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Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians - There are many HVAC technical guides and manuals available to help HVAC technicians hone their skills on the job and become even better and more knowledgeable HVAC technicians. We can all use improvements in everything we do in life whether it is professionally or personally and always remember one can never know everything.
Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians
If you think you know everything then it is time to quit because, in reality, no one knows everything and if someone claims to know everything then I run as far from that person as I can and recommend you do the same.
Whenever I have someone ask me a question that I cannot answer because I do not know the answer I can confidently tell that person, “Sorry, I don’t know the answer but I know where I can find an answer”. And that is far better than trying not to look bad and guessing and being wrong about the answer that can possibly have detrimental effects.
What happens to Mr. or Mrs. Know-it-all described above and rarely to people who have my attitude and answer for questions we do not know.
Going to a manual to look up the answer is not unprofessional and does not make one look ignorant or stupid. On the contrary, I would rather someone look up the bona fide answer rather than make an educated guess. When we push the button to bring the machine alive I want to have absolute confidence it will work and work properly. In that regard, I am making some recommendations for a basic library of manuals and guides that every advanced residential HVAC technician will have in his library. This will include software along with the basic book formats because in modern times an HVAC technician should be computer savvy or working to become computer savvy.
Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians
1.Manual J – Residential Load Calculation: This is an absolute must-have for every HVAC technician to understand heat loss and heat gain for basic building materials including insulation values, roofing colors, and other nuggets of HVAC knowledge an HVAC technician can use in his daily duties. Other nuggets of HVAC knowledge one can learn from the Manual J includes
o Infiltration using the blower door test
o Latitude and altitude variables
o Fenestration loads
o Calculation variables for concrete block, brick, wood, and other materials.
Every HVAC technician needs to do a Manual J load calculation from time to time to keep their skills honed.
2. Manual D – Residential Duct Systems: Every Installation HVAC Technician needs this book in their technical library to help them keep the basic duct principles in mind especially when these installation HVAC technicians are working with apprentices or teaching non-skilled labor how to construct and install ductwork. Manual D includes:
o Duct sizing principles and calculations that are applicable to various duct materials
o Understanding flexible ducting and what happens when exceeding the maximum length including flexible duct sagging
o Blower performance and how duct friction affects air delivery
o Equivalent length values for various fittings and duct types
o Noise control
o Duct system efficiency
o Air quality and duct systems
o Codes concerning ductwork
3. Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Latest Edition) – This can be considered a comprehensive guide for many HVACR Technicians that includes many of the basics for air conditioning, heating systems including gas furnaces, refrigeration systems including heat pump systems. This book is not just for students as this is a book used at many universities and community college programs for up and coming HVAC students. Skilled technicians will use this manual to find basic HVAC nuggets of knowledge to help them solve problems. I recommend the hardcover version only as I have heard the softcover leaves out much information on the hardcover book covers.
Buy Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Here
4. International Mechanical Code (Latest Edition) – The IMC (International Mechanical Code) is another must-have codebook for the advanced residential HVAC technicians library. The IMC covers mechanical code for boilers, HVAC systems, duct systems, chimneys and ventilation, hydronic piping, and many other HVAC Code topics used by many municipalities and jurisdictions.
Buy International Mechanical Code Here
5. Electricity & Controls for HVACR – Another essential book in the advanced HVAC techs library this book will offer basic information about motors and controls that are typically used in many pieces of HVACR equipment. From electrical circuit basics all the way to relays and contactors this book will give informative information that will help make you more knowledgeable in electricity and controls. For an HVAC technician to master the HVAC trade it is imperative that the HVAC technician master electricity and controls.
Buy Electricity & Controls for HVACR Here
Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians
6. International Fuel Gas Code (Latest Edition) – another essential library for any HVAC technician will house the International Fuel Gas Code which is used by many jurisdictions for code enforcement of gas appliance installation including gas piping. Helps a technician with pipe sizing for gas appliances including gas furnaces, boilers, and water heaters. Gas safety is very important and the International Fuel Gas Code will help you meet and exceed the code on your next gas piping or gas appliance job.
Buy International Fuel Gas Code Here
HVAC Learning Never Stops - Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians
There are many other books available on the market for HVAC technicians to own so they can sharpen their skills and use them as references. Both the Manual J and the Manual D books are available in a software format for PC or smartphones for those that would rather use the software than read the book. Later we will be adding several books to the Reviews section of our website so comments and reviews can be made about the books. Another avenue for motivated and ambitious HVAC technicians is the NATE exams. I have met many NATE certified technicians and find them to be very knowledgeable and professional.
Guides for Residential HVAC Technicians
Technical Resource: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology
