HVAC vs. Refrigeration - Which is Best for You?

Bryan compares the HVAC vs. refrigeration fields to help you answer the ultimate question: Which is best for you? He discusses some of the similarities and differences between refrigeration and HVAC technician career paths.
When we talk about "refrigeration," we're talking about commercial refrigeration. Home refrigeration falls under appliance repair, which is a different trade altogether. Some residential HVAC technicians may do appliance repair, but many don't.
In HVAC, you tend to work on equipment that controls human comfort, though there are a few industrial applications. Comfort HVAC refers to the controlling of heat, cooling, ventilation, indoor air quality, and even odors and sounds as they relate to the HVAC equipment. On the HVAC side, we can often make instantaneous repairs that yield immediate satisfaction.
In refrigeration, you often make repairs and wait to make sure that the processes work as they should (defrost, pulling down to box temperature, etc.). A general rule of thumb is that patient people tend to do better in refrigeration because those jobs take time and require a lot of waiting. You may make more money in the refrigeration trade due to labor and education shortages, but you need the skills to do refrigeration; the core skills are the same across HVAC and refrigeration, but you need knowledge of refrigeration equipment and precision.
Many schools give a basic overview (if any) of market refrigeration, so you may have to teach yourself a lot of the skills required or learn on the job. Product losses can also be costly in the refrigeration field, so there's a sense of urgency, controls knowledge, and technical adeptness required of refrigeration techs that typically isn't needed of HVAC techs. On top of controls knowledge, refrigeration techs also need knowledge of rigging, as they work with heavy components.
Refrigeration techs often have to work very irregular on-call schedules, including waking up in the middle of the night to get a rack running. There is also often more travel and quite a bit of stress associated with refrigeration work. However, refrigeration is like commercial HVAC in that you won't have nearly as much customer communication as residential HVAC.
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[@professorkiwi]

Thanks for sharing these good points. I like the HVAC side, but refrigeration seems to be really growing on me... specifically supermarket.

[@ziggyc4474]

Yessir

[@ziggyc4474]

I've heard its better pay as well

[@talismanjr]

i do residential installs i love it but i do want to give commercial service a try

[@derekjackson3990]

@@talismanjr you wont know until you try and i guarantee if you dont like it you can get your old job back as long as you give your two weeks

[@skylee5029]

😂

[@rodgraff1782]

If you like working late night emergencies and working overtime, go into refrigeration

[@squirtlehvac8962]

Rod Graff or look for a refer company that stays away from supermarkets and just does cold storages more industrial

[@benh2156]

@TRUTHxCJ Money doesn't mean shit if you're not happy in life lol #MindBlowing

[@deviouslick5097]

@@benh2156 Or your wife leaves you/ you miss your kids birthdays/ important dates. No job is worth that in my opinion.

[@zoedunamiseverything1910]

Refrigeration is none stop restaurant/ supermarket refrigeration is always hugh demand. BUT ITS TOUGHER THAN HVAC MORE COMPONENTS AND REFRIGERANTS AND ITS 24/7

[@MIKE2111ful]

I'm good on that 😂 I like hvac but not enough to make that kind of compromise I have a life and hobbies outside of work

[@gadgethunter5732]

Dispatcher on Monday morning - " Hey Ronny, here's your 8 residential A/C calls for today. And Kevin, you're heading to Loblaws. Let me know how many days you'll need once you get there." The difference between A/C and refrigeration.

[@brianellsworth4767]

I have done both. I'm retired now. Looking back I would say restaurants were the worst nightmares. They don't open to ten AM. you have to work around and under chefs. The equipment is not serviced friendly. The restaurant owners try to pay by buying you a sandwich. The equipment is ancient and once you fix it you own it. Five years later they will say you just fixed it. Few companies might say refrigeration on the truck but they no longer get involved. Getting parts is another nightmare. On a hot day, AC service is a whole different world. AC has fewer headaches and the worst equipment is easier than the best refrigeration equipment. I'll take a hot attic or a wet crawl space over a restaurant service call. Industrial refrigeration is OK but you have to be able to take the cold.

[@mattheweven4764]

Thanks Brian. Well put

[@1971omi]

Thanks. I do refrigeration. Yes it requires lots family time that gonna be sacrificed now thinking going back to residential and light commercial. Any place I drop applications I get call same day to be hired but No one can replace quality family time. There were times I was gone 2am to be at job site by 4am. I would rather do residential that I don't even leave my house by 7am. Refrigeration isn't for everyone unless you can say No to those clients but again they are your business and bread and butter. Tough decisions to make sometimes to say No.

[@muhamedmehafilp4426]

HAAHA

[@davem388]

@Brian Ellsworth Yea I agree with a lot of what you are saying, that has been my experience too. Refrigeration is more of a headache. If I wasn’t doing facilities I would try to stay out of refrigeration and stick to commercial HVAC doing RTU’s and package units.

[@opsquash]

Got it. Don't go into refrigeration 😂😅

[@lowvoltagevex]

I remember talking to a refrigeration tech a few months back. He said “yeah, I make good money. I pay the bills and put food on the table, but my newborn daughter and my wife are my top priority. Ever since doing this job, they’ve now become my lowest priority, and not by my choice” Shit hit me hard man.

