About the role – service engineer Andy

On a callout, the idea is to get to site as soon as possible and diagnose the issue. Then to get approval to carry out remedial works or to prepare a quotation to fix the issue, if necessary.

Everything you need for these different jobs is at your fingers tips. The service engineer can log into Thermodial’s computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) through thermodial.ie, view the previous site history and get up to speed on recent site activities. On some of the sites, I can log on to and access equipment remotely through the building energy management system (BEMS) and get an idea of what’s happening before arriving to a callout. You try to gather as much information as possible to help make a decision.

Once works are complete and systems are back up and running efficiently, I get great job satisfaction from seeing that. I have always enjoyed problem solving.

When I joined Thermodial, I joined as an electrician. I didn’t know anything about heating systems or air handling units. Over the last five years I have expanded my skillset, way beyond what I knew coming in. Now I can handle callouts and deal with all types of HVAC equipment.

The maintenance contractor and the service engineer are the vital link in the running of any business with a building. A supermarket deli cannot function without hot water. If there was an interruption to heating in the tropical greenhouses we provide maintenance to, precious flowers and plants would die.

The service engineers are the front line and the face of the company. They can also contribute to the growth of the company, not only through keeping customers satisfied, but seeking out new customers too. We got a call recently to look at a school’s heating system. I performed a callout after it was diagnosed as a BEMS issue, I attended site and got the heating system up and running. I then advised the school that they should have some kind of maintenance regime in place on all of the HVAC equipment to reduce the risk of failure. They have since come on-board as a customer.

My colleagues are the most important support in my role. If I have an issue, someone is just a phone call away. I have never been stuck. I ring colleagues based on their experience, because there are different skillsets throughout the company. Although the longer I’ve been here, the less I’ve needed to ring for help.

The service engineer’s job in performing planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is trying to reduce any potential downtime of the important HVAC equipment. This is done by spotting upcoming faults and removing points of failure, like a pump running over current or a three port value sticking. It is also done by servicing boilers making sure they reach efficiency targets.

In preparing for PPM visits, the service engineer travels from their house in their company van. Depending on the site, the service engineer should ring ahead and tell the customer when they are coming, especially if it is first thing in the morning. The customer appreciates that courtesy. You should have all of the correct tools in your van – Thermodial provide all of those. Also, collect any replacement equipment from the office if you are carrying out repair work before travelling to site.

Once you get up and running as a HVAC service engineer and you are trusted on key sites, you can essentially work for yourself – inputting into the make-up of the weekly schedule before it is released.

Any pressure I am under as a service engineer is self-pressure – to get things done right. It can bring out the best in you.

It takes two years after joining Thermodial before you are comfortable with all systems. The great thing is, I have never felt alone when working on my own. There is always support there.

I am with Thermodial for more than five years now and any training I have asked for has been considered and where necessary, provided. Currently I am training in BEMS and controls after Thermodial wanted to expand in this area and a door opened up for me.

There are plenty of other benefits to the job too. There’s a bonus, vehicle, phone, tools, Snickers uniform and health insurance, to name but a few. When I worked on building sites, I had to provide my own transport; tax and insure my car, get a toll tag and pay for parking and fuel. Now all of that hassle has been taken away.

Aside from those benefits, I get a huge amount of job satisfaction from the service engineer role. Arriving at site, sourcing and repairing a problem for the customer is very rewarding to me. It’s also nice when you get recognition at staff meetings, where customer feedback is shared – it is great to be recognised for your work.

Thermodial provides an excellent and very positive work environment. When I was working in construction, it was all shouting and roaring to get things done quickly. There’s a slower pace here, as there is more thinking and problem solving involved in what you are doing. Things are done right instead of quickly. It took a while to adjust, but I wouldn’t go back to the way things were in construction.

Also at Thermodial, there is an open door policy. You have a direct line – and you feel comfortable picking up that direct line – to the company directors. If needs be, they’ll meet you on site to solve an issue. I’ve found in other places, they say they have an open door policy, but in reality, they don’t.

I have learnt a few skills during my time at Thermodial. One of the main ones is to have patience. Take a step back and read the situation. I’ve also developed people skills, as relationships are a big part of the job.

I’d also like to think that I am trustworthy – I am the link from the company to the customer. 50% of the job is about developing a trustworthy relationship with the customer because that relationship makes it easier for both parties to work together.

The advice I would offer to someone starting as a new service engineer with Thermodial would be to calm down. Watch and learn. Take a step back and assess. Shake the fear of failure. Have confidence in your own abilities – I wish I had told myself that five years ago.

You won’t regret it, as it opens up doors to places that you never knew existed – like going from being an electrician to BEMS and controls via HVAC. Thermodial won’t put you in a position that you can’t handle. You are never allocated jobs that are beyond your skillset.

On occasions where you can’t fix a problem, pick up the phone. I found the lads very helpful when I joined; now I am the one helping the new service engineers and apprentices. It gives great job satisfaction seeing an apprentice’s abilities develop under your guidance.