← How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights
How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights
HVAC Career - A job in high demand, that’s AI proof (for now)
00:23:25
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- [00:03]
A
I had to have a training on how to survive attics, because if it's 100 degrees out, that attic could be 160 degrees. You go up there and you just start pouring sweat. Plus, your brain goes into, like, survival mode or shuts off.
- [00:20]
B
Hi, welcome back to How Much Can I Make? I'm your host, Miravozeri. Picture this. In the middle of the summer, the heat is relentless. And of course, that's when my AC decides to quit. Total meltdown. So I call for service, and in walks Carl fergustorm. Not only did he get my system working again, but the way he solved the problem was so smart and creative that I thought, okay, this guy's gotta be on my podcast. So today we're diving into what it's really like to be an H Vac pro with Karl himself. Carl, thank you so much for doing it.
- [00:57]
A
Happy to be here. Thank you.
- [00:58]
B
So let's start with. Did you always know you want to get into H Vac?
- [01:03]
A
No, I really didn't. Actually. The reason why I got into a track was because I didn't get into the aviation program.
- [01:11]
B
What do you mean?
- [01:12]
A
Yeah, I wanted to be a pilot, but I signed up too late, so the class was already full. I was like, well, my mom really was pushing for me to go to the BOCES Vo Tech program because, I don't know, she probably saw something in me that I'm probably better. Better off working with my hands.
- [01:29]
B
What's bosses? The trade school.
- [01:31]
A
Yeah, the trade school in high school.
- [01:33]
B
I want to know all about the trade school. It's really, really hot topic right now.
- [01:38]
A
Yeah.
- [01:38]
B
Would you recommend for people to go to trade school?
- [01:41]
A
Absolutely. A lot of those jobs are hard to replace. You, especially with all the AI stuff going on right now. They're not coming for our jobs, that's for sure.
- [01:52]
B
How did you decide on studying H Vac?
- [01:55]
A
My cousin was already in the program. He was a grade above me. So I was like, oh, cool, I'll go hang out with my cousin and get to learn about air conditioners. I was like, I had no idea if this was ever going to be what I really wanted to do. But then, you know, they pull out blowtorches and you're, like, bending metal and doing all this stuff that I was like, I'm in school right now and I'm getting to play with a blowtorch. You've. You've got my attention now. And it was also cool because you're opened up to other schools.
- [02:27]
B
What do you mean?
- [02:28]
A
And all the neighboring schools. All Go to the same class so you get to meet new people.
- [02:33]
B
How many years was the program?
- [02:35]
A
Two years. I did it both years. I took the afternoon class. So I would spend each morning at school doing normal high school stuff. And then you would go to lunch and then you would get on a bus and go over to Port Ewan and get to learn about H Vac. And it was cool. You also, like once a week they would let you, for a doll, get your haircut by the Cosmo Girls. I was getting some of the best haircuts of my life at the time.
- [03:02]
B
That was part of the trade school.
- [03:03]
A
Yeah, yeah. So that they could work on actual clients. It was good for them too, to get that experience.
- [03:10]
B
Absolutely. I didn't know. That's very smart.
- [03:12]
A
Yeah, it was really cool.
- [03:13]
B
So when you enrolled, did you know you're going to go to H Vac or you thought about something else?
- [03:18]
A
Well, I mean, the other options were like nursing or culinary, and I don't resonate with that very much. So I didn't want to work on cars because I know my uncle did it and it didn't look like the lifestyle that I would have wanted. And the H Vac guy just seemed pretty laid back and chill. And I'm pretty sure he was the one who told me he's like, the smarter you are, the less work you'll have to do. And I thought I was pretty smart. And I was like, but if I stay with this, I would love to not be doing back breaking work for the rest of my life because I got other interests and stuff that I want to do and I want to.
- [03:53]
B
Right, you're a musician.
- [03:55]
A
I know my body. Yes. I love playing music. That's a. That's been a big part of my life for the past decade.
- [04:01]
B
Why did you choose trade school versus college?