[@eclipse369.]

thats his fault for not knowing how to say NO

[@lowvoltagevex]

@@eclipse369. idk man, sometimes you can’t say no in order to keep your job. And he wasn’t so much talking about demands from the higher ups, more like being on call more often and having so many calls come in at ungodly hours of the night

[@repetemyname842]

@@eclipse369. : bullshit, its not his fault, there are all kinds of shops that will get rid of you if you dont work the 65 hour weeks, then do your rotation all weekend.

[@Akronkangaroo]

I'm sure she doesn't complain when it's time to spend that money. I love my family but I can't sit up under them all the time... the children understand more than you think.

[@randymoreno9345]

I’ve been repairing industrial and commercial refrigeration for 15 years. Throughout those 15 years, I’ve worked on a lot of air conditioning as well. I’ve made a lot more money working primarily on refrigeration equipment and I find it much more enjoyable.

[@SMOBY44]

I went to HVAC/R school in Phoenix in 1989, and my first job was ducting homes for a contractor that did both HVAC and also commercial refrigeration. From the start I would go on after hours call with the techs on my own time and in a year was put into the on-call rotation. I have worked refrigeration ever since and now have my own refrigeration company. If you're really good with refrigeration and electrical diagnosis, you can name your price in this line of work.

[@user-xm3gt8fi8u]

What was most u made per year

[@SMOBY44]

@@user-xm3gt8fi8u As an employee the most I made was $52 an hour. As a business owner I am now salaried $150k per year, with my wife making the same.

[@randomvidz512]

How’s the company going 💪🏽

[@SMOBY44]

@@randomvidz512Doing very well. Every year sees an increase of gross receipts of at least 5%, and the "covid years" saw increases of almost 25%.

[@cthompson658]

Refrigeration has a nasty schedule is an understatement. I've been doing this for 30 plus years. Let me tell you, If you don't have a life or want a personal life, get into the supermarket side. Most of us have been divorced for starters. This past weekend I did 25 hrs of overtime from Friday afternoon 5pm till Monday morning 8am. One other thing it's not just busy in the summer. Once the cold weather hits, that is when low charge situations rear their ugly head. Brian is right most times you have to go. Try troubleshooting an electrical problem at 3am when you have only had 3 hours of sleep. It is a challenge and it keeps you sharp. It's not the same thing over and over. You get to see and work on a lot of things. Co2 glycol dx different control systems. Within the next year all the 507 is coming out and another gas being put in. Most of the systems I work on hold over 454. kgs of gas and they don't shut the store down to do this.

[@Try07186]

@@spongebobsquarepants3990 krusty Krab, Squidward and Patrick might have some people in their network that can help you out!

[@flybyairplane3528]

C Thompson hello, although I see this is a year ago, I started out in domestic refrigeration say 1957 - 59 FRIDIGAIRE I still have my 1957 ID card, anyhow then I came to USA in ‘59 trade school & another, then started working, mostly commercial refrigeration, Then into heavier stuff, then a/ commercial, changed companies, but in ‘84, I joined a company 5 TOWNS , but I lived & then worked for the in NJ My work was supermarkets, mostly A&P, went from PORT JERVIS NY to BARNEGAT NJ , Staten Island & occasionally MT POCONO PA NIGHTS started at Friday night until Thursday night .Barnegat came in often , as the utility was doing work there then the ENERGY MANAGEMENT sys died , 3 + hours down fix things and hope for home , forgot what year it was, but HOT & HUMID One week I had no choice but made 100 hours, got hurt 2x Then Uncle Sam took it all, ! Week in night service I did 1500 miles ! Those days are gone as I went back to a/c with another company, retired in 2003, so been retired now 79 yo, finished , just consulting . & help a friend . Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@MIKE2111ful]

I honestly don't know why anyone would do that to themselves sounds like an awful lifestyle.

[@ziggyc4474]

@@MIKE2111ful you gotta eat

[@MIKE2111ful]

@@ziggyc4474 you don't gotta do this to be able to eat

[@swank1975]

HVAC in an area that has seasons is the way to go. Always changing and stays fresh. Here in Denver we went from 90f to 5f in a week. It's fun watching our buildings all freak out with the change. :)

[@sebassjay]

The only reason I'm still working for my current employer 9 years later, who's best description would be one of the worst human beings I've met in my life, is the fact that his company is very small but also very robust when it comes to the client base. Each week I can be working literally Every aspect of the trade and then some. From industrial cooling tower and controls, simple resi and commercial hvac, shelf units, ice machines, walk ins reach ins, old and new, even solar heating, proofers, ovens, ERVs, pool units, extreme ranges, dhw, dual fuel stuff, gas and oil burners and all the rest. Doing mostly service but also new installs quite regularly too. Almost 10 years later, at least once a week it feels like i'm still in school but having a firm grasp on ALL these wildly different types of equipment makes it so much easier to work on any unfamiliar situations and solve problems other companies and techs couldn't for sometimes years. Definitely keeps one busy all year round and keeps your mind fresh as not to become one of those sour old timers which only did 1 thing for 30 years, like only servicing oil burners.

