Starting Out In HVAC

Entering the HVAC industry in Alberta is a great way to build a career, or to gain skills that will take you as far as you want in commercial, industrial, or even corporate environments.

The HVAC industry is constantly growing, changing, and evolving.

Therefor, it's essential for those new to this field or who have recently decided to pursue an occupation in it to know what they are getting themselves into before jumping headfirst into their new profession.

This article will cover some basics about what it takes to get started with in the HVAC industry, as well as give some tips on how to learn more about it yourself so you can make an informed decision on whether or not this is something that interests you!

Starting out in the hvac industry

The first step will be to have a general idea of what people do in the field of HVAC.

HVAC technicians install and maintain heating, air conditioning, and sometimes refrigeration equipment.

This could be anything from a residential air conditioner like the one that keeps your home cool to a boiler or chiller system that an entire hospital depends on.

If you look at the day in the life of an HVAC technician, it may never be the same as the one before it.

In the HVAC industry, you may be working as an electrician one day, troubleshooting poor air quality the next, and replacing a heat pump the day after.

HVAC and HVAC-R technicians have to be ready to take on a multitude of new challenges every day.

There are no similar trades to the HVAC industry

HVAC companies must have a certain level of competency in every trade on the site, which you do not see in any other trades.

For example, you must have the mechanical skills to plumb a boiler but also work as an electrician while wiring units and running power.

You will need to be able to frame holes and platforms, install vents through roofs, run gas lines, and be able to work with drywall.

While all of these individual trades focus on their specific job, HVAC workers are forced to learn a little bit of all the above.

Guidelines and regulations for the HVAC industry in Alberta

The EPA guidelines really drive regulations across North America which means things like: handle refrigerant with care and in the proper manner, pay attention to air quality with climate control (never separate the two), and many other regulations that soon become second nature to you as an HVAC professional.

Aside from your HVAC Technician Certificate, you may also look at your North American Technician Excellence if you want to stand out.

Finally, there are plenty of safety certifications you can begin working on that will make your resume stand out in a crowded field.

WHMIS is a big one that is pretty much always good to have if you haven't taken it already.

You will learn something new every day, no matter how long you work in this industry.

Tools needed for the trade

To start your career as an HVAC technician, you will need a few essential tools. You may be able to get by with just the toolbox that came with your first car, but if you want to be able to do more than change light bulbs and tighten loose screws, here are some tools that will make your life easier:

• Hand tools: Wire strippers, screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead), nut drivers (3/8, 5/16, and 1/4 will be the most important), tubing cutters, PVC cutters, adjustable pliers, adjustable wrenches, electrical meter, and Allen wrenches.
• Power tools: Impact drill, hammer drill (for masonry work), and reciprocating saw. A circular saw can also come in handy but is not always necessary.
• Power tool add-ons: Drill bit set, auger bits, hole saw kit, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 nut driver bits, Phillips head bit, and a star bit.
• Sheet metal tools: Right and left-handed snips, aviator snips, 12-inch snips, hand seamers, and a bar fold.

HVAC Education Requirements

If you hope to join the HVAC system as an HVAC technician, you must go beyond your high school diploma.

Many trade schools have training programs to help you get hands-on experience in the skilled trade of HVACR. Most community colleges do not offer job training for HVACR.

However, if you attend a trade school, they will allow you to earn a certificate from their training program.

They will give you the opportunity and training to pass the EPA certification that enables you to be able to handle refrigerant.

Without this EPA certification, you will not legally be allowed to purchase or handle refrigerant.

Different career paths of working in HVAC

The most common career paths for HVAC techs are residential, commercial, or industrial.

Residential HVAC

If you are considering working for an HVAC business in the residential sector, you should expect to be working on homes most of the time.

Sometimes you may leak over to an occasional commercial air conditioner project, but most of the time, it will be servicing and installing air conditioners in homes.

There is plenty of money to be made in residential, but it's also the most crowded because of a low bar to entry for entrepreneurs and solo providers.

Commercial HVAC

Commercial will be where you work for one business if they have hired you as their HVAC tech.

Such as the local nursing home as hired you as their full time HVAC technician.

Or you will be with an HVAC company and will be working on a ton of different businesses (for example, servicing all of the contracted nursing homes within a 50-mile radius).

Commercial will apply to most business locations.

This is where you will begin to find more automated systems, much more extensive equipment, and many units in one place.

This is also where you will start to see benefits in having more certifications, such as NATE.

Industrial HVAC

Industrial HVAC is where you will find the largest of equipment.

This is where you will begin to work with giant chillers, massive boiler systems, and completely automated control systems. At this level, it is common for you to see refrigeration systems and HVAC equipment that are big enough to walk around inside.

Whether your choose to work in commercial or residential, you will need to have the same basic knowledge, to begin with.

You will need a high school diploma or GED, go to a vocational school, get your HVAC certifications, and start working in the field.

An associate’s degree or a bachelor’s is not required when your entering the field of HVAC.

Commercial and residential have many similarities in how you work on the equipment, but commercial will consist of more complex controllers and sometimes higher voltages.

Average wages for people working in HVAC In Alberta

If you're starting in HVAC in Alberta and have no experience, you can expect to make about $25/hour in your first year.

When you get your Red Seal certification, this will increase to about $30/hour.

If you continue working for another three years after getting your Red Seal, expect to be around $32/hour by the end of those three years.

Assuming that the person works 40 hours a week and never takes any time off (which would never happen in real life), they would make over $70,000 per year with their basic HVAC training alone.

This doesn't include any overtime or bonuses that might come up during busy seasons or other exceptional circumstances where other workers are unavailable due to vacations, illness, etc...

If you want to be an HVAC technician, then it's highly recommended that you get your Red Seal certification.

This will increase your chances of getting a job and how much money you can expect to make once you start working.

Commercial HVAC Wages

Commercial HVAC workers typically have a higher average salary than residential workers.

Most commercial HVAC companies will pay more than the average residential HVAC company.

There are also incentives for continuing your education, such as getting a journeyman or master's license in HVAC.

Once you get your master's license, you can start your own HVAC business and become a business owner.

If you want to earn a top dollar or own a business someday, then pursuing higher education within the HVAC field is a great idea.

The HVAC industry is one where you can become an expert in the field with hard work and a pursuit of technical skills.

Summary

HVAC is a great career path, but it is challenging to begin.

Learning the skills you'll need to succeed takes time and dedication, even without pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree.

However, if you're willing to put in the effort, there are plenty of opportunities for those who are passionate about what they do!