HVAC Training in Mobile, Alabama

If you would like to have the opportunity to learn more about the HVAC industry in Alabama, you ought to be reading this article as soon as possible. We will give you some pointers that can help you understand what HVAC technology is all about and how you can make this particular industry work for you in the future.

HVAC careers are a consistently necessary field of workers. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. As new commercial buildings are built, or old ones remodeled, they need HVAC technicians to install or fix their HVAC systems. Residential homes also need HVAC technicians to install or fix their HVAC issues. Many vocational schools offer HVAC certification after as little as 9 months of classes. This means getting into an entry level position in the HVAC field in less than one year after committing to the process.

HVAC Associations
Associated Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors of Alabama (APHCC of Alabama). This is a group that is dedicated to the “promotion, advancement, education and training of the industry, for the protection of our environment, and the health, safety, and comfort of society.” They work with contractors of HVAC and other professions in the field to keep the workers in the industry coagulated and under a single voice. They also provide services and programs to their members to enhance efficiency, increase the profit margin, and reduce costs.

HVAC Careers
Common names for a job in HVAC:
• HVAC Installation Technician
• Maintenance Technician, HVAC Certified
• HVAC Service Technician
• HVAC Controls Technician
• HVAC Engineer Technician
• Commercial HVAC Serviceman

Common job requirements in HVAC industry:
• Experience:
Higher end jobs or jobs with better salaries often require two years of experience in residential or commercial HVAC work. The necessity to prove that you have worked hands on, instead of just taken courses, is what they are looking for. Proof of ethical practices within the workplace, especially with HVAC work, is another bit of experience most companies look for. Being able to get the job done correctly and with ethical standards is necessary. Many HVAC companies in Alabama are family owned, or small businesses. With that in mind, they can’t afford to have employees who tarnish their name as a business.

Skills Need to Be a Successful HVAC Technician
Being EPA certified is necessary for many HVAC jobs in Alabama. Having the ability to clearly communicate is a skill every HVAC job is looking for. Whether it is through verbal, written, phone calls, or emails, they need people who can communicated effectively. Having a positive attitude may not seem like a skill, but it certainly is when looked at by businesses who are hiring new technicians. Since these are often customer facing businesses, and there value is not only on quality work but also on pleasant experiences for the customers, HVAC companies want employees who act professional and pleasantly even in difficult situations. Being punctual is important in any job, HVAC work included. Many HVAC companies will have company cars for you to use, meaning you don’t need to spend your own money to get from place to place. But you do still need to get there on time. And if you are going to be driving around in a vehicle that doesn’t belong to you, it is even more important to show respect to the people hiring you. Show you are punctual.

HVAC Salaries in Mobile, AL
HVAC service technicians in Mobile, Alabama make an average of $16.07 per hour. They have a range running from the mid-teens ($15 per hour) to the high twenties ($29 per hour). Around half of HVAC service technicians receive dental, and many also have medical coverage included in their salary. It is not uncommon for HVAC technicians in Alabama to receive a year-end bonus of around $1000. Pay generally starts at the lower end upon first completing an education program, and increases as your experience increases. Senior HVAC Technicians make around $24 per hour.

HVAC Licensing in AL
In Alabama, you don’t need a license to practice HVAC work. But you do need a license to own an HVAC business, or a business that works in HVAC. You also must have a license to do any HVAC contracts, so there must be at least one person on your team who can obtain a license for every contract you get. There are several requirements in order to receive a license to run an HVAC business in Alabama. You must have at least eighteen months of experience in HVAC. You must be at least eighteen years old to apply for a license. There is a required fee in the application. You must be certified through the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Contractors. There is an board meeting process that you must go through in order to receive a license from the Contractors State License Board. You don’t need any specific schooling to apply for the board review process required, but it is recommended. The education process will help you pass the review, and helps with many on-the-job skills necessary for HVAC work. You can also apply if you feel that you have enough knowledge from being an apprentice and /or working a journeyman. You must submit proof of at least 3000 hour of work as an apprentice in order to receive a license.

You will then be able to take an obligatory exam. You will also have to show your certification status, which is done through the board as well. Uncertified, or inactive certifications will be denied. The state doesn’t require every individual working on a site to be licensed to do HVAC work. There just has to be one person who can obtain the license. But, many jobs require you to be EPA and ICE certified to work HVAC. Many technical schools who offer HVAC courses also offer chances to study for, and take the examinations required to obtain EPA and ICE certification.

Fortis College
Fortis local offers a program for HVAC at their campus in Mobile, Alabama. The program focuses on managing and troubleshooting issues with ventilation systems, as well as installing new systems in commercial and residential areas. The courses run through several modules, and are a mix of theories/principles and application in lab settings that allow students to learn more hands on. Fortis College offers education on a wide range of equipment. They ensure their students will be ready for any entry level position as an HVAC technician.