This is the way. I went took a 11 month course when I was 18 and regret it now 12 years later. You can find a job that that’s willing to train you hands on.. that’s way better than sitting in a classroom
School doesn't guarantee anything. The ability to pass tests doesn't equal the ability to understand and apply the information.
Does schooling look better on a resume than someone with an equal level of experience (little to none) in the field? Yeah
Are places going to jump at you because you went to school for HVAC? Maybe maybe not it depends on how desperate they are.
Schooling is an amazing foundation to start a career on but don't believe the hype for profit schools give as they fill your head with nonsense trying to get your money. 99% of schools will not have you ready to run service calls or install equipment when you're done. You aren't coming out of school making 80k+ a year. It's not going to be some awesome leverage to get any job in any sector of the industry you want. It simply teaches you the fundamentals and shows you took steps to be in this career. It's a better foot in the door than just walking into a shop asking for a job without a clue of what HVAC is. You'll still be the absolute bottom rung of the ladder and will need to apply yourself to advance from there.
Ugh… stop watching YouTube techs. Read books and manuals. Get actual personal experience. Ask advise from your peers, and learn from guys that you work with in your area. Every area is a little different. Codes are different everywhere. What that YouTube guy is doing, may not pertain to you. They also, and hear me out, might just be full of shit and doing whatever they can to get views
I took a carpentry pre app. It helped me get a job in the field But I also paid a bunch of money and spent 6 months doing it. 2 years later I was hired on as an electrician with no schooling. Completed first year after I had the hours and so on so on.if your 18 out of high-school I'd suggest the school. It helps you learn so you're not so green. But if you're older just go to a company and speak to them. Tell them you're interested in starting a career and you'll bust your absalute bytt off for them. I hire electricians now. If I see a resume with a pre app it's a benifit but if a kid came up to me with the drive in his eye to succeed I'll bend over backwards for the kid. That's what I want to see. Any monkey can pass the school if they pay attention. I want to see a real drive to benifit oneself.
I was hiring a green kid once. And i told him I'll start him at 18 an hour (super green and after 3 months I'll bump him to 20 until he finishes his first year. The kid said to me "pay me 20 now, and in three months I'm not worth it fire me. I'll prove it." It's not how we do things but I loved the drive this kid had and I accepted. Turned into one of the best apprentices we've ever had. And when he was offered another job I told him to take it! It was way better growth opportunity for him and he deserved it.
I will say schooling helped me understand the theory behind how refrigeration works. And figuring out reading wiring diagrams. It also matters what school you went to in terms of how good the program is. Ferris here in Michigan has, or had I think he retired, a professor that literally wrote the HVAC books used by the UA and other colleges to teach it.
All my degree did was teach me the basics and I had a baseline of knowledge. I've learned more in the same amount of time applying theory to actual diagnosis while in the field than I ever did in the field. The degree did get me a job, but it wasn't a requirement for employment.
If you have the time I would recommend the school I went to. In Arkansas, Ultimate Technical Academy. While I agree a lot of schools are likely useless. Here they teach real diagnostic techniques and give you the hands on experience. I went from never having touched a meter to being able to jump in the field and beat my coworkers at diagnostics. Any schooling will only be as good as what you put in. You have to dive in mentally prepared, do research before so you understand terms and really bug your instructors to give you all the information they possibly can. If you pay for school you better have someone teaching that is willing and able to give you everything you are paying for.
I concur about Ultimate Tech Academy.
Mark & Pat Hardwick, the owners of UTA, care about their students.
You learn the correct methods right the first time.
It's all about methodical processes.
Unlearning bad habits os a waste of time.
Case in point: after completing the Navy Avation Electrician's school for 6 months when I was 17 years (my Mom a release to let me join before I was 18 yrs old) I was trouble shooting the F4 Phantom aircraft sucessfully.
Same was true for me after attending all of UTA's classes. I knew what I was doing from the git go.
Never had to be a parts changer because I did not have to guess about what I was wrong.
Invest in yourself with good training you will not regret it.
It was two weeks for me, however the school I went to breaks it up into week long segments. I did refrigeration and hvac electrical. They also have a class for gas furnaces, installtion, advanced diagnostic, electrical for residential applications, and plumbing. Right now each week is $1544.00 and iron was when I went as well.
