Everyone knows about the unethical practices of PE firms buying up family businesses. Would it be possible for the workers to unionize and demand fair treatment not only of workers but of customers as well

Has anyone been to this class? If so, what was your experience? It’s $2300 so I would hope it must be pretty good.

" I like Carrier and Rheem"

"Rheem is a yassified Carrier"

"Lennox is literally a minifridge, cant convince me thats a furnace"

"York looks like it bites"

"Goodman looks Jolly, safe, and reliable, like santa"

"Trane scares me"

"Trane is terrifying"

"Trane looks like it would call me a slur"

VRF leak checks made easy.

I guess at least it's symmetrical:

In a bad spot, customer has no heat and no cooling due to this failed motor, carrier and all ICP suppliers around me are saying that the motor is on indefinite back order… has anyone installed a 6 ton squirrel cage blower assembly in place of the ecoblue?

I hope any other guys who work on Daikin VRVs have better luck than I have had this week. A 5 head VRV system (Less than 3 months old) with all 4 way cassettes (FXFA36) has decided that the A1P (Controls Board) needed to die in 2 heads (Yes I did replace the A2L sensors first and the A0-17 stayed).... Guess my lead times.... Daikin Applied doesn't even have a part number for that board and my other vendor is showing a MINIMUM 100 day lead time from the factory. So as of this moment I'm praying Daikin approved warranty the whole head just so I can rob the boards out of them.... Better start praying to Krom, Zeus, Odin, Ra, or whoever you believe in yours don't just crap the bed.

How often do you all check your gear? Nothing is worse than being out in the field and waisting time searching for issues that a bad hose o ring or bad micron gauge has caused.
Any tips or tricks you all use to make sure your equipment is in top working order?

Was sent to a univent today basically a fan powered heating coil wall mount, maintenance man claimed blower motor was hot and shutoff wanted it replaced, customer supplied parts. Motors wiring diagram confused me so I just ohmed the connections found primary winding and put cap wire on the other lug it ran backwards so I swapped the primaries around. 120v 1/4hp 1ph got it running but I want to understand what the schematic was saying

tldr : whats with these schematics and how to know how to wire it correctly old one was mcquay

Specifically looking for advice from union guys but all feedback, questions, and roasts are welcome.

TL;DR I’m going through a career identity crisis and would like feedback on where my expectations should be. I'm looking into organizing into a union and how that'll go because despite 9 years of experience I have decent gaps in knowledge

Hey fellas, I first started doing HVAC when I joined the USAF in 2017. I was active duty but I stayed at the same base all nine years so I got really good at that installation's equipment. I did go to the Middle East twice to do HVAC, and once to manage the preventative maintenance program for that base.

In general: I'm good at electrically troubleshooting and following a schematic. I know hydronics and can maintain/replace pumps, seals, gaskets, motors, etc. Same with fan motors, blades, and belts. I've installed a couple large expansion tanks

For cooling: I have A LOT of experience on maintenance and repair of FCUs, chillers, DX w/ AHUs, traditional "residential" splits, and geothermal heat pumps. I know the refrigeration cycle and roughly what state refrigerant should be at different points. I know how to measure subcool and superheat. I know how to charge via weight, subcool, (beer can feel lol) etc. One of those trips to the middle east I was installing 1-2 Carrier 410A mini splits every day for almost 9 months. My solder and brazing is solid on 3/4" and gets questionable the larger it gets. I know all the hand tools and techniques for most common jobs.

For heating: I know the basic fundamentals, but I've never even used a flue analyzer or manometer outside of training. I know the basic sequence of operation of purge, gas, ignition, flame sensor, blower, satisfied/post purge.

Where I don't have a lot of experience/knowledge is: (intermediate) heating because where I was stationed we contracted most of it out. I also don’t have any experience with cooling towers or VRF. My controls knowledge is limited to looking at the BAS's telemetry and the inputs/outputs. I've also bound sensors on Trane CGAM chillers and a couple on Carrier and York.

I got out in August 2026 and convinced myself that I wanted to do apartment maintenance because I was sent to work with the dorm management and I was on the admin side but would still do minor stuff before we sent it to the shops. I was wrong lol. Now I'm 2 months in to this job and even though I'm maxing out the pay range for my position ($35.50) it's not enough for where we live and our long term goals. I also HATE going into roach infested apartments EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I follow pest control on the day he comes and I can't do this every week for the foreseeable next few years.

I'm looking into the union near me and organizing in. I'm sure I'll do well if they give me a written test because I'm good at recall, facts, and test taking. I'm a little worried if they give me a practical test involving heating, but I'm not hopeless.

All this to ask: IF I get a chance to join a union, where do you guys think I'd place with what I know. 3rd-4th year apprentice? Journeyman? Thank you in advance!

TL;DR I’m going through a career identity crisis and would like feedback on where my expectations should be. I'm looking into organizing into a union and how that'll go because despite 9 years of experience I have decent gaps in knowledge