Key Takeaways
- Embrace Early Mistakes: Technical errors are valuable learning opportunities that build expertise when you analyze what went wrong
- Build Your Base Knowledge: Study diagrams, read manuals, and inspect failed components to develop deep understanding beyond surface-level repairs
- Step Outside Your Comfort Zone: Fear of failure prevents growth – tackle challenging calls to expand your capabilities
- Own Your Mistakes: Communicate honestly about errors, learn from them, and never make the same mistake twice
Introduction: The Value of Early HVAC Mistakes
Thinking back to my early years in the HVAC trade, I realized that I made a fabulous amount of mistakes. The cost of “Smoke Put-er Back In-ers” were out of my price range as a struggling apprentice, so on many occasions I had to make that head-dropping phone call: “Yeah, hey boss… I just fried another motor.”
Learning from Errors: The Foundation of Growth
I was sure on many occasions that my employment was in a fantastic whirlwind of destruction. Every Monday morning when I reached for my pay stub, a journeyman co-worker used to say, “Fooled ’em for another week, eh Gary!”
I figured something out early on: as long as I put forth an effort, communicated, and was honest, my mistakes would be forgiven if the mistakes were a result of learning. But make the same mistake twice? The end result wouldn’t be pretty.
Case Study: The Solenoid Coil Lesson
Here’s a perfect example from my apprentice days. I had just finished piping in two fifteen-ton server room AC units. I had the solenoid coils pulled from the valves – I don’t remember exactly why. When I powered up the machines, I learned a costly lesson: powering up a solenoid coil not attached to the valve will burn it out. That was my bad, though I wasn’t aware it would happen.
I received a lecture, of course, but I never made this mistake again. The owner of my company at the time gave me some invaluable advice: “Take things apart that fail and inspect them, and you’ll know more than everyone else who doesn’t.”
Building Your Technical Foundation
I started taking things apart and inspecting them, but I took it a step further. I would read all manuals that came with parts – even parts I had changed many times but had never actually stopped to read the literature.
During preventive maintenance calls, I would pull diagrams and study them for several minutes until I understood them completely. If I was working on a heat pump or reversing valve system, for example, I would sketch out the refrigerant piping diagram and wouldn’t look away until I could comprehend the operation.
I would stick my meter leads onto terminals of various components, even though it didn’t pertain to the scope of my work. This was something I did every chance I had. This is how we learn and develop a base knowledge. It’s impossible to know everything – this trade is too big and constantly changing. Developing a base knowledge coupled with an eagerness to succeed will take you far.
Overcoming Fear in the HVAC Trade
Have you ever heard a technician refuse to go on a call because they felt the problem or equipment was over their head? Granted, their claims might be warranted, but most times it’s fear that creates that mindset – the fear of failure.
We all must step out of our comfort zone at times, even if the end result may in fact be failure. “Fail early and fail often” – I’ve read this quote and similar ones many times, and it couldn’t be more true. Here’s one story of personal success that had a trail of failure behind it.
Personal Success Story: Solving the Chiller Alarm Mystery
I was looking after a couple of large chillers. Every so often, we would receive a call that an alarm was present. On inspection, the alarm read that a suction pressure transducer failure had taken place. Reset the alarm, the alarm would clear, and the chiller(s) would run for several weeks problem-free until the alarm would randomly reappear.
After several calls and resets, the customer began to get frustrated. I changed the pressure transducer, wiring harness, and transducer control board on one chiller only. Several weeks later, the alarm returned again. It seemed to happen during periods of rain or when the air had high moisture content.
Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity kicked in: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I decided I was going to remove the problematic transducers and install mechanical low-pressure switches.
I called tech support for guidance and was told it wasn’t a good idea – “good luck, it’s all on you.” A few failed wiring diagrams and chattering contactors later, I managed to wire in mechanical low-pressure switches and trick the main control board with resistors.
That was about four years ago. Since then, no more nuisance low-pressure faults. The confidence to tackle such a task came from my previous years of building a strong base, much like understanding complex BMS control fundamentals that many technicians find intimidating.
Building Confidence Through Experience
The moral of the story: Fail early, fail often, build a strong base knowledge, communicate, be honest, and own your mistakes. Over time, you will build unbelievable confidence in your abilities.
Whether you’re troubleshooting bi-flow TXVs in heat pumps or tackling your first chiller repair, remember that every experienced technician started exactly where you are. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t isn’t natural talent – it’s the willingness to learn from every mistake.
As you build your expertise and confidence, you’re also building your reputation in the field. Property.com’s ‘Know Before You Go‘ tool helps established technicians leverage that hard-earned expertise by providing critical homeowner insights before arriving on-site. When you’re ready to translate your technical skills into premium business growth, Property.com offers an exclusive network where your experience truly pays off. Learn how Property.com helps seasoned HVAC pros stand out in their market.
Check out the link to my YouTube channel for more tips, tricks, and troubleshooting videos, and check out The HVAC Know It All podcast here or on your favorite podcast app. Happy HVACing!
