As an HVAC tech, you will be challenged every day, and there is so much room for growth. You will find a healthy amount of diversity in the work you do, whether that’s because you’re meeting new people or learning new things every day, and you’ll hone your problem-solving skills with a wide range of tasks along the way. Perhaps most of all, you can take pride in your work and the service you do for others.

Before getting started, you need to know that you won’t just fall into greatness; you need to be intentional in your work and education every step of the way. It’s best if you’re interested in what you’re doing; we can look at others’ work and tell if people really care about what they’re doing. The HVAC trade requires physical and mental dedication; the job is physically demanding and requires you to study the fundamentals and finer details of your work.

It’s also worth noting that the summers are really the crunch times for our trade. Every day is different, but summers tend to have longer and busier days. Overall, the trade is rewarding if you understand that you need to be ready for things to be difficult at times, to continue your education, and to work.

Some of the most important traits of successful HVAC technicians include humility (a willingness to admit when you’re wrong or you don’t know the answer), passion, hunger for knowledge, the ability to adapt, and versatility. The trades build character, and the HVAC trade can really benefit from techs who are honest, passionate, and willing to do what it takes to do the job right.