Have you ever lost heat in the middle of a frigid New England winter night? Then you know what it’s like to desperately want it fixed! How would you like to be the go-to person in a heating crisis who can do just that? With career training in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), you could learn to save the day while building yourself a career in a growing field.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for HVACR careers is great, with faster than average job growth predicted through 2022. The BLS also notes that HVACR mechanics and installers earn an above average wage. With time and experience, HVACR mechanics can earn between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. According to the BLS, in 2012, the average annual salary for HVACR mechanics in Connecticut was more than $55,000 and it was more than $56,000 in Massachusetts. These figures represent technicians with a wide variety of experiences, credentials, training and years on the job. The more time and experience you have, the more money you can earn.

If you’re the type of person who likes to work with your hands and your brains, HVACR might be right for you. What exactly will you do after graduating from an HVAC job training program?HVACR mechanics and installers help out when the heating goes down, but they also do a lot more. They work on cooling, ventilation and refrigeration systems. They install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair systems that are vital to the proper and efficient function of modern businesses, industries and homes. Every day can bring a new puzzle to solve.

One day you might find yourself installing an air conditioning system, running duct work and supply lines. Or you might need to install the electrical wiring that makes the whole system power on. HVACR mechanics also use blueprints and design specifications to make sure everything is installed and working properly and to fix components when things go wrong.

As an HVACR mechanic, you’ll probably specialize in residential, commercial or industrial work. If your specialty is residential, each day could bring you to a new home, meeting new people and working on a variety of systems. If you work in a commercial or industrial setting, you’ll likely be working on large systems that help with air quality and temperature control and keep major businesses running at peak efficiency. HVACR mechanics also often specialize on particular kinds of equipment. One mechanic might be an expert at systems run by forced hot water, while another might specialize in solar panels. You choose what’s right for you!

Wherever you work or specialize, you will probably find that a career in HVACR offers plenty of variety and challenge. If you’d like to learn more about training for a career in HVACR, check out our programs in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Porter and Chester Institute has nine locations and plenty of career training programs to choose from, including HVACR.