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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

O*NET files this work under Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: people who install or repair heating, central air conditioning, HVAC, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air furnaces, and heating stoves. Its interest code is RCI. Realistic leads at 7.0 out of 7, so expect hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, with Conventional next at 4.3. The preparation level is medium preparation, typically one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. O*NET’s skill data points to troubleshooting, operations monitoring, and critical thinking as the ones to build. The job can ask you to discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Troubleshooting
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Repairing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Installation

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on troubleshooting and operations monitoring.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Also called

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

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.