How Long Does it Take to Become an HVAC Certified Technician? This Guide Will Help You Become HVAC Certified (2023)

FAQs

How fast can you learn HVAC? ›

You can choose to earn an HVAC certification or sign up for a program in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating technology from a trade school or vocational school. Such training programs usually take anywhere between 6 months and three years to complete.

Four year Bachelor's degree in HVACR from an accredited college or university followed by one (1) year of journeyperson experience under a licensed Master HVACR Contractor.

Most apprenticeship programs in Indiana last between 3 to 5 years. Many municipalities require you to work as an apprentice for at least 4 years before qualifying to work as an HVAC journeyman.

An HVAC career doesn't typically require advanced math skills. HVACR technicians do need basic math skills, like the ability to read a tape measure, calculate basic load requirements and use fractions. Those are covered in HVACR technician training, so you're prepared to enter the field.

For many, HVAC training is not hard to complete. In fact, HVAC is no more difficult to learn than any other trade, but you should be prepared to learn in various ways. Some people assume because HVAC is very hands-on work that, it's possible to learn just by taking a system apart and putting it back together again.

In as few as 10 months, learn to work on, maintain and repair residential heating and AC systems using skills obtained by UEI instructors, who are career professionals in the HVAC field.

Is a license required to be an HVAC contractor in Georgia? Yes. To be a “Conditioned Air Contractor” — as they are called — in Georgia, you must be licensed.

The average salary for a hvac technician in Georgia is $46,500 per year. Hvac technician salaries in Georgia can vary between $20,500 to $86,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

Employers Prefer Certified HVAC Technicians

Both the EPA Section 608 and NATE certifications help show that technicians know what they're doing and can be trusted to perform HVAC duties for residential and commercial customers.

Two primary types of certification are available for HVAC technicians: EPA Section 608 Technician Certification and industry organization certifications.

Is HVAC equipment hard to get? ›

HVAC equipment manufacturers continue to face labor shortages as workers get sick or take leave to care for other family members, so factories aren't producing as much as they used to. There are also shortages for the materials needed to build HVAC equipment, like copper, steel, aluminum and plastic.

The average salary for a hvac technician in Indiana is $51,000 per year. Hvac technician salaries in Indiana can vary between $20,000 to $95,000 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

A great HVAC technician should have vast knowledge on the basics of hot water heating, steam heating, air conditioning, water cooling, and other appliances. It is especially outstanding if they specialize in an area of expertise, like residential energy recovery ventilators.

Yes. HVAC technicians need a solid grasp of basic math, including adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. The job does not typically require more advanced equations used in engineering. However, HVAC technicians often plug data into formulas such as Ohm's law, which can help them troubleshoot electrical issues.

Yes, HVAC is a stressful job.

Factors such as working conditions and long work hours all contribute to stress experienced by HVAC tech. For example, the work of an HVAC tech is physically demanding - working in tight, dark, and dirty spaces can pose a variety of mental and physical challenges.

Which is harder to learn HVAC or electrical? HVAC and electrical are very similar. Students are trained on real equipment, and both programs can be completed in as few as 10 months. It is very difficult to say which one is easier because they both involve hands-on learning and theory.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the HVAC industry is projected to grow 15 percent from 2016-2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. The diversity of job opportunities and advancement in systems makes this industry an attractive and rewarding career.

How much is HVAC school in GA? ›

Tuition is $100 per credit hour for in-state students and $200 for out-of-state students. Georgia Piedmont Technical College offers PAHRA accredited HVAC courses in Clarkston and Covington, Ga. Tuition is $100 per credit hour for in-state students and $200 for out-of-state students.

The average salary for a hvac technician in Atlanta, GA is $45,500 per year. Hvac technician salaries in Atlanta, GA can vary between $18,500 to $70,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

To become an HVAC technician in Florida, you must complete a training course from an approved institution. HVAC certification programs can be completed in as little as 15 months, attending full time. During training, you will learn all the basics to prepare you for work as an entry-level HVAC technician.

If a felony was committed in the past, the felon must wait at least five years before applying for a license. During this time, they should also prove they are capable of performing the job that they are applying for. Once released, they can apply for an HVAC license.

Certain specialty trades or work costing less than $2,500 does not require the services of a state licensed contractor.

Georgia Contractors Forfeit Contract Rights if Performing Work While Unlicensed. A recent Georgia Court of Appeals case highlights the serious risks contractors face if they operate in Georgia without a valid contractor's license: they forfeit all rights to enforce their contracts.

Where do HVAC installers make the most money? According to the BLS, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Massachusetts pay the highest average annual salaries for HVAC technicians. The District of Columbia also tops the list with an average salary of $73,460 a year.

The HVAC industry is booming, and there's no sign of it slowing down any time soon. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the HVAC industry is expected to grow by 15% from 2019 to 2029—much faster than the average for all occupations.

Self-taught HVAC Training can be tedious and inefficient, but it is possible to learn HVAC this way. The best way is to find HVAC training curriculums online and then buy the course textbooks. Then you spend your time working through the textbook and example problems.

Is HVAC harder to learn than electrician? ›

Which is harder to learn HVAC or electrical? HVAC and electrical are very similar. Students are trained on real equipment, and both programs can be completed in as few as 10 months. It is very difficult to say which one is easier because they both involve hands-on learning and theory.

The HVAC technicians with some college degrees have earned about $1.8 million during their career, and the technicians with an associate's degree have the same earning as well. There is no visible difference between the salaries of the HVAC technicians with or without the degree.

Con: HVAC Work is Physically Demanding

Like many construction trades, HVAC can take a toll on your body. You'll probably spend a lot of time on your feet and have to squeeze into some tight corners. Working in attics, basements, and crawl spaces can be hard on your back. And the hours can be long, too.

When asked what type of work was most difficult to master (out of 32 different trades), the two groups of respondents (the average age of which was 43 years old) were in agreement again — electrical work was the hardest to master, followed by carpentry, HVAC, and cabinets/countertops.

Although learning a trade depends on the person's skills, some of the easiest trades to learn are elevator mechanic, electric lineman, millwright, boilermaker, and construction inspector, since you can learn your skills throughout apprenticeships and on-the-job training, and don't need a degree.

Yes, HVAC is a stressful job.

Factors such as working conditions and long work hours all contribute to stress experienced by HVAC tech. For example, the work of an HVAC tech is physically demanding - working in tight, dark, and dirty spaces can pose a variety of mental and physical challenges.

HVAC technician salary overview

On average, an HVAC technician typically earns between $46,000 and $68,000 per year depending on experience. In 2020, the lowest 10% of HVAC technicians earned around $31,000 per year, while the top 10% earned around $80,000 per year.

Where do HVAC installers make the most money? According to the BLS, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, and Massachusetts pay the highest average annual salaries for HVAC technicians. The District of Columbia also tops the list with an average salary of $73,460 a year.

Are online HVAC certifications worth it? ›

Online HVAC training is one of the most effective ways to get into the HVAC industry. Online HVAC courses are very cheap, faster than traditional classes, and allow you to learn at your own pace. Typically, online HVAC courses will teach the class using: video's.

It has good earning potential

As an essential trade, HVAC has great earning potential. Even at the entry level, a career in HVAC offers a competitive wage. With several career advancement opportunities in this field, there's potential to earn even more as your career progresses.