Everything You Need to Know About Being

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

NATURE OF WORK HVAC /R is an ever needed profession. Everyday all people utilize HVAC /R services even if they don’t realize it. Transportation of almost all foods would be impossible, office buildings would be miserable, and millions of people could not keep their food fresh or their houses at a comfortable temperature without HVAC /R technicians.

QUICK FACTS • HVAC/R (Heating ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) technicians focus on installing, maintaining and repairing heating, working on solar panels and air conditioning in homes, offices, business, and schools. They also work on installing refrigeration for various companies and clients. • The average annual salary is $63,000[1]. • A high school diploma is the only thing needed to begin.

• Training only takes one to two years to complete. HVAC /R technicians specialize in heating ventilation, air conditioning, and • You can apply now to start training in this field. refrigeration. They install, maintain, and repair heating. They work on solar panels and air conditioning in homes, offices, businesses, and schools. HVAC /R technicians follow blueprints in order to install machines properly.

They generally work as part of an organized company or self employed. There are three main jobs in HVAC /R: technicians, mechanics, or maintenance [2]. HVAC /R professionals can either specialize in one of these areas or work doing all three. Technicians work to install, maintain and repair. Some specialize in large specific systems, and some work only on smaller units. They must have proper knowledge about the systems and how they function. They also utilize several materials including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, acetylene torches, and many more. Mechanics install, service, and make repairs to air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems. They can work at commercial businesses, residential areas, or both. Those who install heating and furnaces use blueprints to install them properly. They have to deal with oil, gas, electric, and solid fuel. Maintenance workers ensure that equipment is running properly. They do routine maintenance due to the wear and tear of machines. They change belts, make adjustments to the equipment, and fix any pieces that are broken or old. HVAC /R mechanics work in a variety of places including homes, establishments, office buildings, health care facilities, and factories. They often work in extremely hot or cold weather when they are needed the most. Sometimes they even work in cramped and awkward locations. HVAC /R technicians typically work 40 hour weeks. Their schedule depends on who needs service and whether the technician works for a company or by them self. Those who are self employed are often given

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

the freedom to choose when and where they would like to work. They also can be more specialized or general depending on what they prefer. CAREER DESCRIPTIONS In order to work in HVAC /R you need to have a high school diploma. Some HVAC specialists work only having experience and knowledge with no formal education. However, most HVAC specialists are certified through one of these organizations: •

Air Conditioning Refrigeration Institute (ARI)

http://www.ahrinet.org/ •

North American Technician Excellence (NATE)

http://www.natex.org/ •

Refrigeration Service Engineer Society (RSES)

http://www.rses.org/main/index.cfm?category=about/about_welcome&sort=about •

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)

http://www.acca.org/ Some states require state licensure. Requirements for licensure vary tremendously by state, but passing a test is usually required. Apprenticeships are also very common in order to become an HVAC /R specialist. There are various programs that offer training in HVAC /R that also give apprenticeship opportunities to their students. Those who work with refrigeration must be certified in proper handling [3]. There are three areas of certification:

Type I- small appliances



Type II- high-pressure refrigerants



Type III- low-pressure refrigerants

In order to get certified in any of the areas above, you must pass an exam administered at a trade school, union, contractor association, or a building group [3]. partners to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and target resources toward the greatest risks [3].

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

EDUCATION A high school diploma is required to begin a training program in HVAC /R. Technical and community colleges offer training programs that typically last one to two years to complete. Apprenticeship programs are usually offered by these colleges to give HVAC /R students real world experience. Formal apprenticeship programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. These programs are typically longer lasting, between three and five years. Those who complete a formal educational program typically earn above average salaries and get more job opportunities. Regardless of the program, typical classes include information on:

Math



Mechanical drawing



Applied physics and chemistry



Electronics



Blueprint reading



Computer applications

Online Education For those of you with hectic lifestyles or no time to attend class, online courses in HVAC/R may be for you. There are a vast amount of programs that offer online courses with the convenience of taking them where you want, when you want, and at what speed you want. In an online program you will still cover the same material that you would in a classroom. You even have the convenience of interacting with instructors and peers via discussion and message boards, but from the comfort of your own home. Online courses consist of reading, listening to, or viewing lectures, participating in class discussion via message boards and live chat sessions, and completing assignments and exams submitted online. After you have successfully completed an online program and receive certification, it will be the same certification you would have received in a classroom setting.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

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JOB OUTLOOK Since virtually every company and residential area needs refrigeration, heating, and cooling systems, jobs in HVAC /R are always needed and available. With the increase in building homes and offices, more and more machines will need to be installed. Also, more environmentally friendly systems have been invented and a lot of Americans are buying them to do their part in protecting the environment. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in HVAC /R are projected to increase 9% in the next five years [3]. Job prospects are said to be excellent, especially for those who have completed a training program at an accredited technical school. Several contractors have said they’ve had problems finding enough workers to meet the demands in HVAC /R [3]. EARNINGS

Employees in Homeland Security receive an average annual salary of $59,000 [1]. This of course is simply the average. Depending on the job you receive inside the field of Homeland Security will alter your salary greatly.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING AN HVAC TECHNICIAN

GETTING STARTED Apply today and let us help to match you with the perfect program that fit your needs and lifestyle. HVAC /R is a great field to get involved in with endless possibilities. HVAC/R LINKS http://www.thehvacsource.com/ http://www.hvacrbusiness.com/ REFERENCES [1] Indeed.com, “HVAC Salaries,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=HVAC&l1=&tm=1. [2] Hvacmechanic.com, “HVAC Mechanic,” [Online document], 2004. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.hvacmechanic.com/. [3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers,” [Online document], 2008-09. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm. [4] Payscal.com, “Heating & Cooling Systems/ HVAC,” [Online document], 2009. [cited 2009 Aug 18], Available HTTP: http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Industry=Heating _%26_Cooling_ Systems_%2f_HVAC/Hourly_Rate.

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