[@dank9139]

Sheesh dude, props to you, my company has everything separated grocery stores and wawas are 90% of our work we have food service guys for hot side food equipment refrigeration guys for cold side food equipment and then we have hvac

[@ImFromUranus]

I’m a supermarket guy and the I love the work, but the hours are no joke. I’ve had multiple 24 hour shifts. I know techs who’ve worked 30 days straight. Even with all that, there’s no greater feeling than seeing that freezer pull down to temp after an emergency compressor swap at 4am lol

[@derekjackson3990]

Barf!

[@terryj.macmullen9968]

l ve done both.40yrs worth.seen alot in my time ,supermarket refrigeration mainly.i would have to say that commercial and industrial refrigeration is much more demanding and hard on the body than hvac.ac work have alot more aspects to control,but not as hard on the body.this hass been my experiences in the trade.commercial refrigeration puts you on call constantly not many breaks.no vacation time little or no family time.your home address is the unit number on your service van.got to keep that food fresh and consumable.i would say refrigeration is a essential job for sure.keep safe.

[@derekjackson3990]

Your podcast on this subject was fantastic. As a 18 year Hvac vet who tried his hand at grocery store refrigeration allow me to throw my two cents in to anyone considering refrigeration. First of all I was horrible at it. Know this before you go in that this industry is so short handed that you will be working 80 plus hour weeks. It’s incredibly stressful, store managers are up your butt screaming to hurry up because of product loss. The gentleman giving the podcast is 100 percent correct, you need to be very patient, extremely smart, and willing to not have a personal life. I’m not exaggerating. There is a ton of money to be made in refrigeration but so is there in even residential Hvac if you do both tech side and also sales of new equipment. Good luck out there boys!

[@taylorbannister-price7599]

Weighing out the pros and cons of getting into the bigger equipment is hard... im 21 and been in HVAC trade for 3 years, currently a resi lead hand installer, started as a helper, i have a good social life now but wondering if its worth it to get into commercial companies to make 50+$ an hour but risk not having a life and missing my early 20's....but also being highly knowledgeable in 10 years from now

[@LWRC]

@@taylorbannister-price7599 It is possible that you'll be knowledgable in 10myears and make good money. What happens when your health or body gives out? Humans are not machines and we all do not have the same physical endurance!!! It is better to earn a living with your brains than physical labor! But then, 99.999% of folks here can't get through undergrad at an university to even have a chance at medical school!!!

[@Jim-yk9zw]

​@@taylorbannister-price7599 I'm 38 and starting hvac now... Trust me that you won't be missing anything too special if you work like a dog for a few years. Drinking, chasing girls and running amok often with 'friends' that may not even be in your life in 5-10 years time will pale in comparison to hitting 30, being fit and doing really well financially then having plenty of time to work less and enjoy yourself.

[@taylorbannister-price7599]

@@Jim-yk9zwawesome advice to still hear man, thank you

[@BlakeBecraft-gs9rs]

i’m in the same boat 22 3yrs as a resi tech just switched over to industrial/commercial refrigeration. i definitely took a substantial pay cut to start learning it but ov here in washington ik guys making 200k+ that are good.

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Refrigeration service, guys make more due to OT you will work, work,work,day and night, BMS is the new go to. Learn it and make even more. If your lucky you’ll work for a shop that dose all of it.

[@garydudgeon]

Agree with you Dave. Do you do BMS at your day job?

[@superiorcomfortheatingairl3373]

Stupid question, what is a BMS?

[@garydudgeon]

@@superiorcomfortheatingairl3373 I hope Dave comes back with reply, I thought he was talking about Building Management Systems.

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Gary Dudgeon a bit

[@NorCal-refrigeration]

Commerical Refrigeration and stuff correct EMS BMS the same. Building panels, programming, writing recipes. It’s in high demand

[@borshardsd]

Im still barreling through your old stuff. Great content. Idk about refrigeration but hvac, with client over your shoulder, waiting for any time delay, that feels like im using great patience.

[@intertwined1813]

I’m 4 weeks into training to be a refrigeration tech. I’m working on the industrial side at a poultry plant. It’s an ammonia system. Really love the job an couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to get into the trade. I worked out on the production floor for 2 years the last year as a crew leader. Was a rough job, extremely labor intensive an required a lot of patience leading 30-40 ppl. So happy to be off that floor an learning something that will keep me employed the rest of my life as long as I take in everything that these men are teaching me an apply myself. Excited for my future in refrigeration. Much respect to all the guys in the trade

[@andrewedis9907]

I got thrown straight into refrigeration at 19 with my own van. I learned extremely quickly and luckily my company let me go to college to get qualified.

[@carsonholtorf8233]

Is it an enjoyable job?

[@andrewedis9907]

@@carsonholtorf8233 Honestly yes but you have to but the work in.

