HVAC Interview Questions to Help You Hire the Best Technicians

General interview questions for HVAC technicians

Before diving into technical skills, first get a sense of who the candidate is and why they’re interested in the role.

Start your HVAC job interview with these general questions to help you understand their background and fit with your company culture and values. These set the tone for the interview and give you a better idea of whether the candidate’s values and goals align with the type of person you’re looking for.

Why did you choose a career in the HVAC industry?

This question helps you understand the candidate’s commitment to the field. Knowing why they chose HVAC can reveal their level of interest and whether they see it as a long-term career.

What to look for: An answer that shows genuine interest in HVAC, like a desire to work hands-on or help people stay comfortable, or an appreciation and interest in the technology.

Candidates who mention they enjoy the challenges or learning opportunities in HVAC work are likely to be more engaged.

Behavioral interview questions for HVAC technicians

How a technician responds to real-world situations is just as important as their technical expertise.

Ask these behavioral questions to reveal how candidates handle challenges, work under pressure, and interact with others. These help you gauge their problem solving skills.

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer. How did you handle it?

This question reveals how a candidate handles stressful situations, and if they can maintain their professionalism with customers.

What to look for: An answer that shows they stayed calm, listened to the customer’s concerns, and found a solution.

A good candidate will demonstrate patience and good communication skills. They’re committed to excellent customer service, even in a challenging situation.

Describe a situation where you had to prioritize safety over speed. How did you manage it?

You know safety is critical in HVAC. This question helps you determine if the candidate understands the importance of safety, and how they balance it with the need to get the job done.

What to look for: An answer that shows they recognized the risks involved and took the necessary steps to ensure safety. Even if it meant taking more time.

A good candidate will describe how they communicated the importance of safety to others. All safety protocols should be followed before proceeding with the job.

How do you handle conflict with coworkers or supervisors on the job?

Conflicts can happen at any job. This question gives you insight into the candidate’s ability to resolve conflicts in a constructive way, without letting it affect their work.

What to look for: An answer that shows they approach conflict by communicating and addressing the problem together. They might describe how they listen to the other person’s perspective and try to find common ground.

A strong candidate will indicate they’re mature and can stay professional during disagreements.

Have you ever had to adapt to a change in project scope or unexpected conditions? Tell me about that.

This question helps you understand if the candidate can adapt to changes and still complete the HVAC job effectively.

What to look for: An answer that shows they can think on their feet and make adjustments. They might describe how they reassessed the situation, communicated changes to the customer, and implemented a new plan to keep the project on track.

A strong candidate will show they can assess and solve problems. And can stay calm under pressure.

Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond to provide exceptional service to a client. What did you do?

This interview question allows you to see if the candidate is willing to put in extra effort to keep customers happy. Going above and beyond is often what turns a good technician into a great one.

What to look for: An answer that demonstrates they’re committed to exceeding customer expectations. They might describe a situation where they took additional steps to solve a problem or make the customer’s experience better.

A strong candidate will show they take initiative with a customer-first attitude.

Technical interview questions for HVAC techs

Technical skills are the backbone of any HVAC technician’s job, of course.

Ask these technical questions to assess the candidate’s knowledge of HVAC systems, tools, and industry standards.

By asking about their technical expertise, you can determine whether they have the skills needed to handle the tasks they’ll face on the job.

• How do you calculate the heating or cooling load for a specific space?
• What’s the difference between a heat pump, furnace, and air conditioning system?
• Can you explain what BTU, CAV, and AHU mean in HVAC systems?
• What HVAC tools and HVAC equipment are you most familiar with?
• How would you troubleshoot a faulty thermostat?
• How do you approach diagnosing and fixing a refrigerant leak?
• What steps do you take to ensure efficient energy use in HVAC systems?

Role-specific HVAC interview questions

Not all HVAC roles are the same, so ask questions tailored to the specific position or HVAC license you’re hiring for.

Whether the role involves working with certain systems, handling certain types of repairs, or managing a team, you can ask these role-specific questions to ensure the candidate has the right experience for the job.

HVAC apprentice interview questions

• What experience do you have with HVAC installation or repair?
• How do you stay current with new HVAC technologies or industry standards?
• How would you handle a situation where you’re unsure how to complete a task?

Senior HVAC tech interview questions

• What’s the most challenging HVAC project you’ve led? What was the outcome?
• How do you mentor or train less experienced technicians on your team?
• What steps would you take to optimize an HVAC system’s performance in a residential home versus a commercial building?

Commercial HVAC tech interview questions

• What experience do you have working with large-scale HVAC systems in commercial buildings?
• How do you handle emergency repairs or maintenance for critical systems?
• What methods do you use to minimize downtime during commercial HVAC maintenance?

Residential HVAC tech interview questions

• How do you handle sensitive situations where customers are unhappy with a diagnosis or service fee?
• What steps do you take to ensure that the customer’s home is left in good condition after service?
• How do you educate homeowners on maintaining their HVAC systems?

Compensation and next-step interview questions

End your interview with questions about the candidate’s expectations for compensation and potential start dates. You can even outline the hiring process to ensure both sides understand what happens next.

As you wrap up the interview, discuss next steps and compensation to get both parties on the same page. Give the candidate a chance to ask questions too.

• What are your salary expectations?
• Are you familiar with performance-based pay structures, and are you comfortable working under them?
• What additional training or certifications are you planning to pursue in the next year?
• Would you be willing to work on-call shifts or overtime when needed?
• When would you be available to start?
• Can you provide a list of professional references?
• What questions do you have about the role?