How to become hvac engineer?! 6

[shahinmp]

Hi guys,

I want to start my career as a hvac engineer therefor I have started reading and updating myself by sources that I find in the internet.

I have some basic information about heating and cooling systems like I am familiar with chiller and its equipment(compressors, condenser, evaporator and cooling tower(for water cooled)), air handling units, fan coils,VAV and I know how they work. I learnt Revit mep by myself for designing hvac systems and I believe it is enough to start a job.

I have sent my cv to some companies but It has not worked yet. I talked with one of the companies and explained him about things that I know, but he asked me if I can calculate the loads for building and choose the system and equipment?!

How do you guys choose chiller, AHU and other hvac equipment? I have seen lots of theories but all were for calculating manually.
Do you use any software for selecting the hvac equipment and calculating the related theories? Do you use Revit for load calculation?

Would you please address some sources for system design and equipment selection method in hvac?

What is your suggestion for me? what should I read and add to my knowledge to make my CV more attractive for a company?

 

[willard3]

You will have to go to Engineering school if you want to be a licensed Engineer.

 

[shahinmp]

I have master in mechanical engineering! And couple of years experience in oil&Gas!

 

[lilliput1]

Start as a CAD operator. Review & understand shop drawings, specifications,in house software, in house produced & shared Excel design programs. Take Engineer in Training board exam. After 3 years take professional engineering exam. See what the company uses for cooling and heating load calculation. We have used Elite CHVAC program and Carrier HAP. Learn Psychrometrics and do not forget to include latent load from people, process and outdoor air (not just sensible heat load from building envelope, equipment, people, outdoor air) in calculating cooling load. Learn vendor cooling coil & heating selection programs, vendor fans selection programs, vendor pump selection program. Go for certification as LEED Engineering. Learn to estimate HVAC electrical loads because early on the design you have to give a list of equipment and power requirements to the electrical engineer so he can start his work. Ditto for HVAC requirements for drains, water makeup, hose bibs, eye wash stations you have to give to plumbing engineer. You have to give/coordinate mechanical room requirement to the architect so you have to layout mechanical rooms so equipment have adequate operating and service clearance and way to bring replacement in/out. You have to prepare specification - modify or add to the company standard specifications. Learn from a good project engineer in the company how to put out the work on time, within budget and be correct. Learn to do punch list to pick up construction errors or errors in design and have them rectified as soon as possible.

 

[lilliput1]

Also join ASHRAE. Learn to use their handbooks (Fundamentals, HVAC Applications, HVAC Systems & Equipment, Refrigeration)as reference. Always Check Fundamentals Chapter Codes and Standards for what will apply to your project. As ASHRAE member you get each year the one updated handbook for that year.

 

[dbill74]

Expanding on what Lilliput said, one of the requirements for the PE exam is to show experience working under the tutelage of other Professional Engineers. For this purpose you want to find a job as an entry level "Designer" rather than an "engineer" (we're particular about terms in this field). Also get in touch with and give your resume to a recruiter, they keep up to date about job openings with the best engineering firms and can help you find the right position for you.

Something else you will want to start reading is building codes and standards. Building codes are expensive to buy on your own, so go to your library and starting getting familiar, once you find a job your company should have a copy on hand. Specific standards to start becoming familiar with are ASHRAE 62.1 and ASHRAE 90.1; there are others but these 2 are biggies. Don't have to know these super well, but what's in them and what they provide guidance for.

Carrier System Design Manual is a go-to resource for many HVAC engineers.

There's a lot that goes into designing an HVAC system and every building is different; this is why you need to work under the guidance of a PE for a few years as you learn the ins and outs of HVAC design.

Be up front and honest with potential employers, let them know your expectations and career goals.

 

[berkshire]

Shahinmp,
You might also see if you can get familiar with the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association. ( SMACNA), they produce a set of standards for the construction of ducting.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[shahinmp]

Thank you very much guys for your tips...

 

[chicopee]

In my area Springfield, Ma., STCC has a specific HVAC program, perhaps, there could be a school with a similar program in your area.

 

[shahinmp]

I have found but It is expensive and it takes a lot of time...

 

[Sazirul]

There is a lot of job opportunity for hvac engineer in my country. I thought it's for Mechanical Department but they also required Electrical Background. It was really confusing for me in first time.

https://www.anelectricalengineer.com

 

[chicopee]

Some of these tech schools have night programs and you get to actually do hands on repairs in their labs. Hands on work on HVAC is worth its weight in gold than just by reading books.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

Go through the HVAC section and read all the books
[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.innovativeenergyengineering.com/index.html[/url]

 

[chicopee]

"Go through the HVAC section and read all the books" Book learning is one thing but it does not give you a hands on experience which ME's like to do in whatever field they get involved.

 

[shahinmp]

By the way guys, I live in Norway that is why I do not have access to your courses...

 

[dbill74]

You need to do a little research into the requirments for becoming licensed in Norway.

The basic priciples in the reference material we've given you already are applicable regardless of your location in the world.

However none of them will tell you the best proctices for Norway. The simple fact is that some things simply cannot be taught in a classroom or read in a book. That's where working under another engineer for 5-6 years comes to effect.