Freddy Potoy Rosales
In Pittsburgh, winter leaves little room for a heating system to fail, and summer is certainly not the time to discover that the air conditioning has stopped working. Behind many of the systems that keep homes and businesses comfortable is a line of work that Wernier Hernández has known for more than three decades—and one on which he built his own company, HVAC Hernandez.
Before becoming the owner of a business specializing in heating, air conditioning, and ventilation, Hernández had to start from scratch in more ways than one. He came to Pittsburgh from Puerto Rico in 1992 at the age of 20, without speaking English.
“When I arrived here, I didn’t speak English. Zero English. I hated English. I didn’t like it, I didn’t speak it, and I didn’t understand it. But from the moment I arrived here, I realized that if I wanted to be successful and move forward, I had to learn the language,” he recalls.
He first attended an English-language school and later enrolled in a technical school, where he studied heating and cooling, ventilation (HVAC), and everything related to air conditioning, heating, and ductwork.
Between 1994 and 2004, Hernández worked for several companies. In 2004, he decided to start his own business and explored different areas, including construction and remodeling. Four years later, he made the decision to focus exclusively on HVAC—a field he has worked in full time ever since.
“Dedication, hard work, and having an open mind to learning,” Hernández says, summarizing the strategy that has allowed him to grow his business.
Services for Residential and Commercial Customers
Today, HVAC Hernandez has six employees and provides repair, maintenance, and equipment sales, serving homes, businesses, and restaurants.
“In the residential area, we service heating systems—furnaces, air conditioning, boilers, or hot-water systems. In the commercial area, we service air conditioning and heating units known as rooftop units. For restaurants, we provide ventilation services for kitchen exhaust hoods,” Hernández explains.
The company also sells new equipment and performs ductwork and ventilation modifications. Technical training has also been an important part of Hernández’s professional development.
“Over the years, I have continued taking different training courses and earning certifications to stay up to date and keep advancing with the latest changes,” he says.
Hernández explains that the company primarily serves Allegheny County, as well as some areas of Washington County. The company’s website currently indicates that it also serves Butler, Beaver, Westmoreland, and Washington counties. Services are available 24/7.
Hernández remains focused on strengthening the services he provides to his customers and says that one of his biggest challenges is finding employees.
The Value of Local Connections
Hernández recognizes that Pittsburgh organizations dedicated to supporting Latinos and small businesses have also played a role in his journey as an entrepreneur. That experience is part of what he recommends to people who arrive in the city and begin looking for opportunities.
His advice is to “contact local organizations that are dedicated to connecting people’s needs with the resources and opportunities available in the city.” For him, learning about those resources and building connections can be an important starting point for people beginning a new chapter in Pittsburgh.
He also values the qualities he has found in the city and the role the Latino community can play in it. Hernández encourages people to take advantage of “the benefits that the city of Pittsburgh has to offer” and to contribute to the growth and strengthening of the community.”
HVAC Hernandez
4762 Library Road, Bethel Park, PA 15102
HVAChernandez.com / 412-377-3148
This article was featured in the September/October edition of Pittsburgh Latino Magazine. Click here to see view it and share it! Send us your thoughts at hola @pitlatinomag.com
