where to learn hvac - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Dr Heat · 01-30-2009, 10:33 PM

I have a young man that I would like to help out. He would like to start a career in HVAC. Normally I would tell him to come to work for me to see if its really what he wants to do then go to the local community collage. I have paid for several of my techs to continue they're education this way. I got my formal training at community collage and the school of hard knocks.

The problem is in this economy I cant bring on any new help, and he does not want to wait (I cant blame him for that). So here is my question: what school should I recommend. The community collage takes four years of night school. He has a family so he needs to get up to speed faster.

Here are some additional questions for the employers out there

How important is NATE certification
Are all your techs EPA certified
where did you go to school (was it worth it)
What do you pay a tech just out of Collage

bwalley · 01-30-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Heat

I have a young man that I would like to help out. He would like to start a career in HVAC. Normally I would tell him to come to work for me to see if its really what he wants to do then go to the local community collage. I have paid for several of my techs to continue they're education this way. I got my formal training at community collage and the school of hard knocks.

The problem is in this economy I cant bring on any new help, and he does not want to wait (I cant blame him for that). So here is my question: what school should I recommend. The community collage takes four years of night school. He has a family so he needs to get up to speed faster.

Here are some additional questions for the employers out there

How important is NATE certification
Are all your techs EPA certified
where did you go to school (was it worth it)
What do you pay a tech just out of Collage

I am not NATE certified, but I do have a state Certified A/C Contractors license.

Anyone who handles refrigerant must be EPA Certified.

I took some night school classes but didn't learn much until I went into the field.

I never hired a kid out of collage, but have had some college kids work for me.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalley

I am not NATE certified, but I do have a state Certified A/C Contractors license.

Anyone who handles refrigerant must be EPA Certified.

I took some night school classes but didn't learn much until I went into the field.

I never hired a kid out of collage, but have had some college kids work for me.

Illinois does not certify HVAC. I carry a universal EPA card but that really does not prove ones capabilities. Nate is growing in popularity here but I was wondering what other Companies thought.

cleveman · 01-31-2009, 10:03 AM

Nobody is really answering your question. Here we have community colleges and tech. schools which teach it. I don't know what certification they give.

I don't think they would offer such a course, but couldn't you pretty much teach a guy how to wheel a furnace into a basement and hook up the AC and run the ductwork over an intensive 8 hour course?

I realize that there are different heating and cooling systems than this, and commercial applications. But I think a meat packing house is probably going to have it's own staff, right? When their 20,000 square foot cooler goes down, they're not going to call Fred's heating and cooling.

The heating and cooling guys I had the last time charged $4500 to install my forced air furnace and ac and all the ductwork. They did forget to cut in one heat run, and I had to go back and bend back the tabs on all of their starter collars. They also did a very poor job in the attic attaching flex tube to a distribution box. I attached these securely and also had to secure the insulation blanket over the distribution box before I insulated over everything.

I guess you get what you pay for, but I think with a bit of help from suppliers (delivering pre-charged equipment), the residential end of the business is just a small step away from being a diy business. I'm waiting for furnaces to come out with power cords attached. It's just a matter of time before a guy can email his specs to a manufacturer or distributor and he gets a delivery of everything he needs and a layout plan, all for $2500.

This seems to be happening in the radiant floor heat business. And I think it is happening there because this is a "new" industry and it doesn't use the traditional distribution channels. You just tell them your floorplan and they talk to you and send you your pipe, manifolds, and boiler or water heater along with instructions and tech support.

What say ye?

bwalley · 01-31-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Heat

Illinois does not certify HVAC. I carry a universal EPA card but that really does not prove ones capabilities. Nate is growing in popularity here but I was wondering what other Companies thought.

Does Illinois require a HVAC contractor to have a license?

The EPA Certification is Federal law and is not a license, it is just a certification stating you know how to properly handle refrigerant.

