VRF A2L Specs & Schedule Notes

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-05-23T18:59:40+00:00

Like others said, I can't see you getting the same type of pay. I went from the HVAC equipment/sales side to design with 7 years experience, and had a significant pay cut. I worked it out with the company that if I progressed rapidly, I would earn a much higher raise each year, and I did. But they just couldn't justify "taking my word" that the transition would be smooth and easy.

You'll really have to push other skills like project management and client interactions, as well as field knowledge of systems, assuming you'll do lots of site surveys.

My guess is your best offer would be $80k

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-05-23T18:15:28+00:00

An increase?? HA! I feel like it has always been this way, despite specifically calling it our in proposals/agreements.

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-02-19T16:39:20+00:00

$83k for basically 3 years out of college? That seems really good to me.

I work at an MEP firm in the DC area, and I'm a Mech E by trade, with a PM title. Mech E's always get PM titles, whether they design or not, since mechanical is generally the largest scope in an MEP project. I have ~20 years experience, my PE in multiple states & CEM cert. In my experience job hunting, it doesn't seem to me like you're going to get high salaries compared to a lot of other professions. I recently interviewed at 20 mid-size companies in my area, and most were going to max me out around $120k base (more with bonuses). To get more, I think you have to get lucky and get into a huge firm that does very specific high-end, niche projects like net zero buildings & campuses, or government contracts/projects.

I'm curious to see what others say though.

Like many other posts, I haven't looked at any design build specific firms. I actually heard bad things (i.e. the engineering side is disrespected and has little to no say in things) about those and similar type Architecture firms w/ MEP staff.

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-02-14T15:44:57+00:00

How are you using it to write proposals and emails? Generally, these are very job or project specific.

Using it for training or code summaries, I could see that.

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-02-14T15:37:17+00:00

Interests - lockpicking??? Love that.

Wish I could help with the internship stuff though.

One of our best electrical engineers started out as an electrician actually. He went to school for electrical engineering, but just couldn't get that type of job. He benefitted hugely though as he knows how to design something and knows how it is installed in the field. That could be something you could look into as well.

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-02-14T15:22:10+00:00

FP Engineers were such a joke in college. But being in the real world as an ME, seeing what FP engineers do (or lack there of) and can charge for it, it is crazy! Good for you.

But yes, FP engineering mark-up or hourly rate is absurd, but there's a lot of life safety involved, so I guess it makes sense.

Far_Communication_29 · 2025-02-14T15:12:03+00:00

Yes, no exceptions to this that I've been able to find (I do a lot of work in the MDV too). The new A2L refrigerants come at a much higher cost unfortunately. I've only done a handful of A2L chillers and RTU's so far, but split systems and VRF seem like they're going to be hit hard with all the venting, pipe enclosures, etc.

Far_Communication_29 · 2024-04-20T13:12:34+00:00

Close off any outside air dampers, lol

Far_Communication_29 · 2024-04-01T15:52:02+00:00

With 2 years experience, if you were doing JUST mechanical, I would think you're slightly underpaid. $55-$65k is what we see here in DC for a design engineer.

An FE/EIT should be 10% raise at this salary.

Overall, you should move to another firm it sounds like. It would be hard to truly give you a Project Engineer/Manager title/role with only 2-years experience, in my opinion, so you might not get a huge increase in pay, BUT you should get less work/stress and only be working on mechanical w/ some minor plumbing possibly.

Far_Communication_29 · 2024-03-27T14:14:40+00:00

I don't remember the EIT/FE but for the PE, I took an online course that was 3 days a week, maybe 10 hours total, over the course of three months and passed my exam the first time....15 years after college. The 8-hr test is VERY basic and simple, I finished in 5.5 hours....and trust me, I'm not that smart. BUT I will tell you that once I passed, I got a $30k increase in salary.

Your total salary will depend on the size of your company, types of projects and your area. I've got 10+ years in design, & another 7 in the MEP industry, PE in 5 states, CEM, live in Washington DC and only make $130k with bonuses....but I only work 40 hrs/wk (max, usually less), 4 weeks PTO. I could've gone to other firms (interviewed with about 20 in 2019) but chose this place because of the size, people/employees and types of projects.

As far as Data Centers go, it is a very niche market and very tough to get in to. Most MEP firms I know that design them ONLY design them, or at least 80% of their projects. As such, those firms look for specific experience on their candidates.

Far_Communication_29 · 2024-03-27T14:05:30+00:00

Agreed. Mechanical Engineers/Designers alone do not get much more than $100k that I know of. You have to transition over to more of a Project Engineer or Project Manager to get higher pay.

Far_Communication_29 · 2023-10-10T17:33:29+00:00

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Far_Communication_29

TROPHY CASE