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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Occupation Detailed Description

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

The main tasks and work activities of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are to service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components, repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts, replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts, test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning. In general, for the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, installation, quality Control Analysis, troubleshooting, equipment Maintenance and other 17 skills are required.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs. 1.05% of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 51.96% of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
13.74%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
1.05%
Post-Secondary Certificate
51.96%
Some College Courses
23.49%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
9.75%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
  • Test pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks, using pressure gauge or soap-and-water solution.
  • Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
  • Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
  • Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
  • Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.
  • Fabricate, assemble, or install duct work or chassis parts, using portable metal-working tools or welding equipment.
  • Install and test automatic, programmable, or wireless thermostats in residential or commercial buildings to minimize energy usage for heating or cooling.
  • Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
  • Install magnetic-centrifugal chillers, compressors, or related equipment to cool air temperatures through the use of recirculating water.
  • Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
  • 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.
  • Install radiator controls for room-level zone control heating of residential or commercial buildings.
  • Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, or refilling non-toxic refrigerants.
  • Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
  • Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
  • 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.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
  • Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for proper functioning.
  • Inspect systems to determine if they are operating properly.
  • Repair pipes to stop leaking.
  • Advise others on issues related to repairs, installation, or equipment design.
  • Connect electrical components or equipment.
  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
  • Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
  • Measure distances or dimensions.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Assemble mechanical components or machine parts.
  • Braze metal parts or components.
  • Disassemble equipment to inspect for deficiencies.
  • Test mechanical systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Train others in operational procedures.
  • Supervise employees.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Travel to work sites to perform installation, repair or maintenance work.

Skills and Abilities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

  • InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Service OrientationActively looking for ways to help people.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Speed of ClosureThe ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Calibrated resistance measuring equipmente.g. 4-wire resistance sensors
  • Blow torche.g. Acetylene torches
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Air velocity and temperature monitorse.g. Air flow sensors
  • Air velocity and temperature monitorse.g. Air velocity meters
  • Voltage or current meterse.g. Alternating current AC line splitters
  • Ammeterse.g. Ammeters
  • Multimeterse.g. Autoranging meters
  • Awlse.g. Awls
  • Thermocouplese.g. Bead type thermocouples
  • Pressure sensorse.g. Bourdon tubes
  • Razor knivese.g. Box cutters
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Capacitance meterse.g. Capacitor analyzers
  • Single gas monitorse.g. Carbon dioxide CO2 testers
  • Carbon monoxide analyzere.g. Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Caulking gunse.g. Caulking equipment
  • Caulking gunse.g. Caulking guns
  • Chart recorderse.g. Chart recorders
  • Circuit testere.g. Circuit analyzers
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • PhysicsKnowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Sales and MarketingKnowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.