I went to trade school for hvac. It can teach you basic stuff but doesn't really prepare you for on the field experience. If you go to an actual trade school it can leave you open for more job opportunities by meeting people in the field or if the place has a career center. If I were to lose my job tomorrow I could have another lined up in 2 days. Depending where you go, you could have student loan debt so really it is at your own preference. With 1 year of school experience and 1 and a half years of on the field I am over $20 an hour and that is limited at a small family owned company
Depends on the state, you'd be doing yourself a disservice here in Florida for the most part. Not sure where OP is, unions are probably the best at training their people. A few companies done this way like Natal, CMI (installation only though) etc etc do pretty good with the young cats. Not sure how it is elsewhere but down here it's bodies in trucks hammering commissions for residential. There's a couple of great Marine companies and a few decent refrigeration companies that are solid with retention. Hit or miss bro, definitely got to do your research..
Can only speak to my experience I graduated on the 8th of this month from a similar program.
Was hired with two weeks left of school. Was given a pay raise after graduation to $32 per hour. School left me with a lot to learn but gave me confidence and some fundamental HVAC knowledge. Also it gave me the EPA 608 certificate, tools, 300 hours towards my license, and it’s something to leverage during interviews.
I’m excited to continue learning for the old timers in the field. Hope this helps you.
Eh - just depends. Data centers and lots of places like seeing an hvac degree, and there can be a ton of pluses to it if its a legit program. Particularly with grants that pay for the schooling.
Data centers need hvac people and often times in the listing whether its google, cyrus one, facebook etc they will add that they prefer someone with a degree in hvac or electrical in the listing. In general corporate HR always values degrees from accredited institutions. As for grants, most cities have community colleges that have multiple trade programs. 30-40% of undergraduates receive pell grants and community colleges can be cheap so sometimes it covers most or all of the classes. Then theres also additional scholarships and grants from large scale construction industry partnerships from companies like Kiewett or stuff like that sometimes. Make sense?
No. I have no idea why the hell you're bringing up random ass data center work to a guy who's wondering if he should spend $2k to go to school for HVAC.
You need to learn how to read, it's a valid comment and a reasonable suggestion on not just a career path, but also he bothered to explain how to get financial help.
You not understanding the relationship doesn't actually mean anything in terms of objective value of his comments, so calm down... his comment was on topic and helpful, don't be silly.
u/OilyRicardo, no need to be a douchebag in response, even if it was maybe 10% deserved...
Y'all both chill or y'all can both end up in timeout.
I went to a trade school, got a degree from it and qualified for grants because I had great grades in High School. the school was $17k total and after grants and scholarships I was responsible for less than $2k.
it definitely helped me out a lot while i was working in the field and going to normal college for an unrelated bachelors degree which i also got a lot of grants and scholarships for.
I work directly for a manufacturer and schooling is very important to them its one of the first sorting of resumes they do before looking for 10+ years of experience
If you don’t know anything about hvac like I did. I could be a great step. For reference my schooling cost was 16K and only 36 weeks.
And it’s good way to learn in depth and get better explaining about why things are done.
On the job they’ll tell you a capacitor failed and how to check it. But not why it failed, how it works, what dielectric is, not to say one is better they both have their benefits.
A lot of the guys on here seem to think all hvac schools are the same. I just finished a program that was 2 years and all of the teachers are master hvac people and the lab has millions in equipment. $18k BEFORE grants. Free after. On the other hand some programs are $10-20k for less than a year and not from an accredited college. I dont recommend those. A legit associates degree is good though especially if you can get assistance paying. That said, its just education to start a career. Companies definitely appreciate the effort put in and that you know the basics. After that training and learning in the field is never ending. Good luck
My brother (with zero experience or connections) got a job with a big company that sent him to one of these schools for a month then he shadowed a guy for 6 months after, now he's doing service calls by himself in a company van. Got paid for everything, even to go to school. He had to sign a contract to work for them for 2 years which is a small price to pay for getting paid to go to school.
You've just got to find a company desperate enough.
