Elevate takeoffs for faster bids and increased project success for FREE. See Details Here.

PlanHub’s Q2 Research Reveals Many Opportunities. Register for the Webinar and Learn More

How to Become an HVAC Technician

HVAC Technician

A shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry makes this an ideal time to get the training and experience you need to become an HVAC technician. HVAC technicians work on a variety of project types, work on many HVAC  system types, and are vital to the success of construction projects. HVAC training is not overly expensive, and you can quickly begin making money.

What does an HVAC technician do?

First things first, HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. A similar acronym, HVAC/R, adds refrigeration. HVAC and HVAC/R technicians work on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. They perform a variety of duties, including:

  • Installing and repairing HVAC equipment
  • Troubleshooting equipment operation
  • Inspecting HVAC systems
  • Maintaining HVAC equipment
  • Checking fluid levels
  • Replacing filters
  • Cleaning ductwork
  • Handling and disposing of hazardous fluids and gases (refrigerant)

Technicians work in a variety of environments, depending on the location of the equipment. They may specialize in commercial or residential systems. Since every building has an HVAC system, there’s no limit to where a technician may work.

Do HVAC technicians need to be licensed?

Most states require HVAC technicians and subcontractors to become licensed, which requires passing one or more tests. Make sure you know the requirements for the state you’ll be working in.

There is one test that every technician will need to take, no matter where they work. The EPA Section 608 Technician Certification certifies technicians that will be working with refrigerants. There are four levels of HVAC technician certification:

  • Small appliances (Type I)
  • High-pressure appliances, except small appliances and MVACs (Type II)
  • Low-pressure appliances (Type III)
  • All types of equipment (Universal)

To get the EPA certification, you must complete an open-book test.

How much can an HVAC technician make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2021, HVAC technicians made approximately $48,000 a year or $23 an hour.

Salaries and benefits are based on a variety of factors, including technician career experience, education, location, and the type of HVAC industry project.

HVAC technicians can work for building owners, property managers, mechanical contractors, and service companies, or they can work for themselves as an independent HVAC contractor.

Win more bids, get more work, make more money. Search thousands of projects in your area. Sign up for free!

How to become an HVAC technician

  1. Technicians must have a high school diploma or GED. During high school, it helps to take classes that involve developing mechanical skills.
  2. There are two paths you can take to gain the industry-specific knowledge and skills required to become an HVAC technician: education or apprenticeship. HVAC certificate programs can be completed in six months to a year. An associate degree takes approximately two years, and a bachelor’s degree four years. HVAC education programs teach students about equipment and systems, system controls, and tools. You can register for an apprenticeship program directly out of high school or after completing a certificate or degree program. Apprenticeships usually last 3 to 5 years and include education and on-the-job training. In many programs, you can earn money while you learn. At the end of your apprenticeship program, you will be a journeyman HVAC technician.
  3. Depending on the state you will be working in, you may need to get licensed. This involves passing one or more tests to gauge your knowledge and skills. Once you have a state license, you can go to work for a company as a technician or start your own contracting business.

As a technician, you can continue your education to further take leadership in construction and specialize your skills. If this sounds interesting to you, visit PlanHub. As you gain more knowledge, you will earn more money and be in demand. In today’s market, the HVAC technician job outlook is positive for this career.

Be the first to know

PlanHub insights, resources, and news, sent directly to your inbox.

    planhub
    planhub icon

    Data and Deep Insights

    We make construction smarter by connecting with the right people, at the right time, for the right project.

    With our technology and data intelligence, we empower construction professionals to easily build the right business relationships, streamline pre construction processes, and make efficient decisions.

    From competitive intelligence in each project allowing you to know how many other contractors are downloading or bidding to insights as to contractors’ performance, we provide the data you need to lead your business to success.

    By providing faster, simpler, and unmatched data insights in each step of the pre construction process, PlanHub helps your business lay a strong foundation for the success of the rest of the construction process.

    planhub icon

    Bid Leveler & Proposal builder

    Comparing bids to one another has never been easier. Users can now see bids side by side, compare bid amounts, and review subcontractors’ certifications and qualifications all in one place.

    Bid Leveler’s apples-to-apples approach allows you to easily drill down and see detailed, easy-to-scan cost breakdowns. Indicate bid preference, hide bids that don’t meet your needs, and request needed information from subs.

    planhub icon

    Full Bid Management

    From the initial decision to pursue a project to the final bid submission and follow up, bid management plays a central role in pre construction.

    Effectively managed bids during the preconstruction phase set the stage for a successful project execution and satisfied clients.

