HVAC Technician

People who work in this career often:

• Repair pipes to stop leaking.
• Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
• Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
• Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
• Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
• Connect electrical components or equipment.
• Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
• Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• Working outdoors exposed to weather.
• Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Responsibility for others’ health and safety.
• Working with a group or team.
• Exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
• The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.

Tools & Technology used by HVAC Technician

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for HVAC Technician

• Repairing—Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
• Troubleshooting—Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Installing Equipment or Programs—Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Maintaining Equipment—Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Listening—Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Monitoring Equipment—Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for HVAC Technician

• Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Building and Construction—Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Physics—Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Design—Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 7.3% growth new for HVAC Technicians to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least a High School degree, and many professionals attend at least some college or even earn an Associates degree. This career does require a license and certifications can help you move ahead.

View the local post-secondary education options for this career from MSTATE/Wadena.

Spotlight on MSTATE

• MSTATE’s HVAC Program

If you have a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive condition that requires educational support, learn about support options at MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Algebra I and II
• Blueprint Reading
• Business Computer Applications
• CAD Design
• Drafting
• Electronics
• Geometry
• Physics
• Technical Writing
• Trigonometry
• Woodworking

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise