Magical Thinking

HeatingHelp

Magical Thinking

Study everything pertaining to the heating equipment that you are supposed to work on and don't be afraid to ask for help.

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numbawunfela

The only downside of reading about your trade popped up when I was around a year into HVAC. I had no training, and most of the guys I worked with were not very good. We had one seasoned guy who was a genius, but he was not tolerant of dimwits, so I was always trying to keep up with what he was telling me. 'I will answer any question - exactly one time' he would tell me.
So I read constantly - this was in the early 2000's so the internet was a thing, but not mobile internet. So I would print large amounts, read them in binders I kept with me.... whatever I could.
Anyhow, one day my wifey tells me 'I need you to pretend I am an air conditioning manual and give me attention'
Uh... sure! Didn't realize I was that distracted... hehe.
SO, yes, read all the time, get good at your trade. But don't forget to give the family a little attention too... ;-)

CLamb

Books can contain so much useful information. Back in the 1980s when I was working at Fort Monmouth we were tasked with helping the Explosive Ordinance Disposal folks with their library. They drove around with a truckload of books to identify every type of explosive device from the U.S. Civil War to present--including foreign devices. Bear in mind that these folks don't have second chances at their work. Using one of the first writable optical disk drives we were tasked with putting a truckload library on the disks. But the books are only part of the story. You also need the skills and brains to use them. Even with a book containing a "render safe" procedure I wouldn't attempt to disarm an aerial bomb. We are blessed these days to have so many primary sources available on the World Wide Web.