- [04:04]
A
Oh, I actually went to college also for H Vac. Hudson Valley Community College was rated the number one H Vac school at the time. Plus, at that point, I was like pretty invested in H Vac. Like I had started buying my own tools. They're telling me, hey, everybody everywhere wants to be hotter or colder. I was like, oh, I could take this and go anywhere. So that was very appealing to me.
- [04:28]
B
How did you get your first job out of school?
- [04:30]
A
So out of college, my number one priority was place to live. So I had heard from a friend of a friend that if I got a job working at this establishment nearby that they have housing, this certain job there would have your best chance of getting a dorm room on their Property. But that's what I did. Did. So I started washing dishes with the idea that, okay, they have a maintenance department on staff here. I'm just going to start, like, trying to rub elbows with those guys, let them know, like, hey, I'm your guy. Like, I've been going to school for H vac for like 4 years. I don't really have the work experience at all, but I have book smarts for right now. And I was pretty much poo pooed away. Like, we don't think you're gonna handle what we have to deal with here. And long story short, they were so R. I did eventually land into their maintenance department where I did start to talk to their H Vac guy on site. And I was, you know, able to ask him more involved questions. And every now and then they would be like, oh, you're going to be our guy to go help him out. If I was by myself, I would have not had a clue of what I was doing. Yeah, this was industrial state. Like, you have residential, which is homes, commercial, which is larger buildings, then these would be considered industrial size.
- [05:57]
B
You were not trained for that in school.
- [05:59]
A
I have the certification. But when you're looking at it and it's right in your face and you have 16 compressors for one unit, it's massive. And it's pumping glycol instead of refrigerant for every room and all of the other rooms connected to it. It was very daunting. How I really got out of there was really funny. I was the only one trusted with the company vehicle at the off property because our parts guy was on vacation and they were like, carl, run down to New Paltz and go buy this from Yawn Supply. But while I was there, this guy came in and everybody behind the desk was like, oh, hey, hey. So good to see you. And he was just like the man. He was a local owner for a company.
- [06:50]
B
Okay.
- [06:50]
A
And it was so funny. He's like talking to the other guy while I'm talking to the woman over here, and he's like, way too loud. If you hear of any young guys trying to get their feet wet in the H business, have them take my card. And I just like, look over at him. I was like, let me get one of those.
- [07:06]
B
And so you ended up with him.
- [07:08]
A
I did. Watching and learning was very important. And doing it wrong a few times will definitely teach you the most. I have learned the hard way so many times. It's. It's important though, for this field because you will learn from your Mistakes. And you learn not to ever do that again.
- [07:29]
B
Right. Do you feel that the school prepared you well for the market?
- [07:33]
A
Yeah, definitely more than if I didn't. For sure. They taught me a lot and even like life's life. Things to apply to this one. Mr. Smith, I'm sorry, if you're listening, I. I didn't listen to you. When it came to the music stuff, he was always like, there's. There's always going to be time to play music later. Guys, look at me. I'm 45. I still play with my band, but do the H Vac stuff first. Get all of that done. That way you get to this level where you won't need other people to help you and then go be a musician. It'll be there for you. And I was like, cool idea, but these guys asked me to be in their band and I think I'm gonna do it.
- [08:19]
B
So now you work with a team, A company that I used a lot and you repaired brilliantly. A few things for me. Do you like being at Ateam?
- [08:27]
A
Ever since I got here, my level of expertise has skyrocketed.
- [08:33]
B
Why do you think that is?
- [08:34]
A
I think it's because of being forced to adapt with all of the different kinds of things that I am seeing.
- [08:42]
B
You changed water heaters for me. Things that are not H Vac. So did they teach you plumbing also in school?
- [08:48]
A
So. So that's why they. They call H Vac the king of the trades. Because to know H Vac entirely, you do have to be an electrician, you do have to be a plumber. And yeah, you have to know all the H Vac and probably a little bit of carpentry every now and then, especially when it comes to measuring and, you know, measure twice, cut once. That would. That definitely applies to us as well.
- [09:13]
B
How did the industry change since you started to.
