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If you’re considering a career as an HVAC tech in Houston, Texas, you’re probably wondering what a regular day looks like for professionals in the area.
You’ve most likely come across broader information about the career’s income potential, growth expectations, and education requirements, but you can’t really know a job is a good fit until you understand the day-to-day responsibilities of an HVAC technician in Houston, Texas.
What does an average day look like for HVAC techs in Houston?
Checking in for work.
Usually, HVAC techs in Houston, Texas, kick off the day with a visit to their company’s office. Although most of their hours are spent in the field working on HVAC equipment, this is where techs collect their assignments for the workday. Before heading out, HVAC professionals also grab all the necessary gear and safety equipment for the day’s tasks.
Hitting client locations.
Equipped with all the tools they need, HVAC techs will head out from their company’s office to the first client location on their list.
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HVAC technicians usually have a description of the problem before arriving, but speaking with the homeowner directly about the issue can make for a smoother home service call.
HVAC techs will start off by troubleshooting the root cause of the problem before making the necessary repairs, ordering new parts, and doing anything else required to get things back in working order. Once the first job is wrapped up, an HVAC tech will head to the next location on the list or reach out to their company’s dispatch to figure out where to go next.
Taking a lunch break.
It’s tough to know exactly how long each service call will take, so HVAC techs don’t have a hard-and-fast time for taking a lunch break.
It’s typically a joint decision between HVAC professionals and their company’s dispatch depending on the number of jobs on the docket for the day.
A perk of being out and about during the working day is having the ability to stop anywhere for lunch whether HVAC techs prepared lunch or want to try out the newest Houston restaurant.
Wrapping up the day.
Simple jobs can get wrapped up entirely, but more complex projects will have to get picked up the next day. There can be emergency service calls that are outside normal business hours. This usually involves life or health threatening situations where inclement weather is a factor (ie. excessive heat or cold) or major product loss like in a commercial food warehouse environment.
The final stop for the average HVAC service provider is back at their company’s office where they’ll put away their equipment, complete any leftover paperwork, and clock out for a well-deserved rest! Many service technicians may not return to the office until the next morning.
What HVAC technicians in Houston, Texas should expect.
Hot weather.
Texas experiences some of the warmest weather in the country with an average annual temperature hovering at 65.8 degrees. Fahrenheit and reaching between 93 and 101 degrees in the summer.
Most HVAC technicians in Houston, Texas, will need to brave the hot weather when working outside on heating and cooling systems.
Irregular work hours.
As mentioned earlier, the majority of HVAC techs have work schedules resembling the conventional Monday-through-Friday, 9-to-5 job except for peak weather seasons.
When working in Houston, Texas, HVAC techs should expect to occasionally work irregular hours such as overtime or during the weekend, especially when the weather reaches extremes.
The record-setting freeze that spread across Texas in early 2021 is a good example. HVAC techs were working odd hours and longer than normal to help homeowners and businesses restore functioning HVAC systems.
Why Houston, Texas is a great place to begin your HVAC career.
High Demand
Texas is ranked as the second-largest employer of HVAC technicians out of all 50 states, just barely outpaced by California.
The Lonestar State employs over 31,060 tech, according to the Bureau of Labor of Statistics.*
On top of that, the national demand is expected to continue growing steadily with a 5% increase in employment projected over the next decade.*
Solid Pay
Income potential is another good reason to consider pursuing an HVAC career in Houston, Texas.
The average HVAC tech enjoys a healthy salary of $60,821. Even on the lower end of the income spectrum in Houston, HVAC professionals still earn a good salary of $53,980.**
It’s important to keep in mind that there are several factors that determine an individual’s income as a skilled trade professional including skills, experience, and certifications.
Leading Programs
Before you can enter the field as an HVAC technician, you should receive some form of education to develop the required fundamental entry-level skills and qualifications.
Fortunately, there are some great HVAC programs in Houston, Texas, where you can get the hands-on experience and knowledge you need to succeed in your career.
For example, Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center offers a comprehensive Refrigeration Technologies program in Houston, Texas, that trains students in the fundamentals of HVAC systems and prepares them for entry-level job opportunities in the area.
*According to BLS data Texas employed 31,060 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) through May 2021 http://data.bls.gov/oes.
**Average starting salary for Refrigeration Technologies is $32,469 for TWS graduates employed during the 12 month period of 7/1/20-6/30/21.