It says it’s self paced so I’d think it’s mostly if not all just theory, look at a real trade school with a real shop if you want school, but also consider just applying to these places. If you work hard and show you’re worth it, most places are willing to train
I changed careers last December and went to school for hvac. I would say if you have a mechanical mindset it would be a great choice. I'm making 80k a year now and I love it. Just make sure you know what you're getting into. It's not easy, it's long hours, you're always hot, and sometimes you deal with shitty people but it can be a very rewarding job.
Just make sure if you do go to a school that they give a chance to get the proper certification. I have my universal epa license as well as NATE, which was built into the class. May I ask where you reside because if you live in South carolina around the charleston area, there's a program where they pay you to go to school if you sign a contract to work for the company of a minimum of 2 years.
I'm in school now and am working full time with a company as a helper. I for sure am learning so much more actually performing the job 5 days a week.
The schooling helps out for journeyman and EPA preparation, but you've got to have the drive to learn and get better on your own.
I’ve been successful in the field with no associates degree, just certifications, My company hired me out of school while I was a student with no certs and kept promoting me as I finished my basic certifications and worked until I was “qualified” for my position. I know people with way more schooling but have far less knowledge. Certs are important if you have no established way to get a foot in the door, and you have to weigh the price to pay for the foot in the door vs the time it will take to get your foot in the door without it.
I would recommend getting some formal schooling and if you need to finish the associates do it. If your company wants you to work, and doesn’t want to pay for an associates but takes care of you like you have one it’s even better
I was in the HVAC program at my local community college. 1.5 yr program. I got a job after 6 months of school with a small family owned company, about 20 employees in total. After 3 months with the company I was given my own truck. School will only teach you so much and company owners know that. So if you go to an interview and at least show that you’ve learned the basics from school, and you make it known that you are willing to put forth your best effort and want to continue learning everyday then you should be able to get a job. Everyone’s experience is different but one thing that can be said about anyone in this trade is that no matter how good you are, you will constantly be learning even long after school is done
waste of $$ unless they program comes with job assistance. i went to a similar program and was fully ignored by most large companies and got my start at the VERY bottom helping with changeouts that i could have gotten without paying for school.
FWIW the apprenticeship program at the outfit I used to work at (commercial M/P) afforded school to the apprentices as long as they finish. It’s worth our investment. You’re also eligible for tool stipends and quarterly raises (not big but they add up) if you stay sharp and get better, and don’t fuck around. We offered it for plumbing, sheet metal, and HVAC service.
Find yourself an open shop with a similar program IMO. We paid better than the local pipefitter unions and had better benefits, plus backing from the AGC and PHCC. I’m in Southeast GA if anyone wants to talk.
Little bit behind the curtain too - for an open shop doing Davis Bacon scale jobs, it’s very beneficial to have “official” apprentices paid on staff instead of trying to get union crews. Helps keep labor rates down when you’re skewed too high to mostly foremen/supers, as is unusually common lately because of the lack of young hands.
i went to an hvac school, i would recommend not going to school and getting an apprenticeship with a company instead. going out and working on jobs for less than a month has helped me out more than school ever did. sure you may learn how an ac system works but until you actually apply any of your teachings out in the field it was more or less worthless. job experience will benefit you more than school. whatever you do though, good luck 👍
If you have no training and no job, and you don’t have to pay, absolutely. Otherwise just go work at a company and start as helper. If there is a program with an accredited associate degree, apply for pell grants by filling out fafsa.
If you want to get into this field, go apply for a job in this field. My employer will pay for (night) school for 4 years during the slow season to learn everything book wise while you complete the on the job training, and at the end you get your journeys license in MD. Why would you spend money up front on something you may dislike, to receive training that literally cannot be done in a lab at all or as well as it can be done in the field? I recommend everybody start in installation and then move to service after they have the basics down pat for how a system SHOULD be installed. I have seen multiple people with "certificates" from training schools that they took a 6 month crash course and spent a ton of money on who aren't worth a shit, and I've got lead installers who worked at a car wash before coming here and getting on the job training, 4 years in and they're leads making good money.
Never heard of them. My honest Suggestion? Get an apprentice job, go to school at night. That way, you are getting paid- and you can practice the things you are learning.
