<p>HVAC systems are <em>everywhere</em>.</p><p>They can be found in homes, shopping malls, campuses and almost any other building or property you can think of. This technology is critical, helping us keep cool or warm, protect merchandise and assets, maintain indoor air quality, lower utility costs, and shield ourselves from the effects of harsh weather.</p><p>It's no surprise that we always need HVAC/R technicians, as shown by the following statistics related to HVAC industry demand:</p><ul><li>$48,630 median annual salary in May 2021<sup>58</sup></li><li>40,000+ estimated average annual HVAC/R technician job openings in the U.S.<sup>66</sup></li><li>Total <a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/hvacr/what-is-an-hvacr-technician" data-sf-ec-immutable="">HVAC/R technician</a> employment is expected to exceed 414,000 by 2031<sup>72</sup></li></ul><p>If you&rsquo;re a military veteran at UTI, you have options for tailoring your HVAC/R training and receiving educational benefits for your service to your country. </p><p>Continue reading to find out more! You'll learn what HVAC is and how to get started with HVAC training for veterans.</p><h2>What Is HVAC?</h2><p>HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It&rsquo;s often used interchangeably with &ldquo;HVAC/R,&rdquo; but the latter includes the refrigeration trade. Technicians in the HVAC/R industry work on systems like: </p><ul><li>Air conditioners</li><li>Ductless air conditioners</li><li>Heat pumps</li><li>Furnaces</li><li>Boilers</li><li>Refrigerators</li><li>Freezers</li></ul><p>Typical HVAC/R duties include installing, maintaining, inspecting and repairing these systems.</p><h2>Importance of HVAC Work</h2><p>People suited for HVAC roles &mdash; even entry-level &mdash; are those with formal training like the kind Universal Technical Institute offers in its <a href="/programs/hvacr">39-week HVACR program</a>, which is coming soon pending regulatory approvals. Trained technicians can maximize the benefits of HVAC systems, such as:</p><ul><li><strong>Better comfort for occupants</strong>, delivering heated or cooled air that protects them from harsh temperatures</li><li><strong>Better indoor air quality</strong>, filtering airborne pollutants like dust, debris and mold and regulating humidity levels</li><li><strong>Merchandise and asset protection</strong> since certain ingredients and materials need to be at correctly cooled temperatures</li><li><strong>Lower utility expenses</strong> since malfunctioning systems use more fuel to function correctly and older models are less energy-efficient</li><li><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/hvacr/what-is-a-maintenance-technician" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Proper inspection and maintenance</strong></a>, which improves durability and overall lifespan of systems, as well as reduces future system malfunctioning</li><li><strong>Legal compliance</strong> to avoid hefty fines or business closure</li></ul><p>Clearly, there's a lot more at stake with HVAC systems than deciding how many layers to wear indoors. HVAC performance is also a matter of safety, responsibility and the law. These factors are essential to employers with high standards, which is why they tend to hire HVAC technicians with formally accredited technical training.</p><p><a href="/programs/hvacr/career-outlook"><strong>Read More</strong></a><a href="/programs/hvacr/career-outlook">: HVACR Career Outlook Information</a></p><h2>HVAC Training for Veterans</h2><p>People who previously served in the military favor technical fields. That&rsquo;s because the skills these fields require overlap significantly with those needed for military service. HVAC work is no exception.</p><p>HVAC/R technicians must possess strong communication skills, problem-solving abilities and adequate physical strength. This allows them to speak with teammates and customers about the service being performed, solve unexpected problems on the job and be able to physically navigate HVAC systems.</p><p><img sf-custom-thumbnail="true" src="/images/default-source/blog/hvac-training-for-veterans-is-it-a-good-option/hvac-veterans_embed.webp" height="417" sf-size="54904" width="800" alt="" sf-constrain-proportions="false" /></p><p>These skills can be honed with the same kind of hands-on training UTI provides, which can help students develop strong technical foundations of HVAC/R knowledge and kinesthetic skills.</p><p>Students must have hands-on learning capability along with math and science aptitude to make the most of this training. Doing so enables them to understand how HVAC systems work, read system blueprints, optimize system performance and accurately diagnose system problems before solving them.</p><h3>Becoming an HVAC/R Technician</h3><p>Employers hire <a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/hvacr/what-is-an-hvacr-technician" data-sf-ec-immutable="">HVAC/R technicians</a> who have completed a trade program because they are more likely to be prepared for the complexities of HVAC work. A trade program provides a structured environment that is clean, organized, controlled and equipped with industry-standard machinery and equipment. All this assists students in learning practical HVAC skills.