As temperatures continue to rise, the need for HVAC technicians grows with it. If you’ve been cranking the AC down an extra notch this summer because things feel just a little bit hotter than you remember, it’s because they are. In fact, research by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), shows that temperatures are rising in more areas on good old planet earth than cooling, with 2019 being the second warmest year on record. [i] Given the warmish nature of things, it’s not surprising that the demand for qualified HVAC technicians is on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobs for HVAC technicians are projected to continue to grow, adding 15,100 jobs by 2029.[ii] But higher temps aren’t the only reason the demand for HVAC technicians is growing.

Population Growth

The U.S. population is predicted to rise by approximately 1.7 million people annually.[iii] Translation – more people equals a whole lot more of us struggling to keep our own personal space climate controlled.

Green-Focused

With a huge focus on developing eco-friendly energy solutions, the HVAC industry is evolving to meet the challenge. What does that mean? More solutions, greener systems – the need for more technicians with specialized training to implement those solutions.

Advances in HVAC Technology

As HVAC technology advances, so does the need for qualified technicians to upgrade and install new systems. In addition, there is still a need for technicians to repair and maintain the old ones. 

HVAC Requires a Hands-On Approach

While technology can replace people in some industries, that is not the case in the HVAC industry. Whether you’re talking about smart thermostats or entire smart homes, the need for hands-on workers to implement and service that high tech equipment isn’t likely to go away any time soon. After all, there are some things that a robot just cannot do.

What Kind of Training does an HVAC Technician Need?

HVAC training is typically offered at technical or trade schools and program length can vary. To work as an HVAC technician, you’re required, at a minimum, to pass an EPA approved test to earn EPA 608 Universal Certification. There are also several different levels of advanced/specialized training available for those who wish to expand their skills through the nation’s largest non-profit HVAC certification organization – NATE (North American Technician Excellence).

The world is getting hotter. So, if you’re looking for a career path with solid growth potential, you might want to consider a future helping people literally – keep their cool. To learn more about a career in the HVAC industry, check out the HVAC Program at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ is helping students get the hands-on training and skills they need to join the skilled professionals out there keeping the world a more comfortable place. With flexible scheduling options and free tutoring, we’ll help you prepare for the EPA 608 Universal Certification test, and the initial NATE Core Certification. Get your future started now by contacting one of our three campus locations for more information.

[i].

[iii]

Details About the EPA 608 Regulation

This type of certification refers to section 608 of the federal Clean Air Act, which was passed in 1970. The Environmental Protection Agency governs this aspect of the HVAC industry and mandates several things related to working on, repairing, maintaining, installing, and removing appliances that have refrigerants. The aim of section 608 in the Clean Air Act is to prevent harmful chemicals from refrigerants from damaging the Earth’s ozone layer.

Some chemicals used in refrigeration, such as halons, chlorofluorocarbons, and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, may contribute to the hole in the ozone layer. Additionally, research has linked chemical refrigerants to emitting greenhouse gasses and causing climate change.

Section 608 was added to the law in 1993 to help protect the planet and reduce the damage refrigerants were causing to the environment. Now, technicians who work with appliances that use refrigerants are required to have EPA 608 certification. This certification and the regulations associated with section 608 ensure that appliances are repaired and disposed of safely and appropriately.

Different Types of Certifications in HVAC

HVAC professionals who need this certification must also determine the specific type that matches their line of work. EPA 608 certification is classified into four different kinds. Each type of EPA 608 certification allows the HVAC professional to work with certain appliances.

Type I â€“ Type I EPA 608 licenses allow HVAC workers to service only small appliances. Small appliances are designated as those that use factory-sealed refrigerants of five pounds or less. To be certified, candidates must demonstrate knowledge of the safety and recovery of refrigerants in smaller appliances, often residential appliances.

