Training in heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration from 6 months to 2 years can be had through secondary and postsecondary technical and trade schools, junior and community colleges, and the U.S. Armed Forces. In these programs, theory, design, electronics, and equipment construction is studied. In addition, students are taught the fundamentals of installing, maintaining, and repairing these systems.
Beginners who learn the trade on the job typically benefit from the experience gained by helping established technicians. In the beginning, easy duties like handling materials, putting in insulation for refrigerant lines, or cleaning furnaces will be performed. As time progresses and experience is gained, they will be assigned more difficult duties such as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal, or checking circuits in the system.
To build a good foundation for this occupation, one should take classes in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications. Additional knowledge or experience of plumbing and electrical work also comes in handy. As equipment controls are more frequently used in these systems, fundamental knowledge of electronics is important as well. Since contact between worker and customers is commonplace, a technician should be courteous and tactful. Additionally, they should be physically fit as this type of work may require lifting and moving of large equipment.
All workers who handle refrigerants must be certified in this area. Certification for handling and purchasing refrigerants can be achieved by passing written exam which is specific to one’s area of specialization. One can be certified in any of three areas, which are as follows: Type I—servicing small appliances, Type II—high-pressure refrigerants, and Type III—low-pressure refrigerants. Many trade schools, unions, contractor associations and building groups can gain approval from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and administer these exams to workers.
Those with little experience can take advantage of various class or internet courses and independent study programs being offered by different organizations. Besides merely knowing how systems operate, workers must understand the rules, regulations, and guidelines associated with the use of refrigerants. The most common standard in the industry, as far as being certified goes, is the Air-Conditioning Excellence program, which is run by North American Technician Excellence (NATE).