- [09:17]
A
Now everything has a control board in it nowadays. And they're really pushing, especially in our state, to get away from fossil fuels. So that means only electric units. They're, I think, even saying that you can't install, like oil units anymore, really on new construction, I believe, is the stipulation there. Yeah, it's. It's tough because gas and oil, when they have something that's wrong with them, they're pretty easy at letting you know what it is because there's the sequence of operation.
- [09:49]
B
Okay.
- [09:50]
A
With the electrical stuff and more of the control board stuff coming out. I just would need probably a little more training on the intricacies of what's going on with the control boards, Some of them have three control boards in them now. A lot of the time, I do end up resorting to calling tech support, which truthfully, your phone is your number one tool.
- [10:15]
B
Talking about tools, do you have to get new tools? As new things come up?
- [10:19]
A
All the time. All the time. And they are not cheap. A lot of people do not realize this. I do this fun thing sometimes. I'm like, how much do you think this tool is? It's a Schrader core removal tool. Its only job is to pull out this tiny little thing right here. They're like, I don't know, 20 bucks. $110 for this little piece of brass.
- [10:39]
B
Do you have to buy your tools.
- [10:40]
A
Or the comb, all your hand tools, your refrigeration gauges, and then the boss will supply some of the more extravagant tools. Like if you get propresses. Those pro press tools are like $4,000 sometimes. A lot of people do not realize how much money we have to invest in ourselves for this job. They obviously see the end product. They're like, you were here for half an hour. Why am I spending dol. I'm like, unfortunately, just be happy that it only took you 30 minutes to get your air conditioning back. I'm sorry it costs so much, but.
- [11:14]
B
But so your tools are your tools. If you move to either another job or start your own business. By the way, are you dreaming of starting your own business?
- [11:22]
A
I like where I am right now because every now and then, I'll do stuff on my own for my friends or their families. That's good enough for me right now.
- [11:33]
B
It's like a side hustle.
- [11:35]
A
Exactly. It's nice when you see, just like all that money goes right to no anything in between. But I know that the, the. The jobs are so few and far between for me. I'm focusing more on music and stuff like that right now because it's so much fun.
- [11:50]
B
What's your favorite thing to repair or the job that they will send you on?
- [11:54]
A
Personally love working on air conditioning because one, it's usually the cleaner of all of the things in the track. Like, I'm not crawling around or getting soot or anything like that on me. Plus, I got this nice red button up that I like to keep clean I doing laundry. So H vac AC repairs are usually my favorite.
- [12:17]
B
What's the toughest part of your job?
- [12:19]
A
Crawling around in attics and crawl spaces. You know, winter, when somebody's furnace is underneath their house, it's freezing cold, wet. Plus the spider webs like Nobody goes and hangs out down there. And then attics. Like I had to have a training on how to survive attics because most people don't have, you know, the attic fans or if they do, they're probably, probably broken. You know, if it's 100 degrees out, that attic could be 160 degrees. You go up there and you just start pouring sweat, which is another issue because if you're all wet, you're conductive, even extra. And you know, I'm like touching electrical components, like trying to not sweat on things and get them wet. Plus your brain just is. Goes into like survival mode or shuts off. I've had to evacuate and go outside and just like if the customer, customer comes out, it's like, hey, the option is I stay up there and possibly have heat stroke or I have to spend a couple minutes going down. I think the rule is like, you're only allowed to spend five to ten minutes up there. If it's that hot before they want you to get out, get a drink. Yeah. And you know, if the attic's 120 degrees, like they're like no more than 30 minutes and.
- [13:36]
B
Wow.
- [13:36]
A
I know.
- [13:37]
B
So the physical challenge is the big, is the big challenge.
- [13:40]
A
Yeah.
- [13:40]
B
What about the reward?
- [13:42]
A
The reward? Seeing a customer that was like, I love you. You.
- [13:47]
B
Me.
- [13:49]
A
Exactly. You brought me my heat or my air conditioning. Like, I. That's the best part for me. The worst part is probably telling them how much it's about to cost or I already already got that out of the way. But they're still usually like, oh man.
- [14:03]
B
Yeah, I did tell you I love you. I love you because I know. So what tips can you give us to avoid those charges?
