In today’s economy, there is a huge demand for workers in trades such as plumbing, electricians, carpentry and others. HVAC techs fall into that category too. Here are a few reasons you might want to become an HVAC tech.
- Fast job growth. A few years ago, the Illinois Department of Employment Security estimated that the number of jobs for HVAC professionals in the state would increase by more than 15% over the coming decade – more than twice the increase of the overall job growth rate. There is specific demand for workers with expertise in:
a. Installing equipment in newly constructed homes or buildings
b. Repairing and replacing older units
c. Retrofitting and upgrading systems for improved energy efficiency - Good pay. Without going into too much detail, an experienced HVAC tech can make a very good living. If you have an entrepreneurial bug in you, you can even start your own HVAC company.
- Stability. Installing, maintaining and repairing HVAC systems are not things that can be outsourced.
- Healthy lifestyle. An HVAC technician’s job is an active one, requiring him/her to move, walk and spend time both indoors and outdoors. This creates health benefits such as reduced risk of heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
- Job satisfaction. Being an HVAC technician helps people. Here are just a few ways:
a. You allow your customers to live in a comfortable environment.
b. You help panicked customers whose air conditioning goes out on super hot days or whose furnace fails on a bitterly cold day.
c. The HVAC system purifies indoor air and makes it safer, whether it is in a home, hospital or any other location.
d. The HVAC system helps preserve food, protect home furnishings, etc. - Low cost of entry. Compared to the hundreds of thousands of dollars a college education can cost, becoming an HVAC technician requires very little cost.
- Ease of entry. Illinois does not have a licensing process to become an HVAC professional. However you will need to meet federal certification requirements and employer requirements. Employers may require prior experience in the HVAC trade or graduation from a trade school or technical program where employees may gain expertise in skills such as:
a. Air conditioning and heating principles
b. Duct design
c. Heat gain and loss calculations
d. Energy transfer and management principles
e. Hydronic boiler technology
f. Heat pump technology
g. Air flow balancing and management
h. Installation of pneumatic and autonomic controls
i. HVAC electrical controls
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