A self-paced track for moving from HVAC trade or technical work into a consulting practice — assessing systems, diagnosing performance problems and advising owners on replacement and operation. It covers six stages: what the consultant does and where the licensing boundary sits, load and system fundamentals, the paid system assessment, diagnosing and correcting existing buildings, replacement and retrofit advisory, and pricing, clients and building the practice.

The market is owners of existing commercial and multifamily buildings who are paying too much, are uncomfortable, and have only ever been told what to buy by someone selling it. Technical Skills College is independent and issues no certification, credential or licence.

Modules

Stage One — The Consultant Role and Its Boundaries

Lessons

• Why Owners Pay for Independent Advice Preview
• The Licensing Boundary
• Choosing a Market Segment

Stage Two — Loads Systems and Fundamentals

Lessons

• Load Calculation and Why Equipment Is Oversized
• System Types and Their Trade-offs
• Air Distribution and Controls

Stage Three — The Paid System Assessment

Lessons

• Designing the Assessment
• Field Measurement and Tools
• The Assessment Report

Stage Four — Diagnosing Existing Buildings

Lessons

• Comfort Complaints and Their Real Causes
• Energy Analysis From the Bills
• Maintenance Programmes and Service Contracts

Stage Five — Replacement and Retrofit Advisory

Lessons

• When to Replace and When Not To
• Specifying and Evaluating Bids
• Overseeing Installation and Verification

Stage Six — Pricing Clients and the HVAC Advisory Practice

Lessons

• Pricing Independent Assessment Work
• Where Clients Come From
• Building the Practice