The HVAC Blog
Advances in HVAC-R practice are driving HVAC education forward, toward an understanding of greener systems and components, and connected and embedded technologies such as Nest thermostats that control advanced heating and cooling systems in ever more sophisticated ways. New HVAC certification and degree programs focus on preparing technicians to install, maintain and repair modern HVAC-R systems, often device-controlled and incorporating progressively greener technology. This blog surfaces the best modern HVAC programs across a number of dimensions, along with the professors that are pushing HVAC education forward, and the apps and technologies that are emerging as future HVAC-R standards. As licensing and certification requirements evolve to incorporate new advancements in the field, and as active HVAC educators and practitioners share their stories, the www.hvacclasses.org team will publish that information here.
ASHRAE’s work so far, which is aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been pivotal in helping hospitals and clinics cope with the increasing volume of COVID-19 cases. It’s also helping people ensure the safety of their own homes and offices.
Tools are needed for any HVAC program and your school will likely provide you with a list. To familiarize yourself with these tools, check out our list of 10 must have tools for HVAC students and gain an idea about what might be required.
Hundreds of appliances and devices have been designed to meet the climate control needs of individuals, homes, institutions, and businesses. Energy efficiency standards also contribute to the proliferation of even more devices to monitor and maintain satisfactory air quality.
The renewable energy sector doesn’t grow by itself; it needs skilled professionals to install, repair, and manage its infrastructure. The boom in renewable energy has created a reciprocal boom in several renewable energy careers.
Although many HVAC apps are free or inexpensive, you’ll still want to choose the ones that best fit your professional needs. Consider the type of services you perform on a daily basis and start with the apps that will increase your productivity, eliminate a tedious manual calculation, or fill a need that your physical tools don’t meet.
While in the past, the HVAC industry was traditionally male-dominated, this image is quickly being shed as more and more women are finding employment in the field. The BLS (Feb. 2017) reported that women make up only 1.4 percent of the HVAC workforce, but the nearly 6,000 women nationwide represents a significant leap from years past.
A true apprenticeship is based on the “earn as you learn” principle. Apprentices receive hands-on training, technical instruction, and are paid for the hours they work. Their salaries, however, are influenced by various factors.
Air conditioning in vehicles can be traced all the way back to 1939, when car company Packard first installed a manual climate control in one of their models. Though it was rudimentary by today’s standards, it eventually led other companies to innovate and build their own proto HVAC systems.
Several states are outpacing the national average for growth in the HVAC sector, and with good reason. Efficient and stable climate control is no longer a luxury, and in some cases, it can be a matter of life and death.
Today, mastering the skills of HVAC/R can be an especially useful trade, as all residential and commercial properties have environmental control needs. The most current systems are needed for installation into new homes and buildings, and older systems always are in need of repair or replacement.