Where to Get HVAC Training and Other Key Information About This Career Path

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are what are responsible for maintaining ideal temperatures in homes, offices, and businesses. However, much like a car, HVAC systems must be regularly inspected and serviced to keep them in good working order. They also require occasional repairs to fix blown fuses, broken coils, and other problems.

This is exactly where HVAC technicians come into play. They are specially trained to provide maintenance, installation, repairs, and other HVAC-related services. If you are a current high school student or high school graduate who is considering your career options, becoming an HVAC technician is a stable career path that does not require a college degree.

Keep reading to learn more about the career path of an HVAC technician, their typical duties, and how to receive HVAC training.

HVAC Technician Job Duties

Most HVAC technicians service homes and private residences, which is known as residential HVAC. However, office buildings, corporations, and hospitals require HVAC services as well, which is known as commercial HVAC.

Typical residential HVAC technician spends their day fielding various types of service requests. On any given day, an HVAC technician will:

  • Inspect an HVAC unit and provide preventative maintenance, such as cleaning, testing functionality, and filter changes.
  • Troubleshoot a malfunctioning HVAC unit to identify the problem.
  • Perform a variety of repair services.
  • Install brand-new HVAC units.
  • Respond to emergency HVAC unit service calls; these typically occur during the height of summer and during the winter.
  • Continuing education and HVAC training to learn about new systems and technology.

Successful HVAC technicians are extremely knowledgeable in how HVAC systems work. Technicians should also be great communicators who can phrase the technical concepts of HVAC into language that any homeowner can understand.

HVAC Technician Job Outlook & Pay

Considering that virtually every home in the U.S. has an HVAC system, the demand for HVAC jobs is steady and stable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – a government-run website that tracks career statistics and information – reports that the career growth of HVAC technicians will be right on par with the average growth rate of 5% for all occupations combined. They project roughly 40,000 new HVAC jobs will need to be filled each year over the next eight years.

The average HVAC technician made approximately $48,630 in 2021. However, the highest earners in the field made an average of $78,210 per year. Keep in mind, these figures are meant to serve as a baseline. Education, experience, HVAC training, certification, and other factors have an influence on salary.

Keeping that in mind, aspiring and current HVAC technicians are encouraged to focus on continuous self-improvement and remaining current on HVAC technologies and industry best practices.

Steps to Become an HVAC Technician

Most HVAC technicians either completed an apprenticeship where they learned the trade on the job or they attended a vocational or technical school or an HVAC training program. There are multiple learning paths, but they all represent the same critical step to becoming an HVAC technician: education and training.

Beginning HVAC technicians will typically start with simple tasks to support their HVAC supervisor. As they get more comfortable on the job and master skills, they will take on more complex tasks and require less oversight from their supervisor.

Another great way for HVAC technicians to demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have is by earning relevant industry certifications. HVAC certifications are an effective way to show you’ve learned skills and are qualified to perform work related to it. A variety of organizations offer industry-accepted certifications, including North American Technical Excellence, Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. Some HVAC equipment manufacturers offer certifications for maintaining and repairing their air handlers or condenser units.

Where to Receive Affordable HVAC Training Near You

The best way to prepare for certification exams is through HVAC training and education. O’Connor University offers training classes for new technicians, plus special seminars for more experienced HVAC technicians on emerging technologies and new equipment. Ongoing training is important to update your skills and knowledge.

With class locations all throughout the Midwest, O’Connor University offers courses that teach the most in-demand skills and competencies, such as:

  • Basic HVAC maintenance.
  • HVAC best practices and safety precautions.
  • Basic troubleshooting.
  • A/C and H/P tune-up.
  • Detailed training of the new “Link” communication protocol.
  • Seasonal HVAC care.
  • Low voltage wiring.
  • Variable speed systems.
  • Refrigerant system diagnostics training.
  • Basics of air conditioning.
  • Refrigeration cycle and heat transfer.
  • Common cooling season problems and procedures.

Each instructor at O’Connor University typically carries 25+ years of HVAC industry experience, making them uniquely qualified to train technicians who are just getting started in their careers or who are training as they go. Additionally, seasoned technicians can further their skills and learn about new equipment through our courses.

The best way to get more familiar with the HVAC training resources that are available to you is by researching the classes featured on our website. You can search by location or narrow things down by using specific search criteria for an HVAC topic you wish to learn about.
For questions about O’Connor University and its HVAC training courses, contact us using the form on our website.