Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

Air needs to get heated, cooled or moved in almost every interior space. As an HVAC/refrigeration tech, you might work on both residential and commercial systems. Most HVAC techs install and maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration systems. You'll need to work with your hands and solve problems on the spot.

Your job title could be: installer, air quality control technician, service technician, manufacturer's rep, layout person or designer. Other opportunities exist in management and sales, depending on your goals and qualifications. Wherever you go in HVAC and refrigeration, it's a cool job!

Find out what students and instructors say about this program.

Essential Skills and Salary Information

State and National Wages & Employment Trends

Location	Pay Period	2014
Location	Pay Period	Low	Median	High
United States	Hourly	$13.36	$21.69	$34.47
United States	Yearly	$27,790	$45,110	$71,690
Pennsylvania	Hourly	$16.11	$22.40	$31.82
Pennsylvania	Yearly	$33,500	$46,590	$66,190

Notes: Yearly wage data applies only to workers with full-time, year-round schedules. For salary information for part-time or part-year workers, use hourly wage data.

United States	Employment		Percent Change	Projected Annual Job Openings ¹
United States	2014	2024	Percent Change	Projected Annual Job Openings ¹
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	292,000	331,600	+14%	8,420
Pennsylvania	Employment		Percent Change	Projected Annual Job Openings ¹
Pennsylvania	2014	2024	Percent Change	Projected Annual Job Openings ¹
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	13,340	14,860	+11%	360

¹ Projected Annual Job Openings refers to the average annual job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Information provided by CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (2014 Wage Table)

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.

Tools used in this occupation

Hammers — Claw hammers; Soft face hammers; Tinners hammers
Power saws — Circular saws; Jig saws; Power hacksaws; Reciprocating saws
Pressure indicators — Differential pressure detectors; Pneumatic air gauges; Refrigerant pressure meters; Water pressure gauges
Screwdrivers — Flared tip screwdrivers; Phillips head screwdrivers; Slotted screwdrivers
Voltage or current meters — Alternating current AC line splitters; Electrical current meters; Non-contact voltage detectors; Voltmeters

Technology used in this occupation

Computer aided design CAD software — HVAC tools software
Data base user interface and query software — Data logging software; Database software
Graphics or photo imaging software — Graphics software
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Atlas Construction Business Forms; Microsoft Word

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.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.

Skills

Installation — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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.
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.
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.
Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Work Activities

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.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Interests

Interest code: RCI

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.
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.
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.

Work Styles

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.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
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.
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.
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.