Why Everyone Should Consider Trade School

You Might Be Able To Start A New Career As An HVAC Technician In Less Than A Year

2 November 2020

Roberto Morrison

If you need a new career, but you don't want to spend years in college, think about becoming an HVAC technician. This career is always in demand since nearly every home has a furnace or air conditioner. Here's a look at taking HVAC training so you can become certified to work on HVAC equipment.

HVAC Training Options

The requirements for certification vary by state, so the first step is to check into the requirements you need to meet. You'll probably need a certain amount of classroom study and a certain amount of lab or fieldwork under supervision.

You might attend a trade school and complete your training in under a year. This makes it quick to get started on a new career. You might even qualify for financial aid for the training. You might also consider obtaining an associate's degree and attending a local college for two years to major in HVAC studies. This training takes longer to complete and is more expensive.

A third way you can learn how to be an HVAC technician is to become an apprentice if you can find an opening. With this option, you can start work right away, although your salary will be fairly low since you don't have training. You'll learn everything you need to know on the job and through classroom instruction so you can become certified. This path for HVAC training will probably take even longer than obtaining an associate's degree, so trade school might be the right option if you need to start working as soon as possible and start with a good salary. Talk to HVAC technicians, schools, and contractors in your area for advice on the right path to choose.

What You'll Learn

If you attend trade school, you may learn everything about residential HVAC installation and repair. This could lead to a rewarding career where you get to travel to different homes and work on a variety of equipment indoors and outside.

HVAC technicians also work on commercial equipment and refrigeration systems, but you might need additional training for those options. You could get more training after you start working as a technician so you can expand your skills and be in more demand as an employee.

Certifications You May Need

When you prove your proficiency as an HVAC technician, you can gain certifications. Some certifications are mandatory, and your HVAC school will help you prepare for those exams. You'll probably need a state certification so you can obtain your license to work in the industry.

You might also need a federal certification from the EPA so you can work with refrigerant. You or your employer may also want you to obtain certificates from the North American Technical Excellence and HVAC Excellence so they can prove to customers their employees are well trained.

Reach out to a professional for more information about HVAC training. 

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