What Does An HVAC Technician Do?
An HVAC Technician is a maintenance professional responsible for repairing HVAC and other air quality systems for various businesses or homes. They’re typically responsible for keeping this equipment clean, fixed and maintained for customers. HVAC Technicians work to locate any dangerous features on an HVAC system that could be harmful to the users’ health. They’ll also regularly clean, adjust and repair these systems, along with any warranty maintenance.
Many HVAC Technicians on duty are responsible for responding to emergency calls promptly and providing routine maintenance to help fix the HVAC system quickly for customers. They’ll take note of each time they perform HVAC maintenance and are responsible for logging it for their business’ records.
HVAC Technician Skills And Qualifications
HVAC work is challenging, both in terms of the technical knowledge needed for the job and the difficulty of diagnosing and repairing HVAC equipment. Problem-solving is a big part of the job, and workers need good communication skills so they can explain what repairs need to be made and why. HVAC Technicians also need a variety of highly technical skills and qualifications, including:
- Removing old HVAC equipment so new systems can be installed
- Running pipe and duct systems through homes
- Reading and interpreting wiring diagrams
- Understanding refrigeration cycles
- Knowing how to interpret various technical data, such as pressure and temperature
HVAC Technician Salary Expectations
The average salary for an HVAC Technician is $23.36 per hour. However, there’s a big swing in pay depending on factors like experience level and a project’s requirements.
HVAC Technician Education And Training Requirements
You don’t need a college degree to become an HVAC Technician. However, you do need the proper certificates, and earning those takes months of studying. The exact requirements you need depends on the position you’re filling. For example, technicians coming from a background in new residential construction will have a slightly different skill set than people coming from factory backgrounds or people with experience retrofitting old homes with new equipment.
In general, though, you can expect candidates to have state licensure and relevant certificates. The requirements for obtaining these vary by state, and certain licenses can only be awarded to HVAC Technicians who work on projects above a certain dollar value. These certificates are a good way to gauge what kind of experience a candidate has.
HVAC Technician Experience Requirements
The experience required of an HVAC Technician depends on the job. If you’re offering an entry-level position, the candidate will likely be starting with anywhere from zero to only one or two years of real-world experience. Since HVAC maintenance and installation is so technical, these entry-level workers will need several more years of on-the-job training before they can move into mid- or senior-level positions.
Most candidates will have one or more years of experience, with mid- and senior-level workers having five years of experience or more. Entry-level workers will naturally have a more limited amount of experience and will continue to learn through on-the-job training and independent study. Newer workers often shadow more experienced technicians in order to learn the craft.
Job Description Samples For Similar Positions
Though HVAC Technicians have a highly technical skill set, what they do does have some overlap with other professions. If this description isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, check out some of our other samples. These will help you determine what other responsibilities and duties you’d like your new hires to take on. A few careers similar to HVAC maintenance and installation include: