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Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic
Imagine living in the middle of winter without heating, or on those sizzling hot summer days in August without air-conditioning. Ever visit a grocery store when the air conditioning system just failed and they start throwing out all the ice cream? Heating and air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings and sometimes can even save all that ice cream from being thrown into the dumpster!
Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Specialists are needed who can quickly inspect the situation, decide on the solution, and repair the problem immediately.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics install, maintain, and repair such systems. Because heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems often are referred to as HVACR systems, these workers also may be called HVACR technicians.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are skilled at using a variety of tools, including hammers, wrenches, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, and acetylene torches, to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check airflow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners, and other components.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 249,000 jobs in 2002. Almost half of these workers were employed by heating and cooling contractors. Some were employed in a variety of industries throughout the country, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate-control systems. Others worked for fuel oil dealers, refrigeration and air-conditioning service and repair shops, schools, and stores that sell heating and air-conditioning systems. About 15 percent of mechanics and installers were self-employed.
Job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be good, particularly for those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training. Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Renewed concern for energy conservation should continue to prompt the development of new energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems.
Because of the increasing sophistication of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, employers prefer to hire those with technical school or apprenticeship training. Many mechanics and installers, however, still learn the trade informally on the job.
Many secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools, community colleges, and the U.S. Armed Forces offer programs in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration. Apprenticeship programs are a great way to learn the trade, and formal apprenticeship programs normally last three to five years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction.
The typical earnings of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were $16.78 per hour in 2002. The typical hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2002 were as follows:
| Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies wholesalers |
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$18.78 |
| Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance |
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$17.16 |
| Direct selling establishments |
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$17.14 |
| Building equipment contractors |
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$16.03 |
Apprentices usually begin at about half of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/.
O*NET OnLine, Occupational Information Network: http://online.onetcenter.org/.
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center.
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