How a Little Cool Air Shaped Modern America
How Air Conditioning Remade Modern America
When the temperature sky rockets and the sweltering heat becomes unbearable, many people turn to the cool breeze of air conditioning. That welcome air is possible due to the invention of the first air conditioner in 1902 by Willis Carrier. Since his invention, people have become accustomed to having nice, climate-controlled indoor spaces. Whether it is the dead of winter or the dog days of summer, Americans can beat the weather and find the perfect temperature right inside their homes with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. These modern devices have made the extremes in the seasons much more comfortable and because nearly every building or home has one, it has made HVAC professionals much more comfortable as well.
Like any mechanical device, it requires a precise knowledge of the technical workings. And while air conditioners are quite common in American households, the knowledge of how to repair such appliances is much less common. So when a device malfunctions, most owners will immediately call for an HVAC technician. While the industry is currently holding strong as is, it is expected to grow even more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HVAC technician jobs are projected to grow 21 percent nationally between between 2012 and 2022, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. With their unique skill set and the growing use of HVAC systems in all types of buildings across the U.S., it is quite logical that HVAC technicians are in such high demand.
With the Texas heat, jobs in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration are booming. Mechanics and installers are a hot commodity in the state, especially around Houston and Dallas. Texas has the 2nd highest employment level in the nation with 22,060 jobs as of May 2013, according to the BLS. The potential for employment is really shaping the future of many people looking to enter the skilled trades. With plenty of opportunity and a potential for a comfortable living (the national median hourly wage for HVAC technicians was $20.10 in 2013, according to the BLS) the industry is turning heads of many men and women looking for employment.
There are plenty of options to kick-start a hot career in heating and cooling. Lincoln schools offer a comprehensive Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology (HVAC) program in many different locations, including right in the heart of it at the Grand Prairie, Texas campus.