some opinions from the HVAC guys?

spddrcr

spddrcr

NEED DECALS? PM ME!!!!
so It finally got cold enough to turn my heater on out in pittsburg only to find that the burners would not fire. after doing very little research on the model furnace i have (early 80's BDP) I was able to find the schematic for my model and trace the problems to the pilot system / igniter unit.
I had a nice pilot light before i started working on the furnace, but the burners would never ignite, leading me to believe the switch in the pilot was not functioning correctly. I knew the fan was good because if turned to auto it would blow just fine.

I removed the pilot/igniter and carefully cleaned the the bi metal switch as well as the nozzle that goes from the gas line to the pilot switch. put it all back together and now i have heat again.
so 2 questions for you guys, I know that it is only a matter of time before the switch goes out for good, where would be a good place to purchase a new one?

The second question is a little more broad. I have fixed many problem furnace/AC units for friends and family, am mechanically inclined and enjoy working on things. So how exactly would i get into the HVAC industry? where do you go to school to get licensed and is it worth doing at this point?
 
CockyRooster

CockyRooster

Grab the Transmogrifier!
The easiest way to order appliance parts is to google the model number in with a part description and then go with whatever website that pops up looks the most legit. You can try an appliance parts warehouse, but the range of appliances is so wide and different that it can be more trouble dealing with a middleman. With that said: most appliance use pretty generic and universal parts, so often times you find find a suitable replacement off of the shelf of the big box stores.

HVAC has the highest margins of any trade in construction followed by plumbing, so there is money in it. You will need to find a position as an apprentice and crawl through attic spaces and under floors for a few years though. After that if the journeyman isn't a total dick he will show you a few tricks of the trade. There are also some HVAC trade schools as well.
 
mercurial

mercurial

Well-known member
HVAC has the highest margin because alot of the experts are fucking scammers, that try to trick people into paying $1000 to get their fan motor cleaned. I'd like to get my upstairs ducts tested for leaks but I've been so put off by HVAC company bullshit, that I'm ignoring it for now.
 
Bay Arean

Bay Arean

Well-known member
mercurial said:
HVAC has the highest margin because alot of the experts are fucking scammers, that try to trick people into paying $1000 to get their fan motor cleaned. I'd like to get my upstairs ducts tested for leaks but I've been so put off by HVAC company bullshit, that I'm ignoring it for now.
Click to expand...

They're in the business of making people think they need to replace entire heating systems with their match trick. And CO2 donchaknow.

It's too bad, but I have a low opinion of them too, but it was earned by watching them try and scam people. I don't believe anything they say.

And duct-cleaning services. Oy.
 
C

Cereal KLR

Well-known member
Local 39 is International Union of Operating Engineers that covers a lot more than HVAC.

Next test notice is in April 2014.

http://www.local39training.org/content/apprenticeship/about-apprenticeship/


There is a refrigeration supplies company named RSD that has several shops around the area that have free or low cost seminars with training (and sometimes pizza ). It might be worth a call to see if you can attend one and ask some questions about a position with a shop.
 
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mean dad

mean dad

Well-known member
From what I saw on union sites, tin knockers make bank, retire early, and don't work hard. This was new hospital construction, might be different in other areas.
 
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