Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity and air quality in residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings. Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine and other perishable items. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) technicians install, maintain, and repair such systems.

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical and electronic components, including motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats and switches. In central heating systems, for example, a furnace heats air that is distributed throughout the building via a system of metal or fiberglass ducts. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose and correct problems throughout the entire system. To do this, they may adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the entire system using special tools and test equipment.

Although they are trained to do both, technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair. Some specialize in one type of equipment—for example, oil burners, solar panels or commercial refrigerators. Technicians may work for large or small contracting companies or directly for a manufacturer or wholesaler. Those working for smaller operations tend to do both installation and servicing, and work with heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment.

Furnace installers, also called heating equipment technicians, follow blueprints or other specifications to install oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel and multiple-fuel heating systems. After putting the equipment in place, they install fuel and water supply lines, air ducts and vents, pumps and other components. They may connect electrical wiring and controls and check the unit for proper operation. To ensure the proper functioning of the system, furnace installers often use combustion test equipment such as carbon dioxide and oxygen testers.

After a furnace has been installed, technicians often perform routine maintenance and repair work in order to keep the system operating efficiently. During the fall and winter, when the system is used most, they service and adjust burners and blowers. If the system is not operating properly, they check the thermostat, burner nozzles, controls or other parts in order to diagnose and then correct the problem. During the summer, when the heating system is not being used, technicians do maintenance work, such as replacing filters and vacuum-cleaning vents, ducts and other parts of the system that may accumulate dust and impurities during the operating season.

Air conditioning and refrigeration technicians install and service central air conditioning systems and a variety of refrigeration equipment. Technicians follow blueprints, design specifications and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators, piping and other components. They connect this equipment to the duct work, refrigerant lines and electrical power source. After making the connections, they charge the system with refrigerant, check it for proper operation and program control systems.

When air conditioning and refrigeration equipment breaks down, technicians diagnose the problem and make repairs. To do this, they test parts such as compressors, relays and thermostats. During the winter, air conditioning technicians inspect the systems and do required maintenance, such as overhauling compressors.

When servicing equipment, HVAC technicians must use care to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The release of CFC's and HCFC's contributes to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects plant and animal life from ultraviolet radiation. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure that there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; and they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers.

HVAC technicians use a variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges and acetylene torches to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers and other testing devices to check air flow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners and other components.

Cooling and heating systems sometimes are installed or repaired by other craft workers. For example, on a large air conditioning installation job, especially where workers are covered by union contracts, duct work might be done by sheet metal workers; electrical work by electricians; and installation of piping, condensers and other components by plumbers and pipefitters. Room air-conditioners and household refrigerators usually are serviced by home appliance repairers.

 

HVAC technicians work in homes, supermarkets, hospitals, office buildings and factories—anywhere there is climate control equipment (see also Stationary Engineer) . They may be assigned to specific job sites at the beginning of each day or, if they are making service calls, they may be dispatched to jobs by radio or telephone.

Technicians may work outside in cold or hot weather or in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating equipment is broken. In addition, technicians often work in awkward or cramped positions and sometimes are required to work in high places. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains and other injuries from handling heavy equipment. Appropriate safety equipment is necessary when handling refrigerants because contact can cause skin damage, frostbite or blindness. Inhalation of refrigerants when working in confined spaces is also a possible hazard and may cause asphyxiation.

Technicians usually work a 40-hour week, but during peak seasons they often work overtime or irregular hours. Maintenance workers, including those who provide maintenance services under contract, often work evening or weekend shifts and are on call. Most employers try to provide a full work week the year round by doing both installation and maintenance work and many manufacturers and contractors now provide or even require service contracts. In most shops that service both heating and air conditioning equipment, employment is very stable throughout the year.

 

Courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading and computer applications provide a good background for those interested in entering this occupation. Some knowledge of plumbing or electrical work is also helpful. A basic understanding of microelectronics is becoming more important because of the increasing use of this technology in solid-state equipment controls. Because technicians frequently deal directly with the public, they should be courteous and tactful, especially when dealing with an aggravated customer. They also should be in good physical condition because they sometimes have to lift and move heavy equipment.

