by christheacman | Feb 13, 2022 | HVAC Classes, HVAC Technician
When it’s time to perform maintenance on your HVAC system, it can be tempting to look at residential unit solutions; they’re often less expensive and more simple to perform.
However, this could be a drastic mistake. If this maintenance is under-performed, you could end up paying more money in the long run, while also feeling the heat of frustration. That’s why it’s important to understand the differences between both of these systems.
Residential and commercial HVAC systems both ultimately serve the same purpose: to control the temperature of the environment they’re in. However, they also have many key differences.
For instance, they require different levels of power to operate. They also have varying levels of size, location, complexity, drainage, and more. We invite you to read further to compare these systems, and how they uniquely function in their respective settings.
Location
Residential HVAC systems are commonly located on the side of a house, or in the backyard. This makes them easy to access by a technician while also staying out of sight for aesthetic reasons.
Commercial HVAC systems, on the other hand, are typically located on the roof of their building. This is to accommodate their larger size, prevent noise disturbances, minimize any tampering with the unit, and provide technicians with a safe and non-obtrusive location to perform maintenance on the system.
Size & Complexity
Commercial HVAC systems are notably larger than residential systems. This is because they are expected to maintain the temperature of a much larger area than residential units are.
They’re also more complex than residential systems! In a large commercial building, you may want to have control over partitioned areas of the building. This requires more complex design and functionality, and will certainly require a more elaborate draining system than most residential units would need.
Maintenance Requirements & Cost
A more complex system requires a deeper knowledge of unit maintenance. In many cases, home HVAC systems can be maintained by the homeowner, or via a quick visit by a technician.
This is not the case for commercial systems. For these systems, it is necessary to hire an experienced technician who is familiar with a unit’s functionality and build in order to provide proper care. This means, of course, that the cost of maintaining a commercial HVAC system will be much higher.
Mechanism
The mechanism of a commercial HVAC system can vary depending on the structure of the building it’s meant to serve. These units are often given a modular design, whereas residential systems typically exist as a standalone unit that’s split between the inside and outside of a home.
Because a commercial system has a modular design housed in a single unit, the different components can be easily found and tended to in one place. This is also a more conducive design for expanding or modifying the unit in some way, which a residential unit would not be capable of.
Drainage
Just about every part of a commercial HVAC system is larger than what you would find in a residential system, including the draining system. Because residential units are smaller, they usually only require one drain pan that’s located outside of the house.
A commercial system though, will require a much more intensive drainage system with multiple pipes and pans that ensure 100% evaporation, and reduce the chance that it might overflow.
At the End of the Day
Residential and commercial HVAC systems will both provide their respective settings with the temperature control that is expected of them, granted in very different levels of scope! So long as you’re happy and comfortable where you are, you can be rest assured that your unit is achieving the goal it sets out for.
Contact us to learn how you can find a qualified residential or commercial HVAC technician!
At the Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating in Houston, TX students have the opportunity to learn true-to-life skills that will immediately transfer into a career in air conditioning and heating! Are you interested in becoming a certified HVAC technician?
We offer flexible classes, financing options, and hands-on experience that’ll prepare you for work opportunities after graduation.
by christheacman | Jan 26, 2022 | HVAC Classes, Technical Career
If you’ve been thinking about trade school classes, you’re probably wondering what kind of HVAC skills you’ll attain as you reach graduation.
HVAC school will give you plenty of hands-on work experience to make sure you understand the technicalities inside and out. You’ll also receive the necessary knowledge through working with properly-trained instructors.
When you’ve completed the courses for your career in HVAC, you’ll be leaving with more than just a certification. You’ll be knowledgeable of your trade, understanding of safety and regulations, and possess the skills needed to work through challenging tasks. Plus, you’ll have the industry connections you need to hit the ground running.
If you attend a reputable HVAC school, you should be ready to start working the day you graduate. You’ll have everything you need to land that first job and start doing important, high-paying work in the field.
Knowledge of HVAC Systems
HVAC training will give you a solid foundation in a range of HVAC systems and operations. You’ll learn about installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for:
- air conditioning (evaporators, compressors, condensers, etc.)
- refrigeration tools, equipment, processes, and components
- heating and humidification systems
- duct systems
You’ll also study the building as a system—and how building design relates to things like humidity, heat, airflow, and energy conservation.
