HVAC/R Technician

Launch a Career as an HVAC/R Technician in as Little as 6 Weeks

Develop Confidence for Your Entry-Level Certificate Exams

Prepare for a Needed Career! 38,500 Job Openings Are Projected to be Open Each Year for the Next Decade

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COURSE AT A GLANCE

FORMAT

Online, Self-Paced

PROGRAM LENGTH

12-Month Access, Enroll Anytime

PROGRAM HOURS

162 Course Hours

PRICE

$2,895 (includes exam voucher)

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Prepare to Become an HVAC/R Technician With UTC!

This course will prepare you for an entry-level career in the HVAC/R industry by providing hands-on guidance for service, repair, and solutions. As a skilled trade professional, you will be responsible for making sure that people live healthy and improved lives through quality air conditioner and refrigerater maintenance.

If you're looking to prepare for a stable career that is important in the everyday lives of people around you, our HVAC/R technician course could be just right for you.

You will learn from in-depth materials, including service call simulations that bring concepts to life, and prepare to earn industry certifications necessary for employment as an HVAC/R technician.

Get Ready to Earn HVAC Certification

This course will provide the necessary information to pass the following entry-level certificate exams:

HVAC Excellence ESCO Group: 17 Employment Ready Certificates
NATE: Ready to Work Certificate
EPA 608: Section 608 Universal Technician Certification

Upon course completion, you will also receive a voucher package for the HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certificate exam* that includes:

1 Employment Ready Certificate for Electrical
1 Employment Ready Certificate for Air Conditioning
1 EPA 608 Voucher

Please research your state's requirements prior to enrollment to ensure this course is the right fit for you.

What is an HVAC/R Technician?

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technicians (commonly abbreviated to HVAC/R) are responsible for maintaining and installing air conditioning and refrigeration units. Some HVAC/R technicians may choose to specialize in an aspect of their role such as installation or in repairs. Indeed.com states that they are typically responsible for keeping the equipment clean, fixed, and maintained for customers as well as locating any dangerous features on a system that could harm the users.

Common HVAC/R tech skills include:

Removing old HVAC equipment so new systems can be installed
Running pipe and duct systems through homes
Reading and interpreting wiring diagrams
Understanding refrigeration cycles
Knowing how to interpret various technical data, such as pressure and temperature

How Much Does an HVAC/R Technician Make?

An HVAC/R technician's salary is, on average, $24.39 per hour. In addition to the base HVAC/R technician salary, other common benefits include an average overtime pay of $6,500 per year as well as fuel discounts (based on 38,000 reported salaries).

An HVAC/R technician's salary can vary based on factors such as licenses, certifications, additional skills, experience, and education. Earning potential typically increases as education and experience grow.

What is the Job Outlook for HVAC/R Technicians?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030.

About 38,500 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

HVAC/R Technician Jobs

While most HVAC/R technician jobs consist of working on HVAC/R units in buildings and homes, there are a variety of other related careers qualified individuals can consider as well. Depending on your interests and strengths, you may consider a career path in:

HVAC/R design
HVAC/R sales
HVAC/R research and development
HVAC/R assembling and fabricating in a manufacturing plant
HVAC/R sales and marketing

How to Become an HVAC/R Technician

In most states, a high school diploma or GED is required to become an HVAC/R technician.
UTC's HVAC/R technician course will prepare you to earn entry-level HVAC/R certification. As soon as you complete the course, you can begin your new HVAC/R technician career journey!
HVAC/R technician training is not usually required but is usually preferred by employers. Training can be completed on the job or through an apprenticeship.
Check to see if your state requires licensure. Specific licensure requirements vary by state, but there is one certification required to work as an HVAC/R technician in all states: the Section 608 technician certificate. Our course prepares you for this exam.

How to Get an HVAC License

Not all states require licensing, but employers typically do prefer that job candidates at least have professional certifications. Some states, such as Tennessee, do require an HVAC license after a certain amount of work experience and/or certifications. Learn more about the requirements of earning a Tennessee HVAC license here.

What You Will Learn in the Course

Explain the concepts of heat transfer, Btu, temperature, heat content, sensible heat, latent heat, pressure, gas laws, and work, and describe how they apply to air conditioning and refrigeration systems
Describe the four basic components that make up the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
Identify the four major system components and explain their functions in the refrigeration system
Properly install an air-conditioning system and put it into operation
Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical problems in an air-conditioning and heat pump systems

See Course Curriculum →

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, we recommend having a high school diploma or GED. If you have the required work experience to take the NATE or HVAC Excellence certification exams, or currently hold Ready to Work certificates and have 2 years of work experience, it is recommended that you take the HVAC/R Certified Technician course. Please research your state's requirements prior to enrollment to ensure this course is a right fit for you.

How You Will Benefit from the Course

You will be prepared to sit for the NATE Ready to Work Certificate Exams
You will be prepared to sit for the HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certificate Exams
You will be prepared to sit for the EPA 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification Exam
Use real-world simulations included in this program to get "hands-on" experience
Sharpen your customer service skills through soft skill simulations included in the course

Meet Your Instructor

Mike Baker has been an instructor since 2011. Previously, he was HVAC Program Director at both Virginia College and Vista College. Baker was an HVAC technician for several decades and has experience hiring, training, and managing HVAC Technicians. He holds numerous HVAC Excellence certifications, several Green Mechanical Council certifications, an EPA 608 Universal certification, and Emerson Climate Technology certifications. He has served as both an HVAC Excellence Instructor and Exam Proctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enrollment FAQs

Can I register for a course if I am an international student?

Yes. The course is completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.

Course FAQs

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

While the course is self-paced and there is no live instruction, the course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.

Certification FAQS

Does this course prepare for a professional certification?