- [14:11]
A
Check your air filters. Clean your air filters.
- [14:13]
B
That is really important.
- [14:15]
A
It's, it's literally the first line of defense for your H vac system. If you do nothing, at least do that really dirt. 90 of my problems. Just keeping the things clean is how you get those 18, 20 year old systems and they still work like, like they're less than five years old. That's why we're huge on selling like indoor air quality and like the, the upgraded filters. Because the better the filter, the better your unit. And you know, if you use like cheaper filters, there's nothing really wrong with that. But whatever gets by. I mean, that's getting thrown away, thrown into your airspace, which means your lungs are now your filters.
- [14:53]
B
Oh.
- [14:54]
A
Like that's how it works. If you're not pulling the dirt and dust and pollen and debris and allergens get stuck on the filter, they get by. They get on your blower wheel and then they just get thrown into your space. That's also why we like the UV lights that we install. You know, it kills for.
- [15:11]
B
For water system.
- [15:12]
A
We make them for air too.
- [15:14]
B
Oh really?
- [15:15]
A
Yeah.
- [15:15]
B
Why do you need it for air conditioner?
- [15:17]
A
Well, it kills and neutralizes all the bacterias. I have a whole list of the things. It's like tuberculosis, staph, mrsa, airborne pathogens. If you have allergies like this is the. The move. Indoor air quality is like becoming more and more on people's mind. Especially after those fires happened in Canada. That's what really sparked a lot of could see like orange in the sky.
- [15:46]
B
I thought you were gonna say bit because in cooperation like I worked at CBS News and all the windows were closed and the air conditioner was working and I was sick every year. Twice, three times.
- [15:56]
A
Yeah, that's indoor air quality. When I was working at the other establishment, it was during COVID and it was elderly facility slash hospital and like retirement home. I was changing filters every month instead of the recomm six months. Because we just wanted to make sure that we were doing more to protect them at the time. And you know, setting up Covid wings. I had to install louvers that would shut off the air from the other side of the building so it didn't get traveling through the air to the other rooms that they were in. And after I did that, they did say they noticed like a significant decrease in the spreading that.
- [16:41]
B
Wow.
- [16:41]
A
Yeah. Yeah.
- [16:43]
B
When somebody starts in H Vac, what can they look for as far as money? What. What is the potential earning?
- [16:49]
A
I think a lot of people say they're green. Being green is. They don't know nothing. Maybe they. Maybe they went to school in boces. We would still consider them green between 18 and 22. I would say a lot of start. That was the appeal for me when I was in Boces. But the room for growth, growth if you apply yourself is astronomical. Really?
- [17:13]
B
Tell me about it.
- [17:14]
A
Well, I. I took a $4 an hour pay decrease to come work for a team because I knew I was gonna show this guy what I could do. And within three months I was making what, $4 more an hour then So I almost increased, you know, $10 an hour in three months.
- [17:36]
B
Wow.
- [17:36]
A
But I am different. I am Carl. Five Star Carl.
- [17:40]
B
You are Five Star Carl.
- [17:42]
A
I know myself very well and I was taught a lot of really good things that helped me. Plus from my prior experience.
- [17:49]
B
Are those the H vac jobs are in demand.
- [17:52]
A
Oh so, so very much. Yeah, I think we could stand to hire three people right now for our job right now. You know we would love another like 2 year tech or another install person. Right now we are getting backed a little bit.
- [18:09]
B
I know technology got into your field too and everything has wi fi. Do you repair that also as well?
- [18:15]
A
Yeah, I hate that because I personally, I don't use wi fi for any of mine at my, in my life. I usually try to recommend that to people, just save them a couple hundred bucks. Try to figure it out on your own with your phone because that's all I'm going to do and I'm not even lying. Like I've, I've done that like seven times now where all I did was look it up on my phone and followed the instructions and if it comes to it and call their tech support. Like they have thermostats that play music now and I just don't understand why. I'm like if you have money for a thermostat that can play music, I'm pretty sure you got money for a sound system that can just be left away from all of that.
- [18:59]
B
I know. Now what about AI? Do you use that on your job?
