Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

At a Glance

Median Salary
$46,231

Local Jobs
702

Entry-Level Education
Certification

Occupation Profile

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

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$46,231

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

702

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

Certification

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

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.
Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
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.
Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician’s hand tools.
Perform mechanical overhauls and refrigerant reclaiming.
Install expansion and control valves, using acetylene torches and wrenches.
Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.
Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter’s tools.
Record and report time, materials, faults, deficiencies, or other unusual occurrences on work orders.
Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
Keep records of repairs and replacements made and causes of malfunctions.
Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
Supervise and instruct assistants.
Lay out reference points for installation of structural and functional components, using measuring instruments.
Lift and align components into position, using hoist or block and tackle.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?

Hard Skills

Carpentry
Field Service Management
Hand Tools
HVAC
Invoicing
Plumbing
Preventive Maintenance
Refrigerant
Refrigeration
Ventilation

Soft Skills

Communications
Customer Service
Good Driving Record
Management
Operations
Self-Motivation
Time Management
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
Valid Driver's License
Writing

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Del Mar College