After earning a high school diploma or GED, you can get training as an HVAC technician through a certificate program, an associate degree program, or an apprenticeship program. Students must complete about 30 credits to earn a certificate and about 60 credits to earn an associate degree. Most people don't spend much time thinking about their heating system or air conditioning units. When a building or room is at the perfect temperature, hardly anyone notices.
But when one of these systems breaks down, an HVAC technician is the first person you call. An HVAC technician is different from a general contractor or any other specialty in the construction industry. Since HVAC technicians are trained in all HVAC systems in general, some technicians specialize much more in the types of work they do as their careers progress. For example, an HVAC installer may work for contractors who build new homes or buildings and specialize only in installing new systems rather than in repairs.
Some HVAC technicians also specialize in air conditioning or refrigeration, and they move away from heating and ventilation. Check out this full guide to becoming an HVAC technician below. There are some important requirements to consider when becoming an HVAC technician. First, HVAC technicians must be well-informed about the specific features of HVAC systems to perform repairs.
This requires mechanical skills, a detail-oriented personality, and the physical fitness needed to lift, move, and repair large equipment. While the technical skills needed to complete HVAC repairs are essential, certain personality traits increase a potential HVAC technician's odds of success. HVAC technicians must be reliable, as many are called to work odd hours, including weekends. In addition, the most successful HVAC technicians can explain the intricacies of an HVAC system to a customer who may not be familiar with the details of their building system.
In addition to technical knowledge and manual skills, HVAC technicians may also need to sell service contracts to their customers. In that case, HVAC technicians must be able to convince the customer that repairs are really necessary. To be a successful HVAC technician, one must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate clearly and directly. Technical training and education are key requirements for becoming an HVAC technician.
Before starting work, most HVAC technicians have at least some specialized training. Today, most HVAC technicians start by taking courses at a technical school or community college. Shorter programs can last just six months and result in an HVAC technician certificate, while longer programs can last up to two years and result in an associate degree. HVAC technicians can begin preparing for this type of training in high school by taking courses in mathematics, physics, and workshop.
Once formal training is complete, some states require a professional license before an HVAC technician can begin work. To research local accreditation requirements, contact state authorities that grant HVAC licenses. However, some licenses transcend geography. In other words, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that any technician who works with refrigerants (such as CFCs and HCFCs) be properly trained to handle and dispose of these hazardous chemicals.
HVAC technicians can obtain certification in small appliances, low-pressure systems, and high-pressure systems, or they can obtain a universal certification that qualifies them to work with all refrigerant systems. The tests for these types of licenses are offered by several third-party companies and can be completed online. While there are numerous ways to become a certified HVAC technician, some choose to gain experience by obtaining on-the-job training or by participating in an apprenticeship program. Others could enroll in accredited HVAC programs to better prepare for the competitive labor market.
Department of Labor, HVAC technicians must have vocational school training, related work experience, or an associate degree. After some degree of formal education, more on-the-job training is usually required. Sometimes, this can take the form of an apprenticeship with an experienced HVAC technician. Other HVAC technicians will move directly from school to entry-level positions.
The paths to becoming an HVAC technician often diverge after the first one to three years of work. At that time, there are several exam and certification options that can lead to more specialized work. While there are no national associations that an HVAC technician should join, many offer professional support and certifications. One of the most prolific testing organizations, North American Technician Excellence (NATE), offers industrial competency exams (also known as ICE) in installation and service specialties.
These exams are supported and recognized by other HVAC organizations, such as the Institute of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHRI), Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI). Advanced HVAC certifications can be attractive to both potential employers and customers, so many HVAC technicians choose to obtain them, but they are not mandatory. Sometimes, an employer may require more education to advance the job. For example, a non-specialty HVAC technician working for a construction company may need to obtain certification in the field of HVAC installation to advance and oversee new buildings.
Ultimately, higher education and certification are the best ways to progress in a career as an HVAC technician. Along with ongoing technical experience, the path to becoming an HVAC technician can be varied and promising. Over time, it will be dedication and experience to the trade that will determine if an HVAC technician continues to move up the ranks in terms of both responsibility and salary. Aspiring HVAC technicians must have strong skills in chemistry, physics, and other physical sciences.
In addition, competitive candidates may also have work or volunteer experience helping HVAC technicians. Candidates can apply for a certificate, associate program, or bachelor's degree that includes courses on HVAC system design; refrigeration; energy management; load calculations, industrial code standards; duct and pipe systems; and air and air conditioning quality. Future HVAC technicians participating in these programs learn the theory and practice of HVAC, and can also work with HVAC technicians for hands-on training. Two institutions that offer accreditation for HVAC classes are HVAC Excellence and Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).
The accreditation process establishes academic standards and recognizes programs that meet or exceed the criteria. Learn more about accredited programs in different states by visiting the HVAC schools page. Some HVAC technicians choose to gain their skills through an apprenticeship, in which they complete 2000 hours of practical HVAC training per year and 144 hours of technical education. Some organizations offer HVAC internships, including Air Conditioning Contractors of America, Inc.
