Podcast Summary: HVAC Career – A Job in High Demand, That’s AI Proof (for now)

Podcast: How Much Can I Make? - Career Insights For Your Job Search
Host: Mirav Ozeri
Guest: Carl Fergustorm, HVAC Technician
Date: October 21, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode explores the real-world day-to-day of working as an HVAC technician—a skilled trade frequently overlooked, yet currently in high demand and largely unaffected by AI disruption. Host Mirav Ozeri interviews Carl Fergustorm, whose hands-on approach and practical insight demystify the path into HVAC and highlight its financial and personal rewards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Entering the HVAC Field

• Unexpected Beginnings (01:02)
  • Carl didn't initially plan on HVAC; his interest began when he missed out on an aviation program and his mother steered him toward trade school (BOCES Vo Tech).
  • Quote:

    "My mom really was pushing for me to go to the BOCES Vo Tech program because... she probably saw something in me that I'm probably better off working with my hands." — Carl, [01:16]

• Trade School Experience (01:54)
  • Carl was drawn in by the hands-on activities at trade school (blowtorches, metal work) and the social aspect of meeting students from other schools.

2. Choosing Trade School vs. College

• Carl attended both trade school (high school BOCES) and college (Hudson Valley Community College, renowned for HVAC).
• Quote:

  "At that point, I was pretty invested in HVAC... They're telling me, hey, everybody everywhere wants to be hotter or colder. I was like, oh, I could take this and go anywhere." — Carl, [04:13]

3. Landing the First Job

• Carl’s initial job search was motivated by finding a place to live. He started in an unrelated position, then networked his way into a maintenance department, learning on the job about industrial HVAC (huge systems, high complexity).
• Networking opportunity: Carl met his current boss purely by chance while picking up parts—a vivid example of how contacts can shape a career.

4. Learning on the Job

• School provided valuable basics, but Carl emphasizes that HVAC requires learning by doing—and learning from mistakes.
• Quote:

  "Doing it wrong a few times will definitely teach you the most. I have learned the hard way so many times... You will learn from your mistakes." — Carl, [07:07]

5. The Scope of HVAC Work

• HVAC is “the king of the trades," requiring skills across plumbing, electrical, and carpentry, not just HVAC systems.
• Quote:

  "To know HVAC entirely, you do have to be an electrician, you do have to be a plumber. And yeah, you have to know all the HVAC and probably a little bit of carpentry every now and then." — Carl, [08:47]

6. Industry Changes & Technology

• The rapid shift to electric and digital systems is increasing complexity (more control boards; pressure to move off fossil fuels).
• Carl sees constant need for updated training due to evolving tech, such as multi-board systems and WiFi-enabled units.
• Quote:

  "Now everything has a control board in it nowadays... Some of them have three control boards in them now." — Carl, [09:16]

7. Tools & Investment

• Constant need to buy specialized, expensive tools (sometimes totaling thousands of dollars), many of which technicians must buy themselves.
• Quote:

  "A Schrader core removal tool. Its only job is to pull out this tiny little thing right here... $110 for this little piece of brass." — Carl, [10:19]

8. Career Flexibility, Side Hustles, & Growth

• Carl favors working in a team environment but occasionally does side jobs for friends and family.
• Income potential increases sharply with experience; Carl shares how he improved his hourly wage by $10 in three months through demonstrated skill.
• Quote:

  "The room for growth, if you apply yourself, is astronomical. Really." — Carl, [17:13]

9. Job Challenges

• Physical hardship: Extreme temperatures in attics and crawl spaces, danger of heat stroke, and awkward/dangerous work conditions.
• Quote:

  "I had to have a training on how to survive attics, because if it's 100 degrees out, that attic could be 160 degrees... Your brain just is—goes into survival mode or shuts off." — Carl, [00:03], [12:18]

10. Job Rewards

• Biggest reward is client satisfaction and gratitude—“You brought me my heat or my air conditioning.”
• Challenges: Sometimes having to break the (pricey) news to clients about repair costs.
• Quote:

  "The reward? Seeing a customer that was like, 'I love you. You brought me my heat or my air conditioning.'" — Carl, [13:41]

11. Practical Advice for Homeowners

• Consistently check and change air filters; this is the simplest way to prevent breakdowns and prolong system life.
• The quality of air in homes/buildings is a growing concern; Carl recommends upgraded filters and UV lights, especially post-pandemic and post-wildfire.

