HVAC Technician

While we may not be able to control what’s happening outdoors, we can control the comfort and safety of our indoor environments. HVAC systems provide air conditioning, heating, and ventilation to keep an indoor space as comfortable as possible and regulate air quality. An HVAC technician helps maintain these systems, ensuring they are functioning properly.

Becoming a certified technician requires proper training and schooling. People in the Tri-State area and Pennsylvania who are interested in pursuing this profession can gain the necessary skills by enrolling in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program at Pennco Tech, with campuses in Bristol, PA, and Blackwood, NJ. Learn more about the responsibilities of an HVAC technician and the various career paths available to you after completing the course.

What Is an HVAC Technician?

HVAC technicians work with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment to ensure this equipment is in proper working order. The typical duties of these skilled professionals include:

• Installing, testing, and performing maintenance on HVAC systems and units
• Troubleshooting systems to locate problem areas
• Replacing defective parts
• Interacting with customers to discuss systems, equipment, and any issues
• Documenting installation and repair records to keep on file

How to Become an HVAC Technician

Pursuing a career as an HVAC technician requires a particular set of technical skills. These competencies will allow you to perform the day-to-day responsibilities of an HVAC technician safely and accurately. Achieving this level of knowledge requires a combination of education and training. Students enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Program at Pennco Tech will obtain all the necessary skills and knowledge needed to successfully become HVAC technicians.

Offered at both our Bristol, PA and Blackwood, NJ campuses, our in-depth program helps prepare students by covering a wide range of topics, such as:

• Sizing a home or business to perform load calculations
• Designing and creating ductwork
• Piping, soldering, and brazing copper connections for various HVAC systems
• Learning about commercial and residential updated technology
• Piping line set through various angles and openings
• Updated thermostat controls that follow the industry standard
• Variable speed motors
• Tankless heater and standard combination boiler training
• Various heat pump systems and geothermal/radiant heat through solar load
• Hydronic piping of boilers and updated radiant heating technology
• New installation of residential systems including split A/C, mini splits, and heat pumps
• A full breakdown of the components related to the industry
• Refrigeration controls as well as piping
• Refrigerant applications (Low-temperature, medium-temperature, and high-temperature cases)
• Proper handling and storing procedures of refrigerant
• Safely performing an evacuation and recharge procedure on various systems

While we want to prepare our students for the duties of an HVAC technician, we also want to make sure they are safe. Therefore, our program includes OSHA training to allow students to correctly identify unnecessary risks and eliminate any potential danger.

Career Opportunities for HVAC Technicians

One benefit to pursuing a career as an HVAC technician is the ability to make a decent living without the need for a four-year degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median yearly wage for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics is $48,630.

For HVAC technicians who want to make more money down the road, the career path also offers multiple opportunities for advancement. After completing the program offered at Pennco Tech, you will have gained essential skills and techniques that can be applied to a variety of other professions, including:

Automotive HVAC Technician

Combine your love of automobiles with your knowledge of HVAC systems to pursue a rewarding career as an automobile HVAC technician. Your duties will entail keeping all the necessary parts in vehicles working properly to ensure passengers are safe and comfortable while driving.

Sales Representative

Having completed the course at Pennco Tech and gaining on-the-job experience, you have a vast knowledge and understanding of how HVAC units operate. You can use this knowledge to your advantage to become a successful sales representative for different brands.

Business Owner

Work toward becoming your own boss by learning the ins and outs of the business as an HVAC technician. As you grow in the role, you may gain a better understanding of how the business side works and be more prepared to start your own operation.

Discover A Meaningful Career at Pennco Tech

The road toward a meaningful career as an HVAC technician begins at Pennco Tech. Since 1973, we have provided students in the Tri-State area and Pennsylvania with career-focused education designed to prepare them for a variety of professions. To learn more about our programs and the resources we offer students and alumni, please contact us today.