[@dank9139]

Same here luckily my company brought me in with no experience willing to train because of my age, I got a van my first day I’m 20 been doin it for 7 months now 2 months in of training I started doing PM’s myself and now been on my own running service calls for the last 2

[@jacob_montes]

Bryan I just wanted to say thank you for all the information you provide here on KZbin and the podcast. It has helped me tremendously. I was bummed that you decided not to post the podcast to KZbin anymore. I really enjoy watching the videos and seeing diagrams and component names on the videos as well. Glad to know the podcast will continue though! I’ve been telling the other techs about you and what you. Keep up the good work and God Bless

[@santanaboxing]

I started as a supermarket refrigeration helper and now transitioned into AC service tech. The change is amazing. I did 3 years in refrigeration dealing with so much emergency calls. In AC calls you only work 8 hours, no on calls, and I get paid a lot because of my refrigeration experience.

[@var8492]

I’m in hvac school now but which one do u think is best for starters

[@user-xm3gt8fi8u]

The real question is who makes more per year ?

[@brianlittle717]

I like doing small refrigeration because it’s good to work indoors sometimes. I usually don’t wait for it to cool down unless I have to set the thermostat. I’ve learned not to look for the cold, but look for the heat coming off the condenser. Plus refrigeration, ice machines, ovens, grilles, and fryers have given me work that other guys turn down. I’m learning dishwashers now.

[@BartSimpson-nr1dy]

Working from both sides of the coin so to speak, most are in the residential side because most instructors focus on the installation and repair of residential. Transitioning from residential to industrial-commercial refrigeration can be most difficult unless one starts with a mentor. There is so much more to learn about commercial industrial. My mentors were engineers. learning process control industrial refrigeration which in my humble opinion, is the best way to learn the trade. Moving to the residential side was a piece of cake

[@Garyganeu]

Have worked on both and I am retired. I worked for large hospital organizations. Refrigeration can be hard as I experienced the same as the man below has. The equipment in most cases is a bear to get at and have worked between peoples legs and on ladders over the top of them. Your a superstar when you fix a box that’s 20 years old but then you own it even after you tell them it’s long overdue to be replaced. Working on walk ins can be another challenge and often they pack every square inch and then complain the product in the front of the box is not cold enough. Give me rooftop’s and Liebert s in it and the seasonal on 1000 ton chillers instead.

[@chadbrown4918]

I would only add that the easiest path for a green tech to work his way to over 100k a year is through low temp work. It’s not a stressful as Brian makes it seem. For me personally, running 10 residential calls a day sounds way more stressful than one or two refrigeration calls a day.

[@emilywelsh1072]

Thank you, I'm writing an article about the commercial refrigeration industry and this was so helpful!

[@liamautodetailing]

Send me that when you finish it

[@jmac3900]

Been a Sub for some time now and I never watched this video somehow. As a 20 year Union HVAC/R Field Sprvsr (With a travelers card to work anywhere in America,) I think that was the absolute best way to describe the differences in HVAC to Refrigeration. You nailed everything I have been trying to teach everyone my whole career. Well done buddy!

[@Fox9582]

Hello! May I ask you what’s the travelers card? Thanks

[@jmac3900]

@@Fox9582 hello Adonis. Sorry I didn't reply sooner. Didn't notice the notification. In regards to your question about the travellers card, it's basically Union authorization to work in other Union locals outside of the state you are a Union member. The only reason I mentioned that is because I have worked in many different states in this line of work and I was impressed how accurate the commentary was in the video. Really well done

[@Willemies]

Thanks for a great introduction video to the industry! I work in commercial refrigeration in a corporation that everyone of you have heard of. I am in the office though, a sort of a dispatcher/call center and spare parts sales guy without the relevant education background (I am an engineer in industrial management, helps managing though). My story is I never had a passion or a clear direction of profession to seek for and that's why I decided to just do something and see if it starts to get interesting. Now after almost a year in the company, I am starting to feel like I wanna get educated to get in the field too (tired of sitting in my ass all day long) and being able to technically support/supervise our technicians and learn generally even more about the supermarkets industry (in addition to working at the warehouses of big supermarket chains and in the markets itself). Also I really like the small "circles" of the industry in our country, at least. Almost everyone knows each other and there's a lot of gossip in the field. I gotta say I have to agree with a lot of these comments even just based on my office experience and managing daily service operations. I feel like this industry is sort of old fashioned and used to be dominated by old fashioned (often single) men who are now starting to retire and us young guys are taking their place. Now it is time to dig more into @HVAC School videos and after some time maybe even start taking real courses at my local school and practise the basics with our technicians ;)

[@CornelAnco]

My story is somehow similar to yours though different in a way. Studied information technology then did a masters in electronics engineering immediately after my bachelors. Since i had no prior job experience, i had no clear career path except in programming which i dont like a lot. Anyway 6 months ago i was hired to helpin refrigeration after sales services in a major supermarket for a company from Turkey where i did my masters, there was to be a Turkish technician that i would work with always. Then covid struck and from zero i have had to learn commercial refrigeration and it seems going forward i will be handling all the work alone, it has been a nightmare. Thank goodness i found this channel.

