Most people think that HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) technicians just need to know how to use a few tools and follow some instructions. However, HVAC school actually requires students to have strong math skills. Knowing how to calculate air flow, pipe sizing, and ductwork design are all important parts of the job. In addition, many HVAC systems today are computerized, so technicians also need to be able to understand and work with complex software.