HVAC apprenticeships are usually paid positions; the exact salary will vary depending on experience, location, and employer. Before becoming a certified HVAC technician, it may be advisable to obtain an empirical professional level (i.e. Keep in mind that there are some “ready-to-work” HVAC programs that can skip this step. As described above, an entry-level HVAC technician position can be obtained without professional certification, although technicians who work with regulated refrigerants must have a basic certification from EPA 608. While the requirements of HVAC technicians vary by state, there are some popular certifications in this industry, such as those offered by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the Association of Refrigeration Engineers and Technicians (RETA), and HVAC Excellence (in partnership with the Esco Group).
For example, NATE offers several specialized certifications (e.g. Ex. In addition, RETA offers two certifications accredited by the United States National Standards Institute, which include a certified auxiliary refrigeration operator (CARO) and a certified industrial refrigeration operator (CIRO). For more information on the large number of certifications available, see the HVAC credentials home page.
Mount San Antonio Community College The HVAC programs offered here at Mount San Antonio Community College are accredited by both HVAC Excellence and PAHRA. It offers an Associate of Science (AS) degree and a certificate in refrigeration technology for 26% of air conditioning. By combining classroom instruction with hands-on training, these programs will help students understand the basics of designing, problem solving, and maintaining HVAC systems. The certificate program consists of 31.5 credit hours and includes courses such as welding for air conditioning and refrigeration, fundamentals of refrigeration, fundamentals of gas heating, measurement of air properties, commercial systems, thermal load calculations, design and technical mathematics in air conditioning and refrigeration, among others.
The degree program is comprised of 63.5 credit hours that include all the courses in the certificate with additional general education courses on public speaking, composition for first-year students, art course, humanities course, science course, and continuing comprehension course, among others. Graduates of these programs can find employment opportunities in manufacturing, design, operation, distribution, sales, maintenance, installation, repairs, and controls. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates can fill roles such as heating and cooling technician, air conditioning technician, home air conditioning installer, environmental control system installer, climate control technician, refrigeration technician, and heating technician. This university also has HVAC programs that are accredited by HVAC Excellence and PAHRA.
The College of Southern Nevada offers several HVAC programs that emphasize hands-on training and hands-on experience, preparing students to analyze and resolve HVAC problems. There are a total of 9 programs offered by the university (4 certificates and 5 AAS degree programs). As part of these programs, students will delve into topics such as residential gas heating, the introduction to the theory and electrical application of HVAC, commercial refrigeration, heat pumps, the fundamentals of copper, boiler operation and maintenance, automatic HVAC controls, industrial electricity, problem solving and equipment cooling, among others. Graduates are prepared to obtain the EPA 608 certification as well as the HVAC Excellence Employment Readiness certification.
The university also offers an entry-level air conditioning technician program that is comprised of 18.5 credit hours. The commercial certificate consists of 53 credits, including all residential certificate courses, with additional courses on advanced hydronics, 26% controls I, interpersonal communication, cold water systems, hot water, & steam generation systems, & controls II, controls III, cooling application, code & safety requirements II, commercial and industrial refrigeration, energy efficiency &, green building code compliance, and energy efficiency & green building standards I and II. The AAS degree is comprised of 65 credit hours, including all of the certificate courses mentioned above. Students must also complete additional courses in the humanities, mathematics, and social and behavioral sciences.
Wallace State Community College The HVAC programs offered at Wallace State Community College help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass licensing and certification procedures, so that they can start working in this high-demand field of HVAC. The programs offered here include three short-term certificates of heating technician (12 credit hours), management specialist 26% in refrigerant use (12 credit hours) and air conditioning technician (24 credit hours), a 55-credit HVAC certificate, and an AAS degree in HVAC technology consisting of 64 credits. Central Louisiana Community College The diploma consists of 45 credits. Courses include an introduction to HVAC, electrical fundamentals, principles of refrigeration, electric motors, electrical components, home cooling, residential heating, residential heat pumps, and residential system design, among others.
Sandra Smith learned about the air conditioning industry when she worked as an accountant and secretary for a small air conditioning contractor. Eventually, she became a public accountant and started her own practice, specializing in tax and accounting for small businesses. After retiring from business, he began writing articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. Sandra lives in the mountains with a rescue dog that takes a nap on her lap while she writes.
Learn more from Lainey Brooks, architect and HVAC sustainability expert, about how to make HVAC systems sustainable and how regulations help increase sustainability,. To become a service technician, you usually don't need a formal education. To obtain certificates, technicians have to take training courses for months or even years. Then, they have to pass several levels of exams.
When you see the certificates of an HVAC repair company, you know that their technicians offer higher quality. They allow the owner to manage their system, helping to reduce their service needs and repair costs. But before you go to Google, there's a better way to judge the quality you can get from a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) repair service by checking their certifications. A service technician is responsible for providing services, maintenance, and repairs to customers and co-workers.
Industry professionals and HVAC technicians work for contractors and companies that provide installation, maintenance and repair services. They are also responsible for installing and testing equipment, repairing defective products, servicing vehicles or household equipment, and otherwise complying with and promoting company services. .