Type II â€“ The Type II EPA 608 certification is for jobs that involve repairing, servicing, or disposing of high-pressure appliances. Those with this certification are not qualified to repair, service, or dispose of small appliances or air conditioning systems in a motor vehicle. Professionals with this certification are expected to know how to find a refrigerant leak and repair it safely. They are also experts in safely disposing of high-pressure appliances with refrigerants. In some cases, this may include commercial equipment. High-pressure appliances include commercial refrigerators, heat pumps, split-system residential air conditioners and refrigeration systems for grocery stores.

Type III â€“ Type III EPA 608 licenses allow HVAC workers to focus on low-pressure appliances. It requires expertise with leak detection and fixes, disposal of refrigerants, safety, and recovery techniques. Some low-pressure appliances use nitrogen, so technicians need to have extensive knowledge about this chemical.

Universal â€“ For HVAC technicians who work with all types of appliances and air conditioning systems, it’s recommended to get universally certified. A universal certification demonstrates that the candidate has passed all three types of EPA 608 exams and has the skills needed to safely service and dispose of any kind of appliance with refrigerant.

How To Prepare for Certification

It’s important to prepare adequately for an EPA 608 certification exam. Generally, most people start with some knowledge and experience in the HVAC field. One option that may fast-track someone to becoming certified and skilled in working with heating and air conditioning systems is to enroll in a career preparation program for HVAC.

At , there is a complete program for HVAC technicians. This program prepares students for success in the field. The program features courses in residential and commercial HVAC, heating technology, environmentally-friendly HVAC practices, system design, and refrigerants.

Graduates of the program are prepared to take the exam for EPA 608 certification. They are also equipped to pass the industry’s standard certification exams and transition into a fulfilling career in HVAC service.

Take the Test

Once you feel ready to take the test, it’s easy to find possible testing locations in person or online. You’ll need to find an EPA authorized testing vendor and then make an appointment for the exam. If you aim to get the universal certification, it’s best to plan out your testing strategy to obtain more than one certification.

In addition to taking each certification type for the EPA 608 license, candidates must also pass the Core knowledge test. The Core exam tests basic knowledge about the impact on the environment of refrigerants and other chemicals as well as details of the Clean Air Act. Safety, shipping, recovery, reclaiming, and recycling of appliances is also covered in the first core section.

Before going in for the exam, it’s best to take time to review topics and take some practice tests online to test your knowledge. Additionally, be sure to find out if your test is open book or proctored. Each of the tests is 25 questions. To pass each Type, you must earn at least 21 out of 25.

The Cost of Certification

Many people wonder, how much does it cost to get EPA certified? The cost of getting the EPA 608 certification varies, depending on which test you take and what kind of preparation program you opt for. The lowest-priced certification exam is the Type I, which can be priced as low as $20 in some cases. Type II and Type III certification exams may be required to be administered in person and with a certified proctor, which could raise the price.

Get More Opportunities

Companies that hire HVAC technicians for their service team typically require EPA 608 certification. The best jobs in complex commercial HVAC also may have a prerequisite of being EPA certified. HVAC professionals who are serious about their careers and want to demand top salaries should consider getting a certification.

If you want to learn more about preparing yourself for a career in HVAC and getting the EPA 608 certification, check out ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s HVAC program. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s job training prepares you to experience a successful career in HVAC.

Video:

HVAC systems control the climate in our homes and in commercial buildings. HVAC stands for Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning. This is an introductory general overview of basic electrical components and electrical wiring for beginners to the HVAC unit world.

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair the electrical components and wiring of HVAC systems. In order to do this, HVAC technicians learn all of the electrical systems and components, how each electrical component works (the electrical functions and electrical features), and the sequence of operations in the HVAC system.

Is this thing on?

One of the first concepts to learn about electrical components is how electricity flows through the HVAC units. This is determined by electrical components called relays. Simplified, relays can be switched open or switched closed. When the relay is open, the relay is off and in a non-electrified state. When a relay is closed, the relay is on and power travels to the relay and proceeds to the intended parts.

Let it flow through you

What’s telling the relay to switch from open to closed? Or closed to open?
There are many things that can tell a relay to switch from open to closed. Voltage, temperature, and pressure are all common ways that relays use.

