Is It Crazy

pyroracing85

Is it crazy that after I graduate with my mechanical engineer (end of '09) that I want to go back to school for air conditioning tech to learn that trade also.

I am going to be working at HVAC engineering firm.


My final goal is to own a business in the HVAC trade. I would like to offer engineering and service.

Is this crazy or possible?

beenthere

Might want to go to a trade school.
And then put in several years working in the HVAC field.

Are you interning yet?

pyroracing85

Yea, I have been planning on going to night school for HVAC.

Do you do residental or commercial?

Darwin

You sound enthusiastic about your endeavors. I say Possible..

beenthere

Mostly residential now.

westernhvac

Just go to work with a good company for a couple of years. We could use more M.E.s with actual field experience. I would love to go back and get a degree besides the crappy one I have.

naptown CR

go for it man. When I was just a babe in the woods I worked for a ME at an HVAC company. It was one of the best experiences i have had in my career. OK I as 21 lived basically in the Hamptons on Long Island chased many many many women had a bit of sucess in that endeavor. But also learned alot and got to build probably the first night setback thermostat for a heat pump. The thing was a behmoth with 7 day clocks, time delay relays ,completely mechanical but worked. The guy I worked for was a genius although a bit of a space cadet. This is where you want to be if you enjoy the field. Go for the passion and you can't go wrong!

pyroracing85

I know this kind of question doesn't belong on here.. but What do yall recommend I do to learn more? I know a good understand of thermodynamics.

What else is there? Service manuals? Anything?

beenthere

While reading install and IOM manuals can help.Its like learning how to drive a car. You can read a driving manual all you want.But until you actually drive, you don't really know how to.OTJT, and experience will teach the most.

pyroracing85

well I have had home a/c problems that I diagnosis myself. It was a blower problem with the fan. Had to be replaced.

willworkforbeer

When I was a kid the auto trans went out in my Dodge Charger, couldnt afford a rebuilt or used from the junkyard, bought a rebuild kit for $50 and rebuilt it, didnt work, took it back out and went back through it again, did work. No manuals, no instructions.

Sometimes you just gotta go after it, the younger you start jumping off bridges the better you'll get at it.

beenthere

Ok.So now do it with the customer looking over your shoulder.Asking why its taking so long. While at the same time asking you about other troubles they have had.And never losing the confidence of the customer.And collecting money for your work when completed.DIY at your home is one thing.Finding a bad motor or capacitor is fairly easy.Whats the most complicated A/C or furnace repair you had to make.Do you know how to properly check the manifold pressure on a sealed combustion furnace.Do you know what a 7% O2 reading means compared to a 6.5 O2 reading?Can you do a capacity check on an A/C.Gonna take some reading and studing.

pyroracing85

So your saying I just finish up my degree and start working as a mechanical engineer?

westernhvac

Not at all. I am saying, if you really want to learn, do it from the ground up. It might not pay as well, but if you can get on with a company and get some field experience, it might be helpful. It seems like you have a good head on your shoulders but you can ask anyone here, there is no substitute for experience. By the way, my crappy degree is in Anthropolgy. I worked my way through school doing HVACR work. Graduated and realized that you can't put a lot of food on the table with that degree. "would you like fries with that?"

pyroracing85

I got ya. Well I plan on doing the trade school which will take two years alone.

willworkforbeer

Make sure you concentrate on learning and doing, less about good grades. In the real world nobody gives a damn about your grades.