Your Career as an HVAC Technician

         Go from learning to earning, fast!

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians are professionals who work on residential and commercial HVAC systems for temperature control and air quality. HVAC technicians perform a wide array of duties:

• Inspect and maintain HVAC systems along with running diagnostic tests to identify the source of any issues.
• Install HVAC systems according to design specifications and connect systems to water lines, fuel lines and air ducts.

HVAC technicians work in factories, schools, homes, hospitals and office buildings. You can choose a job that requires travel to several locations for daily service calls or take a job that has a specific job site location. The majority of HVAC technicians work full-time; however, during peak heating and cooling seasons, most perform service at irregular hours or overtime. Many technicians work for HVAC contractors, but about 10 percent are self-employed.

Educational Requirements for HVAC Technician Jobs

You can begin your journey to obtain the most comprehensive HVAC license in Connecticut, an S-2, by first taking your coursework, 6 months (full time) at ENTECH. After that, you move directly into the Connecticut Apprenticeship program, which requires 8,000 hours (4 years) of on the job training. 

Outlook for Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning Technician Jobs

According to statistics, HVAC technician jobs are projected to grow at a healthy rate of 34 percent through 2020. This growth rate is much higher than many other industry. The need for sophisticated climate-control systems in residential and commercial construction will fuel the job market for licensed technicians. With the increased emphasis on pollution reduction and energy-efficiency, technicians will be in demand for HVAC upgrades and retrofits. As for stability, every home and business has HVAC equipment that needs maintenance. And your job can't be outsourced!

HVAC Technician Salaries

Apprentices earn about half of what experienced HVAC technicians do. As they gain skills, apprentices receive periodic raises. The median annual income for a technician in Connecticut is around $54,000 and that doesn't include overtime during peak seasons. Whether you choose to work with a small local HVAC company or a large commercial operation, good workers always have opportunities for advancement within those organizations.