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HVAC technicians and mechanics install new heating and cooling systems and make repairs to existing systems. You may find them in homes under construction, setting the furnace in place and getting it operating correctly. Or, you may find them working in owner-occupied homes when the heating or cooling system needs repair.

How to Become an HVAC Technician

Begin your HVAC technician career by taking HVAC classes at a vocational or technical school. You can also find HVAC courses at community and junior colleges. Many aspiring HVAC technicians also participate in apprenticeship programs. In all cases, you must take HVAC classes, which may include the following:

• Math
• Physics
• Electronics
• Computer applications

Programs usually take from six months to two years to complete. An apprenticeship program can last two to five years to finish because it also involves fieldwork. Heating and cooling technicians take various certification exams to determine their level of knowledge, and some states require a license to work as a HVAC technician or HVAC repairer. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average annual salary for a HVAC technician is about $41,100. The top ten percent earn about $65,580 per year. HVAC salaries depend training level and experience. The BLS expects the HVAC technicians will enjoy excellent job growth over the next decade, and it projects a 28 percent expansion in the field. This is because a high number of existing heating and cooling units will likely need to be replaced over the next ten years. In addition, many people want to increase their homes' energy efficiency. Jeffrey Anderson Jeffrey Anderson has a Degree in English from V.M.I., and served as an officer in the Marine Corps. He worked in Residential and Commercial construction management for 25 years before retiring to write full time. He spends his time writing, remodeling his old farmhouse, and in animal rescue.