A career in HVAC can be very rewarding, and heating and cooling services are always in high demand. You can make good money as an HVAC technician, find plenty of work, and eventually work to become an HVAC contractor and start your own business. If you’re interested in starting a career in HVAC, here’s what you need to know to get started.
Requirements
To become a licensed HVAC technician, you will need to complete some level of schooling or other training. You can do this by earning your associate’s degree in HVAC, getting certified as an HVAC technician, or completing an HVAC technician apprenticeship. You may also be required to have a certain amount of work experience before being a licensed technician, which often includes somewhere between one and five years of work experience. You’ll also want to have good mechanical skills, be good at diagnosing problems, have good customer service, and not mind getting a bit dirty here and there.
Training
You can learn the skills you need at a community college or vocational school. You will learn a lot of what you need to know and earn proof of the time you spent learning about diagnosing and fixing heating and cooling systems.
EPA Certification and Licensing
Most HVAC companies will require you to get certified by the EPA before they’ll hire you. There are three different certifications which you can obtain by passing exams. Each certification certifies you to work with a certain type of refrigerant.
Some states also require you to pass a state certification exam to become an HVAC contractor.
Industry Certification
While not required, industry certification can also help propel your HVAC career. You can become certified by organizations like NATE or AHRI, which can help you stand out. Again, this is not a requirement.
The Final Step
Once you’ve worked your way through school, you can start applying for jobs with an HVAC company. If you’re looking for more information on starting a career in HVAC, or if you’re recently certified and looking for somewhere to apply in the Granite City, IL area, give Morrison Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a call at [hls_phone_number].
