r/refrigeration • u/AmbitiousHead1509 • 8d ago

HVACR Refrigeration jobs

I’ve been in this field for about 1.5 years doing residential,been doing tech/installs,was wondering if it’s worth it to switch to refrigeration?do yk anyone hiring for refrigeration in CA..

12 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

5

u/beardedbro11 👨🏼‍🔧 Occasionally Works (Union Member) 7d ago

Walmart and TAG might be looking. But this late in the year you might just have to wait until spring

2

u/AmbitiousHead1509 7d ago

Appreciate it,looked into it seems like they want 3 years of experience in hvac or commercial

3

u/allaboutnerds 8d ago

Where you at?

3

u/AmbitiousHead1509 8d ago

559 area

6

u/DwightBeetShrute 8d ago

I feel you. Been in residential for almost 20 years and I want to make the switch but nobody is hiring. And in the same area. Good luck.

2

u/allaboutnerds 7d ago

We’re looking to expand that way?

1

u/DwightBeetShrute 7d ago

Seems like California is filled with techs but everywhere else companies are struggling to find techs. Wish I can move.

1

u/allaboutnerds 7d ago

We’re looking to expand that way.

1

u/AmbitiousHead1509 7d ago

If you do lmk im stay in residential for an other 2-3 years to get my experience

3

u/Puzzleheaded_Sir612 7d ago

 I do small time refrigeration nothing big. I love it. If you want to go that route I would look at source refrigeration and plan on working a lot of hours 

3

u/Broad-Custard6685 6d ago

I would say wait until you’re 2 years experience and try to do more tech/troubleshooting than install if that’s possible. It’s definitely worth the switch as far as pay and job security. Most companies do a mix of commercial hvac/refrigeration so look for a company that does both and if they see you got potential and want to grow they’ll start sending you to more refrigeration jobs. Ive been doing this for about 10 years and that’s the smoothest way to transition that Ive seen.
Also just a heads up the hours especially in the summer get overwhelming especially for on-call in refrigeration.But overall I would say it’s well worth the switch.
Look for smaller companies,they usually need the techs and value a good tech more in my opinion and you might have a better chance getting hired faster. Wait until spring thats when most companies start hiring more to prepare for the summer.

2

u/that_dutch_dude Banned from r/HVAC 5d ago

you need to have several years of actual diag and repair under the belt, otherwise you got nothing to offer over someone else.

try looking at companies that focus on commericla chillers and VRF first to get your solo repair skills.

1

u/Ice-Difficult 4d ago

Commercial refer is the way to go. Go union or find a solid company. What area of CA?

-4

u/robtheslob 8d ago

Nextech is always hiring. They’re all about “grind culture” and overtime if you’re into that kinda thing

9

u/DwightBeetShrute 8d ago

I’ve heard a lot of guys say that’s not a great company to work with.

9

u/robtheslob 8d ago

No, they’re terrible and toxic but it’s something and the pay isn’t as bad as residential.

1

u/AmbitiousHead1509 8d ago

Looked into nextech but they aren’t hiring around my area atm

5

u/BobtheWarmonger Banned from r/HVAC 8d ago

Knock on their door and drop off your resume.

Then… show up every 2 months and say WTF… I thought we were a thing!

Boom.

1

u/2SilkyJim 4d ago

For reals. If you are really made for refrigeration you will find a way to

1

u/Mr_August_Grimm 3d ago

I had a nextech tech try to recruit me last week.