders. Overall though It wasn't that bad. I would do it again. But, I wouldn't do it with the guy I first worked for because he was a real ball buster and was a cheap son of a bitch that only cared about the jobs getting done fast so he could make all the money and pay his employees nothing. It can be prosperous if you own your own company, thats the ticket. Learn how to do it all then do it on your own. Check out HVAC talk. Good info there.

 

[1sikbITCH]

I loved hanging duct when I was younger and more mobile. It's comparatively clean and easy going compared to most of the other construction trades. If you do commercial work, it's usually out in open spaces before the ceiling tiles and walls are all installed, and it's pretty easy. The money there is in how fast you can bang and hang it.
Residential is slower paced, with a lot more finagling to fit it around existing plumbing, electric, walls, etc... not to mention crawling around an attic in the middle of a hot summer day. I remember spending a lot of time waiting around while the mechanic formulated angles and thought up the next piece to make a turn and keep the proper airflow.
Having to do it all again, I would choose hanging duct over nearly every construction trade except painting. I love to paint.

 

[robphelan]

do it and move to south texas.. you'll be rich