HVAC Technician Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Is there a difference between Certified Hvac Technician and Hvac controls technician? Same as above. Also, what is the best hvac career path to follow? Goddamnit, what's with these hotlinkers in the career section?

Answer: Yes and no most but not all hvac controls technicians are certified or licensed hvac techs. (depending on where you live) To sum it up you need a fundamental working knowledge of how hvac systems work before you can install and program operating controls for these systems especially DDC controls. As far as career paths there are many way to get there, "the money" start in a residential co. you will lean the basics and if you show motivation they may send you to some free classes or tuition reimbursement etc. (Long hrs. little pay) do not stay more than 3 yrs. you can only learn so much in res. Then look for a Commercial / industrial co. there will be better pay here, still some long hrs.most calls will be between 8 am and 5pm (office hrs.) here you will be exposed to everything including complex controls. An hvac tech with strong control knowledge will earn top dollar $65,000 to $80,000+ per.yr. depending on where you live.

Question: Is becoming an Hvac technician a good career move? What are the skill benefits? What sort of education do I need to become one? Where are they most in demand? What's the average hourly/annual salary? What would I be working towards? Engineer? Owning my own hvac company? Should I attend a trade school or join the military for training? Any other info would be appreciated.

Answer: Education required, usually high school or equiv. Demand for these workers, at the present time with this poor economy, very little demand as most people with any mechanical ability are learning to do it themselves, with the help and advise from people at the home improvement stores. Average hourly wage, this depends on the part of the country you reside in, second if it's a union or open shop. Here in northern Ohio, wages are between $10.00 hr to over $40.00 hr, non-union being the lowest and union the highest, but the drawback, is the union shops have for the last ten years been unable to keep their men working, and here the unemployment rate is about 50 to 65%. Next, I wouldn't even consider the military for training, because they do not prepare you for civilian probems. The type of traing depends on your intended field, that is, hot air system or hydronic (hot water) systems. For hot air or hot water, there are any number of trade schools, and good ones, but you have to pay, for on the job training , for hot air, duct design and fabrication, air conditioning service and installation, residential and commercial systems, contact your local "Sheet Metal Workers local" and for hydronic or steam systems contact your local "pipe fitters international union" both have very good apprentice programs, and you collect a nice wage while learning. Both programs are five years and the starting wage in this area is about $15.00 per hour for an apprentice, and goes up every six months. The trainng and school cost you nothing. The $15.00 figure is take home plus any benefits, so total wage package could be in excess of $35.00 per hour or more depending on location. Add this to the fact that the government is not sending you in harms way to get shot at or maybe killed while trying to learn a trade.

Question: What do i need to do in order to become a HVAC technician? i'm graduating this year 2009 and i want to do HVAC where should i start off at?

Answer: fiskia answer lol yeah don't do it it sucks

Question: What is the starting HVAC technician salary in western North Carolina? Starting, or average salary. And is it easy to find a job there in that field?

Answer: $12-$16 per hour depending on the skill level. The good thing about that carrer field is that companies will pay almost anything for a good tech. for fear of them starting their own buisness. Should not have a problem finding a job.

Question: How do I become a HVAC technician and start my own business?

Answer: Every State, and most cities, have rules a bout hvac business. You need to give more information. Where do you want to open your business?; Where do you live?; are there any tech schools near you? Do you have the capital to invest or will you use investers?

Question: How to Become an HVAC Technician? I live in Kansas and am wondering if I have to attend a technical college or if I can become certified through on the job training.I don't really want to spend $20,000 on school if there is a cheaper alternative.

Answer: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm#train…

Question: How much does an entry level hvac technician make? With a certificate or diploma from a trade school.

Answer: A good portion of that work is done by union members so ask the union in your area if they recognize your certificate and what their pay rates are.

Question: What's a good website to go to, to find out more information regarding HVAC technician career?

Answer: Due to the fact you may be using specially-designed equipment and recovering various, controlled refrigerants and cooling fluids, I suggest checking with your state and county and local municipality. Getting the necessary information “straight from the horses’ mouths� sure beats the devil out of “whispering down the lane� - getting the information from a school or institution offering courses. BUT that’s my opinion. Thank you for asking your question. I enjoyed taking the time to answer it. You did a great job - not only for your information, but for every other person interested in reading my answer. Thanks to everyone for reading my answer. I wish you well! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name.

Question: Does anyone know if an HVAC Technician will be a high in demand job in the near future?

Answer: According to the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm With average job growth and numerous expected retirements, heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers should have excellent employment opportunities. Employment change. Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase 9 percent during the 2006-16 decade, as fast as the average for all occupations. As the population and stock of buildings grows, so does the demand for residential, commercial, and industrial climate-control systems. Residential HVACR systems generally need replacement after 10 to 15 years; the large number of homes built in recent years will enter this replacement timeframe by 2016. The increased complexity of HVACR systems, which increases the possibility that equipment may malfunction, also will create opportunities for service technicians. A growing focus on improving indoor air quality and the increasing use of refrigerated equipment by a growing number of stores and gasoline stations that sell food should also create more jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Concern for the environment has prompted the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses and homeowners strive to keep increasingly complex systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge and production of older types of refrigerants that pollute the atmosphere should continue to result in the need to replace many existing air conditioning systems or to modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants. The pace of replacement in the commercial and industrial sectors will quicken if Congress or individual States change tax rules designed to encourage companies to buy new HVACR equipment. Job prospects. Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be excellent, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship. Job opportunities should be best in the fastest growing areas of the country. A growing number of retirements of highly skilled technicians are expected to generate many job openings. Many contractors have reported problems finding enough workers to meet the demand for service and installation of HVACR systems. Technicians who specialize in installation work may experience periods of unemployment when the level of new construction activity declines, but maintenance and repair work usually remains relatively stable. People and businesses depend on their climate-control or refrigeration systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.

Question: im thinking of becoming an HVAC/Refrigeration technician. Do u think this is a good field to go into? ...and are the jobs high in demand?

Answer: a good service tech is always in high demand. BUT dont be fooled by VO-Tech and trade school ads on TV. No one will hire a guy off the street with no experience. Be prepared to spend a few years installing and being a laborer. I had to work my way up to being a tech....it didn't just happen. Possum, NATE certified HVAC service tech