How to Become an HVAC Technician: A Detailed Guide
Do you want to become an HVAC technician? A career in this industry is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences that you will ever have. It allows you to help people enjoy more comfortable temperatures and humidity in their offices and homes while you earn a salary too.
If you want to know how to become an HVAC technician, you need to start by learning the roles these professionals play and the courses they study. These technicians perform a wide range of tasks, and so, they require extensive training. With experience, they become even better because they understand some of the unique problems that clients may have.
In this article, you will learn the steps you should take to become one of the best HVAC technicians in your area.
Get Your Diploma
You do not just start taking a course as an HVAC technician without basic education. Even when you are still in high school, you need to understand that laying a solid foundation will make things much easier. This is the point when you should be familiarizing yourself with what these technicians do and what it takes to become one.
If you have chosen this career path, you should expect to perform the following duties:
- Installing new HVAC units
- Replacing existing units
- Maintenance of HVAC units
- Repair of damaged units
You may also want to attend a vocational school or take courses to get mechanical skills to help you advance in your career. These courses are short and do not go into the finer details of HVAC functions. However, they will help you get basic skills that set you on the right path to becoming a reliable technician.
Get HVAC Certification
After high school, you need to join an HVAC technician training program to get the skills to become a technician. If you want a fast route, you should start by getting a certificate. A certificate program can take shorter than one year to complete, and you will get enough skills to start working on heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems.
If you want to broaden your skills, you may want to get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. This means that you may have to join one of the universities that offer these courses. For instance, you can join intercoast.edu and study one of the courses that they offer.
How to Become an HVAC Technician: Become an Apprentice First
It may not be mandatory, but completing an apprenticeship gives you an edge over the other technicians in the industry. Most employers would rather choose a technician who has completed a 3-5 years apprenticeship program than one who is fresh from college. Unless you do not plan to apply for any HVAC technician jobs, you have to complete this program.
The biggest advantage of completing an apprenticeship is that it gives you the experience that you need to become a top-rated technician. Unlike college courses, you will be learning on the job. This ensures that you get practical skills and understand how the industry works.
Get Approval from Your State
Once you are through with your apprenticeship, you should seek approval from your state to increase your chances of getting HVAC jobs. This includes obtaining a license from the state where you will work. It will be easy to convince even the biggest organizations that you can take care of their HVAC systems with a license.
To be approved by any state, you have to take various examinations. These examinations are usually divided into three levels, and you have to pass all of them to be fully licensed. In addition to that, Passing the exams maximizes your professional options, but you can choose to stop at any level.
Seek Additional Certifications
You do not need additional certifications to work as an HVAC technician, but they increase your chances of getting better deals. If you want to set yourself apart from your peers, you should look for reputable organizations that offer these certifications and get them. To obtain such HVAC certifications, you have to take proctored examinations.
As an entry-level HVAC technician, one of the tests you will be taking determines whether you are ready to work. You also will be taking other examinations to test your ability to stay safe as you handle various tools. In addition to that, you will be tested on your skills in load calculation and equipment selection.
Create a Resume
When you are starting in the HVAC industry, creating a strong resume will increase your chances of getting hired. This is the time for you to showcase your qualifications and experience. It would help if you created a resume that compels people to give you contracts whenever they have them.
In your resume, be sure to mention all the experience that you have garnered along the way. If you do not have any experience, you may want to emphasize your skills and say that you completed an apprenticeship program. It will be your biggest selling point, especially when you do not have any networks in this industry.
Customize the Job Search Process
It is not good to create one standard resume and send it out every time you see a job listing. If you do that, you may end up emphasizing skills that the potential employer is not interested in. Instead of that, you should customize your resume according to each listing.
For example, if someone is only looking for a technician to install and maintain a furnace, you have no business talking about how good you are at installing air conditioners. The best approach would be to tell them how much you know about furnaces. The rest of the skills can come in as a bonus.
Get HVAC Training from Reliable Trainers
After knowing how to become an HVAC technician and understanding that it all starting with training, you have to get a course from a reliable trainer. Get a trainer and ensure that your certification is recognized in the area where you intend to work. You can choose to study online too.
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