5 Reasons to Become an HVAC/R Technician

Hvac technician holding refrigerant gauges with condensers in viewI keep seeing this statistic that HVAC jobs are expected to grow up to 15% in the United States, in the next decade. This could be way off, as it could be way more. Good, well trained HVAC technicians and installers are hard to find. I, myself, have been in the industry for over 15 years. I’m going to share some of the reasons that I think why you should pursue a career in the HVAC/R field. Specifically a service/repair technician or installer

Reason #1 – Robots Can’t Replace HVAC Technicians Anytime Soon

Three ductless mini-split air conditioners on a rooftop of a buildingThere has been a lot of automation from computer programs in the HVAC as of recent. A technician may be able to observe entire buildings HVAC systems. Everything from system refrigerant pressure, line temperatures, discharge temperatures, CFM’s, fan speeds, etc, all from a screen. The technician can also view automated reports of alarms, when a system goes into fault. Water sensors can pick up water leaks and alert the software when more than normal moisture is present.

But the system software can’t fix refrigerant leaks, corroded wires, most mechanical failures. But the trained HVAC technician can.

Reason #2 – Experienced HVAC Technicians could EASILY Find a Job Tomorrow, and Probably Start

HVAC/R technician writing on a tablet, standing in a boiler room6 years ago I moved from southwest Florida to Colorado. I was working for a local HVAC service and installation company and had 4 years under my belt with them. Before I even got to Colorado, I had 4 job interviews lined up. When I finally got to Colorado I was also bombarded with phone calls and emails for other potential job interviews.

Experienced, certified, HVAC technicians are in high demand. I don’t change jobs often, but when I do, and forget to turn off my Monster resume and other job resumes on similar sites, I constantly get calls for job opportunities. It’s nice knowing that if anything were to happen to me or my current company I’m employed with, it would not be hard to find a good paying job immediately. I can’t speak for everywhere in the United States, but Florida and Colorado are booming and are understaffed with HVAC technicians right now.

Reason #3 – HVAC Technicians are constantly on the Move

Hvac tech wearing safety gear, climbing down a ladder on a roof top with condensers in the background.HVAC technicians may spend a lot of time driving from one site to another. But there’s also a lot of moving and physical activity when not driving to the next job. Being an active HVAC technician isn’t going to make you a star athlete, but you will be moving around a lot. Carrying torch sets and tool bags in and out of attics, may help your health and heart, as it may be considered active activity. Just make sure to always stay hydrated. Try not to come into work hungover. If you do come into work hungover, drink an excess of water.

Reason #4 – Something different Everyday

Commercial cooling tower for building air conditioning systemsYou get to travel around your city and see new things. Fix different problems. Meet new people. Service technicians are always repairing broken stuff. So it keeps the job interesting. The more experienced you get as an HVAC technician the more different types of equipment you will get to work on. For example commercial HVAC techs may get to work on refrigeration equipment, cooling towers, chillers, boilers, and advanced ventilation systems.

Reason #5 – It Doesn’t Take Long to Get HVAC Certified

Hvac repair technician using a volt meter to test components on an air conditioner condenser.While many jobs require a 4 year college degree, HVAC trade schools can be completed in as little as 6 months. Some trade schools may last a year, up to 2 years. You can also take it upon yourself to get the minimum EPA 608 certifications. The EPA certifications may allow you to get your foot in the door for some HVAC opportunities, although most places will want you to have experience.