The HVAC industry includes contractors who select the proper HVAC equipment that is required and set them up themselves for small buildings. However, for large buildings the help of professionals like HVAC designers and engineers like mechanical, architectural, or building services are sought off. Their job is to design and analyze the whole HVAC system and after completion of the design process the contractors install the system into the building.
The career options in HVAC are numerous. Individuals may choose from various career options ranging from operation and maintenance to system design and construction. It also includes prospects like equipment manufacturing and sales, and education and research. The HVAC industry is regulated by organizations like ASHRAE, SMACNA, ACCA, Uniform Mechanical Code, International Mechanical Code, and AMCA, which help in regulating the entire industry.
HVAC services are provided by bodies such as the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers. The SE bodies control the Building services or HVAC in trustees constituting electro technical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and plumbing industries.
The main professional responsible for the HVAC or the building services industry is the building services engineer. Supervising the installation and maintenance of essential services such as gas, electricity, water, heating, and lighting, as well as many others is the main job of the building services engineer. The main tool required in training as a building services or HVAC engineer is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) handbook. It consists of data taken from the previous installations made and it is the duty of every HVAC engineer to study and refer to the book before any installation is made. It is to be noted that the ASHRAE handbook's data are taken to be standard. The book is updated every four hours. Other important references include journals from SMACNA, ACCA, and technical trade journals.
In order to have a job as a building services engineer certain eligibility criteria needs to be satisfied. Individuals need to qualify the GCSE (A-C) / Standard grades (1-3) in Mathematics and Science. A degree in engineering disciplines like mechanical, electrical, or building environment engineering is also often required and it is good to have one, as it helps in improving your prospects in the industry and individual growth.
Training in this field is provided in the industry itself, if the candidate possesses the above listed requirements. However programs like building services engineering are also available at select universities, which can be done by any body aspiring for a career in the HVAC industry. Prior experience is not required for a new recruit. However, having prior experience obviously brings more opportunities and higher salary payout, like any other industry.
The HVAC or the building services industry is a part of the Construction Industry which has an annual turnover of $30 billion, and employs over 500,000 people with 51,000 businesses. With such a high manpower requirement, this industry provides a lot of opportunities, and there is very good opportunity for growth for professionals and HVAC or building services engineers, since the industry turnover is 2 to 3% of the GDP. With stable growth and turnover the industry provides handsome salary packages to the various engineers, designers, and other professionals.
Due to the boom in the real estate industry the HVAC industry is also booming with it, and it is always a good option for any mechanical construction or building services engineer. Since it is a growing market, its possibility of stagnation in the next 5 years is quite less. Also the industry provides a very good payout in comparison to any other industry in the construction framework. Since the manpower requirement is very high, and the supply of an HVAC professional is less than the demand, an HVAC professional is always in demand, and there are fewer chances of them getting sacked. After gaining some experience, large opportunities arise for any building services engineer. So, the HVAC or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Industry provides an ample source of growth for any professional in the industry, and promises a very lucrative career.