12. Money & Job Outlook

• Entry-level (“green”) jobs pay roughly $18-22/hour, but rapid advancement is possible for hardworking, motivated techs.
• Demand is high—good HVAC techs are “always in need."
• Quote:

  "Are those the HVAC jobs are in demand? Oh so, so very much. Yeah, I think we could stand to hire three people right now for our job." — Carl, [17:51]

13. Technology, WiFi, and AI

• Many systems have WiFi and “smart” features—with mixed customer reception. Carl is skeptical about some high-tech add-ons.
• Some limited use of AI and troubleshooting apps (e.g., Blueon app) makes diagnosis faster.
• Quote:

  "We also use Blueon which is a app that is made for technicians... it'll just [give you the] top seven reasons why your AC is frozen." — Carl, [19:03]

14. Safety Concerns

• Carbon monoxide is a major risk in HVAC, especially with outdated or malfunctioning systems. Carl stresses the importance of regular testing and maintenance.

15. Industry Future

• In the next 5-10 years, expect more digitization, increased electrification, and ongoing opportunities as systems become both more complex and prone to technical problems.
• Quote:

  "It seems like [the HVAC industry is] definitely moving towards more electric, digital everything, touch screen everything, WI FI enabled, everything." — Carl, [22:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Surviving Attic Heat:

  "If it's 100 degrees out, that attic could be 160 degrees. You go up there... your brain goes into, like, survival mode or shuts off." — Carl, [00:03]

• Career Growth Potential:

  "I took a $4 an hour pay decrease to come work for a team... within three months I was making what, $4 more an hour then. So I almost increased, you know, $10 an hour in three months." — Carl, [17:14]

• On Trade School’s Future-Proofing:

  "A lot of those jobs are hard to replace... especially with all the AI stuff going on right now. They're not coming for our jobs, that's for sure." — Carl, [01:40]

• Advice to Homeowners:

  "Check your air filters. Clean your air filters... it's literally the first line of defense for your HVAC system." — Carl, [14:11]

• Handling High-Tech Add-ons:

  "They have thermostats that play music now and I just don't understand why." — Carl, [18:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 0:00–01:40 — Carl’s origins: from missed aviation to trade school
• 04:30–07:07 — Landing first job and early career challenges
• 07:29–09:13 — Breadth of HVAC knowledge and training
• 09:16–11:14 — Industry evolution: electrification, digitalization, and tool costs
• 12:16–13:39 — Most difficult aspects: attic and crawl space work
• 13:41–14:53 — Rewards of the job and client appreciation
• 14:11–15:14 — Tips for extending system life (filters, indoor air quality)
• 16:42–17:51 — Earning potential and career ladder
• 18:08–19:03 — Technology, WiFi, and beginning uses of AI
• 21:08–22:19 — Safety: carbon monoxide and life-threatening experiences
• 22:03–22:25 — Future outlook: electrification, digital controls everywhere

Tone & Takeaways

The episode maintains a conversational, warm, and practical tone—peppered with personal anecdotes, technical realities, and a humorous perspective on the tough yet rewarding path of a modern HVAC pro. Carl's advice and insights shed light on why skilled trades like HVAC remain stable, in-demand careers in today's tech-heavy world.

For anyone considering a practical, stable, and growth-oriented profession—especially one that’s “AI-proof for now”—this episode serves as an engaging, informative listen.