Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineers install and maintain industrial heating, air conditioning and possibly refrigeration systems. They set up furnaces, thermostats, ducts, vents, and other equipment needed to ensure the controlled passage and treatment of air. They also carry out repairs.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineers typically do the following:

• Install, clean, and maintain HVACR systems
• Install electrical components and wiring
• Inspect and test HVACR systems and components
• Discuss system malfunctions with customers
• Repair or replace worn or defective parts
• Recommend maintenance to improve system performance
• Keep records of work performed

HVACR technicians work mostly in homes, schools, stores, hospitals, office buildings, or factories. Some technicians are assigned to specific jobsites at the beginning of each day. Others travel to several different locations, making service calls.

Although most technicians work indoors, some may have to work on outdoor heat exchangers, even in bad weather. Technicians often work in awkward or cramped spaces, and some work in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating system is not working properly.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Potential hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and injuries from handling heavy equipment.

Appropriate safety equipment is necessary in handling refrigerants, because they are hazardous and contact can cause skin damage, frostbite, or blindness. When working in tight spaces, inhalation of refrigerants is also a potential hazard. Several refrigerants are highly flammable and require additional care.

The majority of HVACR service engineers work full time. Evening or weekend shifts may be required, and HVACR service engineers often work overtime or irregular hours during peak heating and cooling seasons.

The following job titles also refer to heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer:

heating instrument inspector
HVAC mechanic
HVACR inspector
HVAC heating mechanic
air conditioning and refrigeration inspector
ventilation and air-conditioning inspector
air conditioning inspector
heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanic

Many HVACR servce engineers receive postsecondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from 6 months to 2 years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.

High school students interested in becoming an HVACR technician should take courses in vocational education, math, and physics. Knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics is also helpful.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer.

heating engineer
industrial machinery mechanic
agricultural machinery technician
fluid power technician
pneumatic systems technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician
pneumatic engineering technician
medical device engineering technician
industrial engineering technician
process engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer.

• Refrigerants: The characteristics and properties of the different fluids used in heat pump and refrigeration cycles.
• Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
• Thermodynamics: The branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy..
• Fluid mechanics: The characteristics and properties of fluids, including gases, liquids and plasmas, at rest and in motion, and the forces on them.
• Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration parts: The different parts constituing heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems such as the different valves, fans, compressors, condensers, filters and other components.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
• Electrical wiring plans: Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device. A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer.

• Handle refrigerant transfer pumps: Handle the different transfer pumps used to keep a refrigerant in the liquid phase at the right pressure for an optimal accuracy and speed of the charging station.
• Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
• Apply proofing membranes: Apply specialised membranes to prevent penetration of a structure by dampness or water. Securely seal any perforation to preserve the damp-proof or waterproof properties of the membrane. Make sure any membranes overlap top over bottom to prevent water from seeping in. Check the compatibility of multiple membranes used together.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel; wear protective eyewear during the working process.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Maintain electrical equipment: Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
• Install heating boiler: Place heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration boilers, which heats up water and circulates it through a closed radiator system to distribute heat around a structure. Connect the boiler to a source of fuel or electricity and to the circulation system. Connect it to the water supply if it features an automatic filling system. Configure the boiler.
• Conduct routine machinery checks: Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• Install heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration ducts: Install ducts to deliver and remove air. Determine whether the duct should be flexible or not, and select the appropriate material based on projected usage. Waterproof and airproof the duct and insulate it against temperature influence to ensure maximum efficiency and prevent contamination with mould. Make the correct connections between the ducts and endpoints.
• Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Install ventilation equipment: Install equipment to enable the ventilation of a structure. Mount fans and install air inlets and outlets. Install ducts to permit the transfer of air. Configure the ventilation system if it is electronically controlled.
• Install air conditioning device: Install air conditioning devices, which remove heat, and often moisture, from the air through a variety of mechanisms. Create the necessary openings through walls and floors and place the device. Connect it to a power supply. Configure the device.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Maintain electronic equipment: Check and repair electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.
• Operate hot glue gun: Operate the electric machine used to apply hot melt adhesive to join two pieces of material.
• Install heating furnace: Place a furnace which heats air to be distributed around a structure. Connect the furnace to a source of fuel or electricity and connect any air ducts to guide the heated air. Configure the furnace.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.
• Operate hand drill: Use a hand drill to make holes in various types of material such as stone, brick and wood. Take care to use the appropriate equipment, settings, drill bit and pressure for the task.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Install heat pump: Install heat pumps, which use the physical properties of substances called refrigerants to extract heat from an environment and release it to a warmer environment, counter to spontaneous heat flow. Create the necessary openings and install the indoors and outdoors parts of the heat pump. Connect electricity and any ducts, and configure the heat pump.
• Provide technical documentation: Prepare documentation for existing and upcoming products or services, describing their functionality and composition in such a way that it is understandable for a wide audience without technical background and compliant with defined requirements and standards. Keep documentation up to date.
• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
• Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
• Prepare copper pipes for use as gas lines: Use the appropriate copper pipes to serve as gas lines. Cut the pipes to size and remove any sharp ridges after cutting. Flare the ends with the right size flare to facilitate the attachment of connectors. Avoid kinking the pipe and discard any kinked piping.
• Lead a team: Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Answer requests for quotation: Make up prices and documents for the products that customers may purchase.
• Install solar water heater: Place solar water heaters, which use sunlight to heat water. Find a good location for the heaters, often on the roof of a structure, place them, and connect them to the water supply. Set up the water heater for use.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Lay pipe installation: Install the system of pipes used to transport a fluid, be it a liquid or a gas, from one point to another and connect it to the fuel and water supply lines, air ducts, and other components.
• Perform ict troubleshooting: Identify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.
• Install metal gas piping: Safely install gas pipes and tubes made of steel or copper. Install all necessary connectors and modern ball valves. Test the pipe to make sure there are no leaks.
• Install in-floor and in-wall heating: Install heating circuits, often sold as mats, into floors and walls. Strip the existing floor or wall covering if necessary. Roll out the mats and test them for continuity. Attach the mats to the surface if necessary and connect them to a power supply. Cover the circuits with mortar, drywall or other appropriate materials.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Analyse the need for technical resources: Define and make a list of the required resources and equipment based on the technical needs of the production.
• Install wood heater: Install heaters that burn wood or pulp-based pellets to generate heat. Attach any ducts and install an exhaust pipe. Configure the wood heater if it contains an electronic control unit.
• Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
• Provide customer information related to repairs: Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.
• Prepare compliance documents: Prepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.
• Install gas heaters: Install gas heaters, which burn fossil fuels such as methane, butane, or LPG to heat air. Attach an exhaust vent if required. Configure the gas heater if it features electronic control.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Cut wall chases: Cut a narrow channel in a wall or other partition in order to run cables through it. Cut the channel straight and without causing unnecessary damage. Be sure to avoid existent wires. Lead the cables through the chase and fill it up with the appropriate material.
• Demonstrate products’ features: Demonstrate how to use a product in a correct and safe manner, provide customers with information on the product’s main features and benefits, explain operation, correct use and maintenance. Persuade potential customers to purchase items.
• Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.
• Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.
• Follow safety procedures when working at heights: Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

7127 – Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics

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References

1. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning (and refrigeration) service engineer – ESCO
2. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers : Occupational Outlook Handbook – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Featured image: Image by master1305 on Freepik