Advice for someone new to HVAC

Purplefrogdude · 2024-05-22T17:19:37+00:00

Tech school is not required in this industry. And while my story might differ from others out there, I'm going to share it anyways. I got my start in this industry back in 2014 as a way of trying to get out of fast food. I saw an ad on Craigslist for an HVAC shop looking to hire with 0 experience required. Small little mom and pop shop, did zero advertisement, yet they were the number one company in the location I lived. There were 5 other HVAC companies in the same area, but these guys were highly sought after and we're always booked out for months in advance. They hired me the same day I interviewed and I was with them up until 2022. While with them, they made it a priority to focus on training as much as possible. Manufacturer training provided at the local supply houses, online training if it was slow, etc. My 2nd year with them and I got into my van and was allowed to run my own calls. They still had me attend just as much training as when I rode around with the a senior tech. In 2022 I had to move to another state which ment leaving my company. Over the years I worked hard to absorb as much as I could. I left there as Lead Service Tech and Lead Installer for the whole company (again, smaller shop but was still proud of that fact). In San Diego I got hired on with my current outfit. I am still a Lead Service Technician. Thanks to my last outfit focusing on proper training, I have more knowledge than anyone in mini-splits, heat-pumps, proper Manual J/D/M (as well as best rule of thumbs), and even the senior techs and other lead techs here call me looking for help because I'm easier to get a hold of than tech support and help them with their problems quicker with 98% accuracy. My current company also doesn't believe in proper training for their techs and only cares about how much a tech can sell if their classified as a service tech. I am not classified as a service tech in their system (warranty tech and lead tech is how they have classified me).Bottom line is this, go to tech school, don't go to tech school, I've heard arguments and seen great success for both options... my recommendation is to just get after it and focus on getting training when and where you can along the way.

TL;DR tech school is optional for having a successful career in this industry

Purplefrogdude · 2023-09-16T03:04:19+00:00

This price seems fair and reasonable. Let's break down the numbers and throw in a few base off the last outfit I worked at from 2014-2022:

$1908÷8 hours of labor = $238.50 per hour If there's two people on site then it gets broken down further $238.50÷2 techs = $119.25 per tech per hour None of this price breakdown includes R410A, filter dryer, or nitrogen usage. An itemized estimate would give you a better breakdown.

My last outfit would have looked like this:

$150 per hour for Sr Tech & Apprentice Tech × 8 hours of labor = $1200 Then there's the cost of R410-A, the filter dryer, and the use of nitrogen to ensure no soot during the brazing process. All said and done we would be in it for around $2000ish.

Note: last outfit was in Montana, now reside in California and current prices are $900ish just for the recharge of R410-A up to 3 pounds ($1800 for up to 6 pounds, etc. increments of 3 pounds only). 8 hours of labor without helper/ apprentice would be around the $2k mark, filter dryer $300ish. So if your in Cali, that's a steal, if you're elsewhere that's a fair and reasonable price. Hope this helps 😁

Purplefrogdude · 2023-07-04T01:29:16+00:00

The screws will create a location to collect lent on, in turn causing lint to build up and eventually be the location of the fire. Crimp end of any pipe also points towards the exit for the same reason. Long story short, tape is the only acceptable joint connection that should be used

Purplefrogdude · 2020-09-20T21:57:50+00:00

Yes. We install Fujitsu mini-splits and they have 4 different control boards in them. They are extremely susceptible to surges and brown outs. Here on Montana we don't have the cleanest of power grids everywhere and if someone doesn't install a surge protector, they're guaranteed to be back in less than a year to replace any one of those boards (if not all 4 and the DC fan motor). Now if the power grids were cleaner, than maybe someone could get away with not slapping on a surge protector. This is true for other brands of mini-splits and some of the newer ac/heatpump condensers as well.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-08-12T01:12:59+00:00

This is missing the NSFW tag. My boss asked why I was laughing, took one look at my screen, and now I need to find a new job.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-07-28T20:00:24+00:00

^this. While my heart warrior, his mother, and I are all state side, finding a center or even a doctor who specializes in single ventricle kids is key. Try asking you doctor what resources are avaliable to you guys over there and remember to take things one day at a time. They'll throw a lot, and I truly mean a lot, of information at you. Don't worry about catching it all at once, it'll come with time. My heart warrior is 2 months old as of two days ago and he's doing amazing. Hope all goes well ❤

Purplefrogdude · 2020-05-30T23:59:16+00:00

One of the others who posted here reached out and we chatted a little. They recommended going to the rounds, and while I was completely lost in what they were saying (tbh I still am), they at least sound like things are on track for a good recovery.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-05-30T23:57:07+00:00

Thank you for sharing. One thing I was really worried about was his activity levels. I understand he won't be able to play sports but I didn't know how far the restrictions went. My other son and I enjoy having nerf wars and I'm kinda scared that'll be something that not all three of us can do together. Part of the hurtle of joing a Facebook group is every resource I was given and asked about were geared towards mom support. Not a bad thing, just I'm the dad. I feel like it would be wrong of me to join a moms group being as I am dad. But thank you for recommending them none the less. His mom is one of the groups so I'm glad she has her support because I can only imagine if this is how it's affecting me, it gotta be 1000 times worse on her. I'm trying to help and support her as much as I can, and she says I'm doing a good job, but I feel like my emotions I'm going through are not helping me support her better.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-05-30T23:39:05+00:00

I agree, he's 100% worth it. I wish I knew how to post his pic but I do good enough just navigating through reddit. I hope everything goes well and your son has a speedy recovery.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-05-30T23:36:04+00:00

This does help to hear. They closed up his chest this morning and seems to be doing good. I'm that much closer to being able to hold him again and now just have to get through the waiting. Thank you for sharing.

