Is becoming an Hvac technician a good career move?
Asked by Verden
What are the skill benefits? What sort of education do I need to become one? Where are they most in demand? What's the average hourly/annual salary? What would I be working towards? Engineer? Owning my own hvac company? Should I attend a trade school or join the military for training? Any other info would be appreciated.

Best Answer:
Education required, usually high school or equiv. Demand for these workers, at the present time with this poor economy, very little demand as most people with any mechanical ability are learning to do it themselves, with the help and advise from people at the home improvement stores. Average hourly wage, this depends on the part of the country you reside in, second if it's a union or open shop. Here in northern Ohio, wages are between $10.00 hr to over $40.00 hr, non-union being the lowest and union the highest, but the drawback, is the union shops have for the last ten years been unable to keep their men working, and here the unemployment rate is about 50 to 65%. Next, I wouldn't even consider the military for training, because they do not prepare you for civilian probems. The type of traing depends on your intended field, that is, hot air system or hydronic (hot water) systems. For hot air or hot water, there are any number of trade schools, and good ones, but you have to pay, for on the job training , for hot air, duct design and fabrication, air conditioning service and installation, residential and commercial systems, contact your local "Sheet Metal Workers local" and for hydronic or steam systems contact your local "pipe fitters international union" both have very good apprentice programs, and you collect a nice wage while learning. Both programs are five years and the starting wage in this area is about $15.00 per hour for an apprentice, and goes up every six months. The trainng and school cost you nothing. The $15.00 figure is take home plus any benefits, so total wage package could be in excess of $35.00 per hour or more depending on location. Add this to the fact that the government is not sending you in harms way to get shot at or maybe killed while trying to learn a trade.
I have been a sheet metal journeyman for over 50 years. If you e-mail me I can give you a complete run down of the field and what's involved, as it's a lot more involved than just repairing or serviceing a/c units as some indicate. Former hvac contractor, member national heating and warm air association, associate member heating and ventilating engineers,
Answered by opal1331

military training would probably be a better carreer move
Answered by Prudential Intern

HVAC stands for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning it is a great choice no matter how bad the economy gets you will have a job people cannot live without AC and Heat and Refrigeration what state do you live in I know of a good school in Las Vegas NV the school takes about 6 months to a year and you should attend a school that is hands on in other words you learn by doing not just watching. if you have an opportunity to join the military I would do it for 2 or 3 years then the GI bill will pay for your training good luck email me if you need the name of a school in NV the guys start out at about 19.50 and hour and go up after 90 days since NV is right to work you do not need to be ing the union
Answered by Lizzy