By Leah Hromalik
Have you ever wondered how food at the store keeps cold all day? Or how restaurant freezers keep their freezers at such a low temperature? There is someone who makes this possible. Mr. Hromalik has worked as a HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) technician for over 50 years in Syracuse. Over that period of time he has worked on refrigerators and AC in franchises such as McDonalds and Ruby Tuesday. He even helped with building the AC unit at the Destiny Mall.
He mentioned that ever since he was three he had a fascination with machinery, taking apart his first motorcycle when he was fourteen years old. As he got older he began to apprentice at a local gas station and car repair shop. There his love deepened. Eventually he went to college at the SUNY Alfred and was able to get experience working on electrical and cooling systems.
He advised those interested in a similar field to “take things apart” to see what they are made of. Old refrigerators, radios or even using a robot building kit. The experience is vital.
HVAC technicians also use mathematics, physics, and geometry regularly when designing, installing, and troubleshooting systems.
From keeping food cold to cooling entire buildings, HVAC technicians combine science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to solve problems that most of us never even notice.
