If you’re considering a career in the HVAC industry, congratulations! This guide will help you do just that.
Sure, you can just jump into HVAC training and make your way to certification. But for most novices, being prepared for the journey ahead can make training a lot easier.
You’ll even get a better idea of what you want your journey to look like in the first place. So keep reading to learn more. We’ll cover six things you need to know about HVAC training.
1. Schooling is Affordable
Right now, HVAC training is very accessible. Affordability is one of the best perks of an HVAC training program since it doesn’t need the finances that a college education would.
So instead of running your pockets into debt, you can find HVAC technician training that fits your budget. There are even HVAC training options that don’t cost a single cent.
However, you might find a paid option that better suits your education needs. Nonetheless, understanding your choices will illustrate that getting the right training for a great job doesn’t need to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
2. HVAC Training Involves Theory
HVAC work isn’t only about what you do with your hands. There’s a lot more to this trade than just muscle memory, remembering protocols, and understanding industry terms. In reality, HVAC technicians need to understand the way electricity works.
For this reason, HVAC training can get quite theoretical. There’s a lot you need to know about electricity to ensure that you can perform your tasks safely and skillfully. Not only that, but attending HVAC training school can give you the information you need to solve complex and unforeseen issues that may arise.
This is one of the key differences between illegitimate and legitimate HVAC companies. It’s not only about company registration or a piece of paper. Instead, it’s also about the technicians’ considerable breadth of knowledge that better guarantees that each job is done as perfectly as possible.
3. Demand for Technicians is Growing
It’s difficult to convince people to enter a trade when the demand for their prospective careers is low. But the demand for HVAC technicians is bound to grow by about 5% from 2020-2030. If you’re not sure how to interpret this data, know that it means about 38,500 new jobs within the next decade.
This number also differs depending on the state you live in. California, Texas, and New York are estimated to have a high demand for HVAC technicians.
California suffers from frequent natural disasters, requiring them to constantly rebuild infrastructure. Texas experiences frequent hurricanes and has a tight grip on re-/development projects. Florida is also hurricane-prone, leading this state to constantly rebuild and redevelop infrastructure and residential areas.
Of course, not living in the top three states demanding HVAC work shouldn’t discourage you from training for it. Utah, Colorado, and Nevada are projected to contribute most to the rising demand for HVAC workers. This nation will always need HVAC technicians, and these statistics explain exactly that.
4. There Are Different Certifications Available
There is no single, blanket HVAC certification. Different certifications may only apply to certain kinds of appliances and may limit/broaden your qualifications.
For example, the EPA gives technicians four different certification options. These options are:
- Type I: for small appliances
- Type II: for high-pressure/very high-pressure appliances
- Type III: for low-pressure appliances
- Universal: for all types of equipment — you’ll need all the previous three certifications
You may also achieve certification through other institutions. The certification you get often correlates directly to the amount of experience you have. This affects the jobs you’re qualified for and potentially your starting pay.
5. Energy Efficiency is Part of the Curriculum
As a student and technician, you’ll need to be keyed in to the latest industry developments. For that reason, HVAC training will necessitate you to understand the importance of energy efficiency.
This isn’t only because of consumer demand, though that’s also crucial. It’s also because energy-efficient HVAC systems are generally more efficient, putting less stress on the system. As a result, consumers enjoy a longer lifespan from their systems and alleviate their financial burden.
So be prepared to learn about how going green is important to your trade. This way, your clients’ systems will become more efficient and modern.
6. Other Skills Are Important, Too
What you learn from textbooks and teachers is crucial to your technical books smarts and certification. But being a great HVAC technician isn’t all about the technicalities. You’ll want to school yourself in other ways to ensure that your skills are as well-rounded as you need them to be as a technician.
First, you’ll need good customer service skills, time management, and attention to detail. After all, being part of a business means forming a positive and professional relationship with customers. This way, they’ll continue employing your services and even recommend them to other people.
Physical strength and stamina are also important. You might be able to delegate yourself to a more supervisory role with experience, all technicians need to be able to meet the physical demands of their job.
Start Your HVAC Training ASAP!
For those that don’t know where to start with HVAC training, having a great support system is necessary. Educational resources and institutions can be a crucial part of this support system. So come back to this guide if you ever need to remember what it takes to become a great technician.
At HVAC Training Headquarters, we understand how important great resources are for future HVAC technicians. That’s why our site offers some of the best information for HVAC training. If you’d like a headstart on your online HVAC training, check out these HVAC terms today!