HVAC service technicians repair and maintain heating and cooling equipment in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. In this role, HVAC service technicians examine faulty equipment, conducting tests with a variety of devices to locate, diagnose, and isolate issues that interrupt performance or create hazards. In many cases, HVAC service technicians follow regular maintenance schedules to keep systems working reliably, but also need to conduct emergency service to make rapid repairs to customer systems.
This role requires a balance of technical and mechanical skills, knowledge about HVAC systems and components, and customer service in order to successfully troubleshoot HVAC issues and make necessary repairs. This full-time position may also require some travel, as these technicians work on-site.
Many of the HVAC service technician’s day-to-day duties involve performing regular or routine maintenance tasks on HVAC systems. These tasks can include clearing intake and outflow vents of dust and debris, ensuring that filtration systems are clean and effective, and replacing registers in residential or commercial locations. An HVAC service technician may also perform seasonal maintenance as a building’s system switches between heating and cooling functions.
Troubleshooting HVAC systems and system elements is another major duty of the HVAC service technician. Working from issues reported by customers or problems that arise during routine maintenance and system testing, the HVAC service tech attempts to determine which components are at fault. These technicians then determine whether the system or element can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
HVAC technicians perform a variety of repairs for HVAC systems, ranging from simple parts replacements to complex issues that require a complete replacement of the HVAC system. If an entire system needs to be replaced, the HVAC service technician needs to install and test all new components. For simple repairs, they may replace one or more parts and conduct new tests to ensure that the repairs have restored the system to working order.
HVAC service technicians frequently consult directly with customers, both to gather information about performance issues and to provide cost and time estimates related to repair and maintenance tasks. Throughout the repair process, these technicians may also provide the customer with updates, answer questions about the system, and provide advice on operations and maintenance. In some cases, the HVAC service techs may also provide contract documents and collect payments.
While diagnosing and repairing HVAC systems, the service technicians also maintain safe operations and follow best practices for safely working with the system. In most cases, this includes disconnecting the system from its power source to reduce the risk of electric shock. They may also ensure that the areas around the system are dry and free of clutter. For oil and gas-based heating systems, HVAC technicians also ensure that the fuel systems are disconnected before starting repair work.
HVAC technicians also maintain documentation related to customer systems and the services they perform. This helps to ensure that maintenance is performed according to schedule, and it also provides data related to ongoing or recurring issues with the system. HVAC technicians may also prepare documents for customers, including troubleshooting steps they can take between regular maintenance.
While there are no formal education requirements for HVAC service technicians, many companies prefer to hire applicants who have completed training at a technical or vocational school and possess the necessary knowledge about HVAC systems and electronics. Familiarity with the latest trends and developments in sophisticated HVAC systems is also extremely helpful, so job-seekers should pay close attention to emerging technologies. In many cases, an apprenticeship with an experienced HVAC service technician can provide hands-on education and training in preparation for employment.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that “Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers,” which includes HVAC technicians, earned a median annual salary of $47,080 as of May 2017. The highest-paid 10 percent of workers in this field earned over $75,330 per year, while the lowest-paid workers in this role earned less than $29,120 annually.
The BLS estimates that this field will grow at a much faster-than-average rate between 2016 and 2026, with employment increasing by 15 percent, mainly in residential and commercial construction sectors. HVAC technicians who are familiar with the latest developments in heating and cooling technology will find many more opportunities for employment.
“Best Practices of HVAC Technicians” – Find out how to be an effective HVAC service technician, whether you’re working with single-family homes, multi-unit dwellings, or commercial properties.
HVAC Customer Service Handbook – This handy reference by Steve Coscia provides a portable resource for customer-facing HVAC service technicians, providing examples and best practices for interacting with customers.
HVAC.com – This site provides articles on topics related to HVAC systems, along with industry news and how-to guides.
Building Services: HVAC & Plumbing – Familiarize yourself with HVAC systems used in residential and commercial structures, along with building codes and how systems interact, with this book by Muthuraman Subbiah.