HVAC training?

Gmachine

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2005
With all the hot days we've had and friends that have had expensive repairs to their HVAC units I was thinking this may be a good business to get some training it. I don't know that I want to start my own full blown business, but I believe I have enough friends and family to earn a few extra bucks. I've redone car A/C systems several times. I just need to get my feet wet.

Any suggestions from some HVAC guys out there?
 
Gmachine said:
With all the hot days we've had and friends that have had expensive repairs to their HVAC units I was thinking this may be a good business to get some training it. I don't know that I want to start my own full blown business, but I believe I have enough friends and family to earn a few extra bucks. I've redone car A/C systems several times. I just need to get my feet wet.
Any suggestions from some HVAC guys out there?
Click to expand...

Are you wanting to get a license? First thing you will need is to find a local place that will sell you parts w/o being a "real" HVAC guy...
 
I would like to know the basics and be able to diagnose a problem. I would also like to be able to purchase parts and refrigerant legally. Along with whole new units down the road, just on a smaller scale.
 
for freon you need a license.
Dave, you are either carrying yourself wrong when you walk in or calling and asking will you sell to me without a license.

I have heard others with the same complaint but I have always just walked in asked for the cap I need paid and walked out...at Trane in Charlotte I even have a charge account..
 
My bro is licensed for Freon, so are a few friends, before my brother got licensed though my dad never had an issue getting it, I used to be able to buy liquor at most liquor stores when I was like 18-19, just because I walked in and talked about how I usually buy at (random other store) and how they never have the specials, then mention random things.

I figure if you walk in and dont act clueless they will sell you whatever you want, people don't get paid enough to do otherwise.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
for freon you need a license.
Dave, you are either carrying yourself wrong when you walk in or calling and asking will you sell to me without a license.

I have heard others with the same complaint but I have always just walked in asked for the cap I need paid and walked out...at Trane in Charlotte I even have a charge account..
Click to expand...

I'm sure you are right. I've mostly run into this on the phone, I don't havet he time to drive around looking for parts in person. I call a place and say "You you have XX part." They say, "Yes, what company are you with?"... "Um..."
It's not quite so easy when you don't actually work for or have any affiliation with a private company.

I have been tempted to just say ,"The US Army, now fork it over."
 
So back to the training question, should I invest the time to take classes at a community college? I've learned most car repair by teardown and rebuild along with the occasional manual or online search.
 
you will have to have classes in orer to get licensed I believe.
 
My father retired from driving trucks last summer after 32 years. He went to the local Community College and took classes and graduated this May. He has been staying very busy the last few weeks with all the hot weather.
 
yes u will have to have your cfc card to not only buy refrigerant, but also to work on the systems. the cfc card will say type 1(small appliances) type 2(residential units) or type 3(commercial systems). if u pass all 3 then u become a cfc universal technician. the state is requiring 144 hr technicial training to be a hvac service tech. If u get caught working on the appliance or refrigerant without either u will be fined. i am finishing up my hvac service tech training so i have heard all of this.
 
toyota92, how long has the training taken you? Are there any better programs out there than others? I'm seeing that a community college degree would take me 2 years to do.
 
the traing i took was at forsyth tech and it is a 2 semester program. when i am done i will get my hvac service technician certificate. i have learned a whole lot from this class. i am hoping to go back for my 2 year degree in the near future. this course i took basically get's u educated on low voltage wiring, the refrigerant cycle for straight air and heat pumps. trouble shooting problems in a hvac system. the best way to learn is in the field, this educates u enough so u have an idea what to look for. i had been laid off, so all of the schooling was paid for, but if u pay out of pocket it would cost $400 dollars for both classes. maybe this will help u out. also in the second semester u take the cfc exam, and it only cost me $25.00.
 
Thanks, that's the info. I was looking for. I'll have to see what my local comm. college offers in that area. I know the best tool is on the job training, but I need to learn some basics before attempting that.

Best of luck in your new career. Looks like a good one to be in!
 
Back
Top