By Dustin Evans and Ramy Mousa
HVAC Learning Solutions Technical Trainers Dustin Evans and Ramy Mousa haven’t always been experts. They had their first day on the job, too. Now they offer their best advice to prep techs for theirs.
- Have a good work ethic. This applies to any work environment, but if you work hard you can become extremely successful in this industry.
- Prepare for an ongoing learning process. Keep listening, reading, and practicing your trade to gain and retain the knowledge you need.
- Expect to learn best practices. The HVAC industry has many ways of doing the same task, but usually only one or two ways emerge as the industry’s best practice techniques. Learn the best ways to get the best results.
- Come with a basic understanding of the refrigeration cycle. Realizing that you are simply moving heat from one place to another is another great way to think about the cycle as you report for duty, notes Mousa.
- Understand or learn how to use a digital multi-meter (DMM). It’s the lifeline in the HVAC industry. If you understand how to use this tool, you can troubleshoot and repair just about anything. Check out YouTube videos, like this one from Technical Training Manager Jose de la Portilla, to learn how they work, and spend a little more money to get a quality DMM.
- Learn the path of power. Understanding how it is made, moves, and why it is so dangerous can help keep you safe on the job.
- Develop a keen sense of when to run from a dog. No joke. Evans remembers a run-in with a bull mastiff who chased him down the driveway on a “no cooling” call. “We locked eyes, and, for what felt like an eternity, maybe a second, stared each other down. The moment he jumped up I knew I should run,” he says.
- Understand superheat. No, not the idea that heat is super for our business in the summer. Techs measure superheat because it’s what protects compressors from liquid refrigerant, keeping it from destroying compressors.
- Know subcooling. We’re not talking about cooling down a hot submarine sandwich during lunch break! Subcooling is just as important as superheat. Learn how to measure it, and soon you’ll know best practices, such as ensuring a solid column of liquid enters your metering device.
- Be friendly. You’ll be interacting with homeowners — a lot — so learn how to approach them. A friendly demeanor and attitude will serve you well. And if small talk doesn’t come naturally, work on your skills by setting goals each week. Evans says he once set a goal to make every homeowner laugh at least once.
For even more tips on HVAC technical topics, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/HVAClearning.
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