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Index :
HVAC/R Installers | Job Outlook
| Refrigeration |
Significant Points
This Page
Contains A Dramatic Information Resource About HVAC/R Heating Ventilation Air-Conditioning - Refrigeration mechanics install, service, and repair
heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems in both residences and commercial establishments. Students will
learn to follow blueprints or other specifications to install repair and maintain all types of heating, air
conditioning, furnace heating equipment for oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel, and multiple-fuel heating systems.
HVAC/R Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Opportunities should be very good for mechanics and installers
with technical school or formal apprenticeship training.
Mechanics and installers need a basic understanding of
microelectronics because they increasingly install and service equipment with electronic controls.
What would those living in Chicago do without heating, those in Miami do without air-conditioning, or
blood banks all over the country do without refrigeration? Heating and air-conditioning systems control the
temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings.
Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers also called technicians install, maintain, and repair
such systems.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical,
and electronic components such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. In
central heating systems, for example, a furnace heats air that is distributed throughout the building via a system of
metal or fiberglass ducts. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire
system. To do this, they adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the entire system
using special tools and test equipment.
although they are trained to do both, technicians often specialize in
either installation or maintenance and repair. Some specialize in one type of equipment for example, oil burners,
solar panels, or commercial refrigerators. Technicians may work for large or small contracting companies or directly
for a manufacturer or wholesaler. Those working for smaller operations tend to do both installation and servicing,
and work with heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment.
Heating and air-conditioning mechanics install,
service, and repair heating and air-conditioning systems in both residences and commercial establishments. Furnace
installers, also called heating equipment technicians, follow blueprints or other specifications to install oil, gas,
electric, solid-fuel, and multiple-fuel heating systems. Air-conditioning mechanics install and service central
air-conditioning systems. After putting the equipment in place, they install fuel and water supply lines, air ducts
and vents, pumps, and other components. They may connect electrical wiring and controls and check the unit for proper
operation. To ensure the proper functioning of the system, furnace installers often use combustion test equipment
such as carbon dioxide and oxygen testers.
After a furnace has been installed, heating equipment technicians
often perform routine maintenance and repair work to keep the system operating efficiently. During the fall and
winter, for example, when the system is used most, they service and adjust burners and blowers. If the system is not
operating properly, they check the thermostat, burner nozzles, controls, or other parts to diagnose and then correct
the problem.
During the summer, when the heating system is not being used, heating equipment technicians do
maintenance work, such as replacing filters, ducts, and other parts of the system that may accumulate dust and
impurities during the operating season. During the winter, air-conditioning mechanics inspect the systems and do
required maintenance, such as overhauling compressors.
This mechanics install, service, and repair
industrial and commercial refrigerating systems and a variety of refrigeration equipment. They follow blueprints,
design specifications, and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators,
piping, and other components. They connect this equipment to the ductwork, refrigerant lines, and electrical power
source. After making the connections, they charge the system with refrigerant, check it for proper operation, and
program control systems.
ChloroFluroCarbon (CFC) and hydrochloroflurocarbon
refrigerants are used with care while heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics service
equipments.Inturn The CFS’s if released in stratosphere
will lead ozone holes ,depletion of ozone layer which
protects plant and animal life from ultraviolet
radiation.Technicians normally follow safe methods in
order to avoid refrigerant leakages , they recover it by
venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; and they
recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers.
Heating,
air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are adept at using a variety of tools, including
hammers, wrenches, metal snips, 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 air flow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners, and other components.
New technology, in the form of cellular "Web" phones that allow technicians to tap into the Internet, may
soon affect the way technicians diagnose problems. Computer hardware and software have been developed that allows
heating, venting, and refrigeration units to automatically contact the maintenance establishment when problems arise.
The maintenance establishment can then notify the mechanic in the field via cellular phone. The mechanic can then
access the Internet to "talk" with the unit needing maintenance. While this technology is cutting-edge and not yet
widespread, its potential for cost-savings may spur its acceptance.
Other craft workers sometimes install or
repair cooling and heating systems. For example, on a large air-conditioning installation job, especially where
workers are covered by union contracts, ductwork might be done by sheet metal workers and duct installers; electrical
work by electricians; and installation of piping, condensers, and other components by pipelayers, plumbers,
pipefitters, and steamfitters. Home appliance repairers usually service room air conditioners and household
refrigerators.
Job prospects for highly skilled heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
mechanics and installers are expected to be very good, particularly for those with technical school or formal
apprenticeship training to install, remodel, and service new and existing systems. In addition to job openings
created by employment growth, thousands of openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to
other occupations or leave the labor force.
Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration
mechanics and installers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2010.
As the population and economy grow, so does the demand for new residential, commercial, and industrial
climate-control systems. Technicians who specialize in installation work may experience periods of unemployment when
the level of new construction activity declines, but maintenance and repair work usually remains relatively stable.
People and businesses depend on their climate control systems and must keep them in good working order, regardless of
economic conditions.
Renewed concern for energy conservation should continue to prompt the development of new
energy-saving heating and air-conditioning systems. An emphasis on better energy management should lead to the
replacement of older systems and the installation of newer, more efficient systems in existing homes and buildings.
Also, demand for maintenance and service work should increase as businesses and home owners strive to keep systems
operating at peak efficiency. Regulations prohibiting the discharge of CFC and HCFC refrigerants took effect in 1993,
and regulations banning CFC production became effective in 2000. Consequently, these regulations should continue to
result in demand for technicians to replace many existing systems, or modify them to use new environmentally safe
refrigerants. In addition, the continuing focus on improving indoor air quality should contribute to the growth of
jobs for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians. Also, growth of business establishments that use
refrigerated equipment such as supermarkets and convenience stores will contribute to a growing need for technicians.
Document Keywords : Mechanics ,
Air conditioning Mechanics ,Refrigeration
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