When thousands of people lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) technicians in Massachusetts and Connecticut were considered essential workers. They stayed on the job, helping both business and residential customers with the repair and installation of vital heating and cooling equipment.

Why HVACR Services are Essential

Whether it’s warm or cold outside, you do not want to be left without your heating and cooling systems working properly. But besides providing comfort, this equipment is critical for your health and safety. There could be major medical concerns in a home or business. Food, as well as medical supplies, can spoil if your refrigerator breaks down. And hospitals, nursing homes, labs, pharmacies, food warehouses, grocery stores, and more, rely on HVAC systems. Add to that the need for clean filters in air conditioning and heating systems to help prevent the spread of viruses and other pathogens. You get why HVAC and the people who can service the units are essential.

Customers expect their HVACR systems to be repaired promptly by technicians who are well trained and reliable. They cannot wait for a virus pandemic to be over, and the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut recognized this and designated HVACR workers essential.

What Does an HVACR Technician Do?

If you were an HVACR technician, you might work anywhere, whether it’s inside people’s homes or in large office buildings, warehouses, and hospitals. Residents and businesses all rely on their heating and cooling systems to be working, 24/7.

Some of the work you would do to keep heating and cooling equipment up and running might include:

• Install new gas, oil and electric heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment.
• Troubleshoot to find out what is the cause if the equipment is not working properly.
• Diagnose the problem and come up with a solution.
• Make repairs using the right parts for that equipment.
• Maintain the equipment by doing preventative maintenance.
• Stay up-to-date on all the changing technology and best practices in the HVACR industry.

Do You Have What It Takes to Become an HVACR Essential Worker?

If you enjoy working with your hands and don’t like the idea of sitting behind a desk all day, you might be interested in becoming an HVACR technician. Just as the governors of Massachusetts and Connecticut recognized, the work you will do is essential, and there is currently a big demand for people with HVACR skills and training. HVACR jobs are expected to increase much faster than average through 2028. You could work for a repair business or be employed by a large company that hires their own HVACR workers. There will always be interesting challenges and no day will ever be the same.

HVACR Programs: A Foundation for Success

At Porter and Chester Institute, you can receive hands-on HVACR training to become a skilled worker in as little as one year. Want to find out more? To take the next step for an essential HVACR career, please fill out the form or give us a call at 800-870-6789.