Regardless of where you live in the country, you know that our heating and cooling systems are important to everyday life. We use them almost daily, just about everywhere, from our homes to businesses and office settings. Because of this, there is a huge demand for HVAC specialists. The demand is high and the earnings for such a position are very good. However, a surprisingly low number of women are getting into this industry. In fact, the women in this industry make up about 1.4-9% of the population. This is a unique opportunity for women. There is a need for more women to become involved in HVAC systems, repair and maintenance of these systems, and better understand the systems overall. Let’s look at what is entailed in becoming an HVAC technician.
What is HVAC?
Let’s start by understanding what HVAC stands for and what the system actually is. The acronym HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It’s the system that keeps your home or office cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Your system is also responsible for providing you with clean air by filtering out harmful particles and gases.
The Importance of Properly Maintaining Your HVAC Equipment
It is important to maintain your HVAC equipment properly in order to protect your home from the dangers of extreme temperatures. The following are some things you should do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
1) Keep the filters clean.
2) Change filters regularly.
3) Have a professional inspect and tune up your system every year.
4) Clean or replace coils as needed, usually every two years.
5) Clean ducts and registers as needed, usually every five years.
Your HVAC systems are very complex systems for many people to understand and maintain on their own. This is why it is so important for us to have licensed and trained technicians that can do these jobs. Our furnace and AC units are very important in maintaining a healthy environment, and when they are down, people are frantic to get them back working again. That’s when they call out an HVAC technician for help.
What Exactly Does an HVAC Technician Do?
HVAC technicians are responsible for repairing, maintaining, and installing heating and cooling systems in homes and businesses. They can also install or maintain equipment that controls airflow in buildings.
An HVAC technician will usually work in a team with other technicians who specialize in different aspects of the industry. Some will specialize in electrical work, while others will install ductwork. The team may also include a project manager who coordinates all the different parts of the job.
What skills do you need to become an HVAC technician?
HVAC technicians are the backbone of any heating and cooling system. They install, repair, and maintain these systems with an eye for accuracy and efficiency. This career requires a lot of training, but the payoff is a stable employment opportunity with good pay–in some cases, six-figure salaries are possible.
What Are Some Current HVAC Industry Trends?
As with all the construction industry, current trends are up and coming in the HVAC industry. These trends are simple things to things that are more complex. We are now seeing more and more smart home technology enter the HVAC world. This can be simple things such as a new thermostat to more complex overall systems that can transfer more heat or cooling to various areas of the home as needed. These units have the ability to be controlled from a simple app on your phone from just about anywhere.
Solar HVAC systems turn the sun’s solar energy into usable power for your AC units and furnaces. There are also Geothermal HVAC options as well. These systems use the ground’s temperature to help heat and cool the systems. As the trends grow, the HVAC technicians will become more educated on the different systems and installing, maintaining, and repairing them.
History of Women Working Trade Jobs
Women can do ANYTHING!
Yes, that’s right, we believe that women can do anything they put their minds to. However, throughout history, women were more notorious for doing domesticated jobs such as cleaning, cooking, and taking care of the home. It wasn’t until WWII, when there was a shortage of workers, that the women stepped it up and started working outside of the home to keep the country going. During this time, many men were overseas at war, and it was up to the women to take charge of the future of this country. They started out busting down the stereotypes and traditions and learning new trades and skills.
Women HVAC Trailblazers
The four trailbralzer women in the HVAC industry were Samantha Lott, Telese Williams, Karen Lamy DeSousa and Gerri Domenikos. These women saw an opportunity and went for it, despite the challenges.
The biggest challenge in being a female in the male-dominated HVAC industry is that those they work with and for might not look to them as less than experts. However, for most women, this is a simple challenge that can quickly be overruled by their knowledge of the systems and industry. There is also a challenge in finding role models and support networks for these women as well.
However, an entire organization is devoted to women in the HVAC field. It is called the Women in HVACR that offers support to those in the industry. HVACR stands for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Women in HVAC can do everything that men can do. Some HVAC positions are:
- Associate – You simply need a GED or high school diploma to become an associate. These are the people that assist the technicians in repairs and installations of residential and commercial units.
- Technician – They hand in the repairs and installation of the AC and heating systems. Each technician typically will have a specialty of AC, REfrigeration, or Ventilation, depending on their skillset and preference.
- Engineer – Responsible for the framework of the systems and the inspection.
- Installer-Strictly installed new systems.
- Manager-Assigned jobs and checks on activities. Coordinate the employees, hire, and interview.
- Business Owner
If you are a woman and feel you have what it takes to become an HVAC expert, don’t let anything stop you. You are just as much qualified to complete the training and exercise your knowledge within the field. This is a great opportunity for both men and women that offers very stable work at a great wage.
Learn more: https://www.womeninhvacr.org
