How to Become an HVAC Technician [2023]

What is an HVAC Technician?

An HVAC technician is a highly trained worker that specializes in installing, servicing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. When you have a problem with your heating or cooling at home, an HVAC technician is who you’ll call.

However, to think that HVAC technicians are only responsible for fixing broken air conditioners would be a mistake. Instead, HVAC technicians might specialize in installation of new systems. Conversely, they might specialize in repairing old systems. And with emerging technologies like solar-powered heating and cooling, this field of work will only expand in the future.

What Does an HVAC Technician Do?

In broad terms, HVAC technicians are responsible for installing new heating and air conditioning systems, servicing existing systems, and replacing old systems. Given the fact that HVAC systems control not just the temperature of homes and businesses but the air quality as well, HVAC technicians have a critically important job.

Some of the most common duties of an HVAC technician are outlined below.

Install HVAC Systems

Whether working in a newly constructed building or retrofitting an older structure with a new HVAC system, many technicians in this line of work spend the bulk of their time installing HVAC components.

Technicians are responsible for everything from determining how large a system is needed to installing ductwork to running tests on systems to ensure they’re working properly.

For example, an HVAC technician that has installed an air conditioning unit in a home would run diagnostics to determine if the unit is pushing out the necessary amount of cool air to maintain the desired temperature in the home.

Often, technicians will work side-by-side with a refrigerant technician, who is responsible for charging the air conditioning system with refrigerant.

Service HVAC Systems

From time to time, HVAC systems require service of some sort, and HVAC technicians are responsible for responding to service calls. For example, annual checks are done to inspect the blower fan, thermostat, ductwork connections, and so forth, to ensure that the HVAC system is operating as efficiently as possible.

Repair HVAC Systems

If a major issue occurs with an HVAC system, HVAC technicians are called in to try to repair the problem. For example, if the compressor of an HVAC unit goes out, an HVAC technician would replace the broken unit with an operable one. As another example, thermostats can go out, causing problems with the interior temperature of the building and necessitating repairs.

Ductwork Manufacture and Installation

In some areas, HVAC technicians are allowed to manufacture ductwork and install that ductwork when the HVAC system is installed. This job duty entails cutting sheet metal to size to create the ductwork, attaching the ducts to the main HVAC unit, and mounting the ductwork, usually in the floors or ceilings of the structure’s rooms.

Energy Usage Inspections

With the ever-rising cost of power, many individuals, families, and businesses are interested in finding ways to save money and conserve energy. To achieve those ends, HVAC technicians might be called upon to conduct an energy usage inspection, in which they inspect existing HVAC systems, test their performance, install smart technologies to better manage heating and cooling, and make recommendations to the property owner for other upgrades to enhance the HVAC system’s performance.

What are the Working Conditions of an HVAC Technician?

Working as an HVAC technician is not an easy job. Though some portions of the day are likely spent in a comfortable office setting where paperwork is done and sales and service calls are made and received, the bulk of the day is spent on location working on HVAC systems. This often means crawling into attics or crawlspaces, working outdoors in the heat or cold, and driving long distances between one appointment and the next.

In other words, HVAC technicians have a wide range of working conditions, but in most cases, there’s a lot of physical exertion in tight or dark spaces that can be quite uncomfortable.

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What Do You Learn in an HVAC Technician Degree?

HVAC technician degree programs provide a wide range of learning opportunities that enable students to enter the workforce and complete their job duties with competence. Some of the most common learning targets include, but are not limited to:

• Introduction to electricity – This course gives students a broad overview of the concepts and terms (i.e., Ohm’s law, current, resistance) in electrical work and how to work with electricity safely.
• Principles of air conditioning – Coursework related to air conditioning systems centers around the various components (i.e., temperature, pressure regulation, and electricity) that are used to cool homes and other buildings.
• Air conditioning systems service – In this course, students learn how to properly troubleshoot problems with air conditioning systems as well as the procedures used to maintain and repair systems.
• Principles of gas heating – This course gives students an introduction to heating systems that rely on natural gas or propane to provide heat. Students practice skills related to installing and repairing these systems as well.
• Principles of electric heating – Classes in electric heating offer students insights into how electricity can be used to heat homes and other buildings. Students also build an understanding of how to install, maintain, and repair these systems.
• Energy management – Studies in energy management include learning the underlying engineering of various HVAC systems as well as how to replace old HVAC systems with new components to improve energy efficiency.
• Systems design – Students in this course learn how to design and develop control systems that allow HVAC components to work as they should.
• Automated HVAC controls – Automated systems are becoming more and more popular, and courses in this area help students understand how automation works, how to set up automatic HVAC systems, and how to teach consumers how to use automated HVAC controls.
• DDC Design – Direct digital control (DDC) systems are the brains of HVAC systems. In this course, students learn how to design DDC systems to enhance the performance and usability of HVAC systems.
• Air quality issues – Coursework in air quality issues revolves around learning how to identify the presence of pollutants in the HVAC system, such as mold or lead.
• Chemistry – Since air conditioning systems rely on refrigeration to cool buildings, HVAC technicians need to learn chemistry in order to understand concepts like pressure, temperature, and the law of thermodynamics.

