Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Energy Management • VRF System • Static Pressure

BTU

Term from HVAC Services industry explained for recruiters

BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a basic measurement used in heating and cooling systems. Think of it like measuring ingredients in cooking - BTUs tell us how much heating or cooling power a system has. When someone mentions BTUs in their resume, they're showing they understand how to size and work with heating and air conditioning equipment. It's similar to how we use horsepower for cars - the higher the BTU rating, the more powerful the heating or cooling system. HVAC technicians use this measurement daily to make sure buildings get the right-sized equipment for proper temperature control.

Examples in Resumes

Performed calculations and installations of BTU requirements for residential HVAC systems

Maintained and serviced cooling systems ranging from 24,000 to 60,000 BTUs

Sized and recommended appropriate BTU capacity units for commercial buildings

Typical job title: "HVAC Technicians"

Also try searching for:

HVAC Installer Air Conditioning Technician Heating Systems Specialist HVAC Service Technician Refrigeration Technician Climate Control Specialist

Where to Find HVAC Technicians

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you determine the correct BTU requirements for a commercial building?

Expected Answer: A senior technician should explain factors like building size, insulation, windows, occupancy, and local climate. They should mention standard calculation methods and experience with different building types.

Q: How would you handle a situation where an installed system's BTU capacity isn't meeting the building's needs?

Expected Answer: Should discuss troubleshooting steps, including checking calculations, inspecting ductwork, evaluating insulation, and proposing solutions like supplemental systems or system replacement.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors affect BTU calculations for residential systems?

Expected Answer: Should mention home square footage, ceiling height, window count and type, insulation quality, and local climate considerations.

Q: How do you explain BTU requirements to customers?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to simplify technical concepts, use relatable examples, and explain why proper sizing is important for efficiency and comfort.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a BTU and why is it important in HVAC?

Expected Answer: Should explain that BTU measures heating/cooling power and its basic importance in system sizing.

Q: How many BTUs are typically needed per square foot in a home?

Expected Answer: Should know basic rules of thumb for residential calculations, like 20 BTUs per square foot as a starting point, while noting other factors affect final numbers.