• Voltage—for example, when the relay receives 24 volts, it will close and turn on, distributing power to the next part.
• Temperature—for example, if too hot, the relay will open and stop power.
• Pressure switch—for example, an amount of pressure turns the relay to closed and power is distributed to the next electric component.

Many of the parts of an HVAC unit are considered electrical components. We’ve mentioned the important work of relays. Here are some of the electrical units that can be considered to work similarly to and with relays and will be explained in detail during HVAC training—Compressors, Motors, and Capacitors.

When you start from the point of a relay, you can see that a circuit board can be considered an elaborate series of relays. Even more elaborate are the following working HVAC electric parts—Thermostats, Transformers, and Condenser Motors.

Get

Connecting all of the electrical components together is the electric wiring. To keep track of wiring, HVAC technicians rely on circuit schematics or visual representations of wiring programs. There are three basic types of circuit schematics used in HVAC today. They are the Line Diagram, the Ladder Diagram, and the Installation Diagram. You can think of these circuit schematics as road maps. Instead of roads, there are wires that travel from electrical component to component. The wires connect the various electrical components, deliver power to loads that make up the system, and deliver power to the controls.

• Line diagram—circuit schematic drawing that physically resembles the equipment of the electrical circuit.
• Ladder Diagram—instead of focusing on how the circuit looks, focuses on how the circuit functions, set up like treads on a ladder.
• Installation Diagram—focuses on where the terminal board connections are, usually only used by installation contractors.

Ohm’s Law

The German physicist Georg Ohm discovered Ohm’s Law, the law that was named after him, in 1827. Ohm’s Law is one of electric relationships. This discovery was the true beginning of electrical analysis. It is a great way for beginners to visualize the relationship between power (watts), current (amps), and voltage (volts).

P=watts
I=amps
V=volts

By knowing two values, we can determine the third missing value.
P= I x V
I= P/V
V=P/I

Air conditioning
techniques

Once an HVAC technician knows the electrical components, the sequencing of operations of the unit, and wiring of the HVAC unit, they can attempt to repair the HVAC air conditioning. They can begin by using a meter to test for power at each of the relays to see if it is switching properly.

But before the pros are called, homeowners can try some DIY air conditioning repair techniques.

Five easy things a DIYer could do to repair air conditioning
Even before they begin to use their expertise, the HVAC tech (or any DIYer) can do the following if the air conditioning isn’t working:

1. Check the breaker for a tripped fuse.
2. Examine the thermostat. Is it turned on or off? What is the temperature setting? Does the thermostat need new batteries?
3. Change the filter regularly. Is it clogged and stopping the airflow?
4. Let the ice melt. If there is ice on the unit, it can’t work well. Switch the system to fan to let the ice melt, or turn the unit completely off and let the ice melt.
5. Clean your ducts and registers. Could your ducts be dirty enough to block air? Are registers clear and free, or accidentally closed?

Things are pretty cool at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Do you want to learn more about the world of HVAC? The HVAC program at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ is enrolling at all three locations in California—San Bernardino, , and Santa Ana.

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s HVAC program will help prepare you to succeed in the industry as an HVAC technician. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s instructors are experienced HVAC professionals, each with a wealth of practical industry knowledge. Their wisdom, which goes beyond the pages of a textbook, is a point of pride for ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s programs.

During ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s HVAC program, you will be immersed in the intricacies of this in-demand skilled trade. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s well-rounded curriculum will give you a glimpse into the HVAC industry’s many specializations. Throughout the program, students will take courses covering relevant topics, such as:

• HVAC System Design
• Commercial Environmental Systems
• Electrical Systems and Components
• Commercial Refrigeration
• And more!

You will leave ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s program with the knowledge and expertise to succeed in an entry-level HVAC technician job.

ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s nine-month HVAC program is offered at all three campuses: San Bernardino, El Cajon, and Santa Ana. Classes are offered during the day and at night. The program’s length allows students to enter the field in a short amount of time. ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½â€™s program provides the valuable experience students need to land entry-level positions.

Discover the ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Difference. Get started today at summitcollege.edu.