What does it mean to be an HVAC technician?
HVAC stands for heating and ventilation. An HVAC technician is someone who installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to control temperature and air quality within buildings.
While they are trained in all three components of HVAC, some technicians prefer to specialize in one or the other. They may be trained in maintenance or repair, and installation is sometimes their specialty. They might also be trained in particular equipment such as commercial refrigeration, solar technology, water-based heating, and solar technology systems.
What is an HVAC Technician?
What does an HVAC tech do? The answer to this question will differ depending on the industry, job, and specialty. The importance of the work these technicians do is what does not. Heating and air conditioning systems control temperature, humidity, as well as the overall quality of air inside homes, offices, and other buildings. ​
An HVAC technician’s typical day begins with learning about the job. An employer may assign technicians to go to customers to solve any HVAC-related problem. Customers may contact self-employed technicians directly. Customers may contact them directly to have a technician repair or replace a leaking pipe or modify equipment settings for improved performance. HVAC technicians will usually be required to do one or more of these tasks:
- Examining blueprints and other specifications
- Leakage testing at tubing or pipe joints and connections
- For continuity testing, test electrical components or circuits
- Replacing or repairing defective equipment
- Improve HVAC system performance through cleaning filters, changing ducts, or refilling refrigerants.
- Connecting and adjusting thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
- Connecting HVAC equipment with fuel, water, and refrigerant sources
- Mounting and positioning HVAC equipment
- Drilling holes or cutting into buildings’ structure
- Low voltage electrical wiring can be laid out, designed, and installed
- If necessary, make after-hours calls
- Report time, materials, defects, and other events on work orders
- Below are some details about the main components of an HVAC technician’s job:
Maintenance
Regular maintenance checks are necessary for heating, ventilation, or cooling systems to be efficient. They should be done at least twice annually, at the start of spring and the beginning of fall. An HVAC technician will perform these checks. They include cleaning and testing the blower fan, checking for coolant levels, and testing the operation and thermostat.
Repair
Bosch-certified HVAC technician trained to deal with HVAC problems, including thermostats, other controls, air handling systems, compressors, refrigerant levels, and thermostats.
Ductwork
An HVAC technician can install the ductwork that distributes heated or cooled air from an HVAC system. This is possible in jobs where union membership does not matter. This involves cutting the sheet metal for the ducts and attaching them to the HVAC unit. Finally, mounting the ductwork inside the building. This may include installing registers that connect the ductwork to specific spaces.
Many HVAC technicians offer service contracts that provide regular maintenance for heating and cooling systems. Sometimes, HVAC technicians will be assisted by other tradespeople to install or repair heating and cooling systems. On a large-scale air conditioning job, particularly one that involves union workers, ductwork might either be completed by sheet metal workers or duct installers, or electrical work done by electricians. Home appliance repair technicians are more likely to handle repairs to the window or household air conditioners than HVAC technicians.
