Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Careers Are Hot
by Robyn Tellefsen
If you've ever been to the South in the summer, you know that air conditioning is not a luxury -- it's a necessity. Why not turn this considerable need into your own career capital?
Career Contents
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers install, service, and repair industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and equipment. Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair. Some specialize in one type of equipment, such as commercial refrigeration. Home appliance repairers usually service room air conditioners and household refrigerators.
When refrigeration and air conditioning technicians service equipment, the law requires them to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, and other refrigerants. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers; or they ensure that the refrigerant is disposed of properly.
Career Coaching
Many trade schools offer air conditioning training and refrigeration training programs that last up to two years. In these programs, you'll study theory, design, and equipment construction, as well as electronics. You'll also learn the basics of installation, maintenance, and repair. HVAC Excellence; the National Center for Construction Education and Research; and the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation have each set academic standards for air conditioning training and refrigeration training programs.
You may also receive your air conditioning training and refrigeration training through a formal apprenticeship program. These programs typically last three to five years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Courses may include subjects such as the use and care of tools, safety practices, blueprint reading, and the theory and design of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Refrigeration training and air conditioning training also takes place on the job as you work alongside experienced technicians. You may