I never thought NATE was a big deal, but it can't hurt to get NATE Certified.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwalley

Does Illinois require a HVAC contractor to have a license?

The EPA Certification is Federal law and is not a license, it is just a certification stating you know how to properly handle refrigerant.

I never thought NATE was a big deal, but it can't hurt to get NATE Certified.

each municipality has its own license requierment.

Nate is growing here the draw back is the cost.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

Nobody is really answering your question. Here we have community colleges and tech. schools which teach it. I don't know what certification they give.

I don't think they would offer such a course, but couldn't you pretty much teach a guy how to wheel a furnace into a basement and hook up the AC and run the ductwork over an intensive 8 hour course?

I realize that there are different heating and cooling systems than this, and commercial applications. But I think a meat packing house is probably going to have it's own staff, right? When their 20,000 square foot cooler goes down, they're not going to call Fred's heating and cooling.

The heating and cooling guys I had the last time charged $4500 to install my forced air furnace and ac and all the ductwork. They did forget to cut in one heat run, and I had to go back and bend back the tabs on all of their starter collars. They also did a very poor job in the attic attaching flex tube to a distribution box. I attached these securely and also had to secure the insulation blanket over the distribution box before I insulated over everything.

I guess you get what you pay for, but I think with a bit of help from suppliers (delivering pre-charged equipment), the residential end of the business is just a small step away from being a diy business. I'm waiting for furnaces to come out with power cords attached. It's just a matter of time before a guy can email his specs to a manufacturer or distributor and he gets a delivery of everything he needs and a layout plan, all for $2500.

This seems to be happening in the radiant floor heat business. And I think it is happening there because this is a "new" industry and it doesn't use the traditional distribution channels. You just tell them your floorplan and they talk to you and send you your pipe, manifolds, and boiler or water heater along with instructions and tech support.

What say ye?

Well that seems the way with everything carpentry is total DIY you call up the wall guys and they send out a snap together house pre insulated painted and shingled.

Listen I don't know if your serious, but that's probably why your system was so cheap and did not work, the installers were not qualified.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

Nobody is really answering your question. Here we have community colleges and tech. schools which teach it. I don't know what certification they give.

I don't think they would offer such a course, but couldn't you pretty much teach a guy how to wheel a furnace into a basement and hook up the AC and run the ductwork over an intensive 8 hour course?

I realize that there are different heating and cooling systems than this, and commercial applications. But I think a meat packing house is probably going to have it's own staff, right? When their 20,000 square foot cooler goes down, they're not going to call Fred's heating and cooling.

The heating and cooling guys I had the last time charged $4500 to install my forced air furnace and ac and all the ductwork. They did forget to cut in one heat run, and I had to go back and bend back the tabs on all of their starter collars. They also did a very poor job in the attic attaching flex tube to a distribution box. I attached these securely and also had to secure the insulation blanket over the distribution box before I insulated over everything.

I guess you get what you pay for, but I think with a bit of help from suppliers (delivering pre-charged equipment), the residential end of the business is just a small step away from being a diy business. I'm waiting for furnaces to come out with power cords attached. It's just a matter of time before a guy can email his specs to a manufacturer or distributor and he gets a delivery of everything he needs and a layout plan, all for $2500.

This seems to be happening in the radiant floor heat business. And I think it is happening there because this is a "new" industry and it doesn't use the traditional distribution channels. You just tell them your floorplan and they talk to you and send you your pipe, manifolds, and boiler or water heater along with instructions and tech support.

What say ye?

Well that seems the way with everything carpentry is total DIY you call up the wall guys and they send out a snap together house pre insulated painted and shingled.

Listen I don't know if your serious, but that's probably why your system was so cheap and did not work, the installers were not qualified.

As for the meat packing house we work on this type equiptment all the time.

bwalley · 01-31-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Heat

each municipality has its own license requierment.

Nate is growing here the draw back is the cost.

Florida requires a License to do HVAC work, there is the Registered license which is a county license, and a Certified License which is a State license.

