Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.
Also known as:
A/C Tech (Air Conditioning Technician), HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer), HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic), HVAC Service Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Service Technician), HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist), HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician), Refrigeration Mechanic, Refrigeration Operator, Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech), Service Technician (Service Tech)
What is this job like?
- Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
- Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
- Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
- Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
- Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
- Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
- Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as expansion or discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues, or stokers.
- Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
- Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.
- Keep records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.
- Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
- Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
- Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
- Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
- Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
- Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
- Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
- Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.
- Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.
- Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
- Record and report time, materials, faults, deficiencies, or other unusual occurrences on work orders.
- Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
- Supervise and instruct assistants.
- Supervise and instruct assistants.
- Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming.
- Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.
- Lay out reference points for installation of structural and functional components, using measuring instruments.
- Lift and align components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.
- Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
- Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
- Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
Local Wage Data
Showing wage data for: United States
Entry
Median
High
Salary
Hourly Wage
$34,320
$48,630
$78,210
$16.50
$23.38
$37.60
What careers could come next?
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