[@monteiroair4259]

Great video. Very true, all you said. I did both in the past and am almost all hvac now for the on call reasons you said. Restaurants suck as well. For one good one that actually pays and values your service , there’s 10 that don’t pay and don’t value you. Residential and light commercial hvac for me :).

[@alejandromata825]

Yeah restaurants are sometimes very poorly kept equipment wise and by the time they call for service they have mounting equipment that need things done. You have to watch out for those because they can rack up quite a bill. You have to make sure you’re taking payments as you go.

[@jonathanrivera3480]

I’ll take refrigeration work over residential anytime of the year and week. Hate hot uncomfortable attics. I do a lot of restaurant work where i have yearly contracts. I do all maintenance. If equipment is wells maintained emergency calls are cut down to where spending time with family is possible. I have been doing for 18 years. Is all about work ethic and if customers are willing to pay preventative maintenance. If not cut them lose and avoid headaches. Have 14 year old clients that they trust me, have keys to all restaurants and can go work before cooks fill the kitchen. Im mostly home by 6pm

[@allanpierce9700]

You seem to be the guy like me who doesn't want to have any callbacks or even be called up more than once or twice at the most a year to fix a problem .. what kinda luck have you had with equipment that looks good and you decide that you want them for a customer on your list of restaurants to service.. and hope that you only need to fix stuff once a year for them.. and also provide them with a twice a year maintanance type program... You know what I see is we can look at any business and determine just how shabby their equipment is or has been cared for in the past by those who want there equipment to fail ..but that's not how I want to run my business .. if there equipment is shabby I'll pass and find better cared stuff to work on.

[@DavidHarsant1]

was an hvac tech for a long time, +-10 years, moved to refrigeration, got qualified, havent looked back to hvac since, not saying i cant do it, done it a bit since then, but given a choice between the two id much rather choose refrigeration.

[@simonkc]

I want to get into Refrigeration so bad.

[@DavidHarsant1]

@@simonkc yeah people can always make do without airconditioning, you cant make do without refrigeration.

[@pastexpiration2160]

I'm still an apprentice but I've worked for 2 HVAC companies so far and it's amazing to see the negligence of common HVAC practices. I'm hoping to find myself in a respectable position at a company that follows the standard practices set forth by videos such as this. And I'm thinking I will find it in commercial refrigeration!

[@Colt-wr6wx]

Great job.. refrigeration is a lot more in detail! More controls and water cooled condensers ,etc etc etc

[@bullishbear2686]

I’d get experience in all of them to see what you like. You’ll know if you like something after a few months. Whatever you choose to do, get a good controls foundation; conventional + DDC.

[@maxthefrenchie-productions]

I agree with all the coments here. I enjoy refrigeration more than ac. However I realized I don’t like rolling around on restaurant floors any more, with a super crazy on call schedule. Now do 95% resi and light commercial ac. No question refrigeration is a more detailed skill set in my opinion. It’s all about balance life and work. Refrigeration is hard to do that.

[@arunmehera1976]

Your all videos are too good , you guys are know the every small details of HVAC, and you burst my so many myth too about HVAC. Thanks

[@wilsongb09]

I went to trade school thinking I will only do HVAC, second company that I worked did more refrigeration than AC and that's when everything click, I feel better doing commercial refrigeration, but it will depend on everyone personality.

[@fredcollins2732]

After 30+ years, starting in the HVAC and the last 20+ years in the industrial Refrigeration, when the phone rings in the middle of the night, my wife says "did they check their oil filter lately"? 24,7,365 is a way of life in the ammonia industry. But ammonia is the smell of money!

[@flybyairplane3528]

Fred Collins hello, I used to do repairs on some old YORK 4X4 & larger but I got my class 1 LICENSE. in NJ kept it up for some time , but let it lapse , the face masks they had on the job was awful, so I used my SCUBA GEAR , Working on them like packing the shaft seals etc until they started with with CO2 AMMONIA was & still be most efficient BTU/HP great stuff. Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@garza7676]

Great video .made some valid points . I can say I'd rather be inside a cool grocery store instead of hot attic ,chasing down some HVAC problem .

[@DW-vl2wi]

That's just residential. And now that people are getting closed cell insulation or foam, it's not that bad. Even when it is 125 or more, once you learn residential it's easy. The only true downside of a problem with a unit in a attic that would take some time is running new drain lines or replacing a Tev/TXV. And again, if you know what you're doing it takes 30 mins or less.

[@katrenco]

Excellent video explaining basic difference between HVAC and Refrigeration, exactly what I was looking for, and in a concise and easy to understand format. Thank you!

[@Toptech92186]

I’ve been there for 5 years the stress is ridiculous and no room for mistakes but it will turn you into a tuff cookie

[@Enrique-yb2ow]

I didn't see or hear anyone mention Industrial Refrigeration. I operated and maintained large ammonia refrigeration systems for multinational companies for 10 years. Some systems I've operated contained 100,000 lbs of ammonia. Industry will continue using anhydrous ammonia as no current refrigerant can compare with the cost and performance of ammonia. There is money and advancement to be had for clever techs. I currently make over 6 figures with zero overtime (started at $15 an hour 10 years earlier, nowadays you can start around $25/hr, I'm in a major city in Texas). I have a set schedule. No traveling, no customers, no service calls, ever. The biggest downside of this segment of refrigeration is the shift work. You'll likely work 12 hour days or nights (guess where you'll start when starting at a new company), but there are 8 hour shift jobs out there (again you'll have to work your way up to 1st shift). Also, do not listen to ammonia naysayers. Educate yourself on what it is and find an employer that maintains their system and takes safety seriously. Do it right, and you won't smell ammonia very often.

