What Does an HVAC Technician Do?

An HVAC or HVACR technician installs, repairs, or maintains heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings. In some cases, an HVAC technician may specialize in installation, repair, or maintenance. Furthermore, some technicians may be specialized in working on a specific HVACR component, such as solar technology or commercial refrigeration. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and air quality in residential and commercial buildings, ensuring comfort and a healthy environment for occupants. Refrigeration systems allow for the safe storage and transportation of food, medicine, and other perishable items.^[1]

HVAC Technician Job Description Duties

If you are wondering what an HVAC technician is, the answer largely lies in his or her job duties. The exact job description of an HVAC technician can depend on industry, position, and specialty. Yet, most HVAC technicians will complete the following tasks:

• Testing pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks
• Testing electrical circuits or components for continuity
• Repairing or replacing defective equipment
• Improving HVAC system performance by changing filters, cleaning ducts, or refilling refrigerants
• Installing, connecting, or adjusting thermostats, humidistats, or timers
• Connecting HVAC equipment to fuel, water, or refrigerant sources
• Studying blueprints and other specifications
• Following government rules and regulations
• Adjusting system controls to balance system
• Assembling, positioning, and mounting HVAC equipment
• Cutting or drilling holes in buildings structure^[2]

HVAC Working Conditions

If you are planning to enroll in an HVAC training program, you probably want to know what the working environment of an HVAC technician is. HVAC technicians typically work indoors in buildings, although they sometimes can work outdoors to service heat exchangers. Also, they often operate in tight spaces or in very hot or very cold buildings due to a defective HVAC system. ^[3] According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the vast majority of HVAC technicians are employed by plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors. A small number are self-employed or work in education, retail trade, and wholesale trade. More precisely, HVAC technicians work in the following industries:

• Building Equipment Contractors
• Direct Selling Establishments
• Hardware Merchant Wholesalers
• Plumping & Heating Equipment/Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
• Commercial & Industrial Machinery & Equipment Repair/Maintenance
• Colleges, Universities, & Professional Schools
• Personal & Household Goods Repair/Maintenance
• Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing
• Natural Gas Distribution
• Wired Telecommunications Carriers^[4]

HVAC Work Hours

Most HVAC technicians work full time. However, evening and weekend shifts are not uncommon. HVAC technicians may also work overtime or irregular hours. This is especially true during peak heating and cooling seasons, when people are in sudden need of functional heating or cooling systems. Those who specialize in repairing HVAC systems may also frequently find themselves working irregular hours when HVAC systems break down at inopportune times.

A Day in the Life of an HVAC Technician

A typical workday in the life of an HVAC technician starts with learning about the specific job they will be performing. Their employers may assign them to travel to a customer in order to resolve whatever HVAC-related issue they have. Self-employed HVAC technicians may be contacted by customers directly. The HVAC technician might be called to repair a pipe that is leaking, replace a damaged or defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment settings for better performance.

HVAC technicians may also be called in to install a new HVAC system in a home or commercial building. In this case, they may discuss particular demands or wishes with customers. They will probably measure dimensions and distances, inspect blueprints and manufacturer specifications, cut materials, drill holes, and connect electrical components and equipment. Customers may also ask to upgrade their HVAC system or certain parts of their system to enhance energy efficiency, such as installing smart thermometers or green heat pumps.

Another important aspect of an HVAC technician’s job is to advise customers as to how to prevent future problems and properly maintain equipment. They might, for example, tell customers about general maintenance procedures like oiling parts or changing filters. In addition, HVAC technicians also often have to record and report time, materials, faults, deficiencies, and other occurrences on work orders.

Being an HVAC technician entails performing a large variety of tasks. While duties might slightly vary from industry to industry or even customer to customer, HVAC technicians ought to have a broad skill set and solid training in order to tackle their daily job challenges.