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HVAC Technician Installer Repair / Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration


How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Technician Job Duties
Skills and Qualities Needed to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Technician Salaries
Influential Professionals in this field
Leading Organizations in this Field
Top Cities for HVAC Technician Jobs
Other Careers of Interest

How to become an HVAC Technician

Although it is not a requirement to be a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician, completing a technical school program can make a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician more desirable to an employer. There are many trade schools and technical schools that offer programs in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, usually lasting from six months to two years. If technical school or a certification program is not completed, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician may complete an apprenticeship under a more experienced technician. However, a high school diploma is a minimum requirement to be a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician.

There are three agencies that are accredited and can provide certification: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning Excellence, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, and Refrigeration Accreditation. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians are considered proficient after completing a program and working for six months to two years.

After becoming an HVAC technician, it is possible to advance by obtaining additional certification from a number of different organizations. Some heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians specialize in one component of the HVAC field, while others advance by becoming supervisors or managers in their field.

What does an HVAC Technician do?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians install, repair, and perform maintenance on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. These systems are essential fin controlling humidity and temperature, as well as air quality in all types of buildings.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians must be well acquainted with the mechanical, electronic, and electric components of the systems. Some of these systems are quite complex, consisting of compressors, pumps, motors, fans, pipes, thermostats, ducts, and switches. heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians must not only be able to install and maintain such systems but also to diagnose and repair any problems. Some technicians specialize in either installation or repair, but most are competent in both.

Installation is obviously the first thing that needs to be done to a heating or air conditioning system. After that, if there are no repairs that need to be made, a technician will usually recommend regular maintenance to prevent problems. Some of this maintenance work includes cleaning and replacing filters and clearing the evaporators and the condensers. Many different tools are used in this line of work.

What skills or qualities do I need to become an HVAC Technician?

To be prepared to become a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician, a candidate should be familiar with subjects such as math, applied physics, applied chemistry, and mechanical drawing. Understanding basic electronics is also important, as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are becoming increasingly more electronic. Knowing the basics of plumbing and electric work can be helpful. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians should also be in good physical shape in order to complete their work.

How much does an HVAC Technician make?

In May 2006, the median hourly wage for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians was $18.11, with the middle fifty percent of all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians earning somewhere between $14.12 and $23.32 an hour. heating, ventilation, and air conditioning apprentices generally start at about half the rate of experienced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians. Most employers provide health insurance, uniforms, tools, and work vehicles.

Who are some influential professionals in this field?

Larry Jeffus has written many books in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. His books include Refrigeration and Air Conditioning: An Introduction to HVAC, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Welding: Principles & Applications.

James E. Brumbaugh is another author in the HVAC field, writing such important books as Audel HVAC Fundamentals, Heating Systems, Furnaces and Boilers, Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning Volume 3, Audel Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Library: Heating Fundamentals, Furnaces, Boilers, Boiler Conversions and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume II.

What are some leading organizations in this field?

There are many organizations in the United States for heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians. HVAC Excellence, the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation, and the National Center for Construction Education and Research are all organizations that provide accreditation for HVAC technicians.

Organizations that provide continuing education, advancement, and certification include HVAC Excellence, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, North American Technician Excellence, the Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, and the Refrigeration Safety Coalition.

What are the top cities for HVAC Technician jobs?

Houston, Texas, a city which has ample need for air conditioning systems, is the top city in the United States for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning jobs. The next two cities for potential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians have similar climates: Phoenix, Arizona and Dallas, Texas. In fourth place is Charlotte, North Carolina, and then come >b>Baltimore, Maryland and Chicago Illinois, in fifth and sixth place, respectively. The seventh best city in the United States for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning jobs is New York, New York.

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