Abstract

This essay examines and touches on the pay, responsibilities, hours and pathway of
HVAC contractors and technicians. HVAC contractors work day and night in order to keep
people happy, satisfied, and overall: comfortable. In the essay I will discuss the various situations
and environments that an HVAC contractor should expect to see throughout their career. I will
also explain the average salary of someone working in this profession. How to become a licensed
contractor from an entry level, and the education required in order to work in this career path is
covered. Included are the results of a personal interview that I scheduled with a licensed HVAC
contractor that has been running his own business for 25 years. From the interview I was able to
extract many useful tips and personal opinions from a person that has lot of experience regarding
HVAC. Towards the end of the essay I will briefly explain some of the pros and cons that I have
been able to identify during the course of my research on the subject.
HVAC Contractor
The career path that I have chosen to research for this project is Heating, Ventilating and
Air Conditioning (HVAC). The reason that I have chosen to research this career is because this is
a business field that is growing rapidly, and there is a constant need for this service here in the
state of Utah. I have had some experience working directly in the field and I have found that it is
something that personally I enjoy. Although the job can be difficult at times, the work is fulfilling
and well worth the money.
Job Description
An HVAC contractor deals on a regular basis with heating and cooling systems within
buildings. This can include either commercial buildings, residential buildings, or both, depending
on the preference of the contractor. On occasion contractors will have the opportunity to work

with refrigerant systems. A contractor will be required to use blueprints and plans in order to
install/repair HVAC systems (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). The blueprints are also
used in order to regulate whether or not the business is following the regulations enforced by the
state. Another responsibility of an HVAC contractor is to connect the air duct branches to the
supply duct, and install gas lines in order to supply combustible gases to the furnace. From what
I have been able to see, the job has its risks. Working with combustible gases can be dangerous
and leaves the contractor with loads of liability. A licensed contractor must really know what he
is doing.
HVAC contractors must know well and be skilled in many different departments,
additional to heating and cooling. For example, an HVAC contractor may have to install
electrical wiring and controls, in order to test for their proper operation (U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2015). Also, contractors work with water drainage and water heater flues, which
requires them to know specific city and state regulations and codes that also apply to plumbing.
The working environment for many HVAC contractors is very interesting because they
are subject to working in both indoor and outdoor conditions. In a personal interview with Gary
Banford Sr., a licensed HVAC contractor, I was told that most of the time they are working all
year long, so when they have to work outside in the winter they will be out in the cold, the rain,
and even the snow. When they are working indoors they may be working in various types of
buildings and many different environments, such as schools, stores, hospitals, office buildings or
homes (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Many times they will be required to enter very
hot attics in the summer, or very cold and small areas, such as crawl spaces, in the winter. Most
of the time they will be working in uncomfortable conditions because the heating or cooling
systems are not working properly (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015).

Average Salary/Career Outlook

An experienced HVAC technician makes on average $44,630 dollars a year (in May
2014) according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the lowest 10 percent earning
around $27,630 and the highest 10 percent averaging $70,820. This gives them an average salary
of anywhere between $15-$25 per hour (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). There were
almost 268,000 technicians employed in the U.S. in 2012 (What Do HVAC Technicians Do?,
2015). In 2014 those jobs grew to about 292,000, with 1 in 10 self-employed and having a
projection to grow 14% from 2014-2024 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). The job market
is a stable one because in most climates in the U.S. (especially in Utah) there is a constant need
for both heating and air conditioning systems. With every system usually being replaced every
15-20 years, there is lots of opportunity in this field.
General Career Path
As far as getting there from an entry level, there are multiple options. The first option is
an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship program usually last between 3-5 years, and each year the
apprentice must complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and in addition, a minimum of 144
hours of related technical education (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Apprentices will
typically get paid half the rate of an experienced worker. In order to enter an apprenticeship
program you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a
basic math test, have a valid driver's license (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Learning
exclusively on the job is another way to receive the education needed the become a licensed
contractor. It is becoming less common to hire someone without an apprenticeship or work
experience, although according to the HVAC contractor that I interviewed, that is the best and the
quickest way to learn how to do the job correctly (Banford, 2016).

