what is an HVAC technician?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. An HVAC technician covers many tasks involving repairing and installing HVAC systems. The job combines physical labour with mental expertise. That's why HVAC technicians should be mechanically minded and comfortable working with their hands. As an HVAC technician, you often work in extreme temperatures and use dangerous equipment. Despite these challenges, being an HVAC technician is an exciting and rewarding job.
what HVAC technicians do
HVAC technicians spend their time repairing and maintaining HVAC equipment. Often, technicians go to service calls where they meet with customers, diagnose issues and recommend fixes. Many technicians also fabricate HVAC systems and install new HVAC units. HVAC technicians work on various types of equipment, including air conditioners, heaters, furnaces and heat pumps. Most work on residential equipment, but some work on industrial and commercial equipment. Apart from working on heating and air conditioning systems, HVAC technicians also work on refrigeration systems. Your job is to troubleshoot and repair refrigerators and freezers.
Many technicians work for HVAC companies. However, you can work independently with a service agency. As an HVAC technician, you spend a lot of time travelling around town to visit homes and businesses. You also spend time with customers in shops or working with equipment on a manufacturing site.
Would working as an HVAC technician suit your troubleshooting skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in an HVAC technician role.
HVAC technician jobsaverage HVAC technician salary
According to ONS, the median salary of an HVAC technician is £35,510 per year. However, the compensation package fluctuates based on various factors. New HVAC technicians have minimal experience, which lowers their salary expectations to £29,590 annually. However, expert HVAC technicians with some years of experience earn over £43,772 per year. Most employers provide opportunities for earning extra money, like working unconventional hours. If you respond to emergency calls or work overtime, you are likely to earn more.
how to increase the salary of an HVAC technician
Your expertise is the main determinant of your salary. For instance, when you have a year of experience, you cannot perform complex repairs or installation tasks, so your salary is lower than experts with over five years of experience. Your location also influences your compensation package. If you live in a high-cost area like London, you typically earn a higher salary due to the demand for HVAC technicians.
The company you work for also influences your pay. Working for an established service company has many perks compared to start-ups. For instance, they have unlimited resources and take up complex or large-scale projects that attract higher salaries.
types of HVAC technicians
Anyone working on HVAC equipment is an HVAC technician, so there's a lot of variation in HVAC technician types. Depending on the specialism you choose, you may encounter different training requirements and job duties. Some types of HVAC technicians include:
- general service technicians: these HVAC technicians spend their time working on residential systems. A typical day involves travelling around to various service calls to help with repairs and maintenance. You also install the HVAC systems.
- commercial hvac technicians: as a commercial technician, you specialise in HVAC systems for businesses. Your job involves working with oversized equipment, which requires additional training. Commercial HVAC is also more challenging because the systems cool server rooms and other areas to specific temperatures.
- design and installation technicians: as a design and installation technician, you have some overlapping roles with engineers. A technician who designs, fabricates and installs new systems needs to understand HVAC systems. This involves calculating the right amount of pressure for a system, determining the right size components and following the drafts to create ductwork and other elements.
- refrigerator technicians: some technicians focus on refrigeration. Refrigerators are mini air conditioners that get extremely cold, so these technicians work with restaurants, food suppliers and other businesses needing large refrigeration rooms.
working as an HVAC technician
If being an HVAC technician sounds exciting, it's a good idea to learn more about the role. Here are some things you can expect if you go into this field:
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HVAC technician job description
As an HVAC technician, your duties focus on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Some duties include:
- installing and testing hvac systems: you sometimes work in newly constructed buildings installing HVAC systems. You also install the ductwork and test the systems to ensure they work properly. Your job is to determine the size of the HVAC system required to maintain the temperature balance and air quality.
- maintaining hvac systems: you perform preventive maintenance on HVAC systems, such as conducting annual checks on the blower fan, ductwork connections and thermostat to ensure the system operates efficiently.
- repairing hvac systems: you use diagnostic equipment to determine problems in HVAC systems and repair them. Your job is to replace the broken units and fix the system to ensure it is efficient.
