Heating And Air Conditioning Mechanics And Installers

Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers

Description

Install, service, or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences or commercial establishments.

Tasks

Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Test pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks, using pressure gauge or soap-and-water solution.
Join pipes or tubing to equipment and to fuel, water, or refrigerant source, to form complete circuit.
Reassemble and test equipment following repairs.
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.
Obtain and maintain required certifications.
Install, connect, and adjust thermostats, humidistats and timers, using hand tools.
Comply with all applicable standards, policies, and procedures, including safety procedures and the maintenance of a clean work area.
Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
Adjust system controls to setting recommended by manufacturer to balance system, using hand tools.
Install auxiliary components to heating-cooling equipment, such as expansion and discharge valves, air ducts, pipes, blowers, dampers, flues and stokers, following blueprints.
Recommend, develop, or perform preventive or general maintenance procedures, such as cleaning, power-washing, or vacuuming equipment, oiling parts, or changing filters.
Cut or drill holes in floors, walls, or roof to install equipment, using power saws or drills.
Assemble, position and mount heating or cooling equipment, following blueprints.
Record and report all faults, deficiencies, and other unusual occurrences, as well as the time and materials expended on work orders.
Discuss heating-cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that malfunctions have been corrected.
Study blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configuration of heating or cooling equipment components and to ensure the proper installation of components.
Measure, cut, thread, or bend pipe or tubing, using pipe fitter's tools.
Fabricate, assemble, or install duct work or chassis parts, using portable metal-working tools or welding equipment.
Generate work orders that address deficiencies in need of correction.
Assist with other work in coordination with repair and maintenance teams.
Wrap pipes in insulation, securing it in place with cement or wire bands.
Install and test automatic, programmable, or wireless thermostats in residential or commercial buildings to minimize energy usage for heating or cooling.
Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
Install magnetic-centrifugal chillers, compressors, or related equipment to cool air temperatures through the use of recirculating water.
Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
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 radiator controls for room-level zone control heating of residential or commercial buildings.
Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, or refilling non-toxic refrigerants.

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics: Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Chemistry: Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Skills

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Installation: Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities

Extent Flexibility: The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Work Context

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment: How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone: How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Frequency of Decision Making: How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Contact With Others: How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets: How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions: How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results: How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
Exposed to Contaminants: How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control: Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Stress Tolerance: Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Analytical Thinking: Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Achievement/Effort: Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Work Values

Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

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Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians

Motorcycle Mechanics

Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

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Lay Titles

Air and Hydronic Balancing Technician

Air Conditioner or Furnace Gas Appliance Mechanic

Air Conditioning Service Technician

Air Conditioning Specialist

Air Conditioning Technician (AC Tech)

Attic Fans Mechanic

Baseboard Heating Installer

Blower Installer

Blower Mechanic

Duct Cleaner

Environmental Control System Installer Servicer

Evaporative Cooler Installer

Fan Installer

Furnace Converter

Furnace Erector

Furnace Fitter

Furnace Installer

Furnace Mechanic

Furnace Repairer

Furnace Setter

Gas Adjuster

Gas Furnace Installer

Heater Installer

Heater Mechanic

Heating and Air-Conditioning Installer-Servicer

Heating Equipment Installer

Heating Repair Technician

Heating Systems Installer

Heating Technician

Heating Unit Mechanic

Hot Air Furnace Installer and Repairer

Hot Air Furnace Installer Repairer

HVAC Installer (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer)

HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic)

HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist)

HVAC Technician (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician)

Mechanic

Oil Burner Installer

Oil Burner Mechanic

Oil Burner Repairer

Oil Burner Servicer and Installer

Oil Burner Technician

Oil Furnace Installer

Oil Heater Installer

Refrigeration Mechanic

Renewable Energy Technician

Service Manager

Service Technician

Service Tester

Solar Energy System Installer

Solar Panel Technician

Stoker Erector

Stoker Installer

Stoker Mechanic

Ventilating Equipment Installer

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $20.98 hourly, $43,640 annual.

Employment (2008):: 240,480 employees