24 HVAC Interview Questions you should be prepared for in 2023

Whether you’ve worked as an HVAC technician or this is your first job, the interviewer will ask you various questions that will test your understanding of the sector.

It’s crucial to be as prepared as you can for the interview when looking for a position as an HVAC technician.

You’ll get more out of the HVAC interview process with some preparation, regardless of whose side of the desk you’re on.

Interviewers must know the right questions to ask prospective HVAC technicians and how to analyze their responses.

Simultaneously, interview preparation increases candidates’ chances of making the best impression and landing their ideal HVAC job.

We at ZenHVAC have researched and are providing a selection of HVAC interview questions in this post and six examples of interview questions and responses to help you prepare for the interview process.

ZenHVAC has created a vault of knowledge for HVAC contractors and technicians like yourself. Head to our website for more informative articles to enhance your business knowledge.

ZenHVAC’s field service management software can also streamline and optimize your workflow to generate growth and more revenue for your business!

Book a FREE demo today to start enhancing your business!

Types of HVAC Interview Questions Asked

Usually, there are two stages to an interview for an HVAC position.

The interviewer starts by asking questions to ascertain whether the candidate will match the culture of the business.

Second, the interviewer probes the applicant’s background to see if their abilities align with those needed for the open post.

In some interviews, there may be a third, skills-based question where applicants must demonstrate their expertise by performing a fictitious HVAC repair.

Even though it can be simple to prioritize technical knowledge and interview questions over interpersonal knowledge and questions, both have equal weight in a job interview.

Because weak interpersonal and communication skills can convert, even the most technically adept individuals become poor employees.

Recall that the majority of HVAC employees deal with consumers daily.

Many firms are more willing to train a likable worker who lacks technical skills than a specialized master who lacks interpersonal qualities.

Interpersonal questions

With the aid of the following queries, the interviewer can better grasp your motivation for the job and get to know you:

Describe your background and professional experience.

Open-ended inquiries like this one make the majority of candidates nervous.

You want to avoid stammering and stumbling for an answer when something like this arises because interviewers use these questions to gauge how you respond and communicate under pressure.

You’ll instantly make a positive first impression if you have a prepared response to a question like this.

Respond to the inquiry by taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss your preferred topics.

Since the interviewer is already aware of the essential information on your resume, this question primarily focuses on gauging your outlook and attitude.

Do not criticize previous employers or express complaints about being fired in the past.

Describe a situation when you converted an unsatisfied client into a satisfied client.

This question is asked during interviews to gauge how well you handle customers. Customers who are happy with their HVAC systems are more likely to become repeat customers, and technicians are the ones who can make that happen. Anyone with the necessary abilities may repair an HVAC system, but it takes a particular personality type to put a client at ease and make them feel heard.

Need to get HVAC client experience? Don’t worry; your interviewer shouldn’t (and probably won’t) ask this specific question. You should, nonetheless, plan an answer. Consider another former employment that would have impressed them. Again, attitude is more important here than HVAC knowledge.

A few other general questions can be:

What do you know about our company?
Why are you looking for new opportunities?
What are your wage expectations?
What shifts are you available? What are your preferred shifts?
If hired, when can you begin working for us?
Are you comfortable working in a physically challenging environment?

Questions related to Background and Experience in the HVAC Industry

Using the following HVAC interview questions, your interviewer can assess your suitability for the job:

Describe the equipment/tools used in the trade.

The interviewer will be able to determine whether you lied about your credentials based on how you respond to this question. If you have experience with HVAC, you should be able to name the equipment in an HVAC truck quickly.

Additionally, the interviewer can give you a tool—like a multi-meter—and ask you to describe how it might be utilized in an HVAC position. If you’re unsure if the interviewer wants a technical or layperson’s answer, you can ask them directly.

Speaking to clients in plain language is helpful, but explaining a technical concept can demonstrate your depth of understanding. Give both if you’re uncertain!

A few other HVAC industry-related experiences questions can be:

Why did you start a career in HVAC work?
What is a previous experience that makes you confident that you would fit with us?
What HVAC certifications do you have, and are they?
What experience do you have with different repairs and maintenance?
What brands of HVAC equipment do you have experience with?
What skills have you learned in your previous jobs prepared you for a career as an HVAC technician?

In-depth Technician questions

These precise queries aid the interviewer in comprehending your approach to problem-solving and your manner of working:

How would you counsel a client with energy or environmental concerns?

You can highlight your customer service abilities and showcase the breadth of your industry expertise in this question.

Some clients might want to learn how different HVAC models can lower energy expenditures.

They can also be worried about how refrigerants affect the environment. What are your opinions on these current events? Can you approach them diplomatically? You’ll need to find a technique to speak persuasively about this topic without offending potential clients because it is perilously close to politics.

You will work with clients of all political persuasions throughout your career, so you must approach subjects like these without stirring up controversy.

What do BTU, CAV, and AHU mean?

The HVAC business uses a wide variety of acronyms. Do you understand what the usual ones mean and what ideas they stand for?

Both the client and your interviewer want you to. Make the most of this chance to showcase your technical expertise and formally state your degree of experience.

Here is one situation. How do you go about it?

You can be asked to guide the interviewer through a hypothetical job scenario from start to completion.

How would you rate the issue? Which queries do you pose to the homeowner? What equipment do you use?

What security measures do you implement? How do you tidy up before leaving? How do you guarantee the consumer is happy?

Do you still need to follow up later?

A few other technical questions can be:

What safety procedures are currently in place that you feel are unnecessary?
Are there any procedures or policies that should be in place with your current employer for safety reasons?
What is your experience using mobile technology on the job?
Tell me about when you took control of a situation and led a job without being asked.
You realize halfway through a job that you don't have the necessary parts you need. What do you do?
Describe a specific HVAC job where you sacrificed safety for speed.