Ever since the first commercial air conditioner went on the market in 1901, the core physical principle behind air conditioning has remained the same: removing heat from air through the evaporation of a refrigerant. That, however, is about the only thing that hasn’t changed in the intervening years.
Air conditioning, heating, air quality, refrigeration, and other building systems have undergone massive changes in the past century, and new developments emerge all the time. So why do so many HVAC and systems companies let their teams work year in and year out without providing them the training they need to stay up-to-date?
At Hays, we understand that a big part of a systems technician’s job is to be a student of their trade. For us to continue promising the best-quality service and the most innovative solutions, there are several reasons why it’s vital that our team never stops learning.
Systems Technologies Change Continually
Take a look at any two HVAC systems that were manufactured about ten years apart. You’ll see a few core similarities – there’s still no substitute for a copper condenser coil – and the innards may look more or less the same, but the way those systems work together is probably very different. Since Hays Service opened our doors, we’ve seen:
- The introduction of digital and smart thermostats
- A near-complete elimination of mechanical and simple electrical control systems
- The development of digitally controlled motors that optimize efficiency automatically
- A level of systems integration that would have been unthinkable even 30 years ago
Every year, HVAC and other systems manufacturers launch new technologies that require a new way of thinking about how a heating, ventilation, and cooling system can operate. Usually, these new technologies are more complex than traditional tech, and even effectively troubleshooting a minor fault can require an in-depth understanding of several different subsystems.
By ensuring that our team stays up-to-date on emerging technologies and receives training on how these new systems work, we can continue to provide you with turnkey service for your HVAC and other building systems.
HVAC Tools and Techniques Continue to Improve
Not all that long ago, the main way HVAC technicians discovered minor faults in HVAC systems was by inspecting broken or failed parts after they’d been replaced. Things like minor imbalances in a fan or microscopic wear of a bearing race were largely invisible to even a detailed inspection, and the minor fault would become a major fault, which would then lead to equipment failure.
Today, well-trained technicians can use tools like thermal imaging, highly-sensitive vibration meters, and other specialty tools to perform predictive maintenance – detecting problems long before they’d otherwise be noticed and applying a quick and effective repair now, while the issue is still inexpensive to fix.
Beyond that, all of the tools of the HVAC technician’s trade have gotten better over time. Refrigerant management tools have improved, allowing technicians to work more safely and sustainably on refrigerant-based systems without harming the environment. Diagnostic tools communicate with built-in fault-detection systems to provide a detailed log of problems to expedite repairs.
All of these tools require proper training. Without in-depth and hands-on education on the features and functionalities of every tool in the toolbox, a technician simply cannot perform their job correctly. At Hays, we ensure that our team is fully and properly trained on every tool we use to ensure that we’re doing the whole job, the right way, as quickly and efficiently as possible.
HVAC Regulations Are Always in Flux
The machinery isn’t the only part of the HVAC industry that’s constantly changing. The laws and regulations that govern things such as efficiency standards, refrigerant reclamation and use, and other aspects of the industry are continually being updated, as well.
Before the days of the EPA, flushing an HVAC system often meant opening the service port and venting refrigerant into the atmosphere. Old oil drained from compressors and other equipment was poured into a gravel-lined pit to seep into the ground. Chemicals that were used were corrosive, toxic, harmful to the environment, or all three.
Since those days, the various local, state, and federal government agencies that oversee environmental protection, worker safety, and other aspects of the HVAC business have continued to update the regulations to reflect the nation’s commitment to improving safety and reducing our industry’s impact on the environment.
If your HVAC systems service company isn’t up-to-date on current technologies and tools, you’ll pay the price in higher energy bills, higher maintenance expenses, and more frequent component replacements – along with lost productivity and downtime. If your service team isn’t current on regulations, you could find yourself paying a different price: fines, penalties, and judgements.
How Hays Service Keeps Our Team Learning Every Day
We keep our team in constant training throughout most of the year, with longer classes in fall and winter and shorter class in the cooling months.
2025 Schedule to Date:
- Centrifugal Chiller School- April
- Boiler Operation and Maintenance-May
- HVACR 101 Overview -May
- Pump Repair and Maintenance- June
- Variable Frequency Drives- August
- Electrical Troubleshooting and Repair- September.
Our in-house safety training and planned maintenance tasking are constantly being reviewed.
It takes a lot of time and attention to develop a professional technician armed to do battle in today’s environment. Training is one of the keys and we take it seriously.
Have a great summer,
Coach Cal