Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Installation, Maintenance & Repair
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-9021
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
• Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
• 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.
• Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
• Connect heating or air conditioning equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
• Adjust system controls to settings recommended by manufacturer to balance system.
• Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
• Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
• Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
• 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, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
• Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as expansion or discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues, or stokers.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SAP software, 4-wire resistance sensors, Acetylene torches, Adjustable widemouth pliers, Adjustable wrenches

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
• Home Appliance Repairers
• Boilermakers
• Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
• Geothermal Technicians

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.