HVAC Technician

Understand heating and cooling systems and pass EPA 608.

Start with Why Are Capacitors on Motors? What is Capacitive Reactance and Inductive Reactance? (21 min, Electrician U), then HVAC: Heat Pump and Lines Install Ep.98 (25 min, Essential Craftsman). All 28 lessons in HVAC Technician are free. No degree. EPA 608 certification (one exam). A starter kit costs about $175. About $59k a year (US median, HVAC mechanics).

To start: No degree. EPA 608 certification (one exam). Earning: About $59k a year (US median, HVAC mechanics).

1. How HVAC works

   The refrigeration cycle.

   • Why Are Capacitors on Motors? What is Capacitive Reactance and Inductive Reactance? (21 min, Electrician U, Beginner)
   • HVAC: Heat Pump and Lines Install Ep.98 (25 min, Essential Craftsman, Intermediate)
   • Installing a Mini Split at a Commercial Building. (15 min, Electrician U, Intermediate)
   • MASTERING Residential HVAC (14 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)
   • HVAC and Hydronic Heating Behind a High-Performance Home (25 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)
   • Understanding Heat Pumps | Future House (11 min, This Old House, Intermediate)

2. Electrical for HVAC

   Diagnose the controls.

   • 5 Formulas Electricians Should Have Memorized! (17 min, Electrician U, Intermediate)
   • Episode 3 - How To Wire For and Install A Switch (28 min, Electrician U, Intermediate)
   • Dual Fuel HVAC (6 min, This Old House, Intermediate)
   • Heat Pumps, Branch Boxes & Better Comfort (17 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)
   • How to Clean and Maintain Your Mini Split (6 min, This Old House, Intermediate)
   • HVAC Strategy ft. Ross Trethewey (20 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)

3. Heat pumps and service

   The future of the trade.

   • Why is Furnace Maintenance Important? (5 min, This Old House, Intermediate)
   • Stop Value-Engineering Your HVAC — Do This Instead (11 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)
   • AIR to Water – Atypical HVAC (9 min, Build Show Network, Intermediate)
   • All About Smart Thermostats (6 min, This Old House, Intermediate)
   • I've Never Seen ANYTHING Like This | Combi Boiler Install (10 min, Roger Wakefield, Intermediate)
   • Klein CL450 Differential Temperature HVAC Meter Review (14 min, Sparky Channel, Intermediate)

4. Get hired

   A CV that gets read, interviews you are ready for, and the first offer negotiated.

   • Career Change to Code - The Complete Guide [Full Course for Aspiring Developers] (203 min, freeCodeCamp.org, Beginner)
   • If Your Job Interviewer Asks You THIS, BEWARE! (11 min, A Life After Layoff, Intermediate)
   • Write an Incredible Resume: 5 Golden Rules! (9 min, Jeff Su, Intermediate)
   • Can't Get A Job? You May Be On The "Do Not Hire" List! (18 min, A Life After Layoff, Intermediate)
   • Top 5 LinkedIn Profile Tips! (10 min, Jeff Su, Intermediate)
   • A Job Recruiter Critiques 5 Real Audience Resumes (23 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)

5. Money basics for your first pay

   Budget it, save it, and start investing early.

   • Investing 101 (20 min, Ben Felix, Beginner)
   • Using Your Money To Be Happier (21 min, Ben Felix, Intermediate)
   • 5 Things You Need To Do If You Make Less Than $100k (21 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)
   • 9 Things To Stop Spending On By 30 (26 min, The Financial Diet, Intermediate)