Name: Paul Sergent

Program of Study at STI: HVAC/R

Due Date:

20 Points Assigned Based on the Topic Chosen and Efforts Put Into
Searching for Information, and Notes Taken in a One-Note
notebook or section tab. The notebook should be named Paul
Sergent CIS 101 Research Notebook

What is the topic you have formulated for your research project?
Is HVAC a Good Career Choice in a Bad Economy?
CIS 101 RESEARCH REORT

Prepared for
David Kampmann

Prepared by
Paul Sergent
HVAC/R

Thursday, April 15, 2010

 IS HVAC A GOOD CAREER CHOICE IN A BAD ECONOMY?
In bad economic times, most industries are looking for ways to reduce costs.

This is usually done by laying off employees, cutting wages, and outsourcing work

to third world countries. While many industries are very vulnerable to changes in

the economy, some industries remain relatively constant and do not have the option

to outsource jobs; HVAC is one of those industries.

Consistent Growth Is Expected

Career opportunities for Residential HVAC Technicians should

be excellent, due to the large number of HVAC systems that will
need repair and the many current workers expected to retire. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts at 9% increase in the number
of jobs for Residential HVAC Technicians by 2016. . (The
Bureau of Labor Statistics)
This growth is predicted regardless of the state of the economy, because

HVAC systems routinely need repair, and are a necessary part of daily life. These

systems also cover a wide array of applications, such as; residential heating and

cooling, commercial heating and cooling, and refrigeration units used in the food

industry. The next time you are driving down a busy street, notice the number of

convenience stores and restaurants that are present, or being constructed. These

businesses depend on refrigeration equipment and cannot afford to have equipment

that is not working properly.

Government regulations require more efficient equipment, and different

refrigerants than were used in the past. These changes will require properly trained

technicians to service this equipment.

Page2
Paul Sergent
Skills Required

Another job within the HVAC field is the HVAC service

technician. These HVAC technicians need to have a very good
understanding of the whole system, how it operates, the HVAC
control sequence of operation, and how to deal with customers
many of which can be difficult to deal with especially if their
HVAC equipment is not working properly. Many HVAC service
technicians start off their HVAC career as HVAC installers and
work their way into HVAC service. They build their HVAC
knowledge foundation at a trade school and by working to install
the systems and ask a lot of questions about the systems they are
working with and installing. This gives them the knowledge and
experience to service and repair the HVAC equipment they are
responsible for maintaining. As an HVAC service technician it
will also be good to understand troubleshooting techniques
because it will be necessary to solve problems with the HVAC
equipment if you want a HVAC career as an HVAC service
technician. (High Performance HVAC)
These skills can be acquired from a school such as S.T.I., along with a good

mechanical understanding, and a desire to learn new skills. A good understanding of

electricity is also a must.

Often, customers are upset that their furnace or other equipment is not

working when the technician arrives on the job, and will also be looking over the

shoulder of the technician as the work is being performed, the ability to deal with

situations like this, can be one of the service technicians most valuable skills.

These skills, along with a professional look and a good driving record can

lead to a long and successful career in the HVAC industry

Page3
Paul Sergent
Pay Increases with Experience

According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for

Residential HVAC Technicians, including benefits, is $68,539.
(Salary.com)
As experience increases, the ability to earn more also increases, with

beginning wages averaging $30,000 per year and going up from there. With a good

understanding of the skills needed, and a willingness to work, HVAC has potential

to be a career choice that will provide a good living, along with steady work,

regardless of ups and downs of the economy.

Page4
Paul Sergent
Works Cited
High Preformance HVAC. (n.d.). Retrieved from highperformancehvac.com:
http://highperformancehvac.com/hvac-jobs-careers.html

Salary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2010, from www.salary.com: www.salary.com

U.S. Government, B. o. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2010, from The Bureau of Labor Statistics:
www.bls.gov

Page5
Paul Sergent
 Paul Sergent

Earnings By Years of Service

Position Years of Experience Pay Range By Hour Hours Per Year 2080

Service Technician Low High Average Average Annual Income

<1 $ 11.63 $ 16.42 $ 14.03 $ 29,000
1 to 4 $ 12.66 $ 17.85 $ 15.26 $ 32,000
5 to 9 $ 16.23 $ 22.53 $ 19.38 $ 40,000
10 t 19 $ 17.94 $ 25.57 $ 21.76 $ 45,000
>20 $ 19.99 $ 28.85 $ 24.42 $ 51,000
Refrigeration Technician
1 to 4 $ 12.98 $ 18.62 $ 15.80 $ 33,000
5 to 9 $ 17.11 $ 23.13 $ 20.12 $ 42,000
10 t 19 $ 19.38 $ 26.08 $ 22.73 $ 47,000
>20 $ 20.39 $ 27.60 $ 24.00 $ 50,000

Income Potential By Years Of

Service

$55,000 Large Income Increase with Experience

$50,000

$45,000

$40,000

$35,000

$30,000

$25,000
1 to 4 5 to 9 10 t 19 >20

Source:http://www.payscale.com/mypayscale.aspx
 Earnings By Years of Service

Position Years of Experience Pay Range By Hour Hours Per Year 2080
Service Technician Low High Average Average Annual Income
<1 11.63 16.42 =(AVERAGE(C5:D5)) =ROUND(E5*$H$4,-3)
1 to 4 12.66 17.85 =AVERAGE(C6:D6) =ROUND(E6*$H$4,-3)
5 to 9 16.23 22.53 =AVERAGE(C7:D7) =ROUND(E7*$H$4,-3)
10 t 19 17.94 25.57 =AVERAGE(C8:D8) =ROUND(E8*$H$4,-3)
>20 19.99 28.85 =AVERAGE(C9:D9) =ROUND(E9*$H$4,-3)
Refrigeration Technician
1 to 4 12.98 18.62 =AVERAGE(C11:D11) =ROUND(E11*$H$4,-3)
5 to 9 17.11 23.13 =AVERAGE(C12:D12) =ROUND(E12*$H$4,-3)
10 t 19 19.38 26.08 =AVERAGE(C13:D13) =ROUND(E13*$H$4,-3)
>20 20.39 27.6 =AVERAGE(C14:D14) =ROUND(E14*$H$4,-3)

Source:http://www.payscale.com/mypayscale.aspx