The HVAC Blog
Advances in HVAC-R practice are driving HVAC education forward, toward an understanding of greener systems and components, and connected and embedded technologies such as Nest thermostats that control advanced heating and cooling systems in ever more sophisticated ways. New HVAC certification and degree programs focus on preparing technicians to install, maintain and repair modern HVAC-R systems, often device-controlled and incorporating progressively greener technology. This blog surfaces the best modern HVAC programs across a number of dimensions, along with the professors that are pushing HVAC education forward, and the apps and technologies that are emerging as future HVAC-R standards. As licensing and certification requirements evolve to incorporate new advancements in the field, and as active HVAC educators and practitioners share their stories, the www.hvacclasses.org team will publish that information here.
While in the past, the HVAC industry was traditionally male-dominated, this image is quickly being shed as more and more women are finding employment in the field. The BLS (Feb. 2017) reported that women make up only 1.4 percent of the HVAC workforce, but the nearly 6,000 women nationwide represents a significant leap from years past.
As well as the satisfaction of becoming more competent, technicians improve their employability and increase their potential earnings as they gain additional skills. Industry associations are by far the largest source of training for HVAC technicians.
A true apprenticeship is based on the “earn as you learn” principle. Apprentices receive hands-on training, technical instruction, and are paid for the hours they work. Their salaries, however, are influenced by various factors.
If you are considering joining the HVAC industry’s workforce or starting your own business, now may be the perfect time to do it. Perhaps you are a seasoned technician with a strong understanding of the nuts and bolts of the service side, dreaming of becoming your own boss. Or maybe you are a naturally business-minded entrepreneur looking for the right industry to invest your capital and management knowledge.
Air conditioning in vehicles can be traced all the way back to 1939, when car company Packard first installed a manual climate control in one of their models. Though it was rudimentary by today’s standards, it eventually led other companies to innovate and build their own proto HVAC systems.
Several states are outpacing the national average for growth in the HVAC sector, and with good reason. Efficient and stable climate control is no longer a luxury, and in some cases, it can be a matter of life and death.
Today, mastering the skills of HVAC/R can be an especially useful trade, as all residential and commercial properties have environmental control needs. The most current systems are needed for installation into new homes and buildings, and older systems always are in need of repair or replacement.
Whether it's photovoltaics, solar energy or nanotechnology, the 15 solar and renewable energy instructors on this list are helping to advance the green energy and materials field in one way or another.
There a number of professors who have spent their careers actively teaching traditional heating models in addition to creating and researching new ways to generate heat. These professors represent the best when it comes to teaching excellence, inventiveness, and dedication to sustainability in the heating arena of the HVAC industry.
Specialists trained in air-conditioning and refrigeration can seek special certifications for their skills. Our list of top a/c and refrigeration instructors takes a look at some of these certifications and the unique skills or interests these instructors may have.