What Are the Pros and Cons of An HVAC Career?

Great Careers Start Here

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

A career in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) has several pros including steady work, location variety, physical activity, hands-on independent work, and the opportunity for career growth. But you need to be in good shape to work in HVAC and understand that heating and air conditioning systems can go out at any time—day or night. Are you thinking of becoming an HVAC technician? Be sure to consider the pros and cons of an HVAC career.

The Pros of an HVAC Career

1. HVAC Careers Provide Long-Term Job Security

Because HVAC Technicians are expected to be in demand through the decade, you can feel confident about finding work in the field now and into the future. Your skills are needed year-round, as heating and cooling systems are essential across climates and building types. The U.S. construction boom also needs HVAC Techs to install systems into new homes and buildings. And unlike so many modern jobs, yours can’t be outsourced or automated to remove humans from the equation. Some states have particularly high demand for HVAC Technicians, such as California which is the #2 employer of HVAC techs in the country.

2. HVAC Techs Are Needed Everywhere

As an HVAC Technician, you can choose to work across town or across the country, taking your skills wherever you go. And you can work in a wide range of environments, from residential homes and commercial buildings to industrial facilities and hospitals. The job involves a mix of indoor and outdoor work, and you may encounter new challenges and locations each day. This variety keeps the work engaging and can reduce job monotony.

HVAC working duct

3. HVAC Careers Are Physical

If the idea of sitting behind a desk or cash register frightens you more than being stuck in a horror movie scenario with the power off, you might be just the person to help turn the lights on. As an HVAC Technician, you’re moving all day long, from site to site, building to building, and room to room. You’re on your feet and in motion, working with your hands and your brain. Forget about that gym membership! Your job is your gym.

4. Hands-On, Independent Work

HVAC demands hands-on, problem-solving skills. You frequently work independently, diagnosing issues, troubleshooting, and repairing systems. Even when you’re part of a big company, you often get to work in small teams or on your own to figure out how best to fix a system or help a customer. You can also bask in the satisfaction of a job well done.

HVAC with hardhat

5. Opportunities for Specialization

HVAC careers offer diverse specialization opportunities, allowing you to choose what’s of most interest to you. For example, you may want to focus on installation, maintenance, refrigeration (HVAC/R), or energy efficiency. Specializations can increase your earning potential and open doors to work in niche markets like green building and smart HVAC systems.

6. HVAC Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities

The HVAC field offers clear paths for career growth. You may start as an entry-level technician, but work to become a senior technician, service manager, or supervisor. Certifications and continued education can enhance your skills and you get promoted and earn more. And with growing environmental concerns, if you gain expertise in green HVAC systems and energy-efficient solutions you may see even greater career advancement. Or maybe you’ll own your own business someday.

7. You’re a Hero to the Customer

Have you ever lost heat on a cold winter’s night? Or been stuck in a sweltering apartment in the middle of August? Then you have some idea of the relief it is when the system goes back on. Now, imagine that you’re the HVAC hero who answers the prayers of a customer. It’s a rewarding role that can bring you—and your customer—a whole lot of satisfaction.

HVAC outside

Cons of an HVAC Career

1. HVAC is Physically Demanding Work

While you might love physical work, not everyone does. HVAC work is physically intense. You may need to lift heavy equipment, crouch or crawl into tight spaces, bend and kneel, and spend long hours on your feet. You may work in hot attics in the summer, or outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. And although you get breaks and down time filling out paperwork or driving to and from locations, you can expect to be active most of your day.

2. HVAC Techs are Often On-Call

As an HVAC technician, you may not have a typical 9-to-5 schedule. Depending on the job, the weather, and the emergency, you might be called into work early in the morning or late in the evening. You may be on-call for occasional weekends or holidays. Your schedule can shift from day to day, but the silver lining is that you may be eligible for overtime, increasing your annual salary. Many HVAC Techs like the busy season exactly because it gives them the opportunity to earn overtime pay.

3. HVAC Careers Require Training

HVAC requires a blend of technical knowledge and hands-on skill. Training includes learning about electrical systems, airflow, refrigerants, and more, and requires continued education to keep up with technological advances and regulations. You might find the initial learning curve steep, but you can ease the transition through an HVAC training program. And after you train, earn your license or certification, and maybe even complete an apprenticeship, there’s still more to know. Especially as new technologies develop, there’s always more to learn about the HVAC trade.

4. Risk of Exposure to Hazardous Materials

As an HVAC Technician, you work with chemicals and refrigerants that can be harmful if you don’t handle them properly. Safety training will help reduce your risks, but you always need to be mindful. Personal protective equipment and adherence to safety guidelines are essential to minimizing these hazards.

5. Seasonal Workload Variability

While HVAC is a year-round necessity, demand can fluctuate seasonally. In the peaks of the summer or winter, you may experience an increased workload and more opportunity for overtime. Conversely, you may see reduced demand for your services in the spring and the fall.

6. Physical Wear and Tear Over Time

Due to the physical demands, a long-term career in HVAC may cause wear and tear on your body, especially in your knees, back, and shoulders. While proper lifting techniques and ergonomic practices help, you may want to consider the toll the career may take on your body over time.

What do you think? Do the pros outweigh the cons of an HVAC career? Charter College offers a Certificate in HVAC/R that can prepare you for an entry-level job in the field. Classes are enrolling now. Give us a call at 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more now.