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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout the Beehive State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Utah, including HVAC mechanics, HVAC installers, HVAC technicians and licensed HVAC contractors, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 46% growth rate for HVAC technicians in Utah and 5% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of HVAC jobs in Utah cities such as Salt Lake City, St. George and Lehi, posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know to get started.
Accredited Utah HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
Utah does not register apprentices or license HVAC technicians, but the state does require a Utah contractors license for HVAC business owners. HVAC contractor licenses are issued through the Utah Department of Commerce — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Some cities in Utah also require that you have a business license to legally engage in contracting within their city limits.
Most people entering the HVAC industry in Utah learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor and taking classes at a local community college.
The following community colleges and training centers offer HVAC classes in Utah:
Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City
Fortis College in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake City
Mountainland Technical College in Orem
Ogden-Weber Technical College in Ogden
Davis Technical College in Kaysville
Utah Apprenticeships
A five-year program through the Utah Mechanical Contractors Association
1,800 hours of hands-on training supervised by a certified journeyman
Classes meet three times per week
Graduating apprentices receive a certificate and journey-level status
A four-year program with 8,000 training hours
Apprentices complete 576 hours of formal education
Must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and high school diploma or GED
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefit of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education. In Utah, to legally perform heating, air conditioning and refrigeration work, you must be a licensed contractor or an apprentice or technician working under a licensed contractor.
There is only one HVAC license in the state of Utah. It is an HVAC Contractor license with the trade classification of S350 and is considered a Specialty Contracting License.
Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages, but if your interest lies in being an apprentice or technician working under a licensed contractor, a degree isn’t always necessary.
Most Utah-based community colleges and technical schools offer various certification programs as opposed to advanced degrees.
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose and repair heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
According to Community College Review, tuition at Utah community colleges on average is $4,544 per year for in-state students and $13,647 for out-of-state students. However, the cost of various technical programs varies depending on the type of certification being obtained.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The length of HVAC programs vary depending on the school and certifications. Some can be completed in as little as eight months while others can take up to four years. Some schools base completion on the number of apprenticeship hours worked while other schools base completion on the number of credits you earn. Prior to enrolling in most technical programs, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
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Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools, and understanding systems that heat and cool buildings.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Utah HVAC industry offers many types of certifications. Some community colleges offer apprenticeship programs in addition to formal classwork. Picking a school largely depends on your areas of interest and how much time and money you’re willing to dedicate to a certain program. Selecting a school also depends upon your ultimate career goals, whether you want to be an HVAC technician who works under a licensed business owner, or want to obtain an HVAC Contractor License and own your own business.
Salt Lake Community College offers both apprenticeship programs and competency-based certification programs.
The four-year apprenticeship program combines 8,000 training hours and 576 hours of classroom instruction.
Competency-based air conditioning/heating/refrigeration certificate of completion programs, include 875 hours of required courses and 80 hours of electives.
Third-party certification areas include EPA 608, EPA 609, COSA, RMGA gas service training certification and green mechanical awareness certification
The program requires 64 credit hours (approximately 48 weeks) to complete; students train in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, as well as trouble-shooting these systems.
Course work includes HVAC/R controls, thermodynamics, refrigerants, residential air conditioning, commercial air conditioning, industrial refrigeration, and gas heating systems.
Graduates will be eligible to take the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Universal EPA Certification Exam.
Graduates will be eligible to obtain entry-level jobs as HVAC technicians
Mountainland Technical College
Offers a 360-hour apprenticeship program. Students must already be employed by an HVAC company; otherwise, entry is granted only as space permits.
Offers a 60-hour A7 automotive HVAC course for light trucks and cars.
Offers an HVAC/R service technician apprentice program, which involves 740 hours of classroom training.
Classroom and lab instruction prepares students for careers in commercial, residential and industrial settings, including installing such systems and diagnosing problems and making repairs.
Course work includes water systems, electronic control systems, fully automated systems and gas systems.
Graduates earn an HVAC certificate.
Expected completion time is 30 months
Davis Applied Technology College
Completing the program takes 720 hours, or about eight to 15 months.
Participants will learn how to install, operate, diagnose and repair HVAC systems.
Graduates will be prepared to take exams, such as the EPA 608 Refrigerant Handler Certification Exam, the Rocky Mountain Gas Association Exam, ESCO Institute Green Awareness Certification, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Section 609 and the OSHA Safety Exam.
Steps for Enrollment in Utah
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with you visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Utah
To recap, Utah requires education and on-the-job training. To legally perform heating, air conditioning and refrigeration work, you must be a licensed contractor or an apprentice or technician working under a licensed contractor.
Most trade school graduates are eligible to work as entry-level HVAC technicians or installers. However, if you want to own your own business, you must obtain a license, which is issued through the Utah Department of Commerce — Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
For a detailed explanation of Utah’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Utah HVAC License.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Nevada, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our Utah HVAC License guide.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Utah
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Utah? Payscale data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Utah for 2023 is:.
Entry level <2 years: $50,100
Intermediate 2-4 years: $57,800
Senior 4-6 years: $65,700
Supervisor > 7 years: $86,000
For more information about hvac salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Utah does not register apprentices or license HVAC technicians. However, having apprenticeship experience can increase your skills and help you further your career, especially if you hope to one day own your own business and earn an HVAC contractor license.
Utah’s Department of Workforce Services maintains a list of companies offering apprenticeships for all trades, including HVAC technicians.
Two main Utah HVAC apprenticeship programs include:
Local chapters of industry associations also offer apprenticeships, such as:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in neighboring Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada.
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Utah. The opportunities are all around you.
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