You want to become a technician in HVAC repair on Long Island, but how do you do that? If you’re interested in embarking on a career path in the heating and cooling industry, then you may already be aware that the work can be rewarding, challenging, and pay well. What you may not know, is how to go about becoming a qualified technician, how long it will take, and what opportunity there is for job growth.
The good news is that its within your reach!
Cost of Trade School
A reputable HVAC program will be comprehensive, and thorough. Many of those individuals who are interested in choosing the HVAC technician career path become discouraged by the thought of an hvac apprenticeship program that could take years. However, there are a variety of amazing programs that provide a high quality of education from professionals within the industry, and also provide hands-on experience, which is valuable.
This training should include the basics of an air conditioning window unit, right up to a 12-ton commercial unit. Ideally, you will choose a program that will provide you with certification in all of the relevant areas so that you have a variety of opportunities once you hit the real world with your training and experience. With the right training program, you could be in a job you love, earning great money in a year!
While an HVAC license is not required by the state of New York, it is required at a local level.
Depending on the course you choose, and the college that you attend, your costs could range anywhere from $4,000, up to $25,000 if you’re looking to obtain an associate’s degree.
Job Growth & Pay Scale
Once you have completed your HVAC training you may find work in installations and/or repair.
- Installations – With new homes and commercial buildings constructed, there will always be a need for the installation of heating, ventilation, and cooling systems. The job of an installation technician involves installing these systems, and ensuring that they are tested and approved by the building inspector. You will enjoy variety in your work, as you will work on various projects in varying locations, as you install systems in a variety of different locations.
- Maintenance & Repair – As an HVAC maintenance and repair technician you will be there to assist customers in their time of need. You will face a variety of challenges, as you travel to various locations to handle routine inspections, as well as preventative maintenance on HVAC systems. You will also be expected to complete repairs of faulty equipment. This particular position requires an extensive working knowledge of a variety of different types of systems, to ensure that you can complete the job accurately, and in a timely and efficient manner. This position may also include air duct cleaning Long Island.
The outlook for jobs in the HVAC industry is positive, with growth of around 21% expected between now and 2022, which is a much more significant growth rate than other industries.
HVAC Repair Long Island offers a pay scale starting around $22 an hour, growing to around $40 with experience. Annually, that equates to just over $45,000 as a starting salary. While if you were to achieve a bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, you can become an HVAC engineer and command a starting salary of just over $80,000.
Residential Versus Commercial
Whether your HVAC position provides air conditioning service Long Island for commercial or residential buildings, you will enjoy a wide range of tasks and face a new challenge every day at work.
There are a variety of differences between residential and commercial HVAC repair technician jobs. The biggest difference, of course, is size. The capability of a commercial HVAC system is obviously servicing a larger area, affecting more people. Does this have an impact on the repairs process? Yes, as a commercial system is modular and contains multiple units, which accommodate a much larger space. Commercial units are generally referred to as package units. So, they contain the same components that a residential HVAC system does, but they are configured differently as the units as packaged.
A residential technician is only required to check one unit, while the commercial technician will need to perform checks on multiple units. The commercial system is also more complex, due to the additional thermostats and dampers. Commercial systems require additional, specific training.
A commercial technician will have to take local electrical codes into account before beginning work on a commercial HVAC system, as the comfort of the people within the building is vital to the process. This requires additional training, which will obviously take longer to master.
So, residential and commercial repairs should not be completed by the same technician, unless that technician has had training for both methods.