What are the Requirements to Become an HVAC Technician?

Educational Requirements

Most HVAC technicians either pursue a certificate (or diploma) in HVAC systems or an associate’s degree.

Certificate and diploma programs often last a year or less, with many programs running just six months. These certificate programs are usually offered at trade schools, though some community colleges also offer them.

These programs focus on the hands-on skills related specifically to working as an HVAC technician. For example, a student might take a class on air conditioning maintenance that involves both classroom instruction from an experienced air conditioning technician as well as opportunities to work in a lab setting to put their learning to use.

A significant benefit of certificate programs is that they often have minimal admissions requirements, like having a high school diploma or GED.

Another option is to pursue an associate’s degree in HVAC systems or a related area. These programs usually last two years and require students to complete approximately 60 credit hours of coursework.

Since a college degree is involved, students must take general education courses in math, science, language arts, social studies, and so forth, in addition to the courses required for their major, like electrical systems, heating systems, air conditioning, and so on.

Whether a student gets a certificate or an associate’s degree, most jobs in this field include a period of on-the-job training to provide even more knowledge and skills. Often, HVAC technicians will also enter into an apprenticeship in which they work under an experienced technician for a period of three to five years.

Certifications and Licenses

HVAC technicians are not required to be certified unless they are involved in buying, handling, or working with refrigerants. In that case, the Environmental Protection Agency requires workers to take and pass an EPA certification exam to ensure they have the competence to install and service refrigerant-based systems.

Some, though not all states require HVAC technicians to be licensed. The licensing requirements vary from one state to the next, and often from one municipality to the next.

However, licensure usually requires that applicants have the proper training, certifications as applicable, and have completed a specific number of hours in an apprenticeship before licensure will be administered.

What Tools are Used by an HVAC Technician?

HVAC technicians rely not only on the knowledge and skills they acquire in their training, but also on a variety of tools that help them do their job. Though not a complete list, the following are among the tools an HVAC technician uses on a regular basis:

Manifold Gauge

A manifold gauge is used to find leaks in an HVAC system. It’s also handy for removing refrigerant from air conditioning systems.

Thermometer

HVAC technicians often use thermometers to determine the change in temperature that results from installing or fixing an HVAC system.

Voltage Tester

This tool enables workers to determine if an electrical line is live or not before they begin work.

Battery-Powered Drill

A good cordless drill will likely be the most used tool in an HVAC technician’s toolkit because they’ll be used to fasten and unfasten screws on control units and throughout heating systems and cooling systems.

Tin Snips/Shears

Many HVAC technicians work with sheet metal, so snips or shears are necessary to do sheet metal work onsite.

Screwdriver Set

Flathead, Phillips, and hex screwdrivers are often necessary for use in tight spaces where a battery-powered drill with screwdriver bit cannot fit.

Pipe Wrench

A pipe wrench is used to connect HVAC systems to water supplies as well as natural gas lines.

What Skills are Needed to be an HVAC Technician?

As noted earlier, HVAC technicians need the requisite training in a certificate or associate’s degree program as well as several years of on-the-job training or an apprenticeship to be fully prepared to work on one’s own. Additionally, there are certain skills, qualities, and traits that enable HVAC technicians to do their jobs well. These include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanical skills – Whether it’s assembling a new HVAC system or tearing one down to find a problem, HVAC technicians must have excellent mechanical skills.
• Understanding of HVAC methods – Workers in this field should have a complete knowledge and understanding of the methods required to install HVAC systems, such as organizing ductwork and threading pipes.
• Understanding of electrical systems – Working as an HVAC technician requires a thorough understanding of how electricity works and how to connect HVAC systems to electrical sources.
• Understanding of safety rules – HVAC technicians should be well-versed in safety skills that keep them and their customers safe.
• Understanding of regulations – Government regulations dictate how refrigerants are handled. As a result, HVAC technicians should have a good grasp on how to handle and dispose of refrigerants.
• Analytical skills – This job requires workers to have excellent analytical skills because a large part of the job is troubleshooting problems. Having well developed analytical skills will help in this process.
• Communication skills – HVAC technicians should have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Likewise, they should also have good active listening skills to help them better understand problems or issues that a client is having with their heating or cooling system.
• Customer service skills – A significant part of being an HVAC technician is interacting with clients. That means that workers in this field should have solid customer service skills that enable them to work with a wide range of people in a manner that allows them to satisfy each customer’s needs.
• Physical fitness – Working as an HVAC technician is hard work that requires the ability to lift heavy objects, stoop, bend, twist, and stand for long periods of time. With the physical demands of the job, it’s necessary for workers to possess a good level of physical fitness and stamina.

What are the Pros of Being an HVAC Technician?

Entering the workforce as an HVAC technician offers many different benefits from job opportunities to pay to career advancement. Some of the top benefits of a career in this field include:

• Good wages – According to a 2021 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC technicians earn an average yearly salary of $48,630.
• Good job prospects – The HVAC field is growing – and rapidly. That means there are good job prospects for well-qualified technicians.
• Opportunities for advancement – Though HVAC technicians start in an entry-level role, with some experience and added training, there are plenty of opportunities to advance to a higher-paying position.
• No bachelor’s degree needed – Most HVAC technician degree programs take between six months and two years to complete, meaning one can enter the workforce relatively quickly.
• Opportunities for further training – This is a field of work that’s rapidly changing as technology changes, and there are constant opportunities to learn new things to help advance one’s career.
• Working outdoors – Though some HVAC work occurs in very hot or very cold conditions, for most of the year in many locations, working outside is quite pleasant.
• Helping others – Often, HVAC technicians “save the day” when they repair a client’s HVAC system. That makes this a highly rewarding job.

What are the Cons of Being a HVAC Technician?

As with any career, there are a few drawbacks of becoming an HVAC technician. Among some of the most important disadvantages to consider are:

• Challenging work environments – HVAC technicians often have to work in areas that are hot (i.e., attics), cold, dirty, or very small. Additionally, work is often done outside, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Physically demanding work – A career in this field requires workers to bend over, kneel, stoop, work on their back, and many other positions in order to access needed areas. Contorting one’s body in that way can be extremely physically demanding.
• Unpredictable schedule – Working as an HVAC technician is not a 9-5 job. Many evenings, weekends, and holidays require work when emergencies arise.
• Safety concerns – HVAC technicians suffer more on-the-job injuries than most other occupations.

What is the Employment Outlook for HVAC Technicians?

According to a 2016 report by Bureau of Labor Statistics, the HVAC technician field is expected to grow at a rate of 5 percent between now and 2031. This growth rate is much faster than average, which stands at about a six percent rate of growth for the same time period.

The primary reason why HVAC technicians are predicted to be in such high demand is the increasingly complex nature and sophistication of today’s heating and cooling systems.

With air conditioning and heating in residential and business locations involving automation, including app-based and cloud-based controls, many HVAC companies are seeking out a new generation of technicians to fill positions that require a high level of technical knowledge.

Additionally, job growth in this line of work is expected to rise because of the increasing need for older heating and cooling systems to be updated to more efficient, environmentally-friendly systems. As individuals and businesses choose to upgrade those systems, more jobs in this field will become available.

What Occupations are Similar to HVAC Technician?

There are a number of different occupations that offer similar work experiences as an HVAC technician. Some of the most common of these jobs are as follows:

Electricians

Electricians are responsible for installing, servicing, and repairing electrical systems, lighting, communication systems, and control systems. This includes installing wiring, inspecting electrical components, troubleshooting electrical problems, using tools to repair broken electrical components, and ensuring that all work that’s done adheres to the appropriate regulations.

Plumbers

Plumbers install and repair pipe systems in homes, businesses, factories, and many other types of construction. In addition to putting new plumbing systems in, plumbers are often asked to troubleshoot plumbing problems and repair any damage they find as part of the inspection process. Replacing plumbing fixtures like sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and valves is a central part of the job as well.

Sheet Metal Workers

A sheet metal worker fabricates various products that are made of very thin metal. For example, a sheet metal worker might fabricate the ductwork for the HVAC system in a high-rise building. Though the fabrication might take place in a factory setting, often, sheet metal workers will be asked to make minor adjustments to their work at the construction site to account for unforeseen obstacles.

Solar Voltaic Installers

A solar voltaic installer is responsible for the installation of consumer and business-grade solar panel systems for generating electricity. This job entails many facets, from planning the arrangement of the solar array to designing and fabricating the support structure for the solar panels to testing and servicing solar panel arrays.