Source
r/engineering•
AConzrow

HVAC Design vs Energy Engineering

I graduated school in the spring and am trying to decide between pursuing an HVAC design position or an energy engineering position. (By energy engineering I mean audits, commissioning and retrofits etc)

Just wanted to hear some opinions on what engineers in those fields think in relation to the technical rigor, the overall experience and any other thoughts you have.

In my mind, it certainly helps to know both, and that's what I would love to do, but from the job listings that I have seen, you have to pick one!

Posted Sep 3, 2011, 12:35 AM UTC

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GoP-DemonMechanical Engineer•

if you're stuck on the fence....... money.............? Promotion opportunities? Interacting with people?

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theubernoob•

I would love to do HVAC design and create more efficient buildings/houses since what I've seen doesn't really use basic engineering concepts to maximize efficiency. I can't see HVAC being too difficult and improving designs would be rather easy in my eyes. I don't know anything about energy engineering so I can't really comment on that.

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[deleted]•

Funny, I'm in the exact same position. I've had a few internships at mechanical design firms and the work is definitely interesting. As an HVAC designer, it would be easy to get into energy later on in your career. In my opinion, it would be far more difficult to do the jump the other way around. I would say pursue HVAC design first if you are unsure.

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allaboutMECH•

I'm an ME with 5 years experience in design in NY and I'm currently helping my company do their commissioning. 

 Design requires learning codes and how things work on paper and drafting and later dealing with construction mishaps which sometimes stem from a bad design. No two jobs are alike and shop drawings can be a bitch.

 Commissioning(cx) let's you dive into how things work hands on in the field measuring stuff and generating reports which is cool and all but the measuring happens normally in off hours like 6pm-6am or weekends and holidays.  And you don't just do one system, normally you're asked to bang out 10 floors or the whole building to complete the report and the union guys normally arent ready for testing. Those days you just sit and wait and wait until they say they're ready and then continue testing. Waste of time if you ask me but a necessary evil. You're still getting paid but you're wasting the clients money. 

With all things considered, you don't need a degree in engineering for cx, but you learn the systems and design by repitition(as much as the union guys). Design requires actually knowledge of how things work and will give you something to show for in coming years if you learn how to do it right.(as well as PE significant topics) Cx is big only because of the new "green" bs everyone is pushing. Being in a green office means being in an office that is too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. 

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AConzrowOP•

allaboutMECH thank you for the reply. It certainly gives me a lot to think about, but right now, I'm thinking design. Thanks again!

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allaboutMECH•

No prob. Although I do seem biased since I started in design and hate cx now, a lot of my mngrs and mentors started in the field doing energy audits and cx for a year or so before design. They say it's a good experience but there is a reason they're still not doing it now. Energy modeling and learning those programs are the way to go on top of learning design. If offered, say yes to learning programs like revit or Building Information Modelling(BIM) because they seem to be where engineering is heading towards. That being said, both directions require dealing with people on the phone and in person so learn how not to piss people off. The eng community is smaller than you think and word will travel.

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mantra•

My father was an ME and did both as a sales engineer.

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