As a second-year mechanical engineering student from the University of Cincinnati and a first-time Co-op, I didn’t really know what to expect when it came to my role at Melink. I had never heard of Testing and Balancing (T&B) before, and I had very little experience with HVAC systems. 

However, as I have gotten through my first few weeks at Melink, I have felt very welcomed and learned so much. After only a few weeks of work, I feel like a new member of a family, and my whole perspective about the HVAC industry has broadened.

Coming to work on the first day, my knowledge of HVAC in general was very limited. 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 low air pressure inside a building could not only negatively affect the building but the business inside it as well. I learned low building pressure can lead to problems such as the suction of unwanted air through passage ways 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 T&B performed!

I also learned about Melink's customer base. I thought we mostly serviced restaurants, but quickly learned that our customers expanded way beyond just the food industry. In addition to restaurants, we service companies in the healthcare, technology, education, bank, fitness, and automotive industries. Also, I found out you don't just need a T&B on old buildings; new buildings require them, too. All new facilities require a Certificate of Occupancy prior to opening. In order to obtain that, they must have a T&B stating their HVAC is set to the engineer's specifications. The T&B provides the building owner with the knowledge that their facility was built properly and is operating per design. Thus, I learned no matter the industry, every business needs a T&B!

In just a few short weeks, I have gained so much knowledge and insight into the world of HVAC. When I started here, I was really worried about first impressions, making mistakes, and not fitting in. However, the Melink team quickly made my worries subside. They provided a very welcoming, fun, and family-oriented environment. I have learned so much from my friendly teammates. They let me engage in the daily routine of the T&B Team and really engulf myself into the business. So far, I have really enjoyed my time at Melink. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me here.

Contributed by Jack Lawniczak