Residents of Cincinnati, Ohio, experience a wide range of weather throughout the year, so they depend on heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) professionals to keep them comfortable. According to the city of Cincinnati:
In a typical Cincinnati summer, the heat index exceeds 90 degrees for approximately 30 days; by the middle of this century, the heat index could be at least that high for up to 79 days each summer.
In a typical Cincinnati winter, residents see about 20 to 25 inches of snow, and temperatures are often around 20 degrees.
The weather is not the only reason that Cincinnati is a great place to work in HVAC. Both Cincinnati and the entire state of Ohio are experiencing shortages of HVAC technicians, so for those who have been thinking about enrolling in an HVAC training program, now is the time. The first step in that process is learning what HVAC training in Cincinnati entails and the expertise that HVAC training programs offer.
What Do You Learn in an HVAC Training Program?
HVAC training programs teach students to work in climate control. After students acquire skills and expertise through these programs, they are prepared to fill entry-level roles working as HVAC technicians in both residential and commercial settings.
During the course of 48 instructional weeks, students at Fortis College in Cincinnati take classes in key topics that are critical to establishing a solid foundation for working in HVAC.
Thermodynamics: In this class, students learn about conduction, heat, pressure, radiation, and temperature, vital knowledge when conducting HVAC work.
Electricity: HVAC systems have numerous electrical components, and this class teaches students about practical applications of electricity, as well as circuits, wiring, and electrical motors.
Refrigerants: Refrigerants are key elements in HVAC systems. Students in this class learn all about the refrigeration cycle, the primary components of that cycle, and other key principles associated with refrigerants.
Students also take classes in specific types of HVAC systems, such as the following:
Residential Air Conditioning: In this class, students learn about indoor air quality and the major components of AC systems. They also learn methods for addressing issues related to air quality in the home.
Industrial Refrigeration and Commercial AC: Students in this class get to learn about working with the components of refrigeration and AC systems at industrial and commercial facilities.
Electric Heating Systems and Heat Pumps: This class teaches students about working with the equipment and controls associated with electric heating systems and heat pumps.
Gas, Oil, and Water-Based Heating Systems: Classes that focus on heating systems provide students with expertise in working with the equipment and controls within gas furnaces, oil furnaces, and steam-based heating systems.
Other classes in HVAC training programs offer students valuable insight into working in the HVAC industry.
Working in Skilled Trades Professions: This class provides students with an overview of skilled trades careers and relevant government guidelines for HVAC professionals. It also offers practical strategies to support students throughout their HVAC training.
HVAC Troubleshooting and Service Calls: This class teaches students how to troubleshoot various issues with HVAC systems, including guidance on handling service calls for repairs.
Preparing for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Certification: The EPA requires HVAC technicians and other professionals who work with equipment that could release refrigerants into the air to obtain certification. They earn that certification by passing an exam that demonstrates their knowledge of working with different aspects of refrigerants. This class prepares students to take that exam.
Throughout their course of study, students in the HVAC training program at Fortis gain valuable experience working with tools and equipment they will use as HVAC technicians, including:
Manometers
Pressure gauges
Thermometers
Voltmeters
Other devices that examine airflow, burners, electrical circuits, refrigerant pressure, and various HVAC components
Key HVAC Skills
As professionals enter the field and progress along the HVAC career path, they benefit from cultivating strong skills in numerous areas. For example, HVAC professionals who excel in their work have well-developed skills in areas such as:
Critical thinking
Attention to detail
Problem-solving and troubleshooting
Mechanical aptitude
Computer proficiency
Mathematical ability
Because they regularly interact with customers on the job, HVAC professionals also benefit from developing skills in areas such as:
Customer service
Communication
Time management
HVAC Career Opportunities and Job Outlook in Cincinnati
The career outlook for graduates of Cincinnati HVAC training programs indicates strong growth potential for this career field over time. .
HVAC job openings are growing in the Cincinnati area. From 2020 through 2030, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services projects a 6% increase in the number of HVAC jobs in Cincinnati and the surrounding counties in Southwest Ohio.
HVAC job openings are growing across Ohio. Through 2030, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services projects nearly 5% growth in the number of HVAC jobs across the Buckeye State.
Cincinnati also has a general need for more professionals in the prime working age group (ages 25 to 54). A 2022 report from the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber found that only about 38% of the city’s population fell within that age range, a figure that has been steadily declining. Combined with a nationwide shortage of HVAC professionals, this trend could translate into job opportunities for technicians in the Cincinnati area.
Completing an HVAC Training Program in Cincinnati Can Establish the Foundation for a Great Career
Building skills and expertise through a Cincinnati HVAC training program can be an effective way to pursue a stable, rewarding career. HVAC technicians perform a variety of services that keep residential and commercial spaces comfortable year-round.
If you are ready to start on your path to a career as an HVAC technician, explore the HVAC training program at Fortis College in Cincinnati. This program provides hands-on training to prepare students for entry-level positions and set them up for future success in the field. Take the first step toward your HVAC career today.
Recommended Readings
Are Skilled Trades in Demand?
HVAC vs. Electrician: Comparing Career Paths
Trends in HVAC: The Need for Training to Service New HVAC Technology