Technician. AI Learner. Future Specialist.

This roadmap represents my long-term HVAC + HVAC-AI development plan. Each year builds on stronger fundamentals, certifications, BMS/controls skills, and AI-supported building operations.

Project 1 – EPA 608 Learning Archive

Building a solid foundation in refrigeration, safety, and environmental responsibility.

What this project is about

This project is my long-term study and practice archive for the EPA Section 608 Universal certification. I am using it to document the core theory behind refrigerants and system types, safety rules, and practical workflows that I will use in the field. It is not just exam preparation – it is my base layer for becoming a safe and reliable HVAC technician.

Focus areas

• Refrigeration fundamentals – pressure–temperature relationships, phase change, superheat and subcooling.
• Refrigerant types & categories – low/medium/high pressure, with a strong focus on Type II and Type III systems.
• Recovery & recycling – recovery cylinder use, evacuation, dehydration and deep vacuum concepts.
• Leak detection & repair – tools, methods, allowable leak rates and key EPA rules.
• Safety & compliance – PPE, handling, storage, recordkeeping and environmental impact.

Learning sources

• SkillCat EPA 608 courses and unit exams.
• Official EPA Section 608 study guides.
• Reputable HVAC training materials and field references.
• My own structured notes and question banks (bilingual originally, converted into English for this site).

Current status

Right now, this project is in the intensive learning phase:

• Actively studying and testing Type II and Type III content.
• Building structured notes and flashcards for each unit.
• Tracking weak points (for example: recovery requirements, leak rate calculations) and turning them into focused micro-lessons.

Next steps

Over time, this project will expand to include:

• Service checklists for common EPA-related tasks.
• Simple diagrams that connect theory → gauges → real equipment.
• Mini case studies: “What went wrong” and “What the EPA would require.”
• A timeline update when I sit and pass the EPA 608 Universal exam.

This archive is the first brick in my long-term plan to move from entry-level HVAC work into smart buildings, BACnet-based systems and HVAC-AI diagnostics.

Project 2 – R-410A & Heat Pump Optimization

Building strong technical mastery in modern refrigerants, heat pump systems, and performance diagnostics.

What this project is about

This project is a long-term technical archive focused on understanding and optimizing R-410A refrigerant systems and heat pump performance. It documents the core refrigeration behaviors, pressure–temperature relationships, airflow impact, heating/cooling mode transitions, and the diagnostic workflow used by professional HVAC technicians.

Focus areas

• R-410A fundamentals – characteristics, pressures, POE oil, PT curve behavior.
• Heat pump cycle – cooling/heating mode, reversing valve, auxiliary & emergency heat.
• Performance optimization – superheat, subcooling, airflow, charge verification.
• Defrost operations – demand vs timed, common failures, frost patterns.
• Troubleshooting – high SH, low SC, high head pressure, airflow issues, valve failures.
• Safety & regulations – high-pressure safety, EPA handling rules, proper tools.

Learning sources

• SkillCat R-410A training units and heat-pump modules.
• HVAC School and AC Service Tech technical guides.
• Manufacturer charging charts (Carrier, Goodman, Lennox).
• R-410A PT charts and performance worksheets.
• My own structured flashcards and micro-lessons.

Current status

• Studying heat pump cycle theory and reversing-valve operation.
• Learning superheat/subcooling calculations using PT charts.
• Reviewing defrost logic and common failure patterns.
• Documenting R-410A safety principles and high-pressure handling.

Next steps

• Create performance worksheets for SH/SC and airflow checks.
• Build mini case studies for common R-410A problems.
• Simulate heat-pump faults: low heat output, defrost failure, high head pressure.
• Develop a charging workflow using manufacturer charts.

This project strengthens the technical base needed for 2026 field work and prepares me for advanced HVAC-AI performance analysis in the coming years.

Project 3 – Smart Buildings & BACnet Fundamentals

Building a solid entry-level foundation in smart buildings, BAS, and BACnet communication.

What this project is about

This project is my structured introduction to smart buildings and building automation systems (BAS). It focuses on how field devices, controllers, and supervisory software communicate using BACnet in commercial buildings. The goal is to become comfortable reading points, alarms, and trends so I can connect HVAC field work with digital building data.

Focus areas

• Smart building basics – BAS architecture, controllers, sensors, actuators.
• BACnet fundamentals – objects, properties, points, devices, MSTP/IP basics.
• Trends and alarms – how building data is logged, visualized, and used for diagnostics.
• Graphics and dashboards – understanding floor plans, AHU/RTU graphics, and key KPIs.
• Integration mindset – how HVAC equipment, controls, and IT networks fit together.

Learning sources

• Manufacturer and vendor documentation on BACnet and BAS platforms.
• Online smart building and BAS fundamentals courses.
• Technical blogs and case studies from BAS and building-automation professionals.
• My own notes and diagrams summarizing common BAS architectures.

Current status

I am in the early learning phase: mapping out core BAS concepts, terminology, and typical building architectures, and connecting them with my HVAC fundamentals.

Next steps

• Build a simple “virtual building” diagram showing typical BACnet devices and networks.
• Create a glossary of smart building and BACnet terms in technician-friendly language.
• Collect example screenshots of trends, alarms, and dashboards for study purposes.
• Prepare for future hands-on training with real BAS tools and software.

Project 4 – BrainBox AI & HVAC-AI Experiments

Learning how AI tools can optimize HVAC performance, energy use, and operations.

What this project is about

This project documents my learning journey with HVAC-AI platforms such as BrainBox AI and other data-driven tools. The focus is to understand how AI uses building data, trends, and models to optimize comfort and energy, and how a technician can work alongside these systems.

Focus areas

• HVAC-AI basics – what data is collected, how models are trained, and what outputs are produced.
• Setpoint and schedule optimization – how AI adjusts operation without breaking comfort or safety.
• Fault indication and anomaly detection – using AI insights to support troubleshooting.
• Digital twin concept – linking field equipment behavior with simulated models.
• Technician’s role – how to interpret AI dashboards and communicate findings to building teams.

Learning sources

• Public resources, webinars, and documentation from BrainBox AI and similar platforms.
• Industry articles on HVAC analytics, fault detection, and optimization.
• My own notes connecting AI concepts to real-world HVAC field examples.

Current status

I am collecting examples of AI-powered dashboards, learning the typical KPIs they track, and mapping them back to core refrigeration and airflow concepts.

Next steps

• Create small “AI case summaries” that explain what the AI saw and how a technician would respond.
• Link key EPA 608 and R-410A concepts to AI-based performance indicators.
• Develop a personal study map for future hands-on work with HVAC-AI tools.

Project 5 – Service Tech Field Notes & Checklists

Designing practical checklists and note systems for safe, consistent HVAC field work.

What this project is about

This project is about building my personal “service tech handbook”: simple, repeatable checklists and note templates for common HVAC tasks. The goal is to reduce mistakes, stay organized, and document findings in a way that supervisors and future teammates can trust.

Focus areas

• Pre-job safety and lockout/tagout reminders.
• Basic diagnostic flows for common package units, split systems, and heat pumps.
• Measurement logs – pressures, temperatures, superheat, subcooling, airflow checks.
• Customer-ready summaries – clear, simple explanations of findings and recommended actions.

Learning sources

• Service tech training materials and textbooks.
• Checklists shared by experienced technicians and instructors.
• My own practice notes from study sessions and future field experiences.

Current status

I am designing draft checklists based on R-410A, EPA 608, and basic electrical and safety training.

Next steps

• Create printable and digital versions of core checklists.
• Link each checklist to the related EPA 608, R-410A, or safety concept.
• Refine templates over time as I gain real-world field experience.

Project 6 – HVAC + IT Foundations Lab

Building the IT skills that support modern smart-building and HVAC-AI work.

What this project is about

This project tracks my progress in core IT skills that support HVAC and building automation: basic networking, operating systems, and troubleshooting. It connects my Google IT Support and CompTIA-style learning with future work on BACnet, BAS, and HVAC-AI tools.

Focus areas

• Computer basics – operating systems, file systems, command line comfort.
• Networking fundamentals – IP addresses, subnets, switches, routers, basic security.
• Troubleshooting mindset – structured approaches to diagnosing technical problems.
• Documentation – clear lab notes and network diagrams for future reference.

Learning sources

• Google IT Support and similar entry-level IT courses.
• CompTIA-style study materials and practice labs.
• My own lab exercises and diagrams created on my computer at home.

Current status

I am strengthening my IT fundamentals in parallel with EPA 608 and HVAC training, with the goal of becoming comfortable in both mechanical rooms and network rooms.

Next steps

• Build small home lab exercises to practice IP addressing and basic network setups.
• Document troubleshooting stories that connect IT issues to BAS and HVAC systems.
• Prepare for future certifications that support smart building and BAS work.

Project 7 – BACnet Pro & Advanced Building Automation

Long-term path toward advanced BACnet, multi-vendor BAS, and HVAC-AI integration.

What this project is about

This is a long-term project that looks beyond entry-level BAS knowledge and focuses on deeper BACnet skills, multi-vendor integration, and advanced optimization strategies. It connects my field technician background with future roles in building automation and HVAC-AI diagnostics.

Focus areas

• Advanced BACnet – routing, BBMDs, device discovery, and troubleshooting communication issues.
• Multi-vendor systems – understanding how different BAS platforms coexist in one building.
• Optimization strategies – schedules, setpoints, resets, and energy-saving sequences.
• Data-driven diagnostics – using trends and analytics to find hidden performance problems.

Learning sources

• Future vendor courses on BACnet and advanced BAS tools.
• Technical papers and case studies on high-performance buildings.
• My accumulated experience from Projects 1–6, especially smart buildings and HVAC-AI work.

Current status

This project is in the planning stage and will become more active after I complete core EPA, R-410A, safety, and IT foundations.

Next steps

• Identify key vendor training paths for BACnet and building automation.
• Design a multi-year learning roadmap from entry-level tech to advanced BAS specialist.
• Connect this roadmap to my 2026–2030 career goals on this site.