Are HVAC Techs in High Demand? - FTC Florida Technical College

Are HVAC Techs in High Demand?

HVAC Technicians

 

If you’re looking for a new career that will be interesting, challenging, and that will give you job stability for the foreseeable future, look no further than HVAC.

 

Technicians skilled in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repair and installation (HVAC) earn a good living due to high demand.

At Florida Technical College (FTC), you can earn a diploma that not only trains you to become an HVAC technician, but also includes the skills needed to work on refrigeration systems and programmable logic controllers.
 

What Does an HVAC Technician Do?

 
HVAC technicians install, troubleshoot and repair heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration units that control the temperature and air quality of residential and commercial buildings. HVAC technicians clean, adjust, repair and perform warranty services on these heating and air conditioning systems. Some of the other tasks an HVAC technician will perform include studying blueprints, testing electrical circuits, improving HVAC performance, and communicating with residential and commercial owners to install, connect and adjust HVAC systems. Although an HVAC program will teach all three disciplines, some HVAC technicians choose to specialize in only one type of HVAC system.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, the projected demand for the next several years for HVAC technicians is promising. The field is growing faster than most other careers, at a rate of 16 percent through 2028 and beyond. Here’s why HVAC technicians will always be in demand:

  • Everyone has HVAC. In our modern world, almost all buildings, commercial and residential, have HVAC systems and many have refrigeration needs as well. This demand of HVAC technicians is something that is unlikely to change, except to expand. As the population grows, there will only be more and more HVAC systems needing replacement or repair. Especially in Florida, where temperatures are warm year-round, workers skilled in maintaining and fixing air conditioning units will always be needed.
  • The job requires skilled workers. Not just anyone can work on HVAC systems without the proper job training. This is a skilled trade, which is why those with the right education and training will always be in demand. At Florida Technical College you will learn all the skills necessary to install new HVAC or refrigeration systems, make repairs and updates to old systems, and troubleshoot problems.
  • The job involves variety. As an HVAC technician, you will see the inside of many different buildings and work with a variety of individuals. Sometimes you will climb into attics and other times work on a commercial HVAC system. Each day brings a new challenge, and you must be ready to solve a problem or fix something that rarely happens. As an HVAC technician, it is never a dull moment and there is always something new to learn.
  • Specialize in what you love. As an entry-level HVAC technician, you will learn about the different specializations as you evolve in the industry. With some experience, you can become an HVAC engineer to design new HVAC systems, an HVAC manager that supervises technicians, or an HVAC installer that focuses on the repair, installation and maintenance of HVAC systems. There are many options available to you when you become an HVAC technician. With this much demand, the sky’s the limit.
  • Technologies are changing. Demand continues to grow for skilled HVAC technicians as the technologies that go into these systems develop and become more computerized. Many new technologies are changing the way we heat and cool our buildings. Florida Technical College’s HVAC program includes job training in installing and maintaining PLCs, or programmable logic controllers, the computers used to automate HVAC and refrigeration systems. It is important to keep up with the evolution of technology in the HVAC industry and to continuously learn new techniques and technologies to do a better job and save the environment. Further, these smarter systems demand additional experience and specialization, only increasing the demand for HVAC technicians.
  • Equipment is aging. As HVAC technologies change, older equipment becomes obsolete. Homeowners and business owners will continue to demand skilled HVAC workers to repair these older systems and to replace them with brand new systems.
  • Consumers better understand the importance of HVAC maintenance. Today’s consumers are more informed than ever about the products and technologies they use. They understand that good maintenance of HVAC and refrigeration systems make them more efficient, save money on energy bills, and contribute less pollution and greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Consumers are more willing than ever to hire the appropriate experts to keep their HVAC systems up and running efficiently.
  • Climate Change. Unfortunately, we are experiencing unprecedented weather changes that are making the hots hotter and colds colder. These weather extremes are creating the demand for stronger and smarter air conditioning and heating systems. HVAC professionals also have to know the proper way to dispose of materials and chemicals that could harm the environment. HVAC professionals demand will continue to rise as the regulations change and guidelines evolve. An HVAC technician is on the front lines of climate change and their job couldn’t be more important.

 

Want to Learn More?

 
The HVAC/R with PLC Diploma Program offers you the technical and practical knowledge and skills to perform heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning maintenance, installations, and repairs. You will also learn basic skills related to the programmable logic controllers (PLCs). After graduating from this program, you will be able to fill positions at construction firms, as well as residential and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning companies.

You can get started now on earning your HVAC diploma from FTC. In just about 12 months you will have learned everything you need to work on HVAC systems, refrigeration systems and programmable logic controllers. You will be ready to start a new career in a field that will always be looking for workers who are skilled and well trained. With a career in HVAC you can finally get job stability along with interesting daily challenges while earning a good salary.