The Typical Daily Schedule of HVAC Technicians HVAC technicians start their day at headquarters, where they gather the necessary tools and equipment for the day ahead. They then proceed to handle various appointments and tasks, which can include heating repairs, system installations, and maintenance checks.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically do the following: Install, troubleshoot, and maintain HVAC systems. Install electrical components and wiring. Inspect and test HVAC systems and components.
HVAC can be a stressful job at times, especially during the peak demand season from May through to September. The HVAC industry can require you to work evenings and weekends at times to meet the extra demand of broken down air conditioning systems during the summer months.
HVAC technicians install, maintain, and troubleshoot HVAC systems in a variety of situations. Some projects involve installing systems for new construction, others involve modifying existing systems for a renovation, and some require the technician to troubleshoot a malfunctioning system.
The highest-paid HVAC techs are in California, Nevada, and New York. However, just because certain states offer a higher base salary for HVAC techs, this does not mean you cannot earn a higher salary in your state. The highest-paid HVAC techs are not limited by a certain place or time of the year.
8hrs is the base but days can run long for service techs with little notice. It's not unheard of in peak seasons to hit 50-80hrs in a week especially if your on call. Some sectors of the industry are more structured and 8hrs and going home is possible even in the peak seasons.
For example, if you search for jobs in the HVAC industry on HVACJobsCenter.com, you'll see that companies such as Baker Home Energy in Escondido, California are hiring candidates with a salary starting at $100k and above, if you meet qualifications.
HVAC Technicians need to be able to do some basic calculations to determine the amount of refrigerant to use in a system, translate a blueprint design, and understand the amount of electricity that a system needs. You don't have to be a mathematician, but you should feel comfortable with basic algebra.
On average, HVAC technicians rate the meaningfulness of their work a 2.6/5. The majority of HVAC technicians struggle to find any sort of meaning in their work, likely resulting in less satisfaction with the career overall.
Warehousing and storage is the most stressful industry in the U.S. scoring 28.92/100. The data found that 93% of workers reported being paid hourly.
Is HVAC a Hard Career? While HVAC can be physically demanding, it can also be very rewarding. As a technician you'll need to be able to: Work in unpleasant settings, such as tight or messy spaces.
CON: HVAC Has Occupational Safety Hazards
HVAC technicians suffer more on-the-job injuries than workers in many other professions because they are often working with heavy equipment, extreme heat and/or cold, not to mention they are subjected to hazardous materials from time to time.
HVAC Techs are Often On-Call
Depending on the job, the weather, and the emergency, you might be called into work early in the morning or late in the evening. You may be on-call for occasional weekends or holidays.
As an HVAC system maintenance technician, you will typically work alone, have the freedom to work at your own pace, and move between multiple jobs in a single day. It will be up to you to troubleshoot system issues and determine the correct course of action for repairs.
Con: HVAC Work is Physically Demanding
Working in attics, basements, and crawl spaces can be hard on your back. And the hours can be long, too. Expect some heavy lifting, and you may have to work at heights (for example, installing rooftop units). Safety is key!
While you don't need advanced math, a solid foundation in basic arithmetic, algebra, and geometry is essential for success in the HVAC field.
Some basic mathematics skills are helpful in HVAC installation, repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting. A comfort with numbers is crucial, since HVAC depends on decimals, fractions, unit rates, and other applications of numeration. Knowing a little logic helps make sense of electrical circuits.
The thing with the HVAC industry is, safety always comes first. Your local tech wants to take care of you, but working on electrical equipment in the rain can be dangerous. It can not only endanger the safety of your technician, but it can also cause damage to your system down the road.
While both positions require technical knowledge and physical stamina, the technician's role involves advanced problem-solving skills and the capability to handle emergency repairs and maintenance. Consequently, HVAC technicians often earn a higher salary compared to HVAC installers.
HVAC Technician with a Regular Work Schedule or Providing Emergency Services on Demand. You may find yourself working a standard 9-5 job, with predictable hours. Or, if you are more flexible, you may forge a career in after-hours work for a company that provides emergency services 24/7.
A heating or cooling system is a significant investment, and it only makes sense to get as much use out of it as possible. In general, most HVAC systems will last 15 to 25 years, but depending on the type of system and other contributing factors, that estimate can be highly variable.
This means an AC unit could cost you from $5.17 to $5.94 per day to run. Or about $155-$178 per month you're running it. Let's say you still have an ideal home setup, but a home that's a little bit less than the size of the average home – around 1900 square feet.