What is HVAC?
You have probably heard the term before, but if you don’t know it means Heating, Ventilating, and air conditioning. Sometimes you will see HVAC-R and the “R” stands for refrigeration.
HVAC technicians are in demand more than ever. With the economy in an uproar many people are looking to go back to college, but another good choice would be to learn a highly demanded trade like becoming an HVAC certified technician. HVAC systems are very complex machines and it requires a highly skilled individual to install, repair, and maintain them. They’re many different routes you can take once you’re a trained tech. Once you learn the trade you have many different options like working your way up in a company or starting your own HVAC business. From here the possibilities are only what you can imagine.
Is HVAC a good career choice?
Absolutely!! The HVAC field is an evergreen market and it’s here to stay. The HVAC industry is constantly going through ongoing changes and new technology is being introduced. For example engineers are now looking into the technology of using solar energy and green technologies in order to help the environment. This means the demand for trained technicians will only get bigger. As an HVAC technician you can make around $30-50k once you’re certified and in the field. You can make upwards of $70k by becoming a manager/engineer in the field. The next step above this is owning your own HVAC business which could bring in $100k plus if you market it properly and build up a good reputation.
What do HVAC technicians do?
HVAC technicians do a wide range of tasks including installing, maintain and repairing HVAC systems. HVAC systems work hard in the winter and summer months, and usually require maintenance in the down months in between. During these months you will replace any worn out parts, clean out the HVAC systems, diagnose any problems, clean the HVAC coils, calibrate thermostat controls, checking motors and belts.
What are the working conditions like?
You will be working in the elements for the most part. One day you could be working outside someone’s home repairing a central air conditioning system, and the next day you might have to crawl into a crawl space in a commercial building to get to a heater. You also have to do heavy lifting from time to time. Another thing to take into consideration is you will be exposed to debris, fumes, and possibly toxic materials. The job can be physically demanding, but if this doesn’t scare you away it could be the perfect job for you.
How to do I get certified?
Well this all depends on where you currently are in your life. If you’re in high school still you can get a head start. You should start focusing heavy on math, science, and any shop or mechanical classes you can take. You will use math a lot in figuring out measurements, formulas, and using HVAC tools. Shop and mechanics will come in handy to teach you how to work with tools, and make proper measurements when cutting and working on machinery.
If you’re in the military most branches offer jobs in the HVAC field. If you think you want to pursue a career in the HVAC industry once you get out it would be a great step to get your certification why in the military. This way you don’t have to pay for it and you can already get training. When coming out of the military you will be far ahead of your competitors seeking a job with only a certification and no experience.
If you are already an adult and looking for a career change you have a few options. If you have a full time job you can either look into an apprenticeship or just go to college and get your certification. If you need to work full time why pursuing your degree the best solution would be to look into online HVAC training. This gives you the best of both worlds. You can still work, but get your certification in your own time. The other option is attending a local community college which offers day or night classes. Some community colleges do offer online classes or a combination of both.
Community colleges
Community colleges aren’t a bad option; however they don’t have as much flexibility as an online HVAC school. Community colleges usually have structured classes and the classes are usually packed just like any other degree. Some community colleges will offer you to take some of your HVAC classes online and the rest in house. If you want a more hands on class with fewer students they’re dedicated HVAC schools around the country. They’re only a few and if they aren’t in your state you will have to move there to study for two to four years depending on the program. The best solution is to get your HVAC certification online.
HVAC training online
Online schooling is a great option to take a look at. We publish many articles on our site which we look into all of the HVAC software used with the trade, schools that offer certification classes, and all necessary information you will need for HVAC training and certifications. We try to provide all of the most up to date information on HVAC training schools that you can attend which include traditional college classes as well as online classes. There are plenty of free classes and information out there just like you’re finding on our site, but if you want to make top dollar in heating and cooling you’re going to want to get a certification.
