HVAC technicians tend to work in tight spaces a little more often than electricians. Dealing with a malfunction of heating and cooling systems can also expose HVAC technicians to extreme temperatures. It's hard to tell if an electrician is better than HVAC or vice versa. Electricians' education requirements are more stringent than those for an HVAC, however, electricians earn slightly better incomes and have the same demand.
They can work on HVAC systems along with just about anything else. An HVAC technician is stuck working on HVAC systems FOREVER. It's not that one operation is really superior to the other. It's more that both are very popular, so students often have a hard time deciding which path to follow.
Both HVAC technicians and electricians should study maps, architectural diagrams, plans, and building codes before starting work. They typically work on materials inside walls, ceilings, or underground. However, while HVAC technicians investigate the physical layout of pipes and air ducts, electricians examine the wiring. HVAC professionals are more likely than electricians to operate in confined locations.
Troubleshooting broken air conditioning systems can put HVAC technicians in dangerous hot or cold situations. Because they service homes and businesses, HVAC technicians can work in many types of locations depending on the day. The HVAC training program at IBT is designed to empower students in all areas, so that they enter the industry with real experience working not only with HVAC systems, but also with electrical systems, plumbing systems and computer technology. HVAC technicians are employees of HVAC companies, mechanical contractors, private companies, and government entities.
For example, an HVAC technician often specializes in the installation, maintenance, or repair of HVAC systems. Employers report that finding HVAC technicians with computer and electronic skills is especially difficult, and the demand for qualified technicians only increases with all the technical developments made in HVAC systems in recent years. HVAC is a broad field that can include work in plant operations, facility engineering, data centers, service technicians, chiller mechanics, air balance and duct construction professions, among others. Jobs for HVAC technicians aren't just on construction sites, but more often than not they are dedicated to repairing and maintaining existing HVAC systems, in everything from private homes to large-scale commercial businesses, hospitals, high-tech data centers, server rooms, and more.
IBT students graduate from the HVAC program prepared to sit for the EPA ESCO certification exam, as well as OSHA, 410A and HVAC Excellence certification. Many HVAC technicians acquire post-secondary training from technical and commercial institutions or community colleges that offer HVAC programs. The HVAC program is accredited by HVAC Excellence, and the IBT is accredited by ACCET (the Continuing Education Accreditation Council) and ACCSC (the Commission on Accreditation of Professional Schools and Colleges). The latest report for HVAC Mechanic and Electrician shows that HVAC has a small advantage in terms of employment prospects in Ontario.
For example, sometimes HVAC technicians work with electrical equipment, and sometimes electricians need to work with HVAC systems.
