Interview with an HVAC Designer
After listing After listing 9 HVAC Jobs You Never Knew Existed, with a follow up of 5 More HVAC Jobs You Never Knew Existed, I realized that out of 14 jobs, one was missing.
Thus, I introduce Chris Ager, who sat down with me earlier this week to let me know what being an HVAC designer is all about.
Straight From the Mouth of an HVAC Designer
In one sentence, describe what you do at your job.
I am the one that puts an HVAC design idea down on paper – drafts the vision, makes sure that it is mechanically feasible to produce, and that the specifications are accurate before it goes out to bid to be put into production.
What sort of education or training was required to get where you are?
I got my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. This is my first job since graduating.
What sort of education is required to continue growing as an HVAC designer?
Experience is more valued in this industry than education. A 4-year degree is usually necessary to get the basics of mechanical engineering, then it’s learning by doing and learning from the engineers you work with. At the beginning of your career, and sometimes while you’re still in undergraduate programs, you take and pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam. After five more years on the job, you can take the Principles of Engineering exam, which allows you to become a licensed, principle engineer.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to become an HVAC designer?
Develop study skills. A huge part of my job is researching different types of equipment to find the most appropriate for each specific system, and then learning how to properly size all of the related components. It is also important to stay apprised of trends and changes to standards and codes, be they federal or specific to cities and states.
You hear a lot about industry shifts toward a greener HVAC. What is your take?
It’s definitely a trend. There is a lot of incentive to start developing, manufacturing and utilizing greener and more efficient HVAC equipment. This has been the case for quite a while now, but you see it and have heard about it a lot more in the past few years.
More than an industry or social trend, certain codes and regulations are becoming more stringent – clean water and back-flow protection, insulation; these are constantly developing and evolving. It keeps us on our toes.
What is the best part of your job as an HVAC designer?
The equations – manipulating them to fit into a certain design. It’s a puzzle. A cool, design puzzle. Then once the design is complete, it’s very satisfying to see it all come together on paper, then installed in the field.
The worst?
Writing specifications. It’s dry, there is a lot of rereading involved to make sure all the details are included and are accurate. You’ll be hard pressed to find anyone in HVAC who gets a kick out of writing specs.
What is your favorite HVAC joke?
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