The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector in the U.S. has seen significant growth, with revenue rising from $90.3 billion in 2018 to a projected $123.2 billion in 2023, according to the Better Business Bureau.
Regional climate variations often determine consumer spending on HVAC and refrigeration systems. For instance, ClimateCheck projects the recent increase in the number of the hottest days in Salt Lake City will continue in the coming decades. This climate trend, along with the city’s growing population, is likely to increase the demand for skilled professionals who can install, maintain, and repair HVAC and HVAC-R systems in the area.
The Salt Lake City HVAC market offers opportunities for individuals looking to make an impact in ensuring people have comfortable living spaces. Becoming an HVAC technician begins with specialized training that focuses on learning about various HVAC-R systems, understanding local regulations, and developing essential skills.
What Does an HVAC Tech Do?
HVAC technicians work on systems that control the indoor temperature and air quality of buildings. HVAC mechanics install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in homes and businesses. Their tasks include cleaning units and air ducts, cutting access holes, and replacing registers while wearing safety gear.
Essential skills for HVAC techs include technical expertise, soft skills, and physical abilities. HVAC and refrigeration technicians often travel to various buildings for work. Safety is an important issue for them due to challenging environments like slippery rooftops, dark crawl spaces, and extreme weather conditions.
Here are the key skills HVAC technicians and HVAC/R installers need:
Technical Competencies for HVAC Technicians
Have a solid understanding of electrical theory, including voltage, circuits, and wiring, for tasks like wiring thermostats and selecting circuit breakers
Be skilled at working with centrifugal pumps, piping systems, and HVAC tools
Be adept at reading blueprints, schematics, and electrical diagrams, for proper system installation and maintenance
Soft Skills for HVAC Professionals
Have solid customer service skills, including being prompt, providing courteous service, and adhering to schedules
Have strong communication skills, for interacting with customers, co-workers, and project leaders and to explain complex systems in simple terms
Be able to solve problems creatively
Have excellent time management skills, to help ensure efficient job completion without compromising quality
Physical Requirements to Work in HVAC Career Field
Be able to bend, crouch, and kneel while installing and maintaining equipment
Be able to lift heavy items
Consistently employ proper lifting techniques, use safety equipment, and take regular breaks, to prevent injury and ensure long-term success in the field
Steps to Become an HVAC Tech in Salt Lake City
The HVAC career path involves several steps to ensure that aspiring technicians gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and certifications.
Step 1: Quality Vocational Education
Working in HVAC in Salt Lake City typically begins with completing an educational program. Aspiring technicians can enroll in a program that combines classroom instruction with lab work, which can provide them with the skills they’ll need for an entry-level HVAC & Refrigeration position. These programs typically cover topics such as diagnostic training, testing equipment, and the principles of mechanics, electronics, and electricity.
Step 2: Gain Valuable Work Experience in the Field
Gaining practical experience is essential. Many aspiring technicians complete an apprenticeship that lasts from three to five years and combines coursework with on-the-job training. Internships offer practical experience that allows students or recent graduates to work with established companies and assist with real-world projects, acting as a bridge that connects classroom learning to on-the-job applications.
Entry-level positions in HVAC provide hands-on experience working alongside experienced professionals. Technicians start with basic tasks and gradually take on more complex responsibilities.
Step 3: Earn Certifications and Licensure
Anyone pursuing an HVAC role in Salt Lake City without a supervisor needs to obtain a Utah contractor’s license to perform HVAC-related work throughout the state. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) issues several types of HVAC licenses, including S350 for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and S351 for refrigeration and air conditioning.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certification is mandatory for technicians working with refrigerants. Other valuable certifications include the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, which validates professional competency in HVAC systems.
Technicians can also pursue specific certifications for systems like commercial furnaces, residential boilers, and heat pump pool heaters.
Employment Outlook for HVAC Tech Jobs in Salt Lake City
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
In Utah, the growth rate for this occupation is expected to be much higher, with a significant number of annual job openings, according to data from the Utah Department of Workforce Services. Additionally, employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase by around 34% between 2022 and 2032, according to long-term state employment data from Projections Central.
Many of these openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or leave the labor force, such as through retirement, which aligns with national trends.
Utah has a high concentration of jobs and location quotients for HVAC mechanics and installers, ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 times the national average, according to BLS data. A location quotient indicates the concentration of an occupation in a specific geographic area relative to the national average.
Prepare to Work in HVAC in Salt Lake City
Individuals hoping to become HVAC technicians in Salt Lake City will need to acquire the necessary education, certifications, and hands-on experience to succeed. The HVAC field continues to evolve with a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and smart technologies. This shift will create new opportunities for technicians skilled at working with cutting-edge systems and environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Fortis College HVAC School in Salt Lake City, Utah can prepare you for a career installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC systems to create comfortable environments for commercial and residential building occupants. The program can help you build skills in computer-assisted diagnostics that will allow you to evaluate and fix commercial, industrial, and residential systems. The program also emphasizes the ability to think critically, solve problems, and bring classroom lessons to real-world settings.
Learn how Fortis College in Salt Lake City can prepare you for a career as an HVAC technician in the Beehive State and or beyond.
Recommended Readings
How to Become an HVAC Contractor
HVAC vs. Electrician: Comparing Career Paths
The Importance of Soft Skills in an HVAC and Refrigeration Career