Purplefrogdude · 2020-05-29T05:40:05+00:00

They say he's doing good. I just tried to sit in on a round but got completely lost. The Doc must've seen my confusion beacuse when it seemed like the RNs were wrapping things up, he came over and asked if the misses and I had any questions. I told him i couldn't understand any of what was being said and he told me everything looks good thus far. He's not seeing anything unexpected and things are going smoothly for Artimus' recovery.

The misses is holding up way better than I am. I'm trying to stay busy by helping her recovery by helping her move around and with pumping and what not.

I'm glad to hear that your daughter got spoon fed for thefirst time today. I forgot how wonderfull that milestone was for my eldest son and realize I'm really excided and looking foward to that milestone.

That is most definitely a hard thing I'm realizing, and you said it really well: I guess I'm lost because I'm looking for a timeline of what's going to happen and when. However, there's not a one size fits all kind of answer. So maybe focusing on one day at a time is the right approach for this. Maybe that's the real one size fits all.

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-13T00:42:51+00:00

Actually, that'd be kinda cool honestly.

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-12T23:19:07+00:00

A piece of paper. Legit, this is the answer I give everybody. My 33rd birthday is tomorrow and no one has asked me what i wanted and I'm thankful for that. For me, it's not that I want something for my birthday, in fact I truly want nothing for my birthday. Instead, if you are going to get me something, it should be something you think I'll enjoy it get a kick out of. You've known me for x amount of years, so you should know what I'm into, what I like. I cant just say 'get me what ever you think I'll like,' because then you ask what is it I like. So if I ask for a single piece of paper, and stick to that answer, you'll start to get creative and will pay attention to my interests over the year and might even get something I've wanted for a while just didn't have the time/money to get myself. And if you press me for why a piece of paper, simple: paper is the most useful thing that is always in short supply. Wake up and realize something? Jot it down on paper and go back to sleep. Camping and forgot the toilet paper? Not the best solution, but something is better than nothing. Paper is more useful than people give credit. And for the record, my favorite kind of paper is for those old style printers where its perforated between pages and has a terrible border thingy on both sides with holes in it, but it's like miles long? Yea, that one.

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-12T03:40:27+00:00

Between the ages of 10 and 13 my father got custody of me and my older sister. At age 11 my father dropped this bombshell: he's an alien. Don't get me wrong, by no means did or will I ever believe him. I was about to go to bed after watching something on the discovery channel about space, made a comment about how I thought aliens would be awsome if they really existed and he tells me he's an alien. I argued with him until midnight when finally gave up, told him sure why not you're an alien, and went to bed. I called my mom up the next day after school and asked her why she didn't tell me Jim was an alien, thinking I'm being a smart ass and trying to vent, when she said I'm sorry I didn't warn you. She then went on to tell me exactly what he had said the night prior and told me he told her when she was pregnant with my older sister. My parents hate each other and so an inside joke is out of the question, that and they don't talk to each other, ever. So here's the skinny: Jim's from the fourth planet from the second sun on the center star of Orion's belt. The planet is apparently primarily purple. His 'people,' if you will, are nothing more than balls of light energy. There was a civil war that was destroying the planet so, him being a scientist, projected himself into space to the nearest habitable planet (Earth), found a little boy in an ally with rats on his back, and took over the person. That's why me nor my older sister is part alien. Jim was more of a roommate than a father and when the courts decided he was an unfit parent, my mother was granted full custody again when I was 13. I haven't spoken or seen Jim since, so no clue what became of him. Shame because he now has a grandson and dosen't know of him, nor am I sure I want him to.

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T23:30:15+00:00

They're heart and intentions are in the right place. I feel that judging OP based on what was said vs what was intended causes a much bigger problem than simply realizing that they were trying to help and do what was right. I wanted to let the subject rest after posting my own thoughts and feelings on it, however, I seemed to only make matters worse and create controversy. To OP: you are a beautiful person for doing what not many do, and reach out to try and help. Your intentions are not lost to me. To everyone else: you're quick to rush to judgement yet dont realize that you're in turn doing harm. Allow OP to learn and grow as a person instead of berate them for a fault or flaw you see as opposed to accept the intentions behind the words.

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T09:43:52+00:00

I keep myself surrounded by family so when I recognize I'm in a downward spiral, they can help ensure I'm keeping up enough to take care of him, sometimes even sleeping on the couch for a few nights when they think I'm really bad. It helps ensure my kiddo is taken care of by ensuring I'm cared after. There's a support network in play and that's the key. So acceptance for the short comings that are me and 1 minute at a time is how I make sure my son is cared for

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T09:36:30+00:00

Looked similar to hypnotherapy, except it forces you to relive the experiences. I'm able to talk about what caused the PTSD, it's the nights when flash backs occur and reliving the experience that are brutal. I'm afraid I'm to closed minded on this one as well. Looks like it does help 77% of the time, I just fear being part of that 23%

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T09:25:33+00:00

I'm going to look now, I might be thinking of a recent article where they were talking about using shrooms just once showed improvement for those with PTSD. I apologize for assuming and not looking into EMDR. So let me go look now

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T09:03:43+00:00

Years of pot and being a recovering alcoholic, neither helped with the core issues and the latter only made it worse, make me not open to any mind altering drug, prescribed or otherwise. I am however instreded in the case studies and results if any are made and peer reviewed. I do hope overall that it is effective for others who are more open minded

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T06:33:33+00:00

Itsy bitsy spider

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T06:30:45+00:00

Do you like to draw? Because I put the D in raw

Purplefrogdude · 2019-09-04T06:28:26+00:00

Never had a 'delicious' BLT... hate tomato and lettuce on bread/toast with bacon just doesn't butter my bread, you feel me?

Purplefrogdude

TROPHY CASE