Heating

Workers in charge of heating in buildings and other climate controls are known as HVAC technicians. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. Some HVAC technicians also work with refrigeration and are sometimes called HVACR technicians. A building’s HVAC system allows it be climate controlled by conducting heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer.

Although HVAC technicians are trained for both installation and repair, many choose to specialize in one particular process. Some HVAC techs only perform installations, while some only perform repairs. In addition, some HVAC techs may specialize in air-conditioning, while others specialize in heat or refrigeration. More detailed specializations are also available. Heating can be obtained from many different sources. A technician can specialize in gas heating, electric heating or even solar heating.

Heating technicians must have knowledge of all parts of a heating system. This includes electrical parts, mechanical parts, and computerized parts. Some HVAC technicians that do not specialize can have a very diverse day of job activities. A day’s work may include diagnosing a failing or inefficient system, replacing electronic components or installing a full system.

Each season, many people like to have their HVAC systems maintained and prepared for the coming weather. In the spring, HVAC technicians may test air-conditioning systems and recharge the coolant to make sure they are ready for the summer. In the fall, heating systems may undergo performance checks and diagnostic testing.

Most HVAC technicians work a regular schedule, Monday through Friday during the day. Some companies perform weekend or afterhours work by appointment. In addition, HVAC technicians may be required to be on-call during the night and on weekends in the event of an emergency. During periods of extreme weather, the frequency of emergencies rises drastically.

HVAC technicians are required to perform hard physical labor as part of the regular duties of their job. They are also exposed to harsh weather conditions because most HVAC systems are either located outside, on the roofs of buildings or in areas without climate control.

HVAC technicians are skilled workers. Training takes from 6 months to 2 years to complete. The best HVAC technicians are trained and tested by a facility accredited by one of three national accrediting agencies: National Center for Construction Education and Research, Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation or HVAC Excellence.

If you love working with your hands and working with electro-mechanical devices, you may do well as an HVAC technician. To know for sure, you can take an aptitude test or career assessment test.