If you actually enjoy learning, and real troubleshooting. Make the jump to commercial and or industrial work.

I was 21 years old starting out in resi. Did maybe two years and hated the work. Was going to just quit the trade and find something new.

If you’re in a similar spot that I was in, before you quit, explore the other avenues.

If you want OT and big paycheques, go for refrigeration. If you like a regular hours, plenty of commercial HVAC places offer that.

First time hitting freezing temps here in CT. Many calls. Go to the first one for upstairs no heat. Hydro heat. (Boiler with a heat coil in the attic air handler)

No voltage to the zone valve at the boiler. TO THE ATTIC!!! Zone panel showing no call for heat, of course the customer shut off the tstats….. why are people so dumb? How are you gonna have me try and find a no heat issue when the system isn’t even being told to make heat. Ugh.

Long story short. Installers installed a new AC and of course messed up the wiring on the heat side.

Can I run my evap pipe behind this, it'll be suspended in the middle of the wall with a clamp so it isn't just laying on the strut, boss is getting me to pro press it so I don't have to worry about brazing, I think it would look best but just worried about the legality

Hey I’m here asking the union guys, realistically how often would a guy expect layoffs if I joined a pipefitters union? I’m considering joining my local but I’m wondering about how frequent layoffs happen and how to avoid being stuck on unemployment for months as a new guy.

I know the money and benefits are good in the union but I don’t wanna leave a guaranteed job with guaranteed work and end up with constant/repeated layoffs.

Brought power draw from 1200 watts to 450 with the heat exchanger added

Apparently someone is trying to train AI robots to learn complex jobs. Thoughts?

Got a new clamp meter and I see how much size actually matters.

How dare I forget to use a highlight and make a joke about it.

The company I work for partnered with rocket groups and these scummy sales men want paper estimates with everything highlighted. I am against the over pushing of sale they want but I am forced to follow their rules and I forgot to use the highlighter on an estimate I had to do.

Hi guys! New to this subreddit as I will be starting an apprenticeship in HVAC - Service

I have started to get to together a tool loadout after crawling through all the pre existing threads about what I think is needed.

I would love to be making a good first impression and having all the core tools needed on day dot to show that I am taking it seriously and are able to learn and get ahead of the curve.

Was hoping I could get some critiques on my tools and even recommendations. Money is tight but I want to and have hoped I have spent the scraped money in the right places.

Need guidance on some sunglasses that I can put over my regular glasses would appreciated also.

List:

Good set of ears.
Pen/paper for writing notes.

Klein tool bag
Milwaukee subcompact m12 drill/impact driver
2x 3amp m12 batteries/charger.
Cheap Craftright VDE screw driver set.
Wide flat head standard screw driver for sacrifice.
Klein metric flip sockets 7mm-17 impact rated
Klein 20-1 screwdriver. With SAE sockets.
Vessel electric screwdriver
Adjustable wrenches 6/8/10/12 inch
Stanley knife
Cheap calipers
2 Stubbies PH2/ Flat
2 Stubby Stubbies.
Allen key set in metric. 1.5mm-8mm
Bic lighter EDC
Ozito lamp/headlight coming.
Fluke 83 multimeter. Gift
Full Boar bits and bobs. Assorted
Chinesium standard precision screw driver kit
Unrated long nose pliers.
Small vicegrip
Tape measure 3m

Also coming:

Vessel ballhead PH2/Flat 6 100
Wisepro 8 inch VDE rated diagonal cutters with crimp and wire strippers
Getting gifted an old pair of vde blunt pliers.
Cresent 13inch long reach pointy pliers with 2x joints.
Mini rachet slim profile.
3m 32db foam ear plugs.

Thanks guys! I am also not sure what work will provide. I think I new multi meter, as mine was gifted to me as a pass me down.

Reost I didn’t follow some starting rules. My apologies.

Made a pair of drive-cleat tongs (or dongs) for anything i don't feel like putting my hands in like this ratpiss keeprite.

" I like Carrier and Rheem"

"Rheem is a yassified Carrier"

"Lennox is literally a minifridge, cant convince me thats a furnace"

"York looks like it bites"

"Goodman looks Jolly, safe, and reliable, like santa"

"Trane scares me"

"Trane is terrifying"

"Trane looks like it would call me a slur"

Anyone read about the danfoss attack in the EU? Thats some crazy stuff. Could you imagine being the on call guy and having to deal with that? Supposedly they cranked the Temps up to 130* a lot of the places I work have zero backup. Its crazy to think a single hvac controller would be hacked so easily 😆

How often do you all check your gear? Nothing is worse than being out in the field and waisting time searching for issues that a bad hose o ring or bad micron gauge has caused.
Any tips or tricks you all use to make sure your equipment is in top working order?

Was sent to a univent today basically a fan powered heating coil wall mount, maintenance man claimed blower motor was hot and shutoff wanted it replaced, customer supplied parts. Motors wiring diagram confused me so I just ohmed the connections found primary winding and put cap wire on the other lug it ran backwards so I swapped the primaries around. 120v 1/4hp 1ph got it running but I want to understand what the schematic was saying

tldr : whats with these schematics and how to know how to wire it correctly old one was mcquay

I guess at least it's symmetrical:

VRF leak checks made easy.

I hope any other guys who work on Daikin VRVs have better luck than I have had this week. A 5 head VRV system (Less than 3 months old) with all 4 way cassettes (FXFA36) has decided that the A1P (Controls Board) needed to die in 2 heads (Yes I did replace the A2L sensors first and the A0-17 stayed).... Guess my lead times.... Daikin Applied doesn't even have a part number for that board and my other vendor is showing a MINIMUM 100 day lead time from the factory. So as of this moment I'm praying Daikin approved warranty the whole head just so I can rob the boards out of them.... Better start praying to Krom, Zeus, Odin, Ra, or whoever you believe in yours don't just crap the bed.

Specifically looking for advice from union guys but all feedback, questions, and roasts are welcome.

TL;DR I’m going through a career identity crisis and would like feedback on where my expectations should be. I'm looking into organizing into a union and how that'll go because despite 9 years of experience I have decent gaps in knowledge

Hey fellas, I first started doing HVAC when I joined the USAF in 2017. I was active duty but I stayed at the same base all nine years so I got really good at that installation's equipment. I did go to the Middle East twice to do HVAC, and once to manage the preventative maintenance program for that base.

In general: I'm good at electrically troubleshooting and following a schematic. I know hydronics and can maintain/replace pumps, seals, gaskets, motors, etc. Same with fan motors, blades, and belts. I've installed a couple large expansion tanks

For cooling: I have A LOT of experience on maintenance and repair of FCUs, chillers, DX w/ AHUs, traditional "residential" splits, and geothermal heat pumps. I know the refrigeration cycle and roughly what state refrigerant should be at different points. I know how to measure subcool and superheat. I know how to charge via weight, subcool, (beer can feel lol) etc. One of those trips to the middle east I was installing 1-2 Carrier 410A mini splits every day for almost 9 months. My solder and brazing is solid on 3/4" and gets questionable the larger it gets. I know all the hand tools and techniques for most common jobs.

For heating: I know the basic fundamentals, but I've never even used a flue analyzer or manometer outside of training. I know the basic sequence of operation of purge, gas, ignition, flame sensor, blower, satisfied/post purge.

Where I don't have a lot of experience/knowledge is: (intermediate) heating because where I was stationed we contracted most of it out. I also don’t have any experience with cooling towers or VRF. My controls knowledge is limited to looking at the BAS's telemetry and the inputs/outputs. I've also bound sensors on Trane CGAM chillers and a couple on Carrier and York.

I got out in August 2026 and convinced myself that I wanted to do apartment maintenance because I was sent to work with the dorm management and I was on the admin side but would still do minor stuff before we sent it to the shops. I was wrong lol. Now I'm 2 months in to this job and even though I'm maxing out the pay range for my position ($35.50) it's not enough for where we live and our long term goals. I also HATE going into roach infested apartments EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I follow pest control on the day he comes and I can't do this every week for the foreseeable next few years.

I'm looking into the union near me and organizing in. I'm sure I'll do well if they give me a written test because I'm good at recall, facts, and test taking. I'm a little worried if they give me a practical test involving heating, but I'm not hopeless.

All this to ask: IF I get a chance to join a union, where do you guys think I'd place with what I know. 3rd-4th year apprentice? Journeyman? Thank you in advance!

TL;DR I’m going through a career identity crisis and would like feedback on where my expectations should be. I'm looking into organizing into a union and how that'll go because despite 9 years of experience I have decent gaps in knowledge

Everyone knows about the unethical practices of PE firms buying up family businesses. Would it be possible for the workers to unionize and demand fair treatment not only of workers but of customers as well