How to Become an HVAC Technician

By Remington College Posted November 9, 2017

Do you enjoy a diverse day full of a variety of challenges - away from a desk? Are you detail-oriented 和 like to figure out how things work? Do you like to fix what's broken?

如果是这样的话, consider a career as a key player in the successful climate control functioning of homes 和 offices: an 暖通空调技术人员.

What is an HVAC Technician?

HVAC is an acronym for Heating, Ventilation, 和 Air Conditioning. An 暖通空调技术人员 is a person skilled in installing, 修复, 和 maintaining the HVAC systems that control the temperature 和 air quality in buildings (both residential 和 commercial).

暖通空调技术人员s are especially important to businesses with a lot of computers 和 servers, 和 to healthcare facilities storing medical equipment or pharmaceuticals, since those things often need to be kept at a constant or specific temperature.

Specialties exist within the field: Some 暖通空调技术人员s focus on installation, 一些在维护方面, 和 still others are well-versed in both. Some may also specialize only in heating systems - or even certain types of heating systems, such as solar or water-based ones. The same is true with those who focus only on cooling or refrigeration equipment. They may work mainly with certain types of cooling systems, or they might only install 和 maintain commercial refrigeration equipment.¹

One thing is for certain: you're rarely bored! And you're not sitting in a cubicle all day.

What Does an HVAC Technician Do?

A day in the life of an 暖通空调技术人员 is diverse 和 interesting, requiring frequent shifting from designing 和 installing wiring to working patiently with customers who need service in the field. Some of an 暖通空调技术人员's duties include:¹

• Conducting or overseeing installations
• Applying local HVAC codes for installation
• Troubleshooting 和 修复 HVAC equipment
• Providing customer service 和 technical support

An 暖通空调技术人员 must also be able to use blueprints or design specifications in order to install 和 repair equipment, connect systems to fuel 和 water supply lines, 和 test individual parts 和 components to see if they are working correctly.²

How Do You Become an HVAC Technician?

高中时, it may be helpful to take classes in math, 商店, 电子产品, 和 physical science. (You can take those courses later if need be.高中毕业后, many community colleges or vocational technical schools offer six-month-to-two-year 暖通空调技术人员 training 项目.

Sometimes, a high school graduate can learn the trade on the job as an apprentice. An apprentice shadows a technician, learning the details thoroughly over a period of time before becoming an official 暖通空调技术人员.  .

Once schooling or apprenticeship is complete, an 暖通空调技术人员 must take certification exams to show competency.  Some states also require that 暖通空调技术人员s be licensed.³

How Much Does an HVAC Technician Make?

According to the most recent government statistics, the median annual pay for 暖通空调技术人员s is more than $44,000. Apprentice technicians make about half that.

在这里, 和其他领域一样, experience 和 dedication count: Top-earning technicians can make more than $70,000元/年.⁴

Keep in mind employment 和 income cannot be guaranteed by any educational institution for students or graduates. 另外, salary data cited in this article is based on median data provided by the United States Department of Labor, does not reflect starting or entry level salaries, 和 can vary widely based on geographic location.

Most 暖通空调技术人员s work full-time, 和 some have evening 和 weekend shifts. Hours can be irregular, especially if a technician is doing repair work. They may also include outdoor work, even in bad weather! Many 暖通空调技术人员s work for air conditioning, heating, or plumbing contractors. But because the skills are specialized, some are able to start their own businesses 和 can make their own hours.

A career as an 暖通空调技术人员 offers a variety of interesting challenges. If you like the idea of fixing problems, maintaining critical systems, 和 not having a desk job, then take steps to explore this potential rewarding career today.

¹http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
²http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
³http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
⁴http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm