Initial Impression
As a second-year mechanical engineering student from the University of Cincinnati, and a first-time co-op, I didn’t know what to expect with my role at Melink. I had never heard of Test, Adjust, and Balance (TAB) before, and I had very little experience with HVAC systems. However, as I’ve gone through my first weeks at Melink as a co-op, I’ve felt very welcomed. I’ have also learned so much about what Melink does and has to offer. After a few weeks of work, I feel like a new member of a family, and my whole perspective about the HVAC industry has broadened.
Learning About TAB
My HVAC knowledge was very limited on my first day. I understood the basics like heating and cooling, but there were many things that I just didn’t have a clue about. For example, I didn’t know that a low air pressure inside a building could not only negatively affect the building, but the business inside it as well. I learned a low building pressure can lead to problems such as the suction of unwanted air through passageways into the building, low quality air, uncomfortable temperatures inside, unwanted debris sucked in through opened doorways, etc. These unwanted, but all too common problems lead to uncomfortable and unhappy customers inside the building, which ultimately leads to a loss of business. Now I understand how important it is for a business to get a TAB.
I also learned about our customer base. I thought we mostly serviced restaurants, but quickly learned that our customers expanded way beyond just the food industry. In addition to the restaurants, we service companies in the healthcare, technology, education, bank, fitness, and vehicular industries. Also, I found out you don’t just need a TAB on old buildings, but new buildings require them too. All new facilities require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) prior to opening. To receive an CO, they must have a TAB stating their HVAC is set to the engineer’s specifications. TAB provides building owners the knowledge that their facility is built properly and is operating per design. Thus, I learned no matter the industry, everyone needs a TAB!
Co-Op Thoughts on Melink
In a few short weeks as a Melink co-op, I gained so much knowledge and insight surrounding HVAC. When I started, I was worried about first impressions, making mistakes, and not fitting in. However, the Melink team quickly subsided my worries. They provided a welcoming, fun, and family-oriented environment. I learned so much from the friendly team. They let me engage in the daily routine of the TAB team and really engulf myself into the business. So far, I really enjoy my time at Melink. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me.