- consulting with customers: you frequently consult with customers to discuss performance issues and quotes. You also answer questions on the functions of the systems.
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work environment
As an HVAC technician, you work in different environments. One day, you'll be outside fixing a broken condenser unit. The next day, you're climbing into an attic to work on an air conditioner or going into a crawl space to access ductwork. Even in extreme cold or hot weather, you spend a fair amount of time outdoors. HVAC technicians also spend time travelling around their city and nearby locations. Although some technicians may spend time in an office selling equipment or a shop that fabricates systems, most travel to customers' locations to work on HVAC equipment. Since you install or repair HVAC equipment on site, you cannot work from home or a remote location.
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who are your colleagues?
Some of your colleagues as an HVAC technician include building services engineers, plumbers and pipe fitters. You also work with HVAC engineers and industrial designers, as well as other specialists that could include design engineers, technicians, maintenance technicians and project engineers.
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work schedule
When you are an HVAC technician starting in the role, you work as an apprentice or intern. This is usually part-time work, where you shadow an experienced technician for 15 to 30 hours a week. Once you complete the training, you work a full-time schedule of 40 or more hours. Most HVAC companies include a broad range of service call times to accommodate busy customers, which means technicians work as early as 7:00 am or as late as 8:00 pm. You may end up going to work on any day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday. In addition to regular work hours during the day, some HVAC technicians work emergency hours. These hours are for clients with emergencies at unusual times. A technician can drive out to fix a heater in the middle of the night or early in the morning.
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job outlook
A career as an HVAC technician allows you to grow your skills and improve your expertise in maintenance and installation tasks. Some HVAC technicians specialise in specific aspects of HVAC systems like design, installation or maintenance and repairs. If you want to progress your career vertically, you can become an HVAC engineer or a maintenance supervisor. If you work in construction, improve your skills to become a building services engineer.
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advantages of finding an HVAC technician job through randstad
Finding your HVAC technician job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as an HVAC technician is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too
education and skills
Some of the routes for becoming an HVAC technician include:
- college course: to become an HVAC technician, you could pursue a college course to learn about HVAC systems. When you complete a college course, you become a trainee technician. Suitable courses include a Level 2 Diploma in access to building services engineering or a Level 2 Diploma in installing and maintaining refrigeration systems. Level 3 and T Level courses in building services engineering are also available. The entry-level requirements for Level 2 courses are 2 GCSEs in grades 9 to 3, while Level 3 and T Level courses require 4 or 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 3, including English and maths.
- apprenticeship: you can train to become an HVAC technician through apprenticeship programmes, including building services, engineering installer intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. You shadow an expert HVAC technician to learn the ropes when you complete the programme.
skills and competencies
Aside from technical skills, you require soft skills, including:
- troubleshooting skills: as an HVAC technician, you should be a quick-thinking worker to provide excellent services. It is essential to have troubleshooting skills to resolve problems in HVAC systems.
- customer service skills: as an HVAC technician, customer service skills are as necessary as technical expertise. Sometimes a customer has a total system failure or temperature balancing issues. You require patience to deal with frustrated customers and good communication skills to build trust and rapport.
- critical thinking skills: your critical thinking skills help you react to changing situations, analyse different perspectives, and find solutions to complex problems.
FAQs
FAQs about working as an HVAC technician.
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is becoming an HVAC technician worth it?
Being an HVAC technician is a great choice if you want a reliable, well-paid job. It does require some training and a willingness to work with your hands outdoors, but it is a very stable career.
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is being an HVAC technician hard?
Being an HVAC technician isn't difficult, but it's not an easy job, either. Expect to spend some time studying for your license and training on equipment. Once you become a technician, you may have long days, work unusual hours, or do physically tough work.
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how long does it take to become an HVAC technician?
You should complete a college course or apprenticeship in the UK to become an HVAC technician. The apprenticeship courses take three to four years.
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is HVAC a good trade?
From a statistical perspective, HVAC is a good trade. Although the industry has some challenges, it isn't extremely dangerous, exhausting or difficult. You will also find many jobs with good pay.
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how do I apply for an HVAC technician vacancy?
Applying for an HVAC technician job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our technician job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
