What are the educational requirements and career options in HVAC?

When it comes to get the degree in air conditioning and refrigeration, the graduates work in the technology of heating and cooling system and they work on both industrial and business settings. The graduates get qualifications to do their jobs on Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) fields and become HVAC technicians. The HVAC technicians can install and repair various home appliances like refrigerator, air conditioners and more. They learn HVAC engineering on their educational training programs.

Educational Requirements

Although it is possible to get HVAC trainings at home along with job, most individuals prefer formal training and most individuals are hired on the job. In formal training programs, the trainees can choose vocational, technical and community college. The training programs of HVAC technician also offer certificates, diplomas and various other parts of programs of associated degree. While some programs are offered online, there are many individuals choose brick-and-mortar institutions to learn practically to repair electronic and home appliances with installation and some other basics of plumbing solutions.

In the formal coursework, the students basically learn installation of appliance, HVAC electricity basics, refrigeration systems, repairing electric and gas related heating solutions, pumps repairing, blueprints and other applications, indoor AC repairing. All in all, they learn repairing, heating, installation and plumbing of various electricity-based equipments and appliances approved by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Licensing and Certification

The requirement of license may differ from state. But the license of HVAC technician can be approved by passing a test in the state candidate is living. In order to quality for license, the applicants should have apprenticeship for 2 to 5 years. There is an exam HVAC technicians should pass that is taken by the EPA. The written exams are taken in three phases – Type I, Type II and Type III. These exams consist of questions relating to low-pressure and high-pressure refrigerants and the technician’s work on appliances.

When it comes to certification in HVAC training, the certification exams take place under North American Technician Excellence (NATE). There are other approved organizations offer certification programs including National Occupational Competency Testing Institute, Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute, and HVAC Excellence.

Career options and outlook

The mechanics and installers of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning are also called as HVAC technicians who use their skills and knowledge to transfer heat and design electronics, thermodynamics and basic machines. In short, they repair and maintain heating and cooling appliances. They also have the option to specialize in the field of installing HVAC appliances, repairing or both. Furthermore, they can also choose the option of only air conditioning or heating while others can also choose the entire aspect of HVAC technology. They can also qualify for refrigerant conservation and recycling. The HVAC graduates also get the jobs in private organizations and corporate companies. Also, they can commence their own business of HVAC repairing.

When it comes to the scope of career in HVAC, the growth is expected to rise up by 28% until 2018 as per the statistics of US National Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Visit penncotech.edu to get more information about career outlook in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.