Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Wages
In 2021, the average annual wage in Alabama was $48, 580 with most people making between $29,780 and $75,100.
Wages by Industry
  • Building Equipment Contractors $43,600.00
  • Direct Selling Establishments $46,170.00
  • Hardware, and Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers $48,840.00
  • Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance $45,970.00
Education Required
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Common Majors
  • Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technology/Technician
About the job

Install, service, or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences or commercial establishments.

What you'll do
    • Assist with other work in coordination with repair and maintenance teams.
    • Generate work orders that address deficiencies in need of correction.
    • Install and test automatic, programmable, or wireless thermostats in residential or commercial buildings to minimize energy usage for heating or cooling.
    • Install dehumidifiers or related equipment for spaces that require cool, dry air to operate efficiently, such as computer rooms.
    • Install magnetic-centrifugal chillers, compressors, or related equipment to cool air temperatures through the use of recirculating water.
    • Install or repair air purification systems, such as specialized filters or ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems.
    • Install or repair self-contained ground source heat pumps or hybrid ground or air source heat pumps to minimize carbon-based energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.
    • Install radiator controls for room-level zone control heating of residential or commercial buildings.
    • Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, or refilling non-toxic refrigerants.
    • Wrap pipes in insulation, securing it in place with cement or wire bands.
Things you need to know
    • Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
    • Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
    • Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
    • Building and Construction – Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
    • Public Safety and Security – Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Abilities you'll need to have
    • Installation – Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
    • Troubleshooting – Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
    • Repairing – Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
    • Operation Monitoring – Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
    • Equipment Maintenance – Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
    • Quality Control Analysis – Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
    • Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.