what is an HVAC technician?
An HVAC technician is an expert who specializes in the installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. The word HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC technicians ensure these systems function properly and efficiently in residential and commercial premises.
As an HVAC tech, your work entails personally handling your customers’ HVAC systems to ensure they’re working well. A day in the life for you varies depending on a wide range of factors. These factors include where you work, if you are part of a company or self-employed, and what season it is.
HVAC technicians are essential service providers because of the nature of their work. With most Americans spending much of their lives indoors, an HVAC technician is an important professional. Without them, it can be tricky to ensure consistent heating and cooling, fresh air, efficiency, and low energy costs.
Last, but not least, it is worth noting that an HVAC technician is one of the professionals who work all year round. HVAC systems will always require installation, maintenance, and repair services.
Would working as an HVAC technician suit your knowledge of the installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an HVAC technician role.
view jobs near youaverage HVAC technician salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salaries of HVAC technicians as $23.38 per hour or $48,630 per year. This was the median salary for 2021, according to the statistics. But then, like with any other technical job, it’s possible to earn more than the median salary as an HVAC technician.
One way to do this is by going back to school. A little more knowledge and skills could help you earn more than other HVAC technicians. Also, a higher level of experience will always attract better pay, like in other fields. Thus, putting in the hours could help you stay on top and earn more.
HVAC technicians handle electrical parts, which require little to no room for error. Thus, most homeowners would rather hire and pay more for an expert technician than take a chance with a beginner. This means you could leverage your job prospects and salary by constantly growing your skills.
Besides decent pay, there are other excellent benefits that HVAC technicians get. For instance, you could get health and auto insurance, although this depends on your employer and what’s in your contract. Some employers also organize competitive pension plans, which will give you a comfortable retirement.
Wondering what you can earn as an HVAC technician? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of an HVAC technician is.
types of HVAC technicians
You can choose from a wide range of HVAC technician roles when getting into this industry. Below are some of them:
- air conditioning technician: This role entails ensuring that air conditioning equipment is well maintained and functioning properly. Although you’ll get trained to work on cooling systems, you also handle heating and ventilation systems.
- hvac engineer: This involves the designing, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems. Your job is to solve customer problems and ensure these systems meet their unique needs.
- hvac installer: Your work in this role is to install HVAC systems according to specifications. You also need to test and inspect the systems to identify malfunctions and find the best solutions.
- refrigeration technician: This role entails installing, repairing, and maintaining refrigerators. It also involves working on climate-control systems in residential or industrial premises.
- hvac mechanic: This technician scrutinizes HVAC systems and their components. In this role, you’ll need to test, examine, and improve these systems to avoid future HVAC problems.
working as an HVAC technician
Working as an HVAC technician requires a lot more than many people think. Investing time and effort into learning more about the HVAC technician career before starting is vital. It will help to know what to expect when working as an HVAC technician. You can do this by reading more about this career.
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hvac technician job description
Are you wondering what your job description as an HVAC technician is? Here are some duties you’ll undertake:
- installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems: With more buildings going up, one of your tasks is to install these systems. You also need to repair and maintain broken systems in existing buildings.
- system inspection and monitoring: You have to ensure HVAC systems are in working condition. Regular inspection help you diagnose mechanical faults and find solutions.
- cleaning HVAC systems: Not everyone can clean these kinds of systems. As an expert, you are the best person to clean these systems without causing any damage to important parts.
- keeping maintenance records: You help customers keep accurate servicing records. This helps ensure the longevity of their systems and builds long-term working relationships.
- providing technical support: Homeowners require technical directions to ensure they manage their systems effectively. They could also have queries that require an expert technician’s insight.
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HVAC technician work environment
There are different settings in which you will work as an HVAC technician. This depends on the role you choose from the various types of HVAC jobs we discussed earlier. However, your work environments fall into two broad categories: projects in residential and commercial premises.
You could work either indoors or outdoors as an HVAC technician, depending on the project. Also, you may decide to be self-employed, but it is advisable to get employed first. Also, self-employment requires a lot more flexibility and can be more demanding, so working for a company is more attractive.
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who are your colleagues?
Your colleagues while working in this industry are mainly the people who offer building services. This includes engineers, pipefitters, plumbers, electricians, etc. Besides, working with design engineers and maintenance managers is almost inevitable. Being a good team player will help you get the results you desire.
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work schedule
Your work schedule depends on whether you’re an apprentice, intern, or experienced technician. As an apprentice or intern, you need to work between 15 and 30 hours a week. However, experienced technicians working full-time amass 40 or more hours every week.
You could also take part-time opportunities, which are usually plentiful. In addition, be ready for emergencies and sometimes working overtime. The good news is that working overtime and in emergencies attracts better pay. But then, it’s vital to note that you won’t be able to work remotely.
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job outlook for HVAC technician
As an HVAC technician, you can keep learning on the job and constantly improve your skills. Also, you could take some more courses to help build a better resume. On top of that, specializing in one area is another way to grow yourself. With time, you could move from employment to becoming a consultant.
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benefits of working for randstad as HVAC technician
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as HVAC technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
HVAC technician skills and education
You need some knowledge to become and succeed as an HVAC technician. There are two major paths that you can take to ensure you acquire the relevant knowledge and skills. They include:
- college: Pursuing a college course is one way to become a technician. A level 2, level 3, or level T course in this field will be enough to make you a trainee technician. You need 2 GCSEs in grades 9 to 3 to get admission to a level 2 course and 4 or 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 3 for level 3 and T college courses.
- apprenticeship: For this path, you have intermediate and advanced apprenticeships to choose from. You study by shadowing an expert HVAC technician. With time, you would learn the ropes and be able to do the work yourself. It would lay the foundation for you to start working on projects and building experience.
skills and competencies
Besides the knowledge you gain in college or as an apprentice, you also need certain soft skills to succeed. They include:
- customer service skills: You are likely to come across frustrated customers every day in this job. Having great communication and customer service skills is vital. How you speak to or handle customer complaints determines how easy building trust with them will be.
- creative thinking: You must be a creative thinker to stay at the top as an HVAC technician. Customers look to you for solutions, so you have to find them even in tough situations. The more complex problems you resolve, the more you grow your skills and build a good reputation.
- time management: Being a good time manager is vital when looking to work as an HVAC technician. You can easily lose customer trust if you don’t respond to calls in good time. HVAC system breakdowns could cause damage to perishable items or make premises inhabitable, so keeping on time is crucial.
FAQs about working as an HVAC technician
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about HVAC technicians.
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can I make good money as an HVAC technician?
Yes. There’s no doubt that HVAC technicians make good money. There is a huge demand for HVAC technicians, so finding a well-paying job won’t be a daunting task. Besides, you could improve your skills to increase your value and get paid more than your peers in the industry.
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is working as an HVAC technician dangerous?
You may have to work at heights and, at times, near harmful chemicals when working as an HVAC technician. Also, it’s possible to come into contact with live wiring or work during unfavorable weather. But then, you can wear different kinds of protective gear, and the compensation is worth the risk.
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how long does it take to get an HVAC technician certification?
You will get certified as an HVAC technician within two to four years. However, it also depends on whether you took a college course or went through an apprenticeship, which can take up to five years.
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can you work as an HVAC technician without a license?
Yes, but only if you do not intend to hire anyone else. Otherwise, you might have to register for an HVAC license and requirements can vary by state.
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is an HVAC technician's job physically demanding?
Yes, you need to put a lot of strength into your day-to-day activities. Thankfully, you will mostly have other people on site helping you if you’re registered and able to hire.
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how do I find a job as an HVAC technician?
Applying for an HVAC technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our HVAC technician jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