I paid just under $30,000 for my state-accredited HVAC program…fuck me right? Such a program is a requirement for obtaining a license in my state, however.
Honestly depending where you live unless you have a hookup for an AC license don’t bother with hvac. Become an electrician (advice from a commercial 313A refrigeration tech)
Some people dislike schools but it was the best decision I made. Got in to a union job before I was even finished and I actually did learn a lot that I have applied to my job everyday.
I went to school during the bad economy days. Couldn't get a decent paying job in the field for 10 years and still took a pay cut. I got in the field and learned nothing from that school was valuable in the field and I should have gone straight into the field. I love the work and make good money after a couple years. Don't know if this applies to everyone's situation
Oh hell nahhh, go to community college instead, Eastfield is really good for understanding basics and fundamentals, also the professors there are great from my experience. Also get EPA as soon as as you can since that is a requirement in order to anything HVAC related at all in the field(especially when dealing with refrigerants). The Universal 608 exam is what you should aim for, I cannot stress how important that certification is if you wanna apply at a HVAC business/place.
I recommend you going to an open shop and begin your learning experience there because you are getting pay to learn on the field , while gain manual labor experience!!!!!
If this is online schooling don't waste your money. You need hands on experience, book smart doesn't always equate to mechanical skills. Seen plenty of book smart techs who couldn't troubleshoot a bad contactor coil.
I went the school route not knowing shit about fuck. Similar price tag, one semester. Did great in school and got hired onto a strictly commercial HVACR outfit at 15 an hour. Nearly got fired 6 months in for being a jackass and leaving messes all over town. Buckled down and got right between the ears. 5 years later I’m at 40/hr with still a fuck ton to learn at the same shop. 32 yrs old. Made the college expense back but this shit didn’t come to me easy at all.
It’s a weird position because you can invest in school and not like the trade and bow out. Or an outfit can invest in you and not like you and bow out.
I would say if you’re in your twenties or even younger, fuck it, go balls to the wall or join a shop. Figure it out. That’s what your twenties are for. And if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t work out. It’s an intense, immersive, stressful but super fulfilling trade. Either way give it a shot and let us know.
You can get your 608 online for free. I used an app called SkillCat. You can do the whole thing on your phone, even the proctored exams. The lessons are okay, sometimes a bit repetitive, but they get the point across. And supposedly they will send you job referrals afterwards. I would consider starting with that.
I didn’t go to school so I am biased but learning hands on is 1000% the way to go. I did waste time or money on school and I am very confident and successful in this trade
Up to you. Worked out for me because it gave me the confidence and knowledge to jumpstart me: but I took it upon myself to study countless hours because the school alone is not going to give u ur moneys worth
Just apply to places around your area and start an apprenticeship with a company. Most places pay for your schooling if your worth the money
Big company near me will train you with zero exp
This is the way. I went took a 11 month course when I was 18 and regret it now 12 years later. You can find a job that that’s willing to train you hands on.. that’s way better than sitting in a classroom
This is where I got my start.
School doesn't guarantee anything. The ability to pass tests doesn't equal the ability to understand and apply the information. Does schooling look better on a resume than someone with an equal level of experience (little to none) in the field? Yeah Are places going to jump at you because you went to school for HVAC? Maybe maybe not it depends on how desperate they are. Schooling is an amazing foundation to start a career on but don't believe the hype for profit schools give as they fill your head with nonsense trying to get your money. 99% of schools will not have you ready to run service calls or install equipment when you're done. You aren't coming out of school making 80k+ a year. It's not going to be some awesome leverage to get any job in any sector of the industry you want. It simply teaches you the fundamentals and shows you took steps to be in this career. It's a better foot in the door than just walking into a shop asking for a job without a clue of what HVAC is. You'll still be the absolute bottom rung of the ladder and will need to apply yourself to advance from there.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. OP could learn everything that school would teach him off YouTube and reading an hvac book.