[@noneofyourbusiness1114]

Hi enrique how do you start on the industrial side? I'm in new construction hvac (barely 6 months) and trying to figure out which direction to go towards so I don't end up like those old dudes who only do duct work their whole lives.

[@edilsonserafim4784]

Brian thank you for all your videos,I have learn so much from all your videos I started in the hvac field not to long ago and I apply what a learn here to help me better deliver a good job and I am very happy with the results

[@HVACS]

Glad to help

[@minoX6]

Just the video I was looking for. I did more hvac than Refrigeration but I must say that Refrigeration is sweeter and more challenging. HVAC involves using the ladder a lot and here in the UK the weather is cold so u r always outside in the cold. Few times I changed VRV compressors at -5C. I want to switch to refrigeration but i hate the stress of dealing with Food that has to be kept fresh

[@koolhub5891]

i agree with you on what you saying, I took up HVAC/R decades a go work in a Industrial Ice plant, where we made Ice. Refrigeration is more technical in it design and engineering , there are TXV metering devices and low pressure, and high pressure controls. The thermostats are different, plus the electrical wiring and controls lay outs are more complex, you have to have a good basic understanding of electricity and electronics to work on these systems, plus understanding how defrost timers, and setting up a TXV device in the systems too.

[@Rollerguitar96]

working in the supermarket field. mainly troubleshooting + starting up Co2 Racks. I love it, but sometimes it feels like it takes you in the Butt. No Lube. With a Cactus. On the flipside i am really passionate about it and can‘t think of doing something else.

[@dsd5705]

Thank you for this. My son will be watching your series this summer.

[@michaelomalley709]

I have worked in most parts of the HVACR industry from residential all the way to chillers and ultra low stability chambers. The one thing that always bothered me in residential HVAC was all the ductwork issues and the fact that a lot of homes are very inefficient and most people did not want to correct those issues.

[@clayreal]

Always impressive detail always thought out multiple angles, and always delivered in a comprehensive manner. You are outstanding

[@mikehenthorn1778]

as i work on boilers and chillers for a university campus i can say that any changes i make to the BAS take time to see the change. i have 10 sq blocks in Ohio that can change temp 30+ degrees in a day that i have to cover. with 350 degree water with 2oo psi nitrogen so the water doesn't boil on my heating side and a 43 degree chilled water side it can be a challenge to keep all the pumps and systems working together. none of the changes or repairs are fast or easy as my systems are 30+ years old.

[@skylee5029]

Which provides better income potential for a Service Tech who is more sales oriented than most? I deeply enjoy interacting with my residential customers, learning their stories, developing a sincere relationship with them, maybe having a drink with them while I work, etc etc. I dont want to lose that. Not only for the rewarding experience it provides, but also because thats how I generate so much of my income.

[@brainfood_oo6186]

You can start in refrigeration and transition down to Hvac very easily, starting in hvac and transitioning up to refrigeration is basically like starting over again .

[@scottd7222]

I disagree whole heartedly

[@skywave12]

Kind of True. Worked with 6000 Hp of Ammonia Industrial Ref. in the 90's + at a Winery for Years. Had a C10 Electrical at the time. Marina Mechanical was the HVAC contracted at Facility. We used Marina Mech license to get HVAC units from Slakey Brothers. So another Manager took hold. Then No More. So I got my C-20 License. Then said See.:-) True Story

[@CMDR-Cody]

I recently got an opportunity to tag along with some refrigeration guys and I am seriously considering switching careers to do that. I currently work in in IT and I work in a corporate environment and I hate it. I feel I am much more suited to a trade.

[@bolt7047]

That's funny because I wish I could work in corporate but I am probably going to go down the refrigeration route.

[@supamild808]

Good to know and get experience in both

[@skywave12]

R 744 is a interesting subject. Working with Dawn Foods. A CO2 freezer at - 40 made cakes. It was a open Environment with process controls.

[@davem388]

You forgot to mention facilities work which is usually more of a relaxed pace with a consistent schedule and you get to work on HVAC and refrigeration equipment. I'm a facilities guy and I love my job. I work 8-5 and after hours work is uncommon for me.

[@quezlark7875]

What type of facility do you work at if you dont mind me asking? Love the hvac field but unpredictable schedules can get hard to navigate at times.

[@swank1975]

I also do HVAC for facilities. Currently at the University of Denver. My newest building was officially turned over to us this past Friday. A couple hundred thousand ft2 of dining and student union stuff, had recovery wheels, chilled water and steam from our plant, DHW from a couple Lochinvar boilers, fun stuff. Better benefits, pto, and hours but less wages than the van hustle.

