HVAC Tech Work Ethic

hvactraining — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:25:51 +0000

The HVAC tech is a professional that works in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning service field. The tech will install, perform routine maintenance and repair these systems. Here we will take a look at the job responsibilities for this profession, what the HVAC salary will be and we’ll also take a look at the accredited HVAC programs that are available online or in-class.

The HVAC Job Description and Education

The HVAC tech can work as an independent contractor or they can work for a heating and cooling company. Working in this field you will first need to have enrolled in an accredited certificate program or you can choose to obtain your associate’s degree. After you have completed your education you will need to find an apprenticeship program where you will work observing and carrying out delegated tasks under the supervision of licensed techs. The apprenticeship will have the duration of two to four years, depending on the level of your education. When working as an apprentice you can expect a compensation that is half of what a licensed tech will earn.

You can find these programs available through heating and cooling schools, technical schools, vocational schools, junior colleges and online universities.

Once an apprenticeship has been completed you will need to take the state licensing exam for this field in order to earn state recognized certification.

On the job the tech will be responsible for ensuring the installation has been completed in compliance with local and state regulations and they will need to have a quality control member of the team inspect the new system for errors. Maintenance on existing systems will require you to ensure that each section of the overall system is functioning properly and efficiently.

How to Increase your HVAC Salary with Education or Position Advancement

In order to make a higher annual salary in this field you can enroll in an accredited refrigerant course or you can obtain your associate’s degree in applied science. Some techs will choose to work as sales associates once they have obtained one to two years of field experience. As an HVAC sales associate you can increase your salary based on how many sales you’ll make in the field, what your percentage of commission is and what your hourly rate is for the individual company you work for.

Working as a project manager will require a minimum of four years of experience working as a certified tech, in addition to having obtained your associate’s degree and completed a four year apprenticeship. The project manager is the highest earning profession in this field and the position is highly competitive. Typically a company will choose to hire within for this type of supervisory role.

HVAC Apprenticeship Requirements

hvactraining — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:14:00 +0000

An HVAC apprenticeship can range from two to four years, depending on if the individual is enrolled in a certificate program or a degree program. The HVAC tech who is working in an apprenticeship program will work at a lower wage than a certified tech and will learn how to install, maintain and repair heating and cooling systems by observing the training tech and also performing these duties under the supervision of their trainer. Here we will find out more regarding the benefits of an apprenticeship, the material an apprentice will learn and how they can find employment after completing one of these programs.

Having a Registered Apprentice Sponsor and the Required Hours

After you have completed a HVAC program you’ll need to complete a one to four year internship in order to obtain the required field knowledge. During an apprenticeship the student will learn on the job training and will work a specified number of hours in the trade in order to obtain their certification. The usual hour requirement for this field is 2,000 hours.

The sponsored apprenticeship program will consist of on the job training in conjunction with classroom work and will be sponsored by a trade associate or employer. This can provide the student with a free HVAC program in exchange for signing an employment contract with the HVAC sponser for a period of two to three years.

In an apprenticeship you will learn electrical and general safety, grounding and transformer theory, service and overcurrent protection, wiring and DC electricity, how to use electric mechanical equipment, basic motors and controls, chimneys, flues and vent cleaning and maintenance, air distribution systems and how to maintain heat pumps and compressors. During this time you will work in all types of environments such as schools, hospitals, government buildings and businesses.

Benefits of an Apprenticeship and the Salary

Working as an apprentice you will be able to get your foot in the door as far as future employment with the company you are apprenticing with. Should you decide that you want to find employment elsewhere you can use the opportunity of your apprenticeship as a way to network with professional HVAC techs, HVAC sales associates and project managers.

The salary for the HVAC apprenticeship will range from 15,000$ to 30,000$ depending on the state you live in and the company you are interning for. States such as California will offer a salary of 25,000$ to 35,000$. The apprenticeships that are available within unions are highly competitive and will typically take a recommendation from a current union worker or an associate’s degree.