Industry Related Articles

Faculty Connections – Meet Rickey Huyard

Rickey, 68, currently teaches Phase 4—Fundamentals of Solar—at The Refrigeration School. When he first came to RSI in June 2019, Rickey taught Phase 7, which covers commercial troubleshooting. Born in Lancaster, PA, Rickey came to Phoenix in 1972. He has over 40 years of experience in the HVAC field. Thanks for your time, Ricky. Tell us […]

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Electrician Career Paths: The Ultimate Guide

Have you ever thought about how essential electricity is to your everyday life? Without it, cities would go dark and everyday tasks like charging cell phones and making coffee wouldn’t be possible. Electricity is crucial to modern life. And, just as important are the men and women who make sure it reaches our homes and […]

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Graduate Connections – Meet Daniel Bucheger

Daniel, 29, from Colorado, graduated the Electro-Mechanical Technologies program in February 2020.   Thanks for sharing your story, Daniel. What you did you do before coming to RSI? After high school, I spent two years serving a mission for my church, and then another year working at Knott’s Berry Farm. I then spent about five […]

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Do You Need to Go to School for HVAC to Get a Job?

Due to mounting student debt, more and more young people are asking themselves if spending money on an education is actually worth it, especially when there are well-paying jobs that don’t require a degree.1, 2 Even in the skilled trades, though, there is one general truth: candidates who completed post-secondary training typically earn more and […]

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What Is Industrial HVAC?

Industrial HVAC systems provide heating, cooling and ventilation for large buildings or structures.1 You typically find industrial HVAC systems on the top of buildings, such as hospital complexes or retail businesses.2 If you’re considering enrolling in an HVAC program at a trade school or already a student, industrial HVAC could be a career option for […]

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Graduate Connections – Meet Donald Penny

Donald, 51, was born Maryville, AZ, but grew up in Mesa, AZ. Donald graduated from the Electro-Mechanical Technologies program in 2008, before coming back to complete the Mechanical Maintenance Engineering (MME) associate degree program in 2009.   Thanks for your time, Donald. Tell us what you did before coming to RSI in your late 30s. […]

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What Is an HVAC System?

Let’s start with answering the question, “What Is HVAC?” “HVAC” is an acronym for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. These days, it’s common to see an “R” added to the end for refrigeration: HVAC/R.1 So, what is an HVAC/R system? It’s the network of equipment in a home, commercial building or industrial setting responsible for […]

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