What does a hvac installation technician do?
HVAC technicians are those who install, repair, or maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems controlling a building's air quality and temperature. They are assigned by technicians to travel to customers to resolve any HVAC-associated issue. Their job involves laying out, designing, and installing low voltage electrical wiring. They test tubing and pipe joints or any connection for leaks. Also, they record and report materials, deficiencies, faults, and occurrences on work.
Hvac installation technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hvac installation technician resumes:
- Install HVAC equipment in commercial buildings help refrigeration technicians and HVAC technicians run copper plumbing solder braise eccentric
- Replace a/c condensers and wire t-stats.
- Install and maintain satellite music and CCTV security systems for clients.
- Install and maintain CCTV and intercom systems.explain system usage to customers.
- Install any size of gas piping, plumbing, or any electrical work need for job.
- Disassemble units, repair or replace broken components, condensers, compressors, pumps and valves as needed.
- Connect motors, compressors, temperature controls, humidity controls, and circulation or ventilation devices to control panels.
- Retrofit's, cut-ins, duct sealing, brazing, recovery, charging, leak checking, wiring and troubleshooting.
- Install auxiliary components to heating or cooling equipment, such as supply and return air ducts, ventilation, and conduit.
- Sheet metal, wiring, brazing, recovery, adding refrigerant, vacuum down a system, flush out a system.
- Conduct customer PC upgrades/ software installation.
- Provide full building maintenance-carpentry, plumbing and heating.
- Experience in measuring windows as well as troubleshooting installations.
- Install different types of air purification equipment such as: UV lights, EAC with sail switches and humidifiers.
- Diagnose DC (direct current) machinery problems.
Hvac installation technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Hvac Installation Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, HVAC, and Plumbing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Hvac Installation Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 15%
Installed heating and air-conditioning units in both residential and commercial buildings -Assisted service repairman in customer service related requests
- HVAC, 10%
Perform corrective repairs and preventative maintenance on HVAC systems for residential and commercial equipment.
- Plumbing, 7%
Provided full building maintenance-carpentry, plumbing and heating.
- Furnaces, 6%
Installed heating units (oil-fired & propane-fired furnaces & boilers)* Installed A/C units (many types and sizes)
- Hand Tools, 5%
Operated hand tools, power tools, drills, various saws, and measuring tape for installation.
- Ladders, 5%
Demonstrated competency in utilizing various tools and equipment which include screwdrivers, pliers, shovels, ladders, and test meters.
Common skills that a hvac installation technician uses to do their job include "customer service," "hvac," and "plumbing." You can find details on the most important hvac installation technician responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a hvac installation technician to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "hvacr technicians must carefully maintain records of all work performed." Hvac installation technicians often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintain 100% customer satisfaction, key eye to detail. "
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform hvac installation technician duties is math skills. Hvac installation technicians responsibilities require that "hvacr technicians need to calculate the correct load requirements to ensure that the hvacr equipment properly heats or cools the space required." Hvac installation technicians also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "blue print reading mathematics customer service time management troubleshooting mechanical"
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of hvac installation technicians is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday hvac installation technician duties, 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." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "repair, fabricate mechanical connectors for sheet metal ductwork on commercial buildings. "
Physical strength. For certain hvac installation technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a hvac installation technician rely on this skill, as "hvacr technicians may have to lift and support heavy equipment and components, often without help." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what hvac installation technicians do: "install and maintain physical security systems throughout the greater boise area. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a hvac installation technician to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what hvac installation technicians relies on this skill, since "hvacr technicians frequently have a set number of daily maintenance calls." How this skill relates to hvac installation technician duties can be seen in an example from a hvac installation technician resume snippet: "installed alarm and fire systems and cctv for commercial, residential and small business within required deadlines"
Customer-service skills. Lastly, "customer-service skills" is an important element of what a hvac installation technician does. Hvac installation technician responsibilities require this skill because "hvacr technicians often work in customers’ homes or business offices, so it is important that they be friendly, polite, and punctual." This resume example highlights how hvac installation technician duties rely on this skill: "installed freezers and refrigeration systems - electrical wiring - ordered parts and billed customers. "
The three companies that hire the most hvac installation technicians are:
- Lee212 hvac installation technicians jobs
- Horizon Services42 hvac installation technicians jobs
- McDonald's33 hvac installation technicians jobs
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Compare different hvac installation technicians
Hvac installation technician vs. Maintenance helper
A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment. They may also liaise with vendors or suppliers, build positive relationships with clients, and handle calls and correspondence. Moreover, maintenance helper must utilize their experiences to learn more complex tasks and gain industry insight.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between hvac installation technicians and maintenance helper. For instance, hvac installation technician responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "furnaces," "ventilation," and "air-conditioning systems." Whereas a maintenance helper is skilled in "preventive maintenance," "mowing," "maintenance tasks," and "grounds maintenance." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Maintenance helpers tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $37,360. In contrast, hvac installation technicians make the biggest average salary, $57,620, in the professional industry.The education levels that maintenance helpers earn slightly differ from hvac installation technicians. In particular, maintenance helpers are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a hvac installation technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hvac installation technician vs. Serviceman
An elevator installer apprentice is a trainee who trains under a skilled elevator installer to install, fix, and maintain elevators, escalators, and other lifts. Elevator installer apprentices must assist in assembling elevator cars as well as connecting electrical wiring to control panels and electric motors. They are required to test installed equipment to ensure that it meets specifications and standards. Elevator installer apprentices must also conduct preventive maintenance and inspections of elevators on a scheduled basis to ensure compliance with safety regulations and building codes.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that hvac installation technician responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "plumbing," "furnaces," and "hand tools." But a serviceman might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "laundry operations," "cdl," "end loaders," and "equipment maintenance."
In general, servicemen achieve similar levels of education than hvac installation technicians. They're 0.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hvac installation technician vs. Installer apprentice
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) apprentices are trainees who work under HVAC maintenance workers. They train under HVAC maintenance workers to gain actual, on-the-job experience. To be an apprentice, one should have a formal training background related to HVAC repair and maintenance. They may be enrolled in a technical-vocational school specializing in HVAC repair and maintenance. As such, apprenticeship is part of their curriculum or class requirements. During their apprenticeship, HVAC apprentices will experience installing, diagnosing, repair, and maintaining HVAC units firsthand.
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 installation technician is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "furnaces," "ventilation," and "water heaters," while a typical installer apprentice is skilled in "tape measure," "drill holes," "cctv," and "fire alarms."
Installer apprentices earn the highest salary when working in the transportation industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,246. Comparatively, hvac installation technicians have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $57,620.installer apprentices typically earn similar educational levels compared to hvac installation technicians. Specifically, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Hvac installation technician vs. Hvac apprentice
Types of hvac installation technician
Updated January 8, 2025
