It’s a Cool Job!
We’ve covered a wide variety of topics since the inception of our blog. But we’ve never actually covered why you should consider an HVAC career. So today we’re covering … (drum roll) … why you should consider an HVAC career! (tsssss!)
Job Growth & Demand
The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC, in case you couldn’t figure that out) industry is always in demand, especially in hot states like Florida. We’ve mentioned it many times before and we’ll mention it again: air conditioning in Florida is not a luxury, it’s a necessity! The reality is most people today need their air conditioning like they need their smartphones and can’t live without either one, especially in Florida. It’s also a job market that not only perpetually grows, but is not likely to ever be outsourced overseas! (See Job Security section below)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the HVAC field will experience a growth of 14% from the years 2014-2024.
And because AC technology is always evolving, the HVAC business is always in need of new technicians to replace aging, old and outdated equipment. Air conditioners that are 5-10 years old and beyond may not be up to today’s energy efficiency standards. We don’t need to tell you that people love to save money. So there will always be customers looking to replace their energy-sucking air conditioning equipment with new environmentally-friendly “green” technologies that will save them money!
Urgency & Demand
Yes, we put “& Demand” on two consecutive headlines. Because it’s our blog and we do what we want! … But seriously, it’s because the demand for HVAC technicians is always there. And when air conditioning systems break, especially in Florida, people want their AC back on right away! Not tomorrow, not a week from now, not a month from now, but RIGHT NOW! So if an air conditioning company is short-staffed or even adequately staffed and emergencies start popping up (and they always do), congratulations: you’re in demand! You’re ALWAYS in demand!
And because 99.999999999999999999% of our blog posts include a shameless plug: this is why Super Heat & Air has emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service. We guarantee we will be there in an hour or you get 25% off your entire service! Superheroes don’t take the day off. So when you rescue a home or business whose air conditioning system breaks down or craps out, you save the day and are hailed as a hero! (Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, HVAC MAN!)
Going Green & Getting Love
If you want to do your part to help the environment, you will get the satisfaction of knowing that today’s HVAC technologies are designed and manufactured to be more energy efficient and safer for the environment. So every time you install a new “greener” HVAC system at a home: tah-dah! You have just done your part to help protect the environment! And you get to save people money too, which they will love you for!
Networking & Socializing
Being an HVAC technician is a fantastic way to develop and sharpen your customer service skills. And it’s also a great medium for networking. If you love to meet new people, you’ll love your HVAC career! When working in customers’ homes, you develop a rapport with them while on the job. You will meet new people almost on a daily basis and who knows, you might make some new friends in the process!
Savvier Consumers & Challenges
With new AC technologies and new energy efficiency standards —not to mention the fact that EVERYBODY knows how to use the internet for research these days — consumers are savvier than ever about everything from health to technology. What that means for somebody considering an HVAC career is that if you enjoy a challenge, it’s the perfect fit for you!
Installing, repairing and maintaining HVAC systems is physically and mentally challenging enough. But with savvier consumers now on the market, people want to know that their technicians are well prepared. So if you enjoy educating people and engaging in battles of wits, knowing that customers may know more about your profession than you think can make for some interesting conversations while on the job. The short version of that long-winded sentence is that if you like to “talk shop”, you’ll be very happy!
Commercial & Residential
The air conditioning industry is usually divided into two sectors: residential and commercial. Residential is what it sounds like and commercial is … um … what it sounds like! As an HVAC technician, you can specialize in working at homes or working in businesses. Some companies (like Super Heat & Air, cough cough) specialize in and offer services for both. Whether you specialize in one, the other or both, there are opportunities for advancement not just as a residential or commercial service technician, but also in sales, management and beyond!
Education & Diversity
The commercial HVAC industry requires a little more education and years of experience as an apprentice to break in. The residential side of the HVAC industry, however, is a little easier to get started in. Either way, you do need to become a certified technician and obtain an EPA license, but it doesn’t require an expensive 4-year degree to earn a career for yourself!
As for the diversity part of the headline of this section, the HVAC industry is a melting pot of backgrounds. So if you speak Spanish or any other second language in culture-rich states like Florida, your job prospects are even greater! Super Heat & Air employs a very diverse team of professionals, and quite a few of our techs and other non-tech employees (including the blog writer social media web guy writing this post) are fluent in Spanish.
Science & Math
If you’ve ever seen that obnoxious yet addictive TV show called “Bar Rescue,” they describe the management of bars and restaurants as a “science.” The same applies to installing HVAC systems in a home. There’s a science to everything involved from the selection of the proper AC unit to where the thermostat is located inside a building. AC installation affects the comfort of a home’s or business’s inhabitants, as well as the energy consumption of said home or business. So if you’re into the science of things and problem-solving, an HVAC career might be a great fit for you.
Money & Advancement
You didn’t think we would post an article about HVAC careers and not talk about money now, did you? Of course not! Obviously, one of (if not)the best reasons to become an HVAC technician is the money you can earn! Salaries vary by location and experience, but HVAC technicians can earn a killer living! The median salary for an HVAC technician, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is more than $45,000 a year. While that may not sound like much in 2018 money, it’s a lot more than a lot of people make these days.
And as you pay your dues and rise to the top of the ranks as a Master Technician, you can make up to $80,000 a year! If that’s still not enough money for you, then becoming a Master Technician opens the door for you to start your own AC business. While the AC industry in hot regions like Greater Tampa Bay may be oversaturated with hundreds of AC companies, there’s a reason there are so many companies around and thriving despite the heavy competition. … Come on, do we have to explain it to you? … Because the demand is high, that’s why! And it will always be high, because the need for air conditioning services will never, EVER go away!
Job Security & … Job Security!
Read the last two bolded sentences in the previous paragraph one more time. … You’re welcome!
So there you have it: money, job security, being a hero to others and general HVAC career happiness! What more could you ask for? Whether you work for one of the highest-rated HVAC companies in Greater Tampa Bay like Super Heat & Air (whose phone number is (813) 355-0288 and is here to serve Greater Tampa Bay 24/7) or you know, some other AC company, consider an HVAC career!
We love it, and so will you!