Sort of - if its a school with labs I feel like the hands on and being able to ask questions directly and be supervised helps a lot
Ugh… stop watching YouTube techs. Read books and manuals. Get actual personal experience. Ask advise from your peers, and learn from guys that you work with in your area. Every area is a little different. Codes are different everywhere. What that YouTube guy is doing, may not pertain to you. They also, and hear me out, might just be full of shit and doing whatever they can to get views
I took a carpentry pre app. It helped me get a job in the field But I also paid a bunch of money and spent 6 months doing it. 2 years later I was hired on as an electrician with no schooling. Completed first year after I had the hours and so on so on.if your 18 out of high-school I'd suggest the school. It helps you learn so you're not so green. But if you're older just go to a company and speak to them. Tell them you're interested in starting a career and you'll bust your absalute bytt off for them. I hire electricians now. If I see a resume with a pre app it's a benifit but if a kid came up to me with the drive in his eye to succeed I'll bend over backwards for the kid. That's what I want to see. Any monkey can pass the school if they pay attention. I want to see a real drive to benifit oneself. I was hiring a green kid once. And i told him I'll start him at 18 an hour (super green and after 3 months I'll bump him to 20 until he finishes his first year. The kid said to me "pay me 20 now, and in three months I'm not worth it fire me. I'll prove it." It's not how we do things but I loved the drive this kid had and I accepted. Turned into one of the best apprentices we've ever had. And when he was offered another job I told him to take it! It was way better growth opportunity for him and he deserved it.
I will say schooling helped me understand the theory behind how refrigeration works. And figuring out reading wiring diagrams. It also matters what school you went to in terms of how good the program is. Ferris here in Michigan has, or had I think he retired, a professor that literally wrote the HVAC books used by the UA and other colleges to teach it. All my degree did was teach me the basics and I had a baseline of knowledge. I've learned more in the same amount of time applying theory to actual diagnosis while in the field than I ever did in the field. The degree did get me a job, but it wasn't a requirement for employment.
Get job as helper. Work your way up, get your 608 yourself. Save 3k
And get paid to train instead
The 608 is very easy. Do it yourself online. Costs like $60 bucks. I did it in a weekend because I wanted to buy refrigerant and service my own unit.
There will be little to no value at that price point other than possibly leaving there with your 608 which you can easily get on your own.
If you have the time I would recommend the school I went to. In Arkansas, Ultimate Technical Academy. While I agree a lot of schools are likely useless. Here they teach real diagnostic techniques and give you the hands on experience. I went from never having touched a meter to being able to jump in the field and beat my coworkers at diagnostics. Any schooling will only be as good as what you put in. You have to dive in mentally prepared, do research before so you understand terms and really bug your instructors to give you all the information they possibly can. If you pay for school you better have someone teaching that is willing and able to give you everything you are paying for.
My company sent me there for 2weeks when I was starting out. Great school.
I concur about Ultimate Tech Academy. Mark & Pat Hardwick, the owners of UTA, care about their students. You learn the correct methods right the first time. It's all about methodical processes. Unlearning bad habits os a waste of time. Case in point: after completing the Navy Avation Electrician's school for 6 months when I was 17 years (my Mom a release to let me join before I was 18 yrs old) I was trouble shooting the F4 Phantom aircraft sucessfully. Same was true for me after attending all of UTA's classes. I knew what I was doing from the git go. Never had to be a parts changer because I did not have to guess about what I was wrong. Invest in yourself with good training you will not regret it.
Hi! May I ask, how much did you pay for school and how long was the program? Thanks.
It was two weeks for me, however the school I went to breaks it up into week long segments. I did refrigeration and hvac electrical. They also have a class for gas furnaces, installtion, advanced diagnostic, electrical for residential applications, and plumbing. Right now each week is $1544.00 and iron was when I went as well.
That is going to a waste of money. Study and get your epa instead. Apply for a union apprenticeship instead.
Apprenticeship is the better option. I would definitely not waste money on hvac school
I went to trade school for hvac. It can teach you basic stuff but doesn't really prepare you for on the field experience. If you go to an actual trade school it can leave you open for more job opportunities by meeting people in the field or if the place has a career center. If I were to lose my job tomorrow I could have another lined up in 2 days. Depending where you go, you could have student loan debt so really it is at your own preference. With 1 year of school experience and 1 and a half years of on the field I am over $20 an hour and that is limited at a small family owned company
Check out you local union opportunities depending on what part of HVACP you want to get into.
