Businesses Continuously Looking for Skilled HVAC-R Technicians

February 4th, 2008

There is a high demand for skilled heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) technicians in both the residential and commercial sectors of the job market. Employers are looking for technicians who understand today's complex HVAC-R systems, and they are willing to pay competitive salaries for these services.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC-R careers are expected to rise at an average rate of 9% per year for the next 10 years. HVAC-R career prospects for technicians with HVAC-R technician training are expected to be excellent, especially for those who have received an HVAC-R trade school education from an accredited institution. There are over 292,000 people employed in the HVAC-R industry nationwide and it is expected to grow to over 317,000 employees by 2016.

Trained HVAC-R Technicians Earn Attractive Salaries

An attractive salary is a benefit to having a career in HVAC-R. In the United States, the average entry-level salary for a HVAC-R technician ranges between $32,000 - $45,000, and salaries continue to grow with experience (salary.com). As HVAC-R technician careers progress, employees have the option to specialize in one area, or transition into a sales or consulting role.

Demand Leans to Those With The Highest Skill Sets

The need for skilled workers is projected to remain high for the foreseeable future, but employers prefer to hire employees who have professional HVAC-R training. The skills needed to excel in the HVAC-R industry can be obtained at a number of technical schools, trade schools and community colleges. These training programs last between six months to two years, depending on the level of training and course load.

Learn the fundamentals of HVAC-R through hands-on training in:

1. Theory of temperature control
2. Electronics
3. Design and construction of HVAC-R equipment
4. Installation
5. Maintenance
6. Repair

Prepare for a career in:

1. Building Maintenance
2. HVAC-R Sales Consulting
3. HVAC-R Service Management
4. HVAC-R Technology
5. Climate Control
6. Home Appliance Repair
7. HVAC-R Mechanics
8. Residential Service

HVAC-R Awareness Increases for Big Businesses

In response to soaring energy prices and the green movement, companies are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs as well as their carbon footprint. Many companies have found that their HVAC-R systems are major sources of their energy expenses. As the need for new HVAC-R systems rise, so does the need for skilled HVAC-R workers who understand the complex and modern HVAC-R systems.

According to an article from Fast Company, the retail giant Wal-Mart is currently undergoing a major move to reduce their costs and environmental footprint through updated HVAC-R renovations. Their plan is to use 30% less energy in their new stores and make all existing stores 20% more efficient by 2013. Wal-Mart is investing over $30 million to retrofit 350 stores with energy saving, HVAC-R systems and 400 stores with energy-efficient refrigeration systems. If successful, Wal-Mart hopes this will cut annual electricity use by 3.5 million megawatt-hours. A great number of new HVAC-R jobs will be created as other companies continue to overhaul their HVAC-R systems.

Residential Sector Benefits from HVAC-R Technology

Research analysis firm McKinsey & Co. reports that by the year 2030, the United States could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3.0 to 4.5 gigatons of CO2, using tested approaches and high-potential emerging and existing technologies. These technologies are currently available, accessible and very familiar to HVAC-R contractors (Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News, 2007).

The study also notes that facility-focused improvements could reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 870 megatons by 2030, "the equivalent to removing 170 million vehicles from the road each year, or planting 6.5 million acres of trees, an area the size of Maryland" (Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News, 2007).

Every business sector, from construction to health care, will continue to benefit from advances in HVAC-R technology. There is an increasing need for properly prepared technicians who understand the latest trends. With the right training, students will have the skills to become top-quality technicians with the highly sought-after abilities necessary to understand and maintain sophisticated HVAC-R systems.