Some of the best HVAC training is online schools. I personally got certified this way and it helped me get my cert why I was working my day job. Having no gap in employment made it easier to get a job as well. As long as you have a decent internet connection and a computer then you have many options when it comes to accredited HVAC schools that will train you for HVAC repair online.
When looking for a HVAC training program online you need to be careful. Not all schools are the same. You need to find one that uses all of the most up to date HVAC software. A good school will teach you how to install, operate, and service all different types of heaters, refrigerators, and air conditioners, and different equipment. If you get an accredited certification you will be able to make a very nice living.
When looking for a HVAC training online school look for a school that provides testimonials, good credentials, and has a good solid history. A school that was recently created probably won’t be a good option. Make sure to read all the details on the certification you will be receiving. Different states have different laws. In order to get a good HVAC certification you should research your individual state laws. You don’t want to end up with a HVAC certification that doesn’t hold its weight in your state.
Another thing you really want to research is HVAC training software. You want to call the schools counselors and find out if you will be using the newest HVAC training software. If a school is using the newest tools of the trade this should be a pretty clear sign that the school you are dealing with is reputable.
Why you are talking to the counselors ask about the teachers you will be dealing with. Do the teachers who are teaching you the courses have a HVAC technician certification? Any of the schools who have a good online HVAC training program will have real techs teaching the courses.
HVAC training online is the best choice if you want a good job
Finding the best HVAC training schools can be a challenge, but it’s better than going the free route. There is plenty of free information and courses out there, but you won’t make nearly as much as your peers with a HVAC training certification. With the big selection of HVAC training schools online it makes it easy to get your certification rather quick. You can go at your own pace and complete the work when you want. Once you have your certification you can find a job working for someone or try your luck at doing side jobs. Doing online classes and getting your certification now gives you something to fall back on even if you don’t plan on working full time once you’re certified. So picking a good HVAC training school can help you achieve your goals.
How long will HVAC school last?
Typically when getting a HVAC certification you will spend around 6 months to 2 years depending on which program you go with. You can always go to a community college or a specialized HVAC training school, but most of these schools also offer online training or a combination of both. As mention above you want to attend a school that is accredited and offers quality training. Below are lists of some of the HVAC schools you can trust.
1.) Lincoln Technical Institute
2.) Lincoln College of Technology
3.) ATI Technical Institute
4.) WyoTech
5.) Everest Institute
6.) American School of Technology
As mentioned above you should always double check to make sure whichever program you are looking into is accredited. The big accreditations to look for are the National Center for Construction Education and Research, HVAC Excellence, and the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration. If the schools are associated with any of these programs it will be a good a school to look into. Almost all of the community colleges are accredited.
Other options when looking into HVAC training
The one option other then HVAC schooling right off the bat is an apprenticeship. This option takes longer to complete however the upside is no out of pocket costs for tuition and you can get started in the field early. A lot of HVAC organizations offer apprenticeships which is basically on the job training, and some even offer to help with your schooling. Apprenticeships can generally last between 2-5 years depending on the HVAC organization. The organizations to look for are the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors National Association, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, and many others.
How to stay updated after getting your certification
Once you have your HVAC certification you will have to occasionally do continuing education. Technologies and standards are constantly changing and its good practice to stay up to date by going back to school from time to time. This not only benefits you in knowing how to work on different HVAC systems and equipment, but it can also help you in getting promotions and pay increases. You can stay updated and get the latest certifications by either going to community college or doing training online. Some states are even making this mandatory to renew your HVAC license. So some people may have an option if they want to go back to school, but some of us will be required to get continuing education to remain working in the field.
What are my options after getting my HVAC certification?
Well once you have your certification you can either work for someone or start your own HVAC business. If you want to pursue your own business it’s probably best to work for a contractor first to get hands on experience. Once you have your HVAC certification you working in the field first will teach you everything you need to know to succeed in building your own business. You can learn all of the skills you need by certified technicians with years of experience, how to provide quality customer service, how to manage employees, and how a HVAC business should be structured. Regardless which option you choose the HVAC industry is a promising one and there will always be plenty of room for growth.
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