 

Because of the increasing sophistication of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, employers prefer to hire those with technical school or apprenticeship training. A sizable number of technicians, however, still learn the trade informally on the job.

Many secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools, junior and community colleges, and the Armed Forces offer 6 month- to 2-year programs in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration. Students study theory, design, and equipment construction, as well as electronics. They also learn the basics of installation, maintenance and repair.

Apprenticeship programs are frequently run by joint committees representing local chapters of the air conditioning Contractors of America, the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, and locals of the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association or the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. Other apprenticeship programs are sponsored by local chapters of the Associated Builders and Contractors and the National Association of Home Builders. Formal apprenticeship programs generally last 3 or 4 years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Classes include subjects such as the use and care of tools, safety practices, blueprint reading and air conditioning theory. Applicants for these programs must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

All technicians who purchase or work with refrigerants must be certified in their proper handling. To become certified to purchase and handle refrigerants, a technician must pass a written examination specific to the type of work in which they specialize. The three possible areas of certification are: Type I—servicing small appliances, Type II—high pressure refrigerants, and Type III—low pressure refrigerants. Exams are administered by organizations approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, such as trade schools, unions, contractor associations or building groups. Though no formal training is required for certification, training programs designed to prepare workers for the certification examination, as well as for general skills improvement training, are provided by heating and air conditioning equipment manufacturers; the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES); the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA); the Mechanical Service Contractors of America; local chapters of the National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors; and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. RSES, along with some other organizations, also offer basic self-study courses for individuals with limited experience. In addition to understanding how systems work, technicians must be knowledgeable about refrigerant products, and legislation and regulation that govern their use.

There are also two newly created certification programs for technicians. The North American Technician Excellence Program is sponsored by a coalition of associations representing all segments of the industry. The other is sponsored by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. Both programs are voluntary measures of competency.

 

Those who acquire their skills on the job usually begin by assisting experienced technicians. They may begin performing simple tasks such as carrying materials, insulating refrigerant lines, or cleaning furnaces. In time, they move on to more difficult tasks, such as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal, and checking electrical and electronic circuits.

Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages. Some technicians, however, may advance to positions as supervisor or service manager. Others may move into areas such as sales and marketing. Those with sufficient money and managerial skill can open their own contracting business.

 

Median weekly earnings of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technicians who worked full time were $536 in 1996. The middle 50 percent earned between $381 and $701. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $287 a week, and the top 10 percent earned more than $887 a week.

Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers.

HVAC technicians enjoy a variety of employer-sponsored benefits. In addition to typical benefits like health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans and tools.

Nearly 1 out of every 6 HVAC technicians is a member of a union. The unions to which the greatest numbers of technicians belong are the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.

 

Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians held about 256,000 jobs in 1996, more than half of these worked for cooling and heating contractors. The remainder were employed in a wide variety of industries throughout the country, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate control systems. Some worked for fuel oil dealers, refrigeration and air conditioning service and repair shops, and schools. Others were employed by the Federal Government, hospitals, office buildings and other organizations that operate large air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems. Approximately 1 of every 7 technicians was self-employed.

Job prospects for highly skilled HVAC technicians are expected to be very good, particularly those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training to install, remodel, and service new and existing systems. In addition to job openings created by employment growth, thousands of openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

Employment of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians is expected to increase about as fast as the national average for all occupations through the year 2006. As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for new residential, commercial and industrial climate control systems. Technicians who specialize in installation work may experience periods of unemployment when the level of new construction activity declines, but maintenance and repair work usually remains relatively stable. People and businesses depend on their climate control systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of economic conditions.

Concern for the environment and energy conservation should continue to prompt the development of new energy-saving heating and air conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings. Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses and home owners strive to keep systems operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge of CFC and HCFC refrigerants and banning CFC production by the year 2000 also should continue to result in demand for technicians to replace many existing systems or modify them to use new environmentally safe refrigerants. In addition, the continuing focus on improving indoor air quality should contribute to the growth of jobs for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Also, certain businesses contribute to a growing need for refrigeration. For example, nearly 50 percent of products sold in convenience stores require some sort of refrigeration. Supermarkets and convenience stores have a very large inventory of refrigerated equipment. This huge inventory will also create increasing demand for service technicians in installation, maintenance and repair.