EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN 2

NATURE OF WORK
HVAC /R is an ever needed profession.
Everyday all people utilize HVAC /R
services even if they don’t realize it.
Transportation of almost all foods would
QUICK FACTS
• HVAC/R (Heating ventilation, air conditioning and
refrigeration) technicians focus on installing, maintaining
and repairing heating, working on solar panels and air

be impossible, office buildings would be
miserable, and millions of people could not
keep their food fresh or their houses at a
comfortable temperature without HVAC
/R technicians.
conditioning in homes, offices, business, and schools.
They also work on installing refrigeration for various
companies and clients.
• The average annual salary is $63,000[1].
• A high school diploma is the only thing needed to begin.

HVAC /R technicians specialize in • Training only takes one to two years to complete.

heating ventilation, air conditioning, and • You can apply now to start training in this field.
refrigeration. They install, maintain, and
repair heating. They work on solar panels
and air conditioning in homes, offices,
businesses, and schools. HVAC /R technicians follow blueprints in order to install machines properly.
They generally work as part of an organized company or self employed. There are three main jobs in
HVAC /R: technicians, mechanics, or maintenance [2]. HVAC /R professionals can either specialize in
one of these areas or work doing all three.
Technicians work to install, maintain and repair. Some specialize in large specific systems, and some work
only on smaller units. They must have proper knowledge about the systems and how they function. They
also utilize several materials including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and
benders, measurement gauges, acetylene torches, and many more.
Mechanics install, service, and make repairs to air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems. They
can work at commercial businesses, residential areas, or both. Those who install heating and furnaces use
blueprints to install them properly. They have to deal with oil, gas, electric, and solid fuel.
Maintenance workers ensure that equipment is running properly. They do routine maintenance due to the
wear and tear of machines. They change belts, make adjustments to the equipment, and fix any pieces that
are broken or old.
HVAC /R mechanics work in a variety of places including homes, establishments, office buildings, health
care facilities, and factories. They often work in extremely hot or cold weather when they are needed the
most. Sometimes they even work in cramped and awkward locations.
HVAC /R technicians typically work 40 hour weeks. Their schedule depends on who needs service and
whether the technician works for a company or by them self. Those who are self employed are often given
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN 3

the freedom to choose when and where they would like to work. They also can be more specialized or
general depending on what they prefer.

CAREER DESCRIPTIONS
In order to work in HVAC /R you need to have a high school diploma. Some HVAC specialists work
only having experience and knowledge with no formal education. However, most HVAC specialists are
certified through one of these organizations:
• Air Conditioning Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
http://www.ahrinet.org/
• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
http://www.natex.org/
• Refrigeration Service Engineer Society (RSES)
http://www.rses.org/main/index.cfm?category=about/about_welcome&sort=about
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
http://www.acca.org/
Some states require state licensure. Requirements for licensure vary tremendously by state, but passing a
test is usually required.
Apprenticeships are also very common in order to become
an HVAC /R specialist. There are various programs that
offer training in HVAC /R that also give apprenticeship
opportunities to their students.
Those who work with refrigeration must be certified in proper
handling [3]. There are three areas of certification:
Type I- small appliances
Type II- high-pressure refrigerants
Type III- low-pressure refrigerants
In order to get certified in any of the areas above, you must
pass an exam administered at a trade school, union, contractor
association, or a building group [3].
partners to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and
target resources toward the greatest risks [3].
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN 4

EDUCATION
A high school diploma is required to begin a training program in HVAC /R. Technical and community
colleges offer training programs that typically last one to two years to complete. Apprenticeship programs
are usually offered by these colleges to give HVAC /R students real world experience.
Formal apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. These programs
are typically longer lasting, between three and five years. Those who complete a formal educational
program typically earn above average salaries and get more job opportunities.
Regardless of the program, typical classes include information on:
Math
Mechanical drawing
Applied physics and chemistry
Electronics
Blueprint reading
Computer applications
Online Education
For those of you with hectic lifestyles or no time to attend
class, online courses in HVAC/R may be for you. There
are a vast amount of programs that offer online courses
with the convenience of taking them where you want,
when you want, and at what speed you want.
In an online program you will still cover the same
material that you would in a classroom. You even have
the convenience of interacting with instructors and peers
via discussion and message boards, but from the comfort
of your own home.
Online courses consist of reading, listening to, or viewing
lectures, participating in class discussion via message
boards and live chat sessions, and completing assignments
and exams submitted online.
After you have successfully completed an online program
and receive certification, it will be the same certification
you would have received in a classroom setting.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN 5

JOB OUTLOOK
Since virtually every company and residential area needs refrigeration, heating, and cooling systems, jobs in
HVAC /R are always needed and available.
With the increase in building homes and offices, more and more machines will need to be installed. Also, more
environmentally friendly systems have been invented and a lot of Americans are buying them to do their part
in protecting the environment.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in HVAC /R are projected to increase 9% in the next five
years [3]. Job prospects are said to be excellent, especially for those who have completed a training program at
an accredited technical school. Several contractors have said they’ve had problems finding enough workers to
meet the demands in HVAC /R [3].
EARNINGS
Employees in Homeland Security receive an average annual salary of $59,000 [1]. This of course is simply the
average. Depending on the job you receive inside the field of Homeland Security will alter your salary greatly.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN 6

GETTING STARTED
Apply today and let us help to match you with the perfect program that fit your needs and lifestyle. HVAC
/R is a great field to get involved in with endless possibilities.

HVAC/R LINKS
http://www.thehvacsource.com/
http://www.hvacrbusiness.com/

REFERENCES
[1] Indeed.com, “HVAC Salaries,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available HTTP:
http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=HVAC&l1=&tm=1.
[2] Hvacmechanic.com, “HVAC Mechanic,” [Online document], 2004. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available
HTTP: http://www.hvacmechanic.com/.
[3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Heating,
Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers,” [Online document], 2008-09. [cited 2009
Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm.
[4] Payscal.com, “Heating & Cooling Systems/ HVAC,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009
Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Heating _%26_Cooling_
Systems_%2f_HVAC/Hourly_Rate.