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Any HVAC techs in here?

Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:14 am
Posted by Bronson2017
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2019
2192 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:14 am
I am thinking of making a drastic career change. I’ve been in accounting/finance for about ten years now and I am completely burnt out on the corporate life.

How difficult is it to start and what am I looking at money wise for schooling? I am 31 years old.
Posted by jmarto1
Houma, LA/ Las Vegas, NV
Member since Mar 2008
37702 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:16 am to
Plenty of schools but I am not sure of the cost. You will not go without a job in that field. How do you feel about hot attics and roofs?
Posted by Cotten
Tennessee
Member since Jan 2018
1712 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:17 am to
You’ll typically start as an installer before moving to tech, go commercial rather than resi. Those attics certainly arent getting any cooler in the summer, so just be realistic about the switch.
Posted by Bronson2017
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2019
2192 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:18 am to
I can handle heat. I’m in decent shape (could be better of course). 5’10 185
Posted by Mushroom1968
Member since Jun 2023
5120 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:19 am to
My son n law does it in Houston and he and his brother started their own company and do well. They’ve hired help but not at the point yet where they can sit in office all day. Both still have to get out and get dirty.
Posted by stout
Porte du Lafitte
Member since Sep 2006
178920 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:21 am to
Most tech schools have courses. Sowela has an 18 week HVAC course that will teach you all you need to know and prep you for the EPA license. Its $5600

LINK

Even after all of that, you still need to get a state contractor's license if in Louisiana which means buying GL and comp. Even if you are a one-man show you still have to buy comp and exclude yourself, aka a "ghost" policy
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60179 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:23 am to
Honestly, you are getting kind of old for that kind of work. You’ll get all of the shite jobs to start your career.
Posted by Bronson2017
Birmingham
Member since Feb 2019
2192 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:24 am to
Thank you stout, this is helpful. I am located 45 minutes east of Birmingham. Pell City. I will look for something similar near me.
Posted by slutiger5
Parroquias de Florida
Member since May 2007
11757 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:28 am to
You should be able to get an apprenticeship and be able to study without having to pay for a vocational school.
Posted by ItzMe1972
Member since Dec 2013
12114 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:30 am to
I like this guy's YouTube Channel:

Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
72542 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:40 am to
quote:

I can handle heat. I’m in decent shape (could be better of course). 5’10 185
Rule #23 of the OT-

Post a height/weight



PS

Posted by Ruston Trombone
Member since Jun 2025
530 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:43 am to
quote:

I’m in decent shape … 5’10 185
Posted by Klark Kent
Houston via BR
Member since Jan 2008
72700 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:45 am to
I mean compared to most HVAC Techs….
Posted by TDTOM
Member since Jan 2021
24221 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:47 am to
I couldn't imagine getting into an attic right now and touching insulation.
Posted by BHM
Member since Jun 2012
3828 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:50 am to
I am 5'10" at 192. I have the love handles most guys do in their late 50s. I walk almost everyday but and do light workouts a few days a week. Far from being in shape.

Coworker is 64. Same height but weighs 205. Hits the gym and bike rides everyday. Very lean.

Guess his BMI is worse than mine right?
Posted by runforrestrun
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
984 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:50 am to
I had coils replaced this week for my unit that cools my upstairs. It was 95 in the bedroom up there, had to be 130 in the attic, I felt sorry for those guys who spent 4 hours up there. At that moment I appreciated my corporate job.
Posted by Cosmo
glassman's guest house
Member since Oct 2003
128565 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 9:57 am to
quote:

I’m in decent shape … 5’10 185


Yeah decent

Not great unless you are mostly muscle

-mingo
Posted by GetBackToWork
Member since Dec 2007
6502 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 10:21 am to
Why not find someone who is in some form of commercial or industrial service contracting and see if they need help. A lot of guys with their own business can use your experience and there will be plenty of opportunity to get “into the field” and break up the monotony of your current work. Many contractors are good at what they do, can run people and equipment, but also need help on the business side as the business grows. Having the ability to learn the work, eventually run crews/projects, and also know business accounting will be a skill set that’s valuable. You might be surprised what sort of doors might open up.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
70173 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 10:21 am to
quote:

I’m in decent shape (could be better of course). 5’10 185


I'm tellin Mingo, and boy are you gonna get it!
Posted by Lsutigerturner
Member since Dec 2016
7104 posts
Posted on 6/21/25 at 10:22 am to
If I have a plan for a small business I think plumbing is the ticket
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