INTRODUCTION
The HVACR industry is a very exciting and
challenging career choice. It is also very
lucrative due to a constant increase in growth
and high demand. The field is constantly
changing, causing it to be challenging, with new
breakthroughs in technology, much like the
medical industry. The growth potential of the
HVACR industry is higher than the national
average of all other and related fields and
industries. There is a constant need for
qualified and quality experts in all aspects of
the industry. It will provide most people with
good pay and benefits, education and experience,
and security in employment. When one looks into
the field more, there are many other advantages,
providing many different career options.
IMPORTANT INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
THREE FIELD CHOICES:
- Residential - housing & home,
consists of comfort and small appliances.
- Commercial - businesses,
consists of wholesale and retail, customer
comfort, product design temperatures, large
and small appliances.
- Industrial - businesses and
manufacturing, consists of comfort, product
design temperatures, and process of
manufacturing.
SOME CAREER OPTIONS:
Manufacturing
Distribution & Wholesale
Transportation
Design & Load Calculating
Estimating
Installation & Piping
Service (residential, commercial,
industrial) |
Air
Quality & Purification
Controls
Sales
Humidity Control
Consulting & Education
Safety
Metal Fabrication (duct installation)
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SOME HVACR SYSTEM TYPES
Natural Gas
Electric
Small & Light Commercial
Heavy Duty Commercial
Make-up Air
Forced Air |
Oil
Industrial
Air Cooled
Water Cooled
Exhaust
LP |
High
Temperature
Low Temperature
Medium Temperature
Extra Low Temperature
Passive
Cascade
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HVACR - Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning, Refrigeration.
AIR & WATER - Two common elements
found and used in HVACR to transfer heat from on
place to another.
ELECTRICITY - A common form of
energy used in the HVACR industry to perform
many functions including the mechanical process
of heat transfer.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE -
Knowledge technicians gain in the HVACR industry
through daily practice and repair opportunities.
SERVICE
PRACTICE & APPROACH TECHNIQUES
- KISS
- RTFM
- HOW, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN
- INSPECTION PROCESS
KISS - (Keep It Simple Simon) A way to
practice daily basics related to the HVACR
industry consisting of your thought process and
physical actions.
RTFM - (Read the Factory Manual) A
way to practice daily problems related to the
HVACR industry: Consists of gathering pertinent
information about installation, operation,
service bulletins, troubleshooting guides, and
technical support phone numbers for help.
HOW, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN - A
daily practice technique you must perform to be
successful in trouble shooting. Also separates a
"technician" from a "parts changer".
INSPECTION PROCESS
The daily practice of successful
troubleshooting. Pertains to Look & See, Feel &
Touch, & Smell.
Supports KISS technique.
ADVANTAGES
Practice, practice, practice the basics.
Provides starting point of all
troubleshooting procedures.
Practice looking for simple and obvious
problems that are most common.
Prevents missing obvious and simple
problems, and keeps technicians from going "too
deep" too quick.
Forms mental thought process of isolation
theory and equipment sequence of operations.
Only requires four tools: legs, brain,
flashlight and 4 in 1 screwdriver.
DISADVANTAGES: NONE.
INFORMATION - Knowledge every
technician needs to be successful in your daily
practice of troubleshooting. (Supports RTFM
technique)
Knowledge you obtain from education and
experience.
The age in which we are all living.
What HVACR systems gather and process to
determine its overall functions previously
preset or programmed.
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION - Knowledge
of a system in the HVACR industry a technician
must know before attempting to
troubleshoot or repair. Supports RTFM technique.
What, Where, How, Why, When, functions happen in
that system to achieve design criteria.
ISOLATION THEORY - A daily practice
you must perform to be successful in
troubleshooting. Consists of a process of
elimination to address the problem faster and
more efficiently. Pertains to wiring diagrams
and mechanical parts and systems. (Also supports
KISS technique.) - Identify and analyze/provides
path or direction.
TYPES OF ISOLATION THEORY'S
(examples)
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS >>Operational
- Airflow problems
- Ductwork
- Fan
- Refrigerant Circuits
- High Side/Low Side
- Electrical problems
- Loads or Controls
- Safety or Operating
- Low Voltage or High Voltage
INDOOR EQUIPMENT
OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
INSTALLATION
- Design
- Sizing
CUSTOMER
- Personal Interaction/tampering
- Lack of knowledge and understanding
- Instruction and more
OVERVIEW
HVAC troubleshooting is both an art and a
science. I believe the HVACR industry is very
similar to and in many ways runs "parallel" to
the medical industry. In comparison, a Service
Technician is a "Doctor". A medical Doctor
diagnoses human ailments. A Service Technician
diagnoses malfunctions and failures found in
mechanical systems. Instead of humans being our
patients our "patients" are (sometimes complex)
mechanical systems. Much like the human body,
they are made up of various parts that perform
different jobs and contain "systems within
systems". Armed with new technology, equipment
and information, a medical doctor "practices"
daily. The reason for this is to become better
at recognizing sometimes changing or multiple
symptoms of various types of illnesses. This
enables the Doctor to pinpoint the exact cause
and then prescribe the proper medicine and
procedure to achieve the desired results. This
relatively also pertains to a successfully and
properly diagnosed HVACR system/repairs relative
to happy customers. Much like the medical
industry, to be the best at what you do, you
need to focus yourself on a specialized area and
practice it daily to attempt to perfect it.
The HVACR industry is highly technical and
diversified and no one knows it all, much less
can do it all, and then even do (all that) well!
Today HVACR companies need to "stack the
odds in their favor" to be successful. They will
need to "arm" themselves with the best "weapons
and tools" available, including continuing
education, information, experienced personnel, a
workable plan, state of the art diagnostic
equipment, and a commitment to grow and change
as the industry demands it.
"Practice and Approach Techniques"
utilized in HVACR technical troubleshooting
separate a "technician" from a "parts changer".
Feel free to contact us about our "Practice and
Approach Techniques" taught in college HVACR
troubleshooting classes. To be the best you will
need to continually learn and work hard at
practicing the trade in hopes of someday
mastering the area you have chosen.
*** All
information contained on this page is the view
and opinion of the business owner ***
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