Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. HVAC technicians are qualified heating and air-conditioning systems control workers responsible for improving the temperature, humidity, and total air quality in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. HVAC technicians must be mechanically inclined with advanced training in electrical components, electrical systems, and motors, compressors, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. HVAC technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair aspects of HVAC systems.

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High school students interested in becoming a HVAC technician may prepare while in high school. Student who participate in courses like: technology, chemistry, physics, English, physical education, and business often fair well in future HVAC technician training programs. Students with access to trade or vocational training in blueprint reading, electronics, shop mathematics, mechanical drawing, and computer applications often find increased acceptance in future training programs. Additionally, students who find part time employment as plumbers or electrician’s helpers may increase their chances of acceptance in formal HVAC technician training programs.

An apprenticeship program allows students to gain hands on training necessary for employment as a HVAC technician. Students must complete a three to four year training program demonstrating mastery of basic skills to advance to more difficult job related tasks. Students also must participate in training courses based upon classroom lecture to learn blueprint reading, mathematics, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, system evacuation, refrigerants, system charging, automatic electronic and programmable controls, commercial refrigeration, heating systems, AC and DC power sources, and domestic appliances. Students who complete an apprenticeship program may gain employment at a journeyman level as a HVAC technician upon meeting Environmental Protection Agency certification or National Center for Construction Education and Research. The EPA allows students to demonstrate safety and training proficiencies learned through apprenticeship experiences. The National Center for Construction Education and Research administers a two hour examination developed to assess skills learned during a HVAC technician apprenticeship program. Students who successfully complete a HVAC technician apprenticeship and certification exams receive access to national registries designed to expand client base and offer continuing education courses necessary for re-licensing.

A career diploma offered by trade or vocational schools, online programs, or community colleges, offer students access to basic training programs for a career as a HVAC technician. Students within a career diploma program participate in courses like: refrigeration and air conditioning technology, system evacuation, refrigerants, system charging, automatic electronic and programmable controls, commercial refrigeration, heating systems, AC and DC power sources, fuel systems, and domestic appliances. Students generally complete a career diploma program in six to twelve months and then qualify for certification examinations. Certification examinations are offered through the Environmental {rotection Agency and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The EPA and NCCER allow students to demonstrate safety and training proficiencies learned through career diploma programs. The NCCER administers two hour exams to assess skills learned during training to advance as HVAC technicians. Individuals who complete a career diploma training program and licensing exams gain an expanded client base and access to continuing education programs necessary for re-licensing.

An associates degree in HVAC/R technology allows a student to advance educational and career goals. Students participate in courses like: HVAC/R fundamentals, electromechanical systems, heating and air conditioning residential systems, heating and air condition commercial systems, HVAC installation procedures, energy alternatives, duct design, blueprint reading, and computer applications. Students often complete an associates degree program with an internship experience to gain hands on training necessary to perform as HVAC technicians upon meeting certification requirements as determined by state boards or facility of employment. The Environmental Protection Agency allows candidates to demonstrate skills learned in an associate degree program. The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The NCCER administers a two hour examination designed to assess skills learned in HVAC technician programs. Successful completion of NCCER certification exams offers individuals an expanded client base as well as assess to continuing education necessary for re-licensing and qualifies individuals to work as certified HVAC technicians. Students may also choose to advance to higher degree programs.

A bachelor’s degree in HVAC/R technology expands educational and career opportunities. Students who participate in courses like: introduction to electricity, introduction to refrigeration, schematics, technical writing, air conditioning/organizational communication, heating, commercial HVAC, pneumatic control, commercial refrigeration, energy management systems, and environmental systems. Students complete an internship under the supervision of a qualified HVAC/R technician to gain work experience before completing licensing examinations as determined by state and facility regulations. Individuals may demonstrate proficiencies learned in a bachelor degree program in certification exams offered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The EPA offers safety and training examinations. The NCCER administers a two hour exam developed to assess skills learned during a HVAC/R technology degree program. Students who successfully complete a bachelor degree program and certification examinations receive access to national registries designed to expand client base as well as access to continuing education training necessary for re-certification. Graduates of a bachelor degree program in HVAC/R technology may gain employment as HVAC technicians or advance to graduate degrees.

A masters degree in an HVAC/R technology related field, like mechanical engineering, offers students the opportunity to become an expert in the field. Students participate in courses like: statistics, physics, solid mechanics, instrumentation and measurement, thermodynamics, heat transfer, energy conversion, fluid mechanics and dynamics, hydraulics and pneumatics, drafting (CAD/CAM), and business organization and management. Masters degree students must complete a masters thesis and internship under the supervision of a qualified mechanical engineer. Students who complete all aspects of a graduate degree program may then participate in licensing examinations administered by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Candidates must demonstrate proficiencies in two part examinations including Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering as well as mandatory state licensing as determined by state regulations. Individuals who successfully complete certification requirements may advance to employment as managers of mechanical engineering departments or as experts in the field of mechanical engineering. Students may also choose to advance to doctoral degree programs.

A doctoral degree program in an HVAC/R technology related field, like mechanical engineering, offers individuals the training necessary to become experts in the field. Students participate in courses like: development and operational evaluation of physical systems used in manufacturing and end-product systems, hydraulic and electric systems, computer information and technology, statistics, and business organization and management. Doctoral candidates must complete an internship under the supervision of a qualified mechanical engineer as well as complete a publishable dissertation. Students then may advance to licensing examinations administered by state boards and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET.) Students who demonstrate proficiencies in the ABET’s two part exam, including Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering, may advance to employment as managers of mechanical engineering departments or as expert researchers or professors in the field of mechanical engineering.