This is a field that is always in demand, since most homes and businesses now operate central heating and air conditioning systems. While some technicians have a generalized education, many specialize in a particular technology or field. For instance, those who put in and maintain solar panels would have very specific knowledge that may not be obtained by someone fixing residential heating and cooling systems.
HVAC Technician Job Responsibilities
Any home or office building with a heating or cooling system will rely upon the services of an HVAC technician at some point. The most basic responsibilities include making house calls twice a year to check on the systems of homeowners or businesses. These service calls are traditionally done on the heating system in early fall and the air conditioning system in early spring. The technician will perform maintenance duties on the system and check for any parts that may need to be replaced.
If problems are found with a system, the technician will also be in charge of recommending solutions to the owner of the system and then carrying out the fix as needed. They may also be called out at other times of the year if a heating or air conditioning system starts to malfunction. At times, this may require after-hours work, if the business employing the technician offers around the clock emergency services. When this service is offered, technicians usually take turns going on call in the off hours.
HVAC technicians may also be responsible for putting in completely new heating and/or air conditioning system. They will typically work with others to do this, and the job can be easy or complicated depending on the type of system being installed and the building it is being installed into. Technicians must know all about the more advanced systems so they can recommend the best fit to a particular home or business.
HVAC Technician Training and Education Requirements
At the very least, you need your high school diploma and excellent communication skills to become an HVAC technician. Most technicians start out at a trade school or community college, where they take a course in heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration. This coursework can be finished in less than a year, or a more thorough program may take a couple years to complete. It can take considerably longer if courses are passed for all three specialties, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Some technicians do start out being apprenticed by a skilled HVAC technician already working in the field. This is often done while in school receiving further education about the field. Few companies will hire someone who is not willing to go to school and learn the technical knowledge required for the field.
Communication skills and physical fitness are also important, since technicians work directly with customers and must present themselves in an acceptable fashion. They must also be able to communicate clearly with customers.
HVAC Technician Salary and Wages
In 2008, it was estimated that HVAC technicians earned an average of $19.08 per hour. This can be considerably less for those working in an apprenticeship. This is just a rough average to go off of, but there are many factors that can determine the exact pay rate for a technician. The more experience and education the technician has, the more they are likely to make per hour. Those responding to emergencies off-hours may be paid a higher rate for those extra hours worked.
HVAC Technician Certifications
Certification at the state and city level may be necessary, depending on where a technician lives. You have to check the guidelines in your city and state, or you can learn this information from your chosen educational program if you take courses in HVAC.
There are also some optional certifications that can be gained to show competency in different areas of HVAC. This is great for those who want to specialize in a given area of HVAC, or for new program graduates who want to show that they have the skills to be hired.
HVAC Technician Professional Associations
The most well known and respected professional association for HVAC technicians is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The list of HVAC standards published by this organization is taken as the main guide for anyone installing an HVAC system today.
There are also some unions involved in the HVAC industry, as well as some smaller and lesser known organizations. Those who specialize in a given area of the field will typically belong to ASHRAE and a smaller organization dedicated to their specialty.
