Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician
Comprehensive Sites
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning EngineersAny person interested or associated with the field of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning will find useful resources at this site. Publications on the industry, research, industry standards, and educational opportunities are introduced. Click on Student Zone, and you will find details on careers and internships, memberships for students, and scholarship opportunities.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersFrom this site of the U.S. Department of Labor, you can gather some basic information on what it’s like to be an HVAC technician and installer, as well as details on the wages you can expect from the job and related occupations. You’ll learn about training, qualifications, and advancement. Read this work description to find out more and help you decide for yourself if this is the right work environment for you.
Career Voyages: ConstructionInformation for students on residential, as well as commercial and industrial careers, are presented at this site, intended to offer comprehensive information on the overall construction industry, including HVAC technicians and installers. Find an industry overview, career video, a list of in-demand occupations, education and training, a career advisor, and links to important sites in the exploration of HVAC career options.
Occupational Titles
HVAC Technician
HVAC Mechanic
Accredited Academic Programs
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of TechnologyLook at what this accrediting organization has to offer in terms of promoting educational quality across technical career schools. You will find a student corner that includes information for prospective students and a comprehensive directory of schools.
Air Conditioning Contractors of America: School LocatorVocational programs nationwide can be searched from this database. Locate your state at the pulldown menu and track the educational programs nearest you.
Salary Levels
PayScale: HVAC TechnicianCheck out the median hourly rate according to years of experience for an HVAC technician around the U.S., with charts depicting the hourly rate in various cities and states. You can also look up similar information on median hourly rate by age or the type of employer you work for.
Professional Organizations
Air Conditioning Contractors of AmericaA group of online networks is available here to connect professionals in the industry. Check out education and certification requirements for this field, learn about member benefits, or read the latest articles on procedures, legal issues, and quality installations.
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration InstituteThis is the trade industry of the HVAC community, representing over 350 manufacturers in the field. Members can create and update their profiles online, find certified products, and news of the industry. Click on the contractors’ link to learn about careers, access the organization’s publication, and find HVAC quality installation specifications.
Refrigeration Service Engineers SocietyClick on training to locate educational programs for people at every stage of their career development. Comprehensive materials are offered for refrigeration and air conditioning, heating, and other specialties, with online course materials, a link to the organization’s professional journal, and benefits of membership.
Job Opportunity Sources
HVAC AgentCheck out this site, which offers agent services to find you targeted opportunities in the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. If you click on the job locator, you can get started with a new candidate profile. Locate schools, suppliers, or access the site’s network for trained individuals.
HVAC JobsBrowse HVAC jobs from this site by keyword, state, or position title. Hundreds of job search results will be returned. View the job details, as well as the employer company profile.
Licensing & Certification
HVAC ExcellenceThis non-profit organization has links and departments for student assessment, technician certification requirements, educator credentialing, and program accreditation. Technician certifications, including professional and master level exams and credentialing, can be learned about here, including the HVAC excellence program development.
Publications
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society JournalThis professional journal has a web showcase of unique and informative sites in the industry, features, web exclusives, industry news, and archived issues.
Online Forums & Blogs
HVAC MechanicA comprehensive source for the HVAC mechanic, this community has a knowledge base on various subjects of the industry, a career database, information on product recalls, and connections to events and training across the country. Supportive links offer information on many topics of interest to HVAC professionals, such as directories of products, organizations, inspectors, insurers, and news.
HVAC TalkSpecial HVAC talk events are scheduled through this online forum, where you can also join discussions surrounding training, education, business, and technical aspects of the HVAC profession. General discussion forums also include residential HVAC, indoor air quality, fireplaces, and talk about jobs. You’ll also find tips of the trade and a forum that lets you share, sell, or swap your HVAC-related equipment.
Career Videos
Heating and Refrigeration (HVAC) RepairThe growth and demand for the occupation, specializations you might be trained in, and the service contracts that keep installers busy are introduced. You will also find introductions to job outlook, industry growth, and several different types of jobs HVAC professionals perform.
YouTube: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration TechnologyFind out about the sciences behind the technology and the classes you might take preparing as an HVAC technician. You’ll hear about the work involved and the types of problems you need to solve. This video might help you decide if this occupation is right for you. Learn what you need to know to stay on top of the industry and the training involved.
