What does a hvac helper do?
If someone has prior training in HVAC systems, but does not have an advanced degree, then they may do well working as an HVAC helper. HVAC helpers are required to carry out installation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of both commercial and residential HVAC systems. They are also required to operate a variety of power and hand tools. This position requires someone who is physically fit, dexterous, and ready to follow instructions.
Hvac helper responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hvac helper resumes:
- Help install furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and condensers.
- Assist in soldering and brazing.
- Work with foreman installing structural plumbing systems.
- Maintain environmental conditions by installing and maintaining both heating and cooling systems such as air conditioners, chillers and refrigeration equipment.
- Assist in repairing, servicing and installing apply caulking compound to excess space between air-conditioner and wall opening.mount air-conditioning units.
Hvac helper skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Hvac Helpers are proficient in Hand Tools, Ladders, and Air Handlers. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Time-management skills.
We break down the percentage of Hvac Helpers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 32%
Cut punches, flanges, shears and solder sheet metal ducts and parts, using hand tools and portable power tools.
- Ladders, 23%
Used power tools ladders and lifts.
- Air Handlers, 21%
Assist in the installation of rooftop units, air handlers, and rooftop package units.
- Air Ducts, 5%
Clean and replace old air ducts for air to ventilate and to sweat lines after installing new systems.
- Plumbing, 3%
Worked with foreman installing structural plumbing systems.
- Brazing, 2%
Operated brazing and soldering equipment.
Most hvac helpers use their skills in "hand tools," "ladders," and "air handlers" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential hvac helper responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a hvac helper to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "hvacr technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so it is important that they be friendly, polite, and punctual." Additionally, a hvac helper resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "discussed heating-cooling system malfunctions with customers .inspected and tested system to verify system compliance with plans and specifications and to detect malfunctions"
Detail oriented. Many hvac helper duties rely on detail oriented. "hvacr technicians must carefully maintain records of all work performed," so a hvac helper will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways hvac helper responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "detail, layout, fabricate, assemble and install duct work and hvac equipment per plans and or blueprints. "
Time-management skills. This is an important skill for hvac helpers to perform their duties. For an example of how hvac helper responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "hvacr technicians frequently have a set number of daily maintenance calls." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a hvac helper: "developed and conduct tailgates and jsa to crew and accomplished jobs safe, on time and budget. ".
Troubleshooting skills. hvac helper responsibilities often require "troubleshooting skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "hvacr technicians must be able to identify problems on malfunctioning heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and then determine the best way to repair them." This resume example shows what hvac helpers do with troubleshooting skills on a typical day: "performed preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting on hvac/r units. "
Math skills. Another crucial skill for a hvac helper to carry out their responsibilities is "math skills." A big part of what hvac helpers relies on this skill, since "hvacr technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the hvacr equipment properly heats or cools the space required." How this skill relates to hvac helper duties can be seen in an example from a hvac helper resume snippet: "used mathematics to ensure proper lengths for cutting, placing, and molding rebar/forms. "
Mechanical skills. While "mechanical skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to hvac helper responsibilities. Much of what a hvac helper does relies on this skill, seeing as "hvacr technicians install and work on complicated climate-control systems, so they must understand the hvac components and be able to properly assemble, disassemble, and, if needed, program them." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of hvac helpers: "assist hvac mechanic in reparing mechanical and electrical systems on heating and cooling equipment. "
The three companies that hire the most hvac helpers are:
- Trane8 hvac helpers jobs
- Johnson Controls4 hvac helpers jobs
- Sobieski Services4 hvac helpers jobs
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Compare different hvac helpers
Hvac helper vs. Shop assistant
A shop assistant is primarily responsible for handling customers and maintaining the upkeep of a sales floor in a retail store. They are in charge of greeting customers, answering inquiries, offering assistance, recommending products, and handling complaints. A shop assistant also has duties that involve receiving, verifying, processing, and sorting shipments from suppliers, managing inventory, and re-stocking shelves while keeping them presentable. To maintain the sales floor's cleanliness, a shop assistant may also perform light chores and keep all equipment organized. Furthermore, it is essential to accomplish tasks while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between hvac helpers and shop assistant. For instance, hvac helper responsibilities require skills such as "hand tools," "ladders," "air handlers," and "air ducts." Whereas a shop assistant is skilled in "customer vehicles," "cnc," "customer service," and "sales floor." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Shop assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the construction industry, with an average yearly salary of $32,963. On the other hand, hvac helpers are paid more in the energy industry with an average salary of $34,022.shop assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than hvac helpers. In fact, shop assistants are 2.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Hvac helper vs. Installation assistant
An instrument technician apprentice is responsible for performing installation and repairs on various electrical equipment and instruments such as control panels and motors, all while under the supervision and directives of a senior or master technician. Typically, their tasks revolve around conducting regular maintenance checks, coordinating with other technicians, organizing supplies, operating electrical tools, and understanding various electronic principles. Furthermore, there are also instances where one may liaise with clients to discuss the extent of damage or repairs, building positive relationships in the process to secure a client base.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real hvac helper resumes. While hvac helper responsibilities can utilize skills like "air handlers," "air ducts," "plumbing," and "brazing," installation assistants use skills like "tape measure," "roofing," "customer satisfaction," and "work ethic."
In general, installation assistants achieve similar levels of education than hvac helpers. They're 3.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hvac helper vs. Instrument technician apprentice
A refrigeration technician is responsible for managing refrigeration and cooling systems for private households and commercial establishments. Refrigeration technicians install refrigeration components, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of blueprints and schematics. They inspect the system components and inform the household owners and management for preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for minor defects and inconsistencies, as well as calculating costs and materials for repairs. A refrigeration technician must be well-equipped with mechanical knowledge to identify failures and upgrade units as necessary.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a hvac helper is likely to be skilled in "air handlers," "air ducts," "plumbing," and "install equipment," while a typical instrument technician apprentice is skilled in "customer satisfaction," "diagnosis," "osha," and "cleanliness."
Instrument technician apprentices earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $38,671. Hvac helpers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $34,022.instrument technician apprentices typically earn similar educational levels compared to hvac helpers. Specifically, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hvac helper vs. Refrigeration technician
Types of hvac helper
Updated January 8, 2025
