About the HVAC/R Program
OBC's HVAC/R program can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can serve as the groundwork for a rewarding career as an HVAC/R technician.
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) is something that every home and business requires. If you are considering training for HVAC/R technician jobs, you can feel confident the demand for skilled installation, repair, and maintenance professionals will never go away.
If you have a passion for heating and cooling, working in the HVAC/R industry might just be for you. However, entering a career as potentially rewarding as HVAC/R all starts with a trade program. At Ohio Business College, we can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can serve as the foundation of a rewarding career as an HVAC/R technician.
What is an HVAC Technician?
HVAC technicians work on systems that control air quality and temperature in private homes, commercial buildings, retail stores, schools, hospitals, and other businesses. The work of HVAC technicians is necessary to ensure that people remain safe, healthy, and comfortable indoors.
Some companies hire HVAC/R technicians, with the R standing for refrigeration. Functional refrigeration systems are necessary to prevent food from spoiling and store certain types of medication. Typical duties of an entry-level HVAC technician include:
- Inspect heating, cooling, and ventilation systems and report problems to customers
- Make recommendations to customers to repair or replace their unit
- Install, maintain, and repair HVAC units
- Install wiring and electrical components of HVAC units
- Replace or repair non-working parts
- Keep detailed written records of all work performed
Before working in this fast-growing industry, you must complete a trade school training program to obtain the skills you need for success.
How to Become an HVAC Technician
The Lorain County campus of Ohio Business College offers day and evening scheduling for the HVAC program. We understand our college students have other commitments and make it as convenient as possible for you to earn HVAC for entry-level work. At this level, you will work with more experienced HVAC technicians to assist them with installation, maintenance, and repairs.
Ohio Business College offers small class sizes taught by school instructors with hand-on experience in the HVAC industry. Many started working as entry-level HVAC technicians just as you are about to do while others are business owners in the HVAC industry.
You will learn customer service skills as well. These include communicating effectively with customers when making service recommendations and tips for dealing professionally with customers who may be upset that their HVAC unit needs service.
Pay Expectations for HVAC Technician Jobs
The BLS reports that the median pay for HVAC technicians was $48,630. While you should expect to earn less when first starting out, this salary expectation is realistic once you have a few years of experience. HVAC technicians at the lowest 10 percent of the pay scale earn $36,170 per year and those at the 90th percentile earn $82,630. The median pay for HVAC technician jobs is slightly above average for all occupations, according to the BLS.
Do You Want an Active Career? Get Your HVAC Training
HVAC technician jobs appeal to people who have no desire to sit behind a desk all day. You are always on the go when you work as an HVAC technician. Whether installing ductwork or running from one job to the next, you can expect to be on your feet most of the time. Having an active career helps to contribute to an overall healthier lifestyle.
Advancement Opportunities in the HVAC Industry
The HVAC industry offers ample on-the-job training. Once you have worked under the supervision of a more experienced technician for a while, consider pursuing a specialty certification. Commercial refrigeration, radiant heating systems, solar panels, and testing and balancing are just four options available. With smart technology accelerating rapidly, the demand for people with advanced building and installation knowledge will only continue to grow. This is another area of advancement for you to consider.
HVAC Training Curriculum
Ohio Business College’s HVAC/R training program, will prepare you for an entry-level HVAC/R technician position, assisting more experienced technicians with installation, repairs and maintenance. In the confines of our smaller class sizes, you’ll have more access to our school's caring instructors with valuable real-world experience in the HVAC/R field.
Our HVAC/R training program, which consists of 64 credit hours, combines the crucial knowledge of textbook learning with the practical hands-on learning experience. The coursework in our HVAC/R diploma program will immerse you in subjects and skills such as:
- Residential Heating and Cooling
- Commercial Heating and Cooling
- Customer Service and Communication
- And More!
Our HVAC/R training program is offered at our Lorain County campus. To best accommodate our students’ busy lives, we offer day and night scheduling options. We do our best to work with college students with other jobs or commitments throughout the week. Our college campuses are friendly and professional learning environments meant to improve your chances for professional success.
At the end of Ohio Business College’s HVAC/R diploma program, you can put your skills to use in an entry-level role as an HVAC/R technician. You can then work your way up to the ranks of a journeyman after learning the trade on the job from experienced professionals. OBC’s HVAC/R diploma program will equip you with skills that will last throughout a career in the HVAC/R field. We offer career search and training to college students in all programs.
Contact Ohio Business College to Learn More About the HVAC Program
Whether you have questions about financial aid or becoming a student at Ohio Business College, we are here to help. Please contact us online or call the Lorain County campus directly at 440-934-3101.