A Year in the Life of an HVAC Tech

Let me tell you a little something about the roller coaster we ride every year in the HVAC world. My name’s Jake Donovan, and I’ve been around the block, running my own service truck, crawling through attics with insulation in my socks, and climbing ladders in freezing sleet and triple-digit heat. When I talk about the highs and lows of our line of work, trust me, I’ve lived every single moment.

Spring: The Calm Before the Storm

Springtime is always that brief moment when you finally catch your breath after a bone-chilling winter. If you’re anything like me, you try to get your backlog of smaller maintenance jobs done, tightening up ductwork, checking refrigerant levels, cleaning coils, because you know what’s coming next: the dreaded summer rush. It’s also the perfect time to recommend homeowners consider upgrading to efficient systems like those in our single-zone mini-split air conditioners to prepare for the heat.

Anecdote:

I remember one spring a few years back, thinking I was set for an easy week. That Monday morning, I get called out to replace a blower motor on an old furnace. Simple job, right? Well, turns out it was so rusted and caked in dust it basically fused to the housing. What should’ve taken an hour became a day-long wrestling match. Sometimes, you just can’t win. But hey, spring’s slower pace gave me the buffer to handle it without falling behind on everything else. Having the right tools for jobs like these makes all the difference—check out the ultimate guide to tools and accessories for installing and maintaining ductless mini-split air conditioners for some great recommendations.

Pain Point & Strategy:

• Pain Point: Getting parts for older units can be a headache, you might be looking for a blower wheel that hasn’t been made in a decade.
• Strategy: Build a solid relationship with local supply houses. A friendly parts counter guy is worth his weight in gold. Also, if you can stock common replacement parts on your truck, do it. That can turn a four-hour job into an hour and a half. For those tricky jobs, having spare parts from our accessories category can save the day.

Summer: The Pressure Cooker

Then it hits: the summer heat wave. You pick up your phone, and it’s like, “Hey, my A/C stopped cooling,” a thousand times in a row. Between the random calls, scheduled tune-ups, and emergency repairs, you’re running on energy drinks and leftover pizza while working 10-12 hour days. This is when ductless mini-split systems really shine for homeowners—they’re efficient and reliable, even in the worst heat.

Anecdote:

One July, our local heat index hit 107 for three days straight. I had a list of emergency calls so long I taped it to my dashboard. I remember going to Mrs. Taylor’s house, she was 87 years old, sweet as can be, but her air conditioner hadn’t kicked on in two days. She was using fans just to stay cool, but the house was nearly unbearable. Felt like I was walking into an oven. I stayed two hours overtime to make sure her system was up and running that night. When she thanked me with a plate of warm cookies (ironic, in all that heat!), I realized this is why I’m in this business. We literally help people live comfortably, and sometimes, safely in their own homes. For folks like Mrs. Taylor, a 12000 BTU ductless mini-split could’ve been a game-changer for her small space.

Pain Point & Strategy:

• Pain Point: The exhaustion and stress of the busy season can wear you down. You might be tempted to cut corners just to get to the next call.
• Strategy: Stay organized. Use a mobile scheduling app or a well-planned route to cut down on drive time. And remember to hydrate, grab quick but balanced meals, and rest when you can. Your health matters as much as the next A/C fix. For homeowners looking to save energy during these brutal months, I often share simple tips to save on air conditioning costs with a ductless mini-split system.

Fall: The Transition

When the leaves start changing, the A/C calls slow down and the furnace calls pick up. It’s the season for those “My heater smells funny when I turn it on” calls. Nine times out of ten, it’s just dust burning off, but you still gotta check everything out. It’s also a great time to educate customers on how ductless mini-split heat pumps work for year-round comfort.

Anecdote:

A couple of years ago, I got a call about a furnace making a “terrible racket.” The homeowner said it sounded like a freight train in the basement. I popped open the panel, and wouldn’t you know it, a squirrel had built a nest in the intake over the summer. I spent an afternoon politely evicting the furry tenant and fixing the damage. The smell alone was worth hazard pay! For homes with less conventional setups, installing a ceiling cassette mini-split can sometimes prevent these kinds of issues by eliminating ductwork entirely.

