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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves.

What you’d do

  • Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
  • Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
  • Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
  • Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.

Skills that matter

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting
  • Critical Thinking
  • Repairing
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Installation

How to get there

Medium preparation: usually vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree

Also called

  • HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic)
  • HVAC Tech (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician)
  • Refrigeration Mechanic
  • Refrigeration Technician (Refrigeration Tech)
  • AC Mechanic (Air Conditioner Mechanic)
  • AC Tech (Air Conditioning Technician)

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