This Is How to Become an HVAC Technician
Have you ever done a DIY repair on a furnace or air conditioner, and your repair worked? Maybe you have a gift! Pursuing a career as an HVAC tech could be in your future.
Making a career decision is the first step. Learning how to become an HVAC technician comes next. Where do you start?
Take a minute and read our short guide to your best path to a career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field.
Develop Your Soft Skills
As an HVAC technician, you’ll need to hone your soft skills. Soft skills combine people, social, and communication skills with personality traits, attitudes, and career attributes, and include:
- Time management
- Customer service
- Troubleshooting
- Problem-solving
Taking a skills assessment will help you pinpoint strengths and weaknesses. You’ll then have a good idea of where you can work on improving areas where you’re not quite as strong. You can also learn about the basics like HVAC warranty and much more for proper maintenance.
Enroll in an HVAC Technician Training Program
While you’re shoring up your soft skills, take the next steps toward your goal of working in the HVAC field. Next on your HVAC career to-do list is researching training programs.
Typical HVAC technician training programs include the following coursework:
- Heating and cooling theory
- Forced air heating and cooling systems
- Air conditioning components
- Duct work
- Electrical systems
You’ll also learn about boiler systems (radiator heat), heat pumps, baseboard heat, radiant heating, and ductless systems.
Training programs like the one offered by Intercoast.edu help you learn how to be an HVAC technician. Once you finish your training, you’ll need to explore how to get a job in HVAC.
Landing a Job in the HVAC Field
In roughly 9-12 months, you’ll complete your formal coursework, but what’s next? Getting a job requires a whole different set of steps.
You may find employers willing to take on fresh graduates of HVAC training programs. Other employers prefer to hire people who’ve participated in apprenticeships. Some apprentice programs include a stipend, but the more significant benefit may be the HVAC industry-savvy you’ll acquire.
You’ll need a resume too! Consider hiring a professional to put together your resume. When you start your job search, you'll look for entry-level positions.
What Do Entry-Level HVAC Techs Do?
Until you have more experience, much of the work you do will be to support your supervisor. You may prepare tools and materials. It’s also possible your supervisor will assign you tasks to document the services provided to clients and logging other pertinent information about the HVAC troubleshooting done on the unit.
As you gain more skills, you’ll assist in installations of new HVAC systems. Entry-level techs also eventually work on repairing and performing routine maintenance of HVAC systems.
Ready to Learn More about How to Become an HVAC Technician?
We hope reading this short guide inspires you to take the next steps toward your new career. Learning how to become an HVAC technician will set you up for years of future success. Who knows, you might even decide to start your own HVAC business!
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