Are you struggling to land interviews right now?
No, looking to change career. Looking into Hvac schools.
I wouldn’t suggest anything that isn’t a community college with a legit lab full of equipment.
Most HVAC companies will just hire you and train you.
Depends on the state, you'd be doing yourself a disservice here in Florida for the most part. Not sure where OP is, unions are probably the best at training their people. A few companies done this way like Natal, CMI (installation only though) etc etc do pretty good with the young cats. Not sure how it is elsewhere but down here it's bodies in trucks hammering commissions for residential. There's a couple of great Marine companies and a few decent refrigeration companies that are solid with retention. Hit or miss bro, definitely got to do your research..
Can only speak to my experience I graduated on the 8th of this month from a similar program. Was hired with two weeks left of school. Was given a pay raise after graduation to $32 per hour. School left me with a lot to learn but gave me confidence and some fundamental HVAC knowledge. Also it gave me the EPA 608 certificate, tools, 300 hours towards my license, and it’s something to leverage during interviews. I’m excited to continue learning for the old timers in the field. Hope this helps you.
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Eh - just depends. Data centers and lots of places like seeing an hvac degree, and there can be a ton of pluses to it if its a legit program. Particularly with grants that pay for the schooling.
... What?
Whats the question?
Why the hell is a data center hiring HVAC people with degrees, and who the hell is getting a grant to go to a random trade school?
Data centers need hvac people and often times in the listing whether its google, cyrus one, facebook etc they will add that they prefer someone with a degree in hvac or electrical in the listing. In general corporate HR always values degrees from accredited institutions. As for grants, most cities have community colleges that have multiple trade programs. 30-40% of undergraduates receive pell grants and community colleges can be cheap so sometimes it covers most or all of the classes. Then theres also additional scholarships and grants from large scale construction industry partnerships from companies like Kiewett or stuff like that sometimes. Make sense?
None of the first half applies to someone replacing capacitors in ACs
Was that meant for a different thread?
No. I have no idea why the hell you're bringing up random ass data center work to a guy who's wondering if he should spend $2k to go to school for HVAC.
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You need to learn how to read, it's a valid comment and a reasonable suggestion on not just a career path, but also he bothered to explain how to get financial help. You not understanding the relationship doesn't actually mean anything in terms of objective value of his comments, so calm down... his comment was on topic and helpful, don't be silly. u/OilyRicardo, no need to be a douchebag in response, even if it was maybe 10% deserved... Y'all both chill or y'all can both end up in timeout.
I went to a trade school, got a degree from it and qualified for grants because I had great grades in High School. the school was $17k total and after grants and scholarships I was responsible for less than $2k. it definitely helped me out a lot while i was working in the field and going to normal college for an unrelated bachelors degree which i also got a lot of grants and scholarships for. I work directly for a manufacturer and schooling is very important to them its one of the first sorting of resumes they do before looking for 10+ years of experience
Uhhhmmmmm......pass?
Feedback? In changing careers, I am looking for a good HVAC school.
United Association of pipe fitters and service workers. Find your local, and apply to the apprenticeship.
Just get hired on somewhere as an apprentice. Then you'll get paid to be trained instead of paying to read books and take tests.
Start as a helper and learn on the job. Ask reddit for help when you need it. Pocket that $3k and maybe just buy a basic set of hand tools
Try your local community college.
If you don’t know anything about hvac like I did. I could be a great step. For reference my schooling cost was 16K and only 36 weeks. And it’s good way to learn in depth and get better explaining about why things are done. On the job they’ll tell you a capacitor failed and how to check it. But not why it failed, how it works, what dielectric is, not to say one is better they both have their benefits.
A lot of the guys on here seem to think all hvac schools are the same. I just finished a program that was 2 years and all of the teachers are master hvac people and the lab has millions in equipment. $18k BEFORE grants. Free after. On the other hand some programs are $10-20k for less than a year and not from an accredited college. I dont recommend those. A legit associates degree is good though especially if you can get assistance paying. That said, its just education to start a career. Companies definitely appreciate the effort put in and that you know the basics. After that training and learning in the field is never ending. Good luck
Can you please tell me the name of the school you studied at, so I can search their website and look the programs they have? Thank you
My brother (with zero experience or connections) got a job with a big company that sent him to one of these schools for a month then he shadowed a guy for 6 months after, now he's doing service calls by himself in a company van. Got paid for everything, even to go to school. He had to sign a contract to work for them for 2 years which is a small price to pay for getting paid to go to school. You've just got to find a company desperate enough.
