Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) techs are tradespersons who have been trained to install, maintain, and repair climate control systems. Although an HVAC service tech’s responsibilities may vary depending on a variety of such factors as regional climate, the type of company, and the individual employer; the typical HVAC service tech job description will usually include four basic duties: installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and customer service/sales.
Installation and Troubleshooting
The typical HVAC Service Technician job description will require these individuals to follow specifications for installing different types of heating systems powered by a variety of fuels, in addition to air conditioning systems and heat pumps. They usually install air ducts and vents, pumps, and fuel and water supply lines. At this point, they often connect the unit to the electrical system and perform a variety of checks to ensure the unit is operating at a level of optimal efficiency and safety. HVAC technicians also diagnose and repair any malfunctioning units or components, and perform routine maintenance.
Customer Service and Sales
Building strong and positive relationships with customers is an integral part of a typical HVAC Technician job description, as the tech is usually the client’s only link to the company. Techs are commonly expected to sell service contracts to both new and existing clients – this system provides the client with ongoing source of trusted, reliable, and personalized service, and prevents seasonal work overloads and ensures revenue for the tech and/or their employer. As such, good customer relations are crucial for building and maintaining a customer base, as well as trust and good will of clients.
Education Required
Heating, air, and refrigeration systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. As a result, many HVAC Service Decatur GA companies are finding that the job is beginning to require more than a good mechanical aptitude and spatial intelligence.
Although HVAC Technicians can still learn on the job, most employers now prefer to employ those who have completed a formal apprenticeship, or trade school/technical school training, and these programs often take between 6 months to two years to complete. Most branches of the armed forces also provide HVAC service tech training.
Physical Challenges
A significant proportion of physically demanding work is included in the typical HVAC service tech job description, and it usually requires sitting, standing, and walking, each about one-third of the time. However, there is also lifting, carrying, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing, balancing, and working in cramped or awkward positions. Depending on the employer and the job site, a tech is often exposed to extremes of temperature and dirty or dusty conditions. Additionally, there are potential respiratory hazards from dust, asbestos, and refrigerant, along with danger from electrical wires and/or flammable fuel lines.
Changes in the Works
New technologies in solar energy, hydronics (water-based heating systems), and other green technologies, along with computer-controlled “smart-home” systems will affect the typical HVAC service tech job description, as many techs will bring an increased skill set to the job, and may limit themselves to specialization of one particular aspect of the industry.
HVAC techs are responsible for installing and maintaining temperature control systems. These techs are educated and skilled, and their jobs often take them to schools, apartment complexes, factories, nursing homes, and numerous other facilities where indoor climate control and air quality is integral for optimal comfort and health of the employees, visitors and residents of these facilities. However, these jobs can be physically demanding, and potentially dangerous.