[@var8492]

I’m in school for hvac but how much is it salary wise if u don’t mind me asking

[@eclipse369.]

@@var8492 thats up to you and where you live depends on your knowledge mostly, anywhere from 18/hr to skys the limit (some guys in my state charge up to like 200/hr with 600 deposit before even showing up)

[@alanlacosse8850]

I went to school for HVAC and now have been in residential for like half a year almost ...how experienced would i need to be on this side before trying to jump into something more complex like refrigeration

[@mikehenthorn1778]

as for training, i was sent to the Trane school for a week for my chillers. i learned more in that week than i did in 20 years working on equipment. note if you go to that school in la cross WA don't try to drink with the locals they hate their livers.

[@repetemyname842]

WI, not WA. And yes, we take our drinking very seriously up here.

[@rutilius83]

@@repetemyname842 sorry about getting the letters wrong. i my defense i think i am still recovering from that trip. lol

[@repetemyname842]

@@rutilius83 : Its all good

[@anthonywoolf9087]

If you work in Grocery store refrigeration get ready to work lots of hours honestly i eat breath and dream About it lol 1 more point is to have a strong Significant other if you are in a relationship it helps with the long hours you will meet a lot of people on there 3 marriage after doing this job not to scare anyone away its just the demand is high and you can make good money

[@peteclawson6480]

Thanks Bryan for sharing your thoughts about the diversity of the refrigeration end.

[@skywave12]

Depends. At my Workplace the Internal office once the AC stopped it was a Emergency 2 days fixed for them. In the meanwhile our system a little leaking r22, Like theirs suffered with ice evaporator blockage for Months prior from under charge. I like 73 F :-) It is fixed now. on both systems. What will we do? R407c Future? I kind that is the path with POE oil in most today.

[@brianlittle717]

These freezers all have the Emerson Dixell controllers and I find those things causing most of the problems. I’ll pull it out and go with a thermostat, timer, and termination thermostat. And I don’t work after hours. But I don’t do the big stuff. Mostly walk ins and self contained.

[@squirtlehvac8962]

You can put a refrigeration tech on ac units and he will do ok, but you can’t put a ac guy on Refrigeration units.

[@anthillmobstars]

So true. I only do commercial refrigeration. I only ever do residential AC for friends and family. When you go to a job on a walk in or something similar and they tell you they had XYZ Heating and Air work on it you can usually see where the differences in practices come in to play just by seeing how they do things. Compared to how they should be done from a refrigeration side.

[@levy5867]

That is true.

[@Cscrefandhvac]

Squirtle Hvac truth 👍

[@1989Chrisc]

Pretty much true. I work on industrial stuff and commercial equipment on industrial sites.. I do ok with A/c but to be fair there are plenty of things I wouldnt know about A/c. I tend to (like most refrigeration guys) recommend boards as a fix in a/c more than often because im not sure what the issue is

[@brainfood_oo6186]

Cj Call techsupport

[@avquach]

Dude I stumbled upon your channel hella dope bro. Your channel is dope man!! Thank you !!

[@akhil1463]

Really useful contacts, thank y from Algeria. 🇩🇿

[@brucecrutchfield3473]

We do comm/ind hvac and refrigeration. Only thing we don’t do is residential. I don’t think there’s a tech where I work that likes resi lol.

[@christianolmeda938]

Why dont they like residential?

[@scottd7222]

@@christianolmeda938 who wants to be in a hot attic or in some shitty house with your shoes off dealing with people in their homes. When you go into a residence you are the enemy because they usually tryna haggle you. In commercial you are dealing with employees and you are the hero.

[@koolhub6137]

Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration, has it issues, I did it a while work for a Ice Company, and this was when Ice Boxes units ran on R-12, and the freezers can on R-22, in the late 1980s, and early 1990s. a technician came in and service the Ammonia machine, and anybody knows that produces very low temperatures, and you have to have steel piping, and water cool towers because of the high head pressures, Commercial units have as we know, low pressure, and high pressure cut-outs, and Refrigerant TEV metering devices, but Air condition is much better as with heat pumps, but it up to the person what field they want to work in, and what hours and what else they want to deal; with.

[@SoutheastHVAC]

I do 90% supermarket refrigeration and 10% HVAC. I prefer refrigeration way over hvac. Maybe because I’m more familiar with the particular equipment

[@karlchristofferson3588]

Ashton, how long did it take for you to get good at your craft?

[@SoutheastHVAC]

karl c only been doing refrigeration since September. I’d say more “used to it” than good at it. It is a culture shock and I’m learning every single day. It does get easier though

[@mrbuicks4384]

@@SoutheastHVAC what was your starting pay, have they bumped up up? Rookie here

[@SoutheastHVAC]

In refrigeration, the company I’m with started me at 22.50.

[@dirt5547]

Fridge guys are GODS.

[@davidrobert1948]

I think when it comes to working in supermarkets, if want an easy life and are happy with a bit less money ( but actually have a life ) be a maintenance engineer; if however you want more money and no life, become a service engineer.

