As you begin to research your options for a new career, you may see openings for HVAC technicians. You might be unsure of what exactly that is and what the career outlook is like. Does becoming an HVAC technician sound interesting or rewarding? At Rosedale Technical College we know how great this career can be, and we’ll lay it all out for you here.
What is an HVAC Technician?
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. As a technician you would be in charge of the installation, maintenance, and repairs of these machines. They are vital to the comfort (and sometimes safety!) of our homes and businesses; as an HVAC technician you would need to know how to safely operate and install these machines. Learn more about the who, what, when, and why of the career here.
HVAC systems are individually manufactured by different home building companies and brands like Sears, Home Depot, as well as other manufacturers such as Trane, Lennox, and Carrier. They make machines for both commercial and residential use, and our program can prepare you to work on both.
Benefits of Working as an HVAC Technician
Did you know that HVAC technicians, whether they work in residential or commercial, can make $22 an hour, which adds to an annual salary of $45k a year? Though it differs in each state, HVAC technicians have one of the highest paid manual labor jobs. Additionally, there is high demand for people to fill HVAC technician roles. According to a 2018 article by ACHRnews.com, HVAC jobs continue to grow, and are expected to grow 21% by 2021. While other careers can be difficult to obtain and even more difficult to maintain, HVAC technicians rest comfortably knowing they can move anywhere they want and quickly find work.
“Each time there’s an advancement in HVAC technology, someone needs to build the new system, and someone needs to help homeowners and businesses make the switch from their old systems — this requires the skill of an HVAC technician. Even the handiest person will need the help of an HVAC professional when installing a new system.” – ACHRnews.com
Some of the other benefits of working as an HVAC technician include:
Working with your hands – if you don’t like sitting in an office or staring at a computer screen, consider working with your hands and on your feet!
Creative problem solving – as technology continues to evolve , you will be required to hone and improve your skills as an HVAC technician.
Regular travel – depending on if you work commercially or residentially, you will need to travel for work. Whether that’s across cities or across states, you will enjoy going to new places!
Working with a team – many people enjoy working alone, but if you find you work better with a small team of people this is the right career for you.
Diversity – if you prefer working more technically you can choose to improve upon existing HVAC systems. With training from Rosedale Technical College you can have the potential to work as an installer, technology developer, or anything else within the HVAC sphere!
Opportunities for growth – if you choose to train with Rosedale you can be prepared to progress your career. The HVAC industry is always looking for driven workers to become leaders and managers.
As an HVAC technician you can have the opportunity to find job satisfaction and career growth in any state you choose! You will need to learn the requirements though. Read on to discover what your career path should be.
How to Become an HVAC Technician
To become an HVAC technician you will complete these three simple steps:
- Get an education from an accredited technical school.
- Sit for and pass your state HVAC license exam.
- Obtain your license from the state.
- Pursue your future.
One of the reasons becoming an HVAC technician is so appealing is because of the straightforward career path. This can be easy for students because of the program Rosedale Tech offers. If you get your Associate’s degree from Rosedale you can be prepared to obtain a state license. Each state will require that you pass their exam to get your license, but with the in-depth training you receive from Rosedale, you can be prepared to sit for that test. In Pennsylvania, you can go to HVACtraining101.com to find state requirements.
To begin your admissions process all you have to do is contact us by filling out this form. From there you can expect our professional staff members to contact you and inform you about our admissions process. If you are accepted into our program we will take great care to instruct you on HVAC best practices. At the end of our program you may be awarded with an Associate’s Degree in Specialized Technology, which states can take into consideration as you apply for a license.
Our program covers the following:
- Basic Refrigeration
- Electricity and Troubleshooting
- Forced Air Heating Systems
- Hydronic Heating Systems
- Blueprint Reading
- Sheet Metal Applications
- Heat Pump Diagnostics
- Thermodynamics and Design
- Control System Analysis
- Air Conditioning Maintenance
Once you are a licensed technician, you can begin looking for your new HVAC career! You can utilize our career services, where many Rosedale graduates have been able to make connections for employment. You can also search in online forums such as Indeed.com, or you can visit specific companies that employ HVAC technicians like Carrier. Make sure you include specific things you have learned during your training to ensure you stand out among candidates!
Is Becoming an HVAC Technician Worth It?
In short: yes!
Becoming an HVAC technician is a rewarding process with a rewarding outcome. HVAC technicians love to work out in the field while learning new techniques and procedures all the time! If you think you would love to become an HVAC technician, we welcome you! All you need to do is fill out this form, then we will be in touch with you to help you through the process of enrolling in our HVAC program. Good luck, and we can’t wait to meet you!
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. Rosedale Tech is a nonprofit Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and Employer, ACCSC Accredited Institution, and ASEEF Certified. Gainful Employment disclosure information is available at www.rosedaletech.edu.