- [19:03]
A
Yeah, yeah. There are actually a couple of programs that do have AI that we use. Whether it's even just standard Google answers. We also use a Blueon which is a app that is made for technicians and it has like I'll type in air conditioner coil frozen and it'll just top seven reasons why your AC is frozen.
- [19:26]
B
Do you have any kind of funny story about the customer that you've been to?
- [19:31]
A
Oh yeah, sure. I've got some good ones. Oh, my man Ray, you know, it's like February, it is cold. He calls. Hey Carl, man, you're my man. I got no heat down here. The thing's smoking like a mother. I was on call that night cuz. It was, it was. Oh, I'm on call right now.
- [19:54]
B
So you on call that you have somebody on call or every day?
- [19:58]
A
Yeah, yeah, it's important to have that. That's we're a 24 hour service, you.
- [20:02]
B
Know, you never know.
- [20:04]
A
Break.
- [20:04]
B
I know. And actually the boss, I just want to say has a segment with us about plumbing. He started as a plumber, but he's highly knowledgeable about everything.
- [20:13]
A
He's insanely smart and it's, it's great to have somebody like that as your boss. I've seen so many different companies where it's just like A bro who just thought he could buy an H VAC company and offers nothing.
- [20:29]
B
What's the hardest job you ever did?
- [20:31]
A
The hardest was probably the same one when.
- [20:35]
B
Right, yeah.
- [20:36]
A
Yeah, right. I mean, I turned his. His oil boiler on for a second just to see what was going on. Instantly filled his basement with black, deep smoke.
- [20:49]
B
Were you freaked out?
- [20:50]
A
Absolutely. I was very scared. And I tried for, I think, three hours, trying everything. I was like, all right, I got to open this thing completely. And that's when I found that his heat exchanger was leaking water into the chamber.
- [21:09]
B
Is that dangerous?
- [21:10]
A
Very.
- [21:10]
B
Wow.
- [21:11]
A
Yeah. Carbon monoxide is a very real danger. That's why we offer carbon monoxide testing for our A team Comfort club members because of how important it is to catch that carbon monoxide is.
- [21:25]
B
A couple have you run into a situation where there was.
- [21:28]
A
When I lived at that one place, I got security. I was like, yeah. They're like, hey, does it smell like carbon monoxide in here? They woke me up from a nap, and I was, like, rubbing my eyes like. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorous gas and can only be detected by a carbon monoxide detector. And they're like, oh, then you need to get out. And that's when I realized why they called my room the raccoon room. Well, the raccoon family had died underneath.
- [21:53]
B
My room because of carbon.
- [21:55]
A
That's my hypothesis. Yeah. Yeah.
- [21:59]
B
Where do you see the H vac industry going in the next five to 10 years?
- [22:04]
A
It seems like it's definitely moving towards more electric, trick driven. They're trying to get away from the fossil fuels. It really seems like digital everything, touch screen everything, WI FI enabled, everything.
- [22:16]
B
So that is just more prone for failure.
- [22:20]
A
Correct. You're putting control boards and everything. Your thermostat has a control board in it now.
- [22:26]
B
Do you love your job?
- [22:27]
A
I do. I do. It's definitely not without its challenges, bad days, or anything like that, but at the end of the day, I do love it. Seeing the customers happy is definitely a huge bonus us.
- [22:38]
B
It's very cool. All right. And on that note, thank you so much for participating and giving me your time. You could have fixed another air conditioner for somebody for a lot for, like, 20 minutes.
- [22:48]
A
I think they'll be fine.
- [22:49]
B
Okay, well, that was very interesting. I learned about H Vac, and then.
- [22:54]
A
I'll see you for your fall annual service where we'll change everything, get your filters changed, clean up your coils.
- [23:01]
B
Oh, yeah, yeah. Okay. All right.
- [23:03]
A
Don't forget.
- [23:04]
B
Probably. Okay. That's a wrap for today. Big thanks to Carl for saving my summer and stopping by to share his H Vac story. If you like the show, please hit the follow button. And until next time, stay warm or cool. Depends where you are.