Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician

Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technicians aid in the design of devices which provide heating, ventilation, air conditioning and possibly refrigeration in buildings. They ensure the equipment complies with environmental standards. They handle hazardous materials used in the systems, and ensure safety precautions are in place.

The following job titles also refer to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician:

HVAC systems technician
HVACR technician
air conditioning technician
HVAC project technician

An associate’s degree in electrical engineering, electronics, or a related field is generally required to work as a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician.

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 engineering technician is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician.

steam turbine operator
wastewater treatment technician
biogas technician
hydroelectric plant operator
geothermal power plant operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician. 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 engineering technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

steam engineer
heating, ventilation, air conditioning engineer
thermal engineer
maintenance and repair engineer
nuclear engineer

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician.

• 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..
• Mechanical engineering: Discipline that applies principles of physics, engineering and materials science to design, analyse, manufacture and maintain mechanical systems.
• 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician.

• 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.
• 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.
• Monitor utility equipment: Monitor equipment which provides utility services such as power, heat, refrigeration, and steam, in order to ensure they are functional, operate according to regulations, and to check for faults.
• Maintain records of maintenance interventions: Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
• 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.
• Interpret 3D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.
• Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.
• Interpret 2D plans: Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

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

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

• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• 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.
• Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
• 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.
• Arrange equipment repairs: Arrange for equipment repairs when necessary.
• Install heating boiler: Place heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration boilers, which heat up water and circulate 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.
• 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.
• Drain hazardous liquids: Drain substances which pose health and safety risks from equipment, appliances or installations in order to store the liquids according to safety guidelines and dispose or treat them as required.
• 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.
• Examine engineering principles: Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.
• 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.
• 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.
• Install firestops: Attach fire resistant collars or material to pipes and ducts to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through wall or ceiling openings.

3115 – Mechanical engineering technicians

---

References

1. Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technician – ESCO