    Streamline bid management from project posting to estimating, bidding, and awarding in one place with easy project posting, project-contractor automatic matching based on trades, location, and qualification with PlanHub.

    Use bid planner, bid builder, bid leveler, and award tools to always know what’s going on with each project and bid.

    planhub icon

    Estimation and TakeOff

    Let’s face it—time is money. And the more time it takes to perform takeoffs and submit bids, the more you risk losing out on valuable revenue opportunities. Manual methods and locally installed desktop software slow your takeoff process, and many digital solutions currently on the market can be overly complex and not user-friendly. 

    Build faster takeoffs, get more bids out the door, and win more projects. Forget pen and paper, outdated desktop software, and overly complicated digital takeoff solutions. PlanHub’s easy-to-use Takeoff tool helps you and your team build accurate takeoffs faster, minimize errors and material waste, and win more projects that boost your business growth. Performing your takeoffs with PlanHub allows you to:

    • Streamline and integrate your process: Perform your takeoffs in the same platform you use to manage your network and bids.
    • Avoid costly estimating errors: Get better accuracy with digital tools instead of traditional, mistake-prone pen and paper.
    • Collaborate easily: Share and work with your team, no matter where you—or they—are located.
    • Submit more bids and win more projects: Get quality bids in front of general contractors faster and get ahead of your competition.
    planhub
    planhub icon

    Document Management

    Organize, store, and manage various documents, blueprints, drawings and other information related to projects before the actual construction phase begins.

    This phase is crucial for setting the foundation of a successful construction project, and effective document management plays a significant role in ensuring that all necessary information is accessible, accurate, and up-to-date to all interested parties.

    Access, review, work on, and share large complex documents in one platform with amazing speed. From project definition, drawing management, takeoff, estimation, bid management, and contracts, everything happens in PlanHub.

    planhub crm
    planhub icon

    CRM

    Be part of a construction professionals’ ecosystem that enhances collaboration, streamlines project management, and fosters smart relationships between companies, construction professionals, and projects.

    Enjoy seamless communication, build strong relationships, and streamlines project management. By leveraging the power of connections and collaboration, we enhance efficiency, save time and resources, and drive collective growth in the industry.

    planhub network
    planhub icon

    1M+ pre-qualified network

    PlanHub is the leading platform that connects companies, construction professionals, and projects in the pre-construction industry, focusing on building and developing meaningful relationships to enhance efficiency and productivity.

    We have integrated general contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers’ workflows in one platform to simplify the complex back and forth usually present in preconstruction. By allowing all interactions to be done through PlanHub, tracking projects and relationships is much easier, saving contractors and material suppliers time and money. Interactions in the platform are tagged and measured to provide insights to users.

    General contractors create bid packages that are shared in PlanHub as projects. They can include templatized lists of all CSI cost items as part of the new Baseline feature. Baseline allows for faster and more accurate bid requests, facilitates homogenization of subcontractors’ bids, and simplifies the comparison of incoming bids.

    Subcontractors are automatically matched with relevant projects based on their profile, preferences, and pre-qualification information saving hours of research to both sides. They can review project details, documentation, and blueprints.

    planhub icon

    High-quality projects

    Your one-stop job for qualified hard-to-find private project leads in varying stages like pre-planning, bidding, etc., and across different geographies, zip codes, or distance to your office.

    Projects include plans, specifications, bid dates, and other relevant project information.

    You can segment project leads by type of project, status, project building use, trades and sub trades, or create your own list of keywords — and be notified when one of them is found in a posted project’s documentation or plans.

    We make it simple to find projects that match your business — and make sure you are notified right away.

    				
    					<script src='https://planhub.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js' id='jquery-core-js'></script>
    <script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/embed/v2.js"></script>
    <script>
      hbspt.forms.create({
        region: "na1",
        portalId: "7063061",
        formId: "ced7254f-5c61-49b9-9ce0-6f870b79a958"
      });
    </script>
    				
    			

    Get the report!

    From the very beginning, PlanHub has been a place where people can do meaningful work and build strong relationships.

    Come grow with us! We’re building innovative technologies that simplify preconstruction for everyone.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.

    Create quicker, improved takeoffs effortlessly. PlanHub’s Takeoff Core aids your team in accurate, faster estimates, minimizing errors, and driving business growth.

    Expand your network and connect with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, architects, and suppliers – not to mention thousands of relevant projects at your fingertips.

    Generate relevant leads, faster and with precision. With access to private, hard-to-find projects, you can connect with architects and owners on projects still in the pre-design and design stages.

    PlanHub’s advanced suite of bid management tools allows you to increase productivity, identify relevant projects using data, build bids with Takeoff, and manage bids through the entire process.