HVAC technicians work under challenging conditions, including working in cramped areas and high ladders near ceilings. They also handle toxic fluids.

They often work long hours, especially during peak seasons. They must be able to think critically, diagnose problems and fix them. Some choose to attend a vocational or trade school, while others enroll in apprenticeship programs.

Job Duties

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They use a wide variety of tools and equipment to ensure that the system is running efficiently and complies with local building codes.

They must also be skilled in identifying and diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults with HVAC systems. They are responsible for handling maintenance, warranty work and urgent repairs from installation until end of service life.

HVAC technicians can specialize in various fields, including residential and commercial. Some specialize in installing new ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems, while others focus on repairing existing ones.

They often have to travel between different jobs, so it’s important for them to have good organizational and communication skills. They should also be comfortable working on a computer and using an online program like InvoiceOwl for creating estimates & invoices, tracking payments, and generating financial reports. They also need to be willing to work overtime or on weekends, especially during the peak of heating and cooling season.

Education and Training Requirements

To become an HVAC technician, a person should have a high school diploma and undergo extensive career-focused training. This can be achieved in the form of an accredited certificate program from a vocational or trade school, or through an apprenticeship. The latter route typically takes a longer time, but provides the hands-on experience needed to advance quickly into the position.

Some states require licensing for HVAC technicians, but this is generally only necessary to handle specific types of refrigerants like chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) or hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC). To service these types of units, a person needs to pass EPA Section 608 certification exams. In addition, to work with these refrigerants, a person must also pass special safety and hazard awareness tests. Most HVAC technicians have one or more years of on-the-job experience, with mid- and senior-level employees having several more years of experience. This level of expertise helps them handle complex maintenance and installation tasks efficiently.

Working Conditions

The good thing about an HVAC career is that it’s one of the few careers that has steady demand. Purple ketchup may have died, but people will always need heating and cooling systems. So if you’re ready to spend some time in a vocational school and learn the trade, this is definitely a job that will be around for a long time.

However, you need to be prepared for a physically demanding job. You might need to lift heavy equipment, work in cramped spaces or climb into a roof at high heights, and you’ll be exposed to harsh weather conditions. In addition, you’ll also be responsible for the disposal of hazardous refrigerants which are ozone depleting. HVAC technicians are typically full-time employees, but evening and weekend shifts, and overtime during the peak heating and cooling seasons are not uncommon. After some time, you might even consider becoming your own boss and setting your own hours.

Salary

HVAC technicians have the potential to earn a great salary in their chosen field. When they begin their careers as entry-level workers, they typically make only half of what fully trained journeymen do. But they can quickly increase their earnings by continuing to work hard and gaining more experience on the job.

A typical day for an HVAC technician begins early in the morning with a review of their schedule and tasks or service calls. They may then pack up their tools and head out to a location to fix or install systems, or they could be performing routine maintenance on furnaces, air conditioners or other equipment.

Many of these professionals are also certified to work with refrigerants, and so they need to remain up-to-date on all the latest safety protocols to prevent accidents or injuries at their workplaces. Working in a field like this requires a variety of different skills, including technical talent acquired through formal training and soft skills, such as customer service and problem-solving ability.