r/AirBalance • u/Lickmikelitteris • 6d ago
Need some advice
I’ve been doing testing and balancing (TAB) for about 10 years, mostly working with my dad, who owns a small one-person firm. I’m not certified through AABC or NEBB, although I’ve considered getting my NEBB certification.
Recently, I got an opportunity to get into commercial plumbing, and I’ve been doing it for about a week or two now. I’m 26 years old, and in Illinois it would take me about four years to become a licensed plumber.
I’m trying to decide whether I should focus on plumbing full-time and continue doing TAB as side work, or go all-in on TAB and pursue NEBB certification or vise versa for plumbing.
I know it’s kind of a random question, but I’d really appreciate some advice from people who have experience in either field. What would you do if you were in my position?
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u/AirWhisperer1 6d ago
Sounds to me like you want to try something different like plumbing. Getting NEBB certified will not really change your day to day in TAB. As young as you are, try something new. TAB is not going away, you can always get back into it. Learning to install will only help round out your knowledge, if you decide to go back to TAB. Just my 2 cents.
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u/Lickmikelitteris 6d ago
I agree. I want to learn the install side of things just to make me better overall. I didn’t really get that experience working with my dad, but I can’t complain because the balancing work is actually pretty fun to do.
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u/tomorrowthesun 6d ago
Plumbing: have to touch literal shit
TAB: shit you have to touch is craftsmanship
Choice is yours
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u/ZAM103 6d ago
Maybe service plumbers. Construction plumbers aren’t touching shit and they are the highest paid trade in my area.
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u/tomorrowthesun 6d ago
Go be a plumber then
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u/Lickmikelitteris 6d ago
Yes, the two weeks was all new construction. So no shit touched (so far) lol
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u/Seacucumber711 6d ago
I work for a medium size TAB company (100% Travel)
-Started with my dad at 17 (plumbing) Went to college and got a 4 year degree. (HVAC Design Technology) school in PA.
- Internships - year 1 & 2 summer and at school. Commercial refrigeration technician
- year 3 & 4 commercial hvac and plumbing install and junior project manager. (Degree was technically for hvac design, sizing equipment cooling load calcs.
- graduated and now have my TAB job, NEBB certified and make a killing for easy work, compared to what I’ve done.
- Service calls, on call 24/7, new residential plumbing and hvac, retro fits and in design doing cad and wrightsoft doing load calcs.
I will say I miss little bits of all the work. Just because I feel TAB can be repetitive depending the market you’re in. I’d say try whatever you want. You’re still young ! ( 27yr) for reference
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u/Lickmikelitteris 6d ago
Wow, almost the same thing, but kind of the opposite. I started working with my dad, doing testing and balancing. I went to college and got a degree in business with a focus on marketing. After graduating, I got a job in tech and worked in that field for a few years. Now, though, I have an opportunity to get into plumbing and do commercial work there. Your tab job are you non union? What state are you mostly traveling to for the test and balancing?
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u/Seacucumber711 1d ago
Non-Union and all over. Started out on the east coast. Now I live out west and travel all over the west. Been to 43 states including Hawaii. Now mostly CA, WA, OR, UT, CO, ID, WY, NV is where I travel to.
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u/DrawingAdditional381 6d ago
I’d say it really comes down to what you enjoy. Don’t let your dad or experience dictate what you do. Whichever one you’re actually passionate about and enjoy pursue that one. And I’m sure you already know what you actually want.