Tips for New HVAC Technicians
Your first solo service call can be a little unnerving, but no need to worry. You can enter into the situation with the confidence of a seasoned professional, even if you’re new to the HVAC game. Being communicative, remembering your basic training, and learning from your peers are all necessary traits of a successful HVAC technician. With this in mind, we’ve worked with our own techs here at Hunton Services to come up with some helpful tips for those who are just starting out or considering a career as a technician.
“1. Have good communication with your customers.
Doug L. – Field Supervisor
2. Learn to work well with others.
3. Take pride in what you do.
4. Learn the refrigerant cycle and how the HVAC system works.
5. Try to take in as much knowledge as you can from senior techs.
6. In your spare time, study the different types of equipment you’ll be working on.”
Greet the Customer with Confidence, Courtesy & Understanding
Sometimes when you arrive at a job site, your customer may be frustrated or upset. Greeting them with the confidence that everything is going to be okay will better open the lines of communication between you and your customer. Creating a professional rapport will lay the foundation for an excellent working relationship and a loyal customer. Remember, your customers are simply looking for a solution to their problem or issue, so listen, seek to understand, and validate their concerns.
Try to put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Having empathy for them and putting yourself in their situation can pay dividends to how highly respected you are starting out on service calls. Ask yourself if the diagnosis you determine is the right decision for the customer and that you are acting with integrity and professionalism to the best of your ability. Do everything you can to repair malfunctioning components instead of simply replacing entire parts of the system in order to increase sales. Doing things the right way and keeping the customer in mind will help you make the right decisions in the field as both a technician and a human being.
Use Your Spare Time Wisely
As a budding HVAC technician, you may sometimes find yourself with a little extra time on your hands. Why not make the most of it? If you’re having a slow day, consider revisiting your training materials and resources to refresh your knowledge. Ask a more experienced technician if you can ride along with them to a job site and observe how they work. Perhaps even pick up a tool and ask how you can help or if they are willing to talk you through certain processes. These are more productive alternatives than scrolling through social media and will ensure that your valuable time is put to good use.
“Cell phones could be your best friend or your worst enemy. Standing around, being more interested in social media is a surefire way to get other technicians to not want to work with you. On the flip side, if you’re using your phone to pull up a unit manual or trying to enhance your knowledge for the purpose of troubleshooting a unit, then that is more okay to me.”
-Victor V. – Commercial HVAC Technician
Go Back to the Basics When You’re Stumped
No matter what information you may have been given or what the customer has told you they have/haven’t done, it’s important that you go through your mental flow chart for troubleshooting. Even in the midst of a chaotic environment or outstanding situation, you must stay focused on the task and not allow yourself to skip simple, yet meaningful diagnostic steps. Things as simple as checking high voltage, making sure the thermostat is functioning properly, and making sure blower motors, fan motors, condensers, and all other major components are functioning as they should be will help you succeed as an HVAC service technician.
“My advice to less experienced techs would be to always refer back to the basics when stumped on a call- which happens to even the more seasoned techs. It is impossible to build a structure from the roof down, so you always have to start from the foundation, which is what basic refrigeration is for us.
Victor V. – Commercial HVAC Technician
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Asking for assistance is not a negative thing; in fact, it should be treated as an extended learning experience. Time is valuable to you, your customer, and your company, and making a timely evaluation and diagnosis of a malfunctioning HVAC system is extremely important. Don’t be afraid to call on a senior service technician or use your company’s tech support agent to assist in fixing a problem. Starting out, you may be tempted to do everything on your own, but the truth is that experience will trump any preceding knowledge in HVAC service. Leveraging the experience of your coworkers and the resources you have available can save your company and clients both money and time.
“Most seasoned guys are completely open to teaching new techs who show a genuine interest in learning the business.”
Victor V. – Commercial HVAC Technician
Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear what you have to say. Let us know what you think are some helpful tips for new HVAC technicians by leaving a comment on our page or emailing marketing@huntongroup.com.
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