How has AW helped you grow in your career?
Hello there! My name is Jamil Gutierrez, and I am a Journeyman for Atlantic Westchester Commercial HVAC Services. I’ve been with Atlantic Westchester for four years, and it has been a great place to work.
AW has been at the forefront of my career growth and has allowed me to go to school, become licensed, certified, and now an expert in the trade. Prior to working for AW, I came from a non-union shop that didn’t prioritize employee development. They didn’t invest in training or growth opportunities, leaving employees to figure things out on their own.
Atlantic Westchester takes pride in both their work and their people. They support a rigorous five-year school path through the Local 21 Union, as well as an individualized training system for each of their technicians. AW truly values education; keeping us current with the latest technology, methods, and innovations in the commercial HVAC industry.
They’ve sent me to multiple training courses throughout the year, including Power Flame burner training, Mitsubishi VRF system training, and advanced Building Management System courses like Niagara 4 and Honeywell. I appreciate everything AW has done for me and look forward to continuing to grow in the career they’ve helped shape.
The more educated I am as a technician, the better I am for both the company and our clients in the commercial HVAC industry.
What’s one HVAC tip or best practice that facility managers should keep in mind?
One of the most important HVAC best practices facility managers should keep in mind is that everything has a lifespan, and many serious issues can be prevented with a proactive approach.Preventative Maintenance allows us to stay ahead of potential issues and communicate openly with clients about the condition of their systems. We can recommend repairs before problems arise, or replacements before something fails.
Knowing that every system has a finite lifespan is key. It’s always better to replace components before they’re no longer repairable. No one wants to face a heating or cooling emergency in extreme temperatures. A proactive approach, especially scheduling replacements during off-seasons; saves both time and cost.
I’ve seen units fail in as little as 3–5 years, while others have lasted 25–30. Everything eventually reaches its end; but when it does, you can count on us to be ready to help.