A career as an HVAC maintenance technician is rewarding and it offers you a variety of working conditions. Plus, demand for jobs is usually quite good since all air conditioners need regular maintenance and repairs. You have a few options to consider when training for an HVAC career. Attending a trade school is a good choice since you'll have classroom instruction and hands-on training combined. Here's a look at working as an HVAC technician and how to train for this career.
Things You Learn With HVAC Training
The skills you learn depend on the type of training you take. Shorter training courses often focus on a single area of HVAC maintenance, while longer courses teach you how to work on a broad range of equipment. You could learn about boilers, furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps. An HVAC technician often deals with the basic electrical and plumbing work too, and you may learn about pipe fitting, welding, and working with sheet metal.
You'll learn how to read blueprints and learn about building codes. You'll learn safety requirements for ventilation systems and handling refrigerant. The goal of a good HVAC maintenance training program is to prepare you for certifications that prove you're trained and competent in various areas so you're a good candidate for employment.
Where You Can Work As An HVAC Technician
One good thing about being an HVAC maintenance technician is that your job is varied. You're not stuck in a cubicle all day. You travel to homes to do routine maintenance on HVAC systems so you always work in different surroundings. You might also work in a school, office building, church, or factory. Any place that has heating or air conditioning is in need of an HVAC technician occasionally. When you graduate from a trade school, you'll be ready for employment by an HVAC services company. You may work toward the goal of having your own company once you've gained enough experience, but to start, you'll probably work for a company and be a mobile technician.
How To Train As An HVAC Technician
While it's possible to learn to be an HVAC technician through an apprenticeship, an apprenticeship is difficult to find. Going to trade school is the quickest way to learn, and it gives you the training that makes you desirable to a number of different employers. You can also go to a college to earn a degree towards an HVAC career, but that takes at least two years of training.
Trade schools vary in their program offerings, but you might be able to finish the training in a year or less. Once you're skilled and on the job, you can continue your education to broaden your job opportunities. You'll want to keep up with continuing education training throughout your career so you are always current with new regulations and equipment.