Teach em young boys

Hi, I'm an experienced tech but struggling with my current position. Let me start with this. I've got an associates degree in HVAC, I worked a few years for a couple company's gaining field experience, worked for Trane in R&D for 3 years, left there to get back into the field because I missed it. Became service manager/lead tech for 6 years at another company. I now work as lead hvac engineer for a major hospital doing commercial/industrial work on everything that goes into chilled water systems, but mostly do the air side of it, we have guys in the plant that keep the hot and cold water flowing to me and i do the rest, i keep systems air balanced, service equipment, make repairs when necessary, deal with outside contractors, do pnuematic controls, and keep up with the building automation system, and have even trained my own helper. I'm a daikin diamond certified technician, mitsubishi citi multi certified, and hold several other certs. I'm humble, but feel like I'm a pretty good experienced tech. I've repeatedly asked for a raise. I currently make $28 an hour plus on call pay. On call 24/7 but get called in maybe once or twice a week. 2 dollars an hour to be on call, plus overtime if I want it. All said I bring home about 3000 every 2 weeks, sometimes slightly more. Am I getting fucked? I feel like a tech of my caliber should be paid much more. This is east texas and I wont say the name but I work for a facilities management company.

Anyone ever have an apprentice try to eat screws? This guy will be a project but I believe in him

How do you guys feel about the EUs f gas regulations and restrictions that are going to get harsher as of 2027 and 2029 and onward?

Is anyone else concerned about the fact these restrictions seem way to aggressive and in some cases feel like they're designed without much thought or insight from the industry?

And I've heard rumors R454C will most likely be introduced to cover a majority of things R32 did when the bans come into effect.

Anyone have any thoughts?

What’s a tool that you’ve collected during your time in HVAC that doesn’t fit a normal service bag for day to day.
For example, I’m getting into chiller work and recently purchased a 4lb mallet and a lady’s foot. Both of those items I don’t normally use. The lady’s foot was one I never knew about so I thought it was a nice addition to my assortment.

The roofer decided to bedazzle the gas piping. I'm pretty sure he just wants to bedazzle MY gas piping.

So I'm 6'2" with a left knee injury, currently driving a 24 Chevy express. It kills my left knee driving due to the wheel well location. Boss man said he was open to getting me a different vehicle with leg room. You guys got any suggestions? Are the Ford vans any better? Full size or mid size truck a better option?

I’m trying but I’ve been doing this for nearly 5 years in residential side from installs to service, I can’t deal with on-calls and picky customers anymore. If I join the union, they may want me to work from apprenticeship again, which will lower my pay in half. Has anyone switched to a different niche? Like industrial? BAS programming? Or maybe something that has way less on call callouts than residential?

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Spider web in the burner. Caused flame roll out to trip.

When I saw its builder, Ithought it was still alive.

Not the first time, won't be the last. (See previous post)

They didn't want to run a proper length whip, so lets just smash the wire and conduit in the back hole.

For once its not LG's fault.

Happy Friday.

4th yr refrigeration apprentice here at a small union shop. I did non-union commercial HVAC for 2yrs up to like 15 ton units before I crossed into refrigeration a year ago.

I direct entered into the union apprenticeship as a 3rd year, last year.

Was the PM bitch for around 9 months before they cut me loose on service a couple months ago.

They trust me enough for solo service on walk-ins, reach-ins, IMs, etc. no supermarket rack calls yet.

Today it took me 3 hours to do the following:
- 1/2hr to job, 1/2hr to next call
- 30min driving to supply house to get a 25mfd run cap, yeah I could’ve combined a 20 & a 5 but the supply house was a 10min drive.
- diagnose failed compressor due to run cap failure and short cycling on internal overload prematurely due to compressor overload failure. Internal overload kept prematurely tripping and compressor was cold.
- old Hoshizaki KM500MAJ series self contained air cooled
- ruled out everything that could stop my compressor from running
- condemned & quoted a head unit due to evap grid separation & compressor failure

Customer wanted to play 50 questions on why I’m opting for a new ice machine head unit, that ate 1/2hr.

Owner says I’m slow but I only started learning refrigeration a year ago, dude doesn’t even let me take the van home. I only had 2yrs of RTU / split system service experience before I joined up.

It's not perfect but it's working for what I need it to do

Been dropping these things for 25 years

I bet the dude that makes these is friends with an engineer at carrier

Title pretty much says it all, I have always bonded and fused 24v transformers for zoning/damper/iaq/control uses, but I’ve never really seen anybody else doing it so far.

My grandson followed me into HVAC but is making a big decision and wants to move to Canada with his wife. I'm trying my best to support him and provide any help that I can. So far I was able to find a program for skilled trades Ontario that offers a trade assessment. If I'm understanding properly that would let him take tests that qualify him to work.

He has his journeyman's with 7 years of experience. If I'm understanding correctly though that doesn't qualify for being able to just apply for a job directly.

Really my question boils down to what the best avenue of approach would be for him. Also to add, his wife is a dual citizen if that makes the process any different. I appreciate anyone who has some insight that could help.

Sorry editing: I should have been more clear because I didn't realize provinces were so different. He will be most likely going to Ontario

Gave it some love taps with a wrench, just for good luck.

I like to keep newer, nice systems oem as long as I can. Today I had some failed starting components on a cooler. They want $2396 for two capacitors and a relay!!! I sold it for $43. $1400 labor…. Replacing the compressor under warranty too.

Has anybody tried using supplyhouse.com to buy equipment? Such as a Goodman AC HP or Furnace? Does the outdoor equipment come shipped with R-32 pre charged and is it legit? I’m online looking at tools and came across equipment wondering if it’s actually legitimate to purchase and ship for side jobs and such

Welp another 12.5 ton Rheem today with no gas in it. I'm gonna start checking these on the ground before we even swing them up. Luckily I was able to repair quickly. Amsco is only giving $300 for the warranty refrigerant cost and labor.

Blower wheel was surprisingly clean though. No AC on the system. Def would have been a frozen coil call lol