My 2 cents....don't do residential work at all. Go commercial HVAC only, no refrigeration. Refrigeration REQUIRES 24 hr service, most commercial A/C applications only require a response M-F 7 to 5. I've been self employed for almost 10 years now and I have only worked maybe 6 nights or weekends. Home owners are generally cheap skates while most commercial managers are pretty loose with the money if you are giving them good service. Go commercial...leave the residential stuff alone. Refrigeration can make you serious $$$$$ but the liability involved with a food storage plant that holds 500K worth of food will keep you up at night!! Good luck...it's a great trade that will pay off big time if you put out the effort.

 

Yes, the trade school is a pain!!! I feel like I will be a Chemical Scientist when I get through with this. I'm taking the BOMI course (Self Study) and it is nothing like my Trade School training on Electrical. I was an electrician for 6 years, and now work for a bank that wants me to know how everything and anything works!!!!! Good luck!!!!! The Commercial Field is more laid back in my opinion.