At this point, you’ll be able to recommend some simple measures to actually reduce energy waste and save money, for new builds and renovations. You’ll learn about some of the latest products and techniques in HVAC training.
Electricity Principles
Proper HVAC work requires a basic knowledge of electricity principles. In fact, even gas furnaces have circuit boards and motors that require electrical knowledge.
Not only is having knowledge about electricity important for the installation process but it also helps you make sure you are safe during any project.
Refrigerant Handling
To really understand how heating and AC systems operate, you’ll need a grasp of refrigeration concepts and best practices.
Like with electricity, this is a safety issue as much as it is a practical one. Many refrigerants used in air conditioners and refrigerators can be environmentally and personally harmful if handled incorrectly. HVAC school will teach you about the different types of refrigerants and the impact of ozone depletion and global warming, as well as overall safety for you on the job.
Additionally, you’ll learn about refrigeration cycles and how they impact the overall performance of cooling systems.
Motor Operations, Testing, & Wiring
So many different parts of HVAC systems depend on motorized components working together harmoniously. There are so many pieces to the puzzle, so at HVAC school you’ll learn how they work and how to fix them!
You’ll understand the basic concept of how they work, you’ll get hands-on experience installing and fixing them, you’ll learn how to test them, and you’ll see how they fit into the larger HVAC system as a whole.
Understanding Safety Standards
Most employers won’t allow a technician to work for them if they don’t possess a full understanding of safety in the workplace.
You’ll learn how to properly handle the tools you’ll be using, the right safety gear to wear for work, and how to identify potential hazards.
A reputable HVAC school like The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating will make sure that you have all the skills you need to get your certificate and be well-versed in safety so you can handle anything the job throws at you.
Problem-Solving Skills
The hands-on learning approach to HVAC classes is great for assessing problems and finding the solutions to them.
You’ll be able to understand the potential problems that you will come across in your HVAC career and how you can solve them with your new mechanical skills. You’ll gain communication skills that come from experience and learning from past mistakes.
Customer Service
In the world of HVAC, customer service is essential.
As an HVAC professional, you’ll deal with lots of new people, all the time. You’ll be serving them by making sure their HVAC system is able to keep them safe and comfortable, so it’s crucial that you communicate with them properly and treat them with the respect they deserve
Good HVAC training always includes a unit on customer relations. You’ll learn how to deal with complaints, build rapport, communicate professionally, and leave a spotless work area after service calls.
These are skills every employer will be looking for.
Start Your Training Today
If you’re a Texan looking for training that truly prepares you for a job in HVAC, The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help you rise to the occasion.
Our hands-on training style helps our students truly prepare to work in the HVAC industry. Here are just a few examples of things you’ll be working on at the Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating:
- Refrigeration Cycles
- Brazing, Flaring, & Swaging
- Motor Operations, Testing, & Wiring
- Electrical Controls & Testing
- Air Flow Testing
- Safety
- Customer Service
- & Much More!
Upon completion of our 10-week HVAC certificate course, you’ll be ready to start working hard and getting paid well.
You’ll be trained by industry expert Chris Walters, who has the technical mastery and industry connections to help you hit the ground running when you graduate.
Don’t wait, start training for a rewarding, high-paying career in HVAC! Gain the skills and confidence you need to start working and getting paid.
Take a look at our upcoming classes or contact us to learn how you can get started!
What HVAC skills do I need to be successful?
You’ll need to know how to problem solve and communicate effectively with your team and your customers. You’ll also need to know the mechanical skills.
by christheacman | Sep 6, 2021 | HVAC Career, HVAC Classes, HVAC Education, Technical Career
It’s back to school season for everyone from elementary school kids to seniors at your local university. Why aren’t you joining them?
You might be too old for elementary school and a four-year college might not have been the right fit for you, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity for you to continue to apply yourself and continue your education in an area that can be incredibly rewarding. If you are a person who is motivated, ready and willing to learn, and interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills to help you develop a rewarding career, now is the perfect time for you to go back to school too: start your HVAC career at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating.
The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating is Houston, Texas’ premier school for HVAC training and education. Chris Walters, our director and an instructor, teaches true-to-life skills that will enable graduates to find work in the HVAC industry. Every class mimics real-world experiences based on Walters’ extensive HVAC career and encourages active participation with each student.
Why here and why now? There truly has never been a better time to start your training for a career in the HVAC industry and there isn’t a better place in the world to start it. Here’s why it’s time to get back to school and start your HVAC career.
