Explore the HVAC Career Field

Work in Air Conditioning/ HVAC

Both residential and commercial buildings require trained heating and air-conditioning technicians who must carry out installations, service the systems, and provide the needed repairs. Furnace installers utilize blueprints and specs to put in oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel and multiple-fuel heating systems. Air-conditioning technicians carry out installations and provide service for central air-conditioning systems. Technicians will ensure that the system is functioning properly.

Commercial refrigeration systems and related equipment are installed and repaired by refrigeration mechanics in places such as supermarkets, warehouses, cruise lines, and on trucks and trains used for shipping. These technicians use blueprints, equipment specs and the manufacturer's directions to aid in performing installations of motors, evaporators, piping and other parts. They connect various parts to the main ducts, refrigerant lines and the power supply. Once all the parts are properly connected, the technician must charge the system with refrigerant, ensure that the system is operating properly and program all system controls.

Many different tools are utilized by heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics. These include hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gages, and acetylene torches, which aid in working on refrigerant lines and air ducts. Other testing devices like voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gages and manometers are utilized to ensure proper airflow and that the refrigerant is pressurized, as well as to test electrical circuits, burners, and other components.