Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

• 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.

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.