There is a need for skilled labor
For years there has been a lack of skilled labor available to fill the many opportunities available for many different trade careers, particularly HVAC. However, this labor shortage has only gotten worse and worse in the fallout of the global pandemic and economic decline. HVAC businesses are hiring and desperate for workers but no one is answering the call. Now is your opportunity!
The labor shortage is showing no sign of improving in the immediate future, so now is the time to take advantage and start your career. Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating classes only take 10 weeks and upon graduation you will have all the skills and certifications necessary to land your first job soon after graduation.
Learn on the best schedule for you
For most schools, back to school season only comes once a year. That isn’t the case here, making going back to school easier and more convenient than ever. The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating offers four classes throughout the year! Within each of these classes we also offer three different sessions in the morning, afternoon, and evening. No matter when “back to school” is for you, there will be a class just getting ready to start for you.
We understand that many of our students are working, have family to take care of, and other obligations outside the classroom. That is why we structured our class schedule in this way to provide multiple opportunities for our students to learn in the time and manner that best fits their lives.
Try for free
Not sure if a career in HVAC is right for you? The beauty of Chris Walters’ Method here at the Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating is that anyone who has a good work ethic and the desire to learn an important and valuable skill has what it takes to get started. No previous experience in HVAC is required to start your career.
Still unsure? We provide the opportunity to sit in on a class session for free! Sitting in on one of our classes gives you the chance to meet the instructors, see how the classes are structured, and to get a better idea of what our school and an HVAC career is all about, all for free. All sitting in on a free HVAC class is a few hours of your time, no obligation required!
If you’ve ever considered beginning your HVAC career, what is stopping you? Here at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer the training and education you will need to start your rewarding HVAC career right away. There is a need for labor, there are jobs available, all you need is the training.
Let us help you start the career you’ve always wanted. Contact us today to learn more or check out our upcoming training opportunities and start getting ready to go back to school!
by christheacman | Aug 19, 2021 | HVAC Career, HVAC Classes, HVAC Education, HVAC Services, HVAC Technician, Technical Career
A career in HVAC repair and installation is a great career path for any person who is looking for a rewarding, challenging, and valuable career with an education that can be achieved in a fraction of the time and cost of a traditional four-year college. Not only that but there is no better place in the United States to start your HVAC career than right here in Texas.
It’s not just our Texas pride showing, a Texas HVAC career is truthfully one of the best paths you can take. Working in the HVAC industry in Texas requires you to be at your best, be the most knowledgeable about your craft, and gives you an opportunity to not just provide a valuable service but to be so much more than just that.
If you have thought about starting your career as a heating and cooling technician or installer but aren’t sure if it is right for you, let us help inspire you by telling you exactly why starting your career in Texas is the best way to start your career.
There is a demand for HVAC professionals
A combination of a long-standing labor shortage in the skilled trades workforce along with the labor shortage created in part by the coronavirus pandemic means there is a need for HVAC professionals across the United States now more than ever.
That demand is particularly being felt right here in Texas especially as we hit the peak of summer. Folks in Texas need their cooling equipment cared for, but there is a lack of skilled labor to serve them.
Coupled with the large amounts of job opportunities, the demand for labor in Texas means that once you complete your necessary training you have a good chance of securing a good-paying job right out of the gate. There are jobs available in Texas, and heating and cooling companies are willing to pay. Enough said!
Cooling is particularly valuable in Texas
Don’t get us wrong: properly working cooling systems are greatly appreciated all across the country. However, no one appreciates them quite as much as Texans. During summers in Texas, we can average highs in the upper 90’s every single day for months at a time. It gets so hot in Texas that the design temperature of HVAC systems has to be set for the 100’s in many of our state’s counties.
In some parts of the country, HVAC companies are at the mercy of the weather. Mild summers mean people can get by with what they have, which can affect their bottom lines significantly. Not here in Texas. Even a mild Texas summer can be brutally hot, meaning there will be plenty of work available each year.
We love Texas, but boy can it get hot! However, that means that Texans are especially appreciative of their HVAC service professionals. When it gets really, really hot lives are literally at stake. People won’t overlook the value of the service you provide to them.
Expert training available
Because of how important HVAC professionals are here in Texas, getting the proper training is of the utmost importance. This is why here at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating we are proud to provide the best HVAC training in Texas to best prepare students for the demands they will face.
Our school’s founder, Chris Walters, has been in the heating and cooling industry right here in Texas for over 30 years. He understands the importance of the servicemen and women in the industry provide and has dedicated his career as an educator to sharing everything he has learned over the course of his career.
When you start your career by getting your education here at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating, you know you are taking the best first step towards a Texas HVAC career.
Want to learn more about Chris Walters’ method or about opportunities to join our next session of classes? Click here to learn more.
by christheacman | May 4, 2021 | HVAC Career, HVAC Classes, HVAC Education
Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating director and instructor Chris Walters has joined forces with the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) of Greater Houston to offer a new curriculum of HVAC contractor education and training classes.
While Chris and the rest of the instructors at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating offer education, hands-on-training, and certification for those beginning their careers in the HVAC industry, the new classes offered through TACCA have been designed to provide ongoing HVAC contractor education, updates, and hands-on training to current HVAC professionals.
Through these classes, HVAC contractors can stay up-to-date with the latest news, techniques, and training they need to be an effective and valuable member of the HVAC industry.
Over his 30 years of experience in the HVAC industry, working for many years as a contractor before becoming an instructor, Chris has identified many of the common shortcomings and issues that practicing HVAC contractors run up against over their careers. Chiefly among those include falling behind on the latest techniques, industry news, and falling out of practice on certain tasks they might not be regularly performing.
The core schedule of classes that Chris will be leading as part of TACCA’s offerings will cover topics meant to address these common issues and important areas. These classes will feature both classroom sessions and hands-on training, depending on the topic.
Jennifer Barta, executive director of TACCA, said that she is very excited about having Chris’ knowledge and experience available to TACCA members.
If you are a practicing HVAC professional and want to learn more about the new classes taught by Chris Walters through TACCA, head over to the TACCAGH website or contact or call the Training Center at (281) 580-4239.
The TACCAGH website also features information about becoming a TACCA member and enrolling in their job placement program for recent graduates here at the Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating.
by christheacman | Apr 6, 2021 | HVAC Classes, News, Technical Career
Did you see the news about some changes happening here at The Training Center of Air Conditioning and Heating? We have recently changed the format of our HVAC classes from a 14-week class format to a new 10-week format.
The adjustment in the length and format of our classes may seem like quite a big change, but ultimately it is a change that we think will be of great benefit to both our students and our school.
We wanted to take a little bit of time to explain exactly what the change from 14-week classes to 10-week will mean and what changes will happen as a result.
Why the change?
Over the years of teaching, Chris Walters, the school’s founder, has continued to fine-tune and perfect the curriculum we conduct for our students. As a result, Chris and our staff have gotten very efficient… not to toot our own horn. With our staff knowing what topics need more emphasis and what topics require less time, many of our recent 14-week classes have started to become trimmed of fluff and finished up ahead of schedule!
So, in order to help our students complete their education and get into the field a whopping four weeks early, we decided to just completely change our schedule since our classes were trending that way anyway.
With a new 10-week format, our students can start finding work and making a living in their new field sooner than ever.
What is different?
While it seems like trimming four weeks off our HVAC classes is a significant cut, we assure you it really isn’t! The 14-week and 10-week classes have the same schedule, cover the same topics, and contain the same information. We have simply just tightened things up.
By maximizing efficiency in the classroom because of the shorter class duration, our new 10-week format allows us to actually spend more time than ever on hands-on training and education. Mastery of heating and cooling equipment servicing can only happen through doing. This approach helps our students get more comfortable with the equipment and techniques and helps better prepare them for entering the workforce.
The other difference created by shortening our class durations is that it allows us to add another class session! We are now able to offer morning, evening, and afternoon classes now instead of just morning and evening, allowing us to admit and train more students throughout the course of the year!
How can I sign up?
Our new 10-week program is offered four times every year with morning, evening, and afternoon options. Right now, the training school is busier than we have ever been, which means available spots are going away fast!
But, the change and newly created afternoon has also created more opportunities for admission! If you are interested in starting a rewarding career in the HVAC industry here in Texas, you’ll find no better curriculum or training staff anywhere else that will prepare you with the knowledge and hands-on experience you need to succeed.
Check out our schedule of upcoming HVAC classes, learn more about the curriculum, and how to apply to join the school here! If you aren’t sure if HVAC is right for you, you can also ask us about sitting in on a 3-hour class free of charge!