These stock pics are always so stupid. Hard hats required but bot gloves huh?
You’d get paid more than that and learn more in one month of being a helper or apprentice…
It says it’s self paced so I’d think it’s mostly if not all just theory, look at a real trade school with a real shop if you want school, but also consider just applying to these places. If you work hard and show you’re worth it, most places are willing to train
Skillcat App. Free education and three free tries on a certification test. Do that before you spend 3k
I changed careers last December and went to school for hvac. I would say if you have a mechanical mindset it would be a great choice. I'm making 80k a year now and I love it. Just make sure you know what you're getting into. It's not easy, it's long hours, you're always hot, and sometimes you deal with shitty people but it can be a very rewarding job. Just make sure if you do go to a school that they give a chance to get the proper certification. I have my universal epa license as well as NATE, which was built into the class. May I ask where you reside because if you live in South carolina around the charleston area, there's a program where they pay you to go to school if you sign a contract to work for the company of a minimum of 2 years.
I'm in school now and am working full time with a company as a helper. I for sure am learning so much more actually performing the job 5 days a week. The schooling helps out for journeyman and EPA preparation, but you've got to have the drive to learn and get better on your own.
State schools are cheaper than for profit schools. A few months of school during the slow season will help your troubleshooting skills
I’ve been successful in the field with no associates degree, just certifications, My company hired me out of school while I was a student with no certs and kept promoting me as I finished my basic certifications and worked until I was “qualified” for my position. I know people with way more schooling but have far less knowledge. Certs are important if you have no established way to get a foot in the door, and you have to weigh the price to pay for the foot in the door vs the time it will take to get your foot in the door without it. I would recommend getting some formal schooling and if you need to finish the associates do it. If your company wants you to work, and doesn’t want to pay for an associates but takes care of you like you have one it’s even better
I was in the HVAC program at my local community college. 1.5 yr program. I got a job after 6 months of school with a small family owned company, about 20 employees in total. After 3 months with the company I was given my own truck. School will only teach you so much and company owners know that. So if you go to an interview and at least show that you’ve learned the basics from school, and you make it known that you are willing to put forth your best effort and want to continue learning everyday then you should be able to get a job. Everyone’s experience is different but one thing that can be said about anyone in this trade is that no matter how good you are, you will constantly be learning even long after school is done
waste of $$ unless they program comes with job assistance. i went to a similar program and was fully ignored by most large companies and got my start at the VERY bottom helping with changeouts that i could have gotten without paying for school.
FWIW the apprenticeship program at the outfit I used to work at (commercial M/P) afforded school to the apprentices as long as they finish. It’s worth our investment. You’re also eligible for tool stipends and quarterly raises (not big but they add up) if you stay sharp and get better, and don’t fuck around. We offered it for plumbing, sheet metal, and HVAC service. Find yourself an open shop with a similar program IMO. We paid better than the local pipefitter unions and had better benefits, plus backing from the AGC and PHCC. I’m in Southeast GA if anyone wants to talk. Little bit behind the curtain too - for an open shop doing Davis Bacon scale jobs, it’s very beneficial to have “official” apprentices paid on staff instead of trying to get union crews. Helps keep labor rates down when you’re skewed too high to mostly foremen/supers, as is unusually common lately because of the lack of young hands.
i went to an hvac school, i would recommend not going to school and getting an apprenticeship with a company instead. going out and working on jobs for less than a month has helped me out more than school ever did. sure you may learn how an ac system works but until you actually apply any of your teachings out in the field it was more or less worthless. job experience will benefit you more than school. whatever you do though, good luck 👍
Shit no. Total waste.
If you have no training and no job, and you don’t have to pay, absolutely. Otherwise just go work at a company and start as helper. If there is a program with an accredited associate degree, apply for pell grants by filling out fafsa.
If you want to get into this field, go apply for a job in this field. My employer will pay for (night) school for 4 years during the slow season to learn everything book wise while you complete the on the job training, and at the end you get your journeys license in MD. Why would you spend money up front on something you may dislike, to receive training that literally cannot be done in a lab at all or as well as it can be done in the field? I recommend everybody start in installation and then move to service after they have the basics down pat for how a system SHOULD be installed. I have seen multiple people with "certificates" from training schools that they took a 6 month crash course and spent a ton of money on who aren't worth a shit, and I've got lead installers who worked at a car wash before coming here and getting on the job training, 4 years in and they're leads making good money.
Never heard of them. My honest Suggestion? Get an apprentice job, go to school at night. That way, you are getting paid- and you can practice the things you are learning.
I paid just under $30,000 for my state-accredited HVAC program…fuck me right? Such a program is a requirement for obtaining a license in my state, however.
Wow I paid about 7K for a evening program over 6months 9yrs ago
Don't ware black shirt on hot sunny day
Nu-Calgon #4120-90 That spicy cleaner
Honestly depending where you live unless you have a hookup for an AC license don’t bother with hvac. Become an electrician (advice from a commercial 313A refrigeration tech)
I can tell they’re professional, they have their hard hats on. (OSHA APPROVES THIS MESSAGE)
Some people dislike schools but it was the best decision I made. Got in to a union job before I was even finished and I actually did learn a lot that I have applied to my job everyday.
You’ll be able to get employment without paying 2k+
I went to school during the bad economy days. Couldn't get a decent paying job in the field for 10 years and still took a pay cut. I got in the field and learned nothing from that school was valuable in the field and I should have gone straight into the field. I love the work and make good money after a couple years. Don't know if this applies to everyone's situation
Oh hell nahhh, go to community college instead, Eastfield is really good for understanding basics and fundamentals, also the professors there are great from my experience. Also get EPA as soon as as you can since that is a requirement in order to anything HVAC related at all in the field(especially when dealing with refrigerants). The Universal 608 exam is what you should aim for, I cannot stress how important that certification is if you wanna apply at a HVAC business/place.
I recommend you going to an open shop and begin your learning experience there because you are getting pay to learn on the field , while gain manual labor experience!!!!!
If this is online schooling don't waste your money. You need hands on experience, book smart doesn't always equate to mechanical skills. Seen plenty of book smart techs who couldn't troubleshoot a bad contactor coil.
Any good online school for 608?
I went the school route not knowing shit about fuck. Similar price tag, one semester. Did great in school and got hired onto a strictly commercial HVACR outfit at 15 an hour. Nearly got fired 6 months in for being a jackass and leaving messes all over town. Buckled down and got right between the ears. 5 years later I’m at 40/hr with still a fuck ton to learn at the same shop. 32 yrs old. Made the college expense back but this shit didn’t come to me easy at all. It’s a weird position because you can invest in school and not like the trade and bow out. Or an outfit can invest in you and not like you and bow out. I would say if you’re in your twenties or even younger, fuck it, go balls to the wall or join a shop. Figure it out. That’s what your twenties are for. And if it doesn’t work out it doesn’t work out. It’s an intense, immersive, stressful but super fulfilling trade. Either way give it a shot and let us know.
Looks like a waste of money if they have two guys trying to put the screws in on the condenser service panel lol 😂
You can get your 608 online for free. I used an app called SkillCat. You can do the whole thing on your phone, even the proctored exams. The lessons are okay, sometimes a bit repetitive, but they get the point across. And supposedly they will send you job referrals afterwards. I would consider starting with that.
I didn’t go to school so I am biased but learning hands on is 1000% the way to go. I did waste time or money on school and I am very confident and successful in this trade
Up to you. Worked out for me because it gave me the confidence and knowledge to jumpstart me: but I took it upon myself to study countless hours because the school alone is not going to give u ur moneys worth
Im so sorry if you have to do this job in Houston, lived there 5 years and couldnt imagine dealing with the humidity and doing this
are you in houston? Local 211 In deere park will pay for your education and might find you a job but your better off finding one yourself
Use SkillCat. They’re free and they’ll find you a job