My licenses are Certified, so I can work anywhere in the state.

mdshunk · 01-31-2009, 11:53 AM

Don't suppose you could hire the kid for minimum wage, could you? Might sort out whether he's serious or not, and it could be an affordable option for you. Promise yourself you'll bump him up when things turn around.

mickeyco · 01-31-2009, 12:13 PM

Coyne, it's in Chicago, my father took some classes there for HVAC 30 + years ago, they're still around, they must have some idea of what they're doing.

http://www.coyneamerican.edu/

.

greghvacguy · 01-31-2009, 12:14 PM

Looks like your in IL. if so there is a school in Itasca called ETI you can find them at www . eticampus. com I think thay have a campus in blueisland also.When i went there thay had m-f classes and where done in 7 mounths or 3 nights a week and done in a year. I went to the school very good thay teach you all the basic to get in to the field.Its done good for me 14 years latter
For NATE I think its a good thing as to that im not(just have not made it to take test) All the guys where i work at are nate
For EPA all the guys must be.
For any guy out of school we start them at 12-14 hour more thay can show thay know the more we give them.
I dont no what part of IL you are but im NorthWest of Chicago (roundlake)
Hope this helps

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greghvacguy

Looks like your in IL. if so there is a school in Itasca called ETI you can find them at www . eticampus. com I think thay have a campus in blueisland also.When i went there thay had m-f classes and where done in 7 mounths or 3 nights a week and done in a year. I went to the school very good thay teach you all the basic to get in to the field.Its done good for me 14 years latter
For NATE I think its a good thing as to that im not(just have not made it to take test) All the guys where i work at are nate
For EPA all the guys must be.
For any guy out of school we start them at 12-14 hour more thay can show thay know the more we give them.
I dont no what part of IL you are but im NorthWest of Chicago (roundlake)
Hope this helps

We are in Harvard just west of you. I had heard of eti thanks

greghvacguy · 01-31-2009, 06:13 PM

cool to see your so close I was just out there and going out there monday.

MechAcc · 01-31-2009, 06:52 PM

The program at Elgin Community College has an excellent program. They are near you. They have day and night classes. Have him call Andy Erbach 847-697-1000 the front desk can give you his extension or transfer you. There are lots of good instructors there including Region 8 RSES Director Rich Hoke.

Also Fox Valley RSES is holding a Combustion Class at the Rockford Johnstone Supply. Don't know if Andy or Rich will be there but it might give the man an opportunity to talk with them in person. Call the Rockford store and get the date of the class.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechAcc

The program at Elgin Community College has an excellent program. They are near you. They have day and night classes. Have him call Andy Erbach 847-697-1000 the front desk can give you his extension or transfer you. There are lots of good instructors there including Region 8 RSES Director Rich Hoke.

Also Fox Valley RSES is holding a Combustion Class at the Rockford Johnstone Supply. Don't know if Andy or Rich will be there but it might give the man an opportunity to talk with them in person. Call the Rockford store and get the date of the class.

I have sent tech's there in the past great teachers.

Dr Heat · 01-31-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greghvacguy

cool to see your so close I was just out there and going out there monday.

What supply houses do you go to? We might know each other.

greghvacguy · 01-31-2009, 10:59 PM

I go to berkhiemer and able Mchenry.Tec elgin,columbia woodstock

Dr Heat · 02-01-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greghvacguy

I go to berkhiemer and able Mchenry.Tec elgin,columbia woodstock

we buy from Columbia mostly

Rx8 · 02-01-2009, 09:47 PM

tell him to research vocational schools in the area. in september im going to be taking a hvac class at a vocational school, in the evenening they offer adult courses and this one is a 2 year class- 600 hours total and its 2 nights a week 5:30-10 i believe wich works well considering i do have a family also. its only $4,500 too which is considerably cheaper than colleges around here. (also tell him to research grants for the course)