</p><p>Prior industry experience can also be established through certification, which is best prepared for through structured technical training &ndash; such as that provided by our HVACR training program. As a result, employers may prefer to hire certified HVAC/R technicians over those who lack such credentials. Potential HVAC/R certifications earned by technicians in the field include:</p><ul><li>EPA Universal Refrigerant Handling Certification including Core, Type I, Type II, Type III, of the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/section608/section-608-technician-certification-0" data-sf-ec-immutable="">Federal Clean Air Act Section 608</a></li><li><a href="https://natex.org/" data-sf-ec-immutable="">North American Technician Excellence (NATE)</a> Core exams</li><li>R410a</li><li>OSHA 10 General construction</li></ul><p>Resources such as UTI's <a href="/support-services/employment-assistance">Career Services</a> team can also inform aspiring technicians about entry-level positions in their desired industry. Our team can even help students with their job search by assisting with job applications, interview techniques, and much more. Graduates can also return years after graduation and use our job search resources to potentially advance their already established careers.</p><p>UTI&rsquo;s NASCAR Technical Institute campus has also been accredited with Military-Friendly status to reflect its commitment, effort and success in providing sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.</p><p>NASCAR Tech and UTI-Austin also offer military student advantages like:</p><ul><li><strong>VA funding consultation</strong>, helping veteran students understand and navigate their VA benefits, including with Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications</li><li><a href="/financial-aid/resources/gi-bill-tuition"><strong>Acceptance of GI Bill<sup>&reg;</sup> benefits</strong></a>, which can help cover up to 36 months of schooling for veterans<sup>21</sup></li><li><strong>Veteran-exclusive 10% tuition reduction</strong>, furthering veterans&rsquo; <a href="/financial-aid">financial assistance</a><sup>10</sup></li><li><strong>Veteran-specific orientations</strong>, allowing you to learn in ways tailored specifically for you<strong></strong></li></ul><p>Because we are a <a href="/persona/gi-bill-trade-school">GI Bill</a><a href="/persona/gi-bill-trade-school"><sup>&reg;</sup></a><a href="/persona/gi-bill-trade-school"> Approved Trade School</a>, eligible veteran students can receive up to $1,928 for full-time enrollment. We also couple this status with veteran-directed assistance, which is available on every UTI campus. As a result, our students can apply for <a href="https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/" data-sf-ec-immutable="">GI Bill</a> and <a href="https://www.va.gov/service-member-benefits/" data-sf-ec-immutable="">VA benefits</a> more easily.</p><p>We have many veteran students, and most of our Military Admissions Representatives are U.S. veterans themselves! This can be highly beneficial because military duty is a unique experience. It can be encouraging to be on the same campus with people who understand it as well, especially if you&rsquo;ve relocated to attend school and aren&rsquo;t familiar with the area.</p><p><a href="/support-services/military-veteran-services"><strong>Read more</strong></a><a href="/support-services/military-veteran-services">: Military &amp; Veterans Services</a></p><h3>After Program Completion</h3><p>Proper HVAC/R training can help students perform their jobs correctly and safely. </p><p>Technicians can progress in their <a href="/programs/hvacr/career-information">HVAC/R careers</a> by obtaining more specialized certifications during their careers. Prior fundamentals training is still incredibly beneficial to grasp more complex HVAC/R trade knowledge and skills.</p><p><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/hvacr/become-an-hvac-technician" data-sf-ec-immutable=""><strong>Read more</strong></a><a href="https://www.uti.edu/blog/hvacr/become-an-hvac-technician" data-sf-ec-immutable="">: How to Become an HVAC Technician</a></p><h3>HVAC Military Work</h3><p>There are also <a href="/programs/hvacr/career-outlook">HVAC career prospects</a> particularly well-suited to those with former military training, such as opportunities to return to the military as an HVAC technician. It&rsquo;s a uniquely suitable role for veterans to fill because applicants with prior military experience are more likely to meet the HVAC military job requirements, which typically include:</p><ul><li>Basic military training</li><li>High school diploma or GED</li><li>Physical training</li><li>Military life and customs training</li><li>Weapons training</li><li>Hands-on instruction</li></ul><p>Military HVAC work is not always dangerous. However, there inevitably is an added risk and people without prior military experience may struggle to weather these higher-stakes conditions.</p><p>Prior military training usually means you may be better prepared for these elements. You'll also likely have needed problem-solving skills, HVAC technical skills, coolheadedness and resilience to handle the work because you followed your military training with HVAC training.</p><h2>Finish HVAC Training for Veterans in 39 Weeks!</h2><p>Where there&rsquo;s heating, ventilation, cooling and refrigeration, there&rsquo;s an HVAC/R technician &mdash; or at least, there should be. Develop your skills as an HVAC/R technician to meet this need! To do that, you must first finish the right training.</p><p>Looking for HVAC schools that accept GI Bill and VA benefits? Our HVAC/R program coming soon to UTI takes less than a year to complete. Here, we'll help you prepare for hands-on industry work by providing HVAC training for veterans.</p><a href="/programs/hvacr">Apply to our HVAC/R school</a> to make the most of your potential!