[@foot-bol]

Man, that's something one don't think about often

[@goretex101]

In NJ you have to go to HVAC school , i want to Do just refrigeration, commercial but i can't find a school . Seems you have to learn hvac just to get into refrigerators in nj

[@evandromontenegro889]

Thanks!! for explanation of introduction.

[@dkd1228]

Thanks. You have superb presentation skills.

[@HVACS]

Thank you too!

[@jonathankarlsson2923]

my company sends me to do plumbing, refrigeration and HVAC. its really easy to both since its so similar except plumbing i hate water.

[@youngbeechnut78]

Squirtle Hvac not necessarily the case. I can do both without hesitation.

[@MaratRPMSoCal]

Great Break Down on the trade! Thanks.

[@rahmanyalshugaa3556]

Thank you for all those important information

[@jameselmafiosolopez3239]

I just want to work like 8-5 with minimal overtime so i have time for family, the gym, and surfing. Should i shoot for getting into HVAC instead of refrigeration?

[@arshadshibly9626]

Hvac job

[@MIKE2111ful]

Hvac for sure

[@_Niksta_]

I'm looking for the same brotha!

[@BruceLeanTrades]

probably neither honestly , unless you’re doing installation

[@eclipse369.]

either - if you stipulate your hours before hand and dont waiver, they can either deal with it or find someone else hvac should have little to no after hours unless you work for greedy company refrigeration companies will always try to milk the very life out of you if you let them solo refrigeration techs charge double or 1.5x rate for after hours which stops 90% or more of after hours calls

[@timrowe234]

Hey Brian- thanks for video’s. Do you know anything about residential water towers? (Mini’s) I have a relative in Florida who’s wanting a geo system with water tower. I don’t know how that application would work. Can you enlighten me on this? Thanks, Tim

[@sales_coach_ai]

I’m planning to start an HVAC program at the end of June and I’m considering going for their 2 month refrigeration program after that. I live in AZ and do not like being out in Heat- am I on the right path in thinking to focus on commercial refrigeration?

[@ramrajenanware2828]

Hi Sir, you are doing good job for Society, Please made video on Cold Room Or Cold Chain

[@DaCrunkwizard]

Bad ass video. I have worked Electrical, Hvacr and I am debating where I want to get licensed first

[@millertime269]

Those jobs for refrigeration are out there, but here I am working on Christmas

[@philo7686]

Loving this channel, thank you boss!

[@kiddream5749]

Brothers and sisters please pray for me because I’m about to start my first refrigeration job

[@mr.phuonglanhcongnghiep]

Thanks you for your video. So, if you can make a video clip about assembly a AHU small, please!

[@rientzemillar6334]

thank you for this very very good informative video,very useful topics.

[@cameronfreeman6657]

40 years of doing refrigeration and not one thank you for saving there product. But the customer will always complain about the bill every time. And i don't blame them for being up set. They don't really have time to get three quotes on the repair because of the loss they will incur.

[@RESISTAGE]

that's exactly what I like about refrigeration. I'll take all their money with a smile on my face.

[@darrylestepp8655]

Great talk. Thank you

[@Irfan-ow6ig]

Hi, everyone I buy Today new Honeywell 5000 focus pro thermostat and then fix it . But stage 2(Y2) is stop because power is not coming on.only stage 1(Y1) is working. Please share issue about it

[@rookierefrigeration4357]

👍🏽👍🏽 great points. Refer is very rewarding.

[@jin8684]

I work doing both HVAC and Ref. OT approved calls def tend to be more Walkin Cooler and Walkin Freezer calls. But dont be fooled HVAC only techs, kitchen ACs are pretty important and will be OT approved. Ive had plenty of of evening calls on fri-sun for AC units not cooling. I'd like to point out one of the benefits of doing REF work is that you dont get as much sun exposure as an HVAC tech will.

[@geraldhenderson4365]

Question: I own refrigerated trailers. How do I get the necessary training to work on my own equipment? Carrier and Thermo King require you to work for them in order to take their classes. Thanks for any insight.

[@repetemyname842]

GH: If you are extremely skilled at fixing things then take a stab at it. Buy some old units and tear them down in your shop and get to know all the parts and what they do. For reefer trailers you will also need to be a diesel tech since the units run off diesel motors. Buy some books online and watch YT vids to help you along. Offer to ride around with a local guy on the weekends to gain some knowledge.

[@stheodro]

Hi Bryan Orr , Can you please get Chris (HVACR Videos) on you show for interview

[@juliocarrillo1322]

Hey man is there a place where you guys put all the links you mention on the podcast?

[@countryman278]

Best advice is go to work for your self. You will NEVER make the kind of money that could change your life working for someone else and paying for their vacations and life style. Go out on your on. I can make my check in one day easily.

[@skywave12]

Watch for R22 Recycling Contamination in the next few Years.

[@tttota5421]

I watch you a lot , I just wanted to know if you have videos on duck sizing etc .

[@BluOrangeJuice]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@rob8823]

Thanks for your content! Do you have any opinion on business software and field service programs? Looking for opensource and keep your own data if possible.