General Education Experience

Many communities collegs and technical schools have programs that last between 6
months and 2 years, at the end of which a technician can receive either a certificate or an
associate's degree (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). In order to receive an HVAC license,
there are lots of certifications that must be passed. In Utah the license can only be received once
the technician has taken and passed the Utah HVAC Licensing Exam and the Business and Law
Exam. In order to apply for the Utah HVAC Licensing Exam, you must have at least 4 years of
working experience in the last 10 years directly under the supervision of a licensed HVAC
contractor. The exam costs $110 and there is a 3 hour limit to answer 75 questions. You must
receive a score of 70% or higher in order to pass the exam (HVAC License and Certification in
Utah, n.d.). In addition to the licensing exam, the state of Utah requires contractors to receive a
couple more certifications. Because HVAC contractors work often with gas appliances, they are
required to pass the Rocky Mountain Gas Association Certification Exam. Also, because they
work with refrigerants they are required to earn a United States Environmental Protection
Agency Refrigerant Handling Certification (HVAC License and Certification in Utah, n.d.).
Within the EPA certification requirements there are three separate types of certification. Type 1
HVAC Certification is required for anyone working with vending machines, window air
conditioning units, or domestic refrigerators. Type 2 HVAC Certification is for technicians that
will be servicing, or disposing of refrigerant in residential air conditioning units, heat pumps,
supermarket refrigeration and process refrigeration. Finally, the Universal HVAC Certification is
for contractors that want to be able to service all types of heating and air conditioning units
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015).
Bio Of Someone In the Profession

For the biography of someone who works in the profession I scheduled an interview with
Gary Banford Sr, as mentioned earlier in this essay. To start off the interview I asked him to give
me a run-down of how things went when he started his HVAC business called, De Best Heating
and Air (Banford, 2016). He explained to me that he started the business in June of 1992. It was
very tough for him in the beginning because he had had some previous work experience in the
field, but only a total of about two years. He said that in order to make himself known he would
spend lots of time handing out fliers and cards to people. When he saw a new house being built
he would go in and ask personally for the name and phone number of the General Contractor in
charge of the house. From there he would give them a call and offer his service. I could see from
the interview that in the beginning stages it really took a lot of effort to get the word out. The
beginning months were really slow and tough at times. He tried to put a large focus on customer
service, in the hopes that he would have happy customers that would spread the word to their
neighbors and friends. As time went on things picked up for his business and he was able to
reach his customer service goal. Today Gary does not advertise in any way. His business rests
upon a highly valued and extensive referral system built over 25 years of business, and fueled by
happy and satisfied customers. The first year of business he made about $40,000, but after about
10 years he would make around $80,000 and up per year. When I asked Gary what his greatest
strenth was within the business he told me that he felt that he had excelled over the years in
customer service (Banford, 2016). He also mentioned that his strength was knowing how to do
the work, because he felt that he has learned a great amount of knowledge concerning HVAC
systems over the past 25 years (Banford, 2016). He also felt that his biggest weaknesses when he
was starting out was lack of business, and now his biggest weakness is being understaffed at

busy times. He mentioned that he has no intentions or plans to hire employees or grow the
business at all. (Banford, 2016).
Pros and Cons
HVAC is a great way to make a living. Some of the pros of HVAC contracting is a stable
job for the future. The seasons change and so people always need hot or cold air. Plus servicing
systems is year-round, as well as any replacements. The pay can be really good for a licensed
HVAC contractor. If you own your own business, like Gary, then the schedule can be very
flexible. There are not any graveyard shifts either. Some of the cons are dealing with unhappy
customers because their heating or cooling system isnt working so they are uncomfortable. Also
working indoor situations that are tight, cramped space that can be cold, muggy, slippery, really
hot or cold. No matter what the weather working in outdoor conditions like rain, snow, really
cold or really hot dont stop the job. It is also physically tiring by working long hours, standing,
lying, crawling and even lifting heavy things, makes you exhausted from the variety of work that
goes on.
Fit For Me
HVAC is a good fit for me because I have worked in this field and found that I enjoy it. I
like to fix things and help make other peoples lives better. I like being outside and working
rather than being in an office all day. I am good at using tools and love learning new things
which will happen in this career all the time. I want to run my own business some day and this is
a good opportunity for me to do that and become a contractor.

Sources

Banford, G. (2016, April 18). Personal Interview.

HVAC License and Certification in Utah. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2016, from
http://utah.hvaced.com/hvac-license-and-certification-in-utah/

Summary. (2015, December 17). Retrieved April 18, 2016, from

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-andrefrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-2

What Do HVAC Technicians Do? (2015, February 2). Retrieved April 19, 2016, from
http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/HVAC_technician.htm