Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Refrigeration Technician

Opportunities should be very good for technicians with technical school or formal apprenticeship training.

Technicians need a basic understanding of microelectronics as they increasingly install and service equipment with electronic controls.

Nature of the Work

Heating and air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total 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, air-conditioning, and refrigeration 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. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire system.

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. Pay Scale for an R-1 journeymen is $31.60 per hour plus health and retirement that is included after pay scale totals $41.65 an hour.

Training Five-year Apprenticeship Training Course

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. Pipefitters install and repair both high and low-pressure pipe systems that are used in manufacturing, in the generation of electricity, and in heating and cooling buildings. They also install automatic controls that are increasingly being used to regulate these systems.

Training for pipe fitters and welders

Virtually all HVACR and Pipe Fitters undergo apprenticeship training. Many programs are administered by local union-management committees, members of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada, as well as local employers. Pipefitters are at the same pay scale as the HVACR personal in Florida. Scales change around the country.

Editorial provided by Phil Rodin, Director of Education, ARPEC.