There’s no doubt about it – the HVAC industry is on fire! HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) was deemed an essential service in 2020, after the COVID-19 pandemic placed a huge emphasis on spending time at home & indoors. Due to these guidelines, people in general started to place a higher importance & standard on the quality of their indoor air & home comfort. While there is still a fair bit of uncertainty surrounding some industries & job roles, HVAC has deemed not to be one of them.  While the demand in 2020 & 2021 has been high, many are asking what the future of the HVAC industry will look like. We decided to compile a list of our reasons why we believe HVAC is a viable career choice in 2021 & beyond.

Job Stability & Security

In 2019, there were an estimated 380,000 HVAC jobs in the United States, with a projected growth rate of 4% from 2019 to 2029. What does this mean to you?  There are currently more HVAC job openings than there are technicians able to fill those roles. The demand for HVAC workers is outpacing the supply of new technicians in the job market. While many industries & job roles, such as manufacturing & production are seeing massive lay offs, HVAC companies are constantly hiring & seeking qualified employees.

Innovation in the Industry

The HVAC industry has come a long way from shoveling coal into furnaces to keep warm. From dual fuel heat pumps, to duct sealing, the HVAC industry is constantly innovating itself. HVAC companies now have the ability to monitor the systems and equipment in client homes & businesses through the use of real time monitoring software in order to deliver unmatched support & faster than ever service requests. The industry has a massive push to go green, with initiatives such as geothermal heat pumps, solar powered air conditioning, and more efficient systems such as variable HVAC equipment.

Minimal Student Debt

Earning a two or four year degree at a private or public university can be expensive. HVAC trade school is a good alternative to college for individuals that don’t wish to accumulate student debt, or spend that many years in school. Many HVAC companies even take in & train new techs off the street, or pay off your trade school tuition after you graduate.

You Get to Be a Problem Solver

In HVAC, your number one priority is to solve the problems our customers face, and to make them feel more comfortable in their homes. Every day is different, as you’ll always enjoy being on the go. If you enjoy working with your hands, and diagnosing equipment failures in the field, then HVAC is the perfect career choice for you.

Careers in HVAC Pay Well

Income potential & opportunity for professionals looking to enter the HVAC field have never looked more lucrative. The trades are a viable career option for people that don’t necessarily want to spend the time or money on a bachelor’s degree. Coupled with a high demand for HVAC workers, this equates to higher income potential. Starting your career as an apprentice, you can move into service, as well as commercial, & industrial HVAC roles.

Advice for People Looking Into HVAC as a Career

Start as soon as possible! The first thing you can do to get your foot into the door in HVAC, is to look for a company such as Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric where you can learn, grow, and develop your skillset. There are basically two paths to becoming a heating and air conditioning technician. The first path is by being an apprentice. Often, heating and air conditioning contractors will hire people who have a mechanical aptitude and are teachable. They begin their HVAC career as an installer and and supplement their on-the-job training with formal education. Taking classes two nights a week, an apprentice can complete an HVAC certificate in about four years. People will always need heating and air conditioning, that much is true. The main thing you should be concerned about is finding a company that aligns with your own values & ethics.

Click here to see available HVAC job opportunities at Paschal Air, Plumbing, & Electric