HVAC Technician Job Description: Roles & Responsibilities and Duties

Looking for a fulfilling and challenging job in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry? Look nowhere else.

You will have the chance to use the latest tools and technology while working as an HVAC technician and helping both households and businesses. As the go-to person on all things relating to HVAC, you will be in charge of installing, maintaining, and repairing HVAC systems. 

Given that the tech industry pays the highest for HVAC technicians, with 212,509 HVAC technicians currently employed in the United States, this is a career option that merits consideration. 

So, in this blog, let’s discuss what work comes under the HVAC technician job description, along with the roles, responsibilities, duties of an HVAC technician and how long to get HVAC certified.

Who is an HVAC Technician?

An HVAC technician is a maintenance specialist who is in charge of maintaining and repairing various commercial and residential HVAC and other air quality systems. Usually, they are in charge of keeping the customers’ use of this equipment clean, mended, and maintained. 

HVAC technicians search for hazardous components in an HVAC system that can endanger the users’ health. They also handle air conditioning systems, warranty maintenance, routine cleaning, adjustments, and repairs. 

Many of the HVAC technicians on duty are in charge of rapidly responding to emergency calls and performing routine maintenance to aid in the quick repair of the HVAC system for clients. They are accountable for keeping track of every time they do HVAC maintenance and noting it for the records of their company.

Roles and Responsibilities of an HVAC Technician

The HVAC technician is in charge of maintaining and fixing HVAC systems. They have to travel to the customer’s location to locate their HVAC needs and provide them with guidance.

An HVAC technician must be familiar with small and large HVAC equipment because most companies serve commercial and residential HVAC clients. Additionally, the HVAC technician’s job description includes being in charge of handling maintenance, warranty work, and urgent repairs from installation until the end of the service life. With the skills and experience gained from work, it helps in becoming an HVAC estimator.
Some of the major HVAC technician responsibilities and duties include:

• Determining the needs of the client.
• Installing, keeping up with and fixing ventilation and air conditioning systems.
• Addressing mechanical and electrical issues with HVAC systems.
• System maintenance tasks like cleaning, adjusting, repairs, and warranty work.
• Carrying out maintenance and repairs.
• Become involved in technical training.
• Ensuring adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and appliance standards.
• Meeting client demands, work instructions, and service standards.
• Assisting coworkers and team members in achieving KPIs.
• Use of HVAC invoice app to automate your invoicing task.

Pro tip: By eliminating the paperwork involved in the job, like creating estimates & invoices, you can focus more on fulfilling your core roles and responsibilities.

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Skills and Qualification Requirements to Become an HVAC Technician

• HVAC courses for vocational, apprenticeship, or training.
• GED, high school diploma, or an appropriate equivalent
• A valid license for HVAC technicians.
• A proper driver’s license
• Understanding of boiler systems in practice.
• Knowledge of modern refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning principles.
• Outstanding verbal, writing, and interpersonal abilities.
• Dependable and self-driven.
• Ability to work on holidays, weekends, and after hours with little or no notice.
• The ability to operate in confined areas

Knowledge and Abilities of an HVAC Technician

The technical expertise required for the job and the difficulties of detecting and repairing HVAC equipment make HVAC employment demanding. Workers must have strong communication skills to explain what repairs are necessary and which ones are the most important part of their jobs. 

A wide range of extremely technical abilities and credentials are also required of HVAC technicians, including:

• Removing outdated HVAC systems to make room for new ones
• Putting in ductwork and pipes throughout houses
• Understanding and reading wiring diagrams
• Understanding the cycles of refrigeration
• Understanding the meaning of different technical data, such as pressure and temperature

Duties of an HVAC Technician

The HVAC technician’s duties are varied. Their major duty is either to install new units or to maintain systems, depending on the details of the work. In actuality, the majority of HVAC technicians divide their time sporadically between these two duties.

The following are some typical duties of HVAC technicians: 

• Old systems removal 
• Putting in new systems 
• Carrying out regular maintenance 
• Developing young team members 
• Interacting with customers and clients 
• Purchasing and upkeep of equipment 
• Observing local HVAC regulations

Experience Requirements to Get the job as an HVAC Technician

If you’re hiring or applying for an entry-level position, the applicant probably requires zero to maybe one or two years of prior work experience. These entry-level employees will require several more years of on-the-job training due to the high level of technicality involved in HVAC maintenance and installation before they can advance to mid- or senior-level roles.

Most applicants will have one or more years of experience, with mid-level and senior-level employees having five years or more. Entry-level employees will naturally have less experience and continue learning through independent study and on-the-job training. To learn the trade, newer employees frequently observe more seasoned technicians.

HVAC Technician Quick Facts and Career Outlook

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics)

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Conclusion

The installation, maintenance, and repair of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems fall within the purview of an HVAC technician. They are essential in ensuring that buildings are comfy and pleasant for residents.
The position necessitates a blend of technical expertise, physical fortitude, and problem-solving skills. If you want to develop the skills and experience required for a job as an HVAC technician, you should think about finishing an apprenticeship or vocational training program.
The career outlook for HVAC technicians is promising because of the rising demand for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient HVAC systems.