HVAC technicians can perform a variety of tasks on any given day, from installing a dehumidifier to repairing a thermostat. Working with electricity, whether testing components or measuring voltage, can be a common part of the job. The answer to this question depends on whether you prefer to be an electrician or an HVAC technician. Both careers require someone who is active and willing to travel from one workplace to another to address customer issues.
The only difference is that electricians deal with electrical wiring, electrical systems, and equipment, while HVAC technicians deal with HVAC systems and some electrical cables. So, it really depends on your preferences because both professions are very similar in terms of the environment you'll be working in and the tasks you'll have to perform. Both HVAC technicians and electricians use hand and power tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, drills, saws, hammers, tape measures and pliers. Because they work with similar equipment, the type of tools they use can overlap.
For example, sometimes HVAC technicians work with electrical equipment, and sometimes electricians need to work with HVAC systems. The field of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, is growing at a rapid pace, according to the U.S. Department of State, creating a high demand for well-trained electricians and HVAC technicians. HVAC systems are both mechanical and electrical.
HVAC electricians are technicians who specialize in the electrical components of such systems. Most are trained in the mechanical and electrical aspects of HVAC work, but they may have earned professional certification as an electrical specialist. If you like working with the latest HVAC technologies, then a career as an HVAC technician may be the right choice for you. Because they service homes and businesses, HVAC technicians can work in many types of locations depending on the day.
The duties of an HVAC technician generally involve selling, installing, maintaining and repairing HVAC systems. An HVAC electrician is responsible for installing and maintaining electrical components in an HVAC system, including all electrical cables and controls. In addition, HVAC technicians are often on call, requiring them to respond to HVAC emergencies at the most inopportune times in extreme climates. Most HVAC electricians have some form of post-secondary education, usually an associate's degree or certificate of completion from an HVAC program offered through a technical or trade school or other institution.
Certain professional organizations, such as the Society of Refrigeration Services Engineers and HVAC Excellence, offer additional certifications as electrical specialists. HVAC technicians are similar to electricians, but most of an HVAC technician's time is spent working indoors. Not all HVAC technicians can perform electrical repairs, and not all electricians have experience working with HVAC units that run on gas, propane, or other fuel sources instead of electricity.
