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Heating & Air Conditioning Mechanics & Installers

Also called: Service Technician, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Service Technician (HVAC Service Technician), Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Technician (HVAC Technician), Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installer (HVAC Installer)

What they do:
Install, service, or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences or commercial establishments.
On the job, you would:
  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Test pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks, using pressure gauge or soap-and-water solution.
  • Join pipes or tubing to equipment and to fuel, water, or refrigerant source, to form complete circuit.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
  • building and construction
Business
  • customer service
  • sales and marketing
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
Technical
  • figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work
  • installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • put together small parts with your fingers
  • hold or move items with your hands
Visual Understanding
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
  • Atlas Construction Business Forms
  • Microsoft Word
Computer aided design CAD software
  • HVAC tools software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
some college or
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$43,380
per year, on average
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Green
This work is part of the green economy.

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers.