What Is an Air Conditioning Specialist?
An air conditioning specialist is someone who carries out research and development, offers recommendations, and designs systems that control the temperature and humidity of indoor environments while maximizing energy efficiency. They install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
What does an air conditioner specialist do?
Air conditioning specialists install, maintain, and repair HVAC systems in a wide range of settings, from residential homes to large commercial buildings. They work closely with architects, engineers, and designers to implement energy-efficient HVAC systems that meet a project’s specific needs.
The central part of their job is installing and maintaining both technical and motorized equipment such as boilers, ventilation units, cooling towers, and water chillers. Specialists also deal with gas supply for these devices from the national gas grid or cylinders.
What sort of tasks do specialist air conditioning workers do?
The primary duties of an air conditioning specialist are:
– Heating devices set up;
– Designing indoor environments;
– Installing HVAC systems;
– Maintaining and repairing heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment;
– Assist with the architectural design of new buildings.
How do you become an air conditioning specialist?
Becoming an HVAC specialist typically requires a vocational degree in mechanical engineering technology. In some cases, however, technicians have entered the profession through on-the-job training or apprenticeships.
Usually, newly hired technicians have experience as an apprentice for one year before being promoted to journeyman technician. Many companies also hire experienced workers from other states who have extensive knowledge about specific techniques related to HVAC units and building construction. A master technician usually has at least three years of experience as a journeyman technician before applying for the master technician designation.
How much does an air conditioning specialist earn?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HVAC specialists earned a median salary of $46,450 in 2010. Those employed by department stores had the highest earnings, with average wages of $53,870 per year. Other industries that offered high pay included machinery and equipment rental companies ($48,260) and job placement agencies ($48,150). Air conditioning workers at colleges and universities earned $42,520 on average, while those working for home building companies averaged $40,920 per year.
As an air conditioning specialist is required to have extensive knowledge about air conditioner installation as well, as personal experience is needed, this type of job is not for everyone, especially if you do not want to be around heavy equipment and enjoy working in the outdoors.