Pain Point & Strategy:

• Pain Point: Odd smells, weird noises, or homeowners convinced their furnace is on its last leg can be overwhelming, especially if they’re upset or worried.
• Strategy: Communicate clearly. Let them know step by step what you’re checking, why you’re doing it, and how you’ll fix it. A calm explanation can turn a worried customer into a lifelong one. If their system’s on its last legs, I often suggest looking into why choose a ductless mini-split system for a more reliable alternative.

Winter: The Race Against the Cold

Winter is the make-or-break season for a lot of us. Nobody wants to be without heat, and the calls can be just as frantic as in the summer. Boiler repairs, cracked heat exchangers, pilot light issues if you do oil furnaces, well, that’s another layer of fun. You’re also dealing with icy ladders, frozen rooftops, and crawling around in unheated basements. For those with modern systems, a 24000 BTU mini-split heat pump can be a lifesaver in larger spaces during these cold months.

Anecdote:

I once responded to a no-heat call in the middle of a snowstorm. By the time I got there, the roads were a mess, and the house was sitting at about 50 degrees inside. The family had put on winter coats just to hang around the living room. Turned out a pressure switch on the furnace had failed. Replaced it, and within an hour, the place was toasty. They offered me hot cocoa, and it felt like a triumph just to see that thermostat climbing back to normal. For families like theirs, I often recommend exploring multi-zone mini-split systems to heat multiple rooms efficiently.

Pain Point & Strategy:

• Pain Point: Working long hours in freezing temperatures is tough, and driving conditions can slow you down or become hazardous.
• Strategy: Keep a winter emergency kit in your truck, blankets, snacks, an extra pair of gloves. And always let someone know where you are, especially if you’re heading out into a storm. For techs working on ductless systems, brushing up on mini-split installation tips can make winter jobs smoother.

The Wisdom We Earn

After living through these cycles year after year, you get to understand the flow of the seasons. You learn to plan ahead ordering parts in bulk before summer hits, scheduling your maintenance jobs in the spring and fall, and prepping your truck for cold-weather service in the winter.

What I’ve Learned:

1. Stay Organized: A good scheduling system and a well-stocked truck are everything.
2. Take Care of Yourself: The work is physically demanding. Stay hydrated, eat well, and pace yourself.
3. Customer Care: Communicate. People aren’t just paying you to fix a unit; they’re paying you to solve a problem and reassure them it’s all under control.
4. Keep Learning: Technology changes. Newer, more efficient systems come out every year. Online trainings, trade shows, or just talking to other techs will keep you sharp. For example, staying updated on the air quality and efficiency of ductless mini-split ACs can help you recommend the best solutions.
5. Build Relationships: Whether it’s with supply houses, coworkers, or customers, good relationships will save you time, money, and stress.
   

Looking Ahead

The HVAC industry isn’t slowing down, there’s a big future in high-efficiency systems, smart thermostats, and greener technologies. If you’ve got a head for new tech and a willingness to learn, you’ll ride that wave right into a stable and rewarding career. For those interested in the latest trends, take a look at the 10 best mini-splits for summer 2024 to see what’s making waves.

But hey, let’s be real no matter how fancy the equipment gets, at the end of the day, this job still requires someone to roll up their sleeves, hoist a toolbox, and crawl into a 120-degree attic or a drafty basement. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it sure can be satisfying work. If you’re troubleshooting a system and wondering whether to repair or replace, I recommend reading to fix or not to fix: navigating the ductless mini-split conundrum for some practical advice.

So, to all my fellow HVAC techs out there: I know what it’s like to end the day covered in dust, or to come home smelling like an attic, or to stand in a client’s living room at 3 a.m. because their heater quit on the coldest night of the year. This job is tough, but it’s worth it. We’re the ones who keep people comfortable, sometimes even alive, through the harshest conditions. Remember these ups and downs are all part of the ride. Stay safe, stay sharp, and keep the faith. The next service call is just around the corner.

About the Author:

Jake Donovan has been in the HVAC game for over 20 years, starting as an apprentice fresh out of trade school and working his way up to running his own service company. When he’s not knee-deep in condensate lines or troubleshooting a stubborn furnace, Jake enjoys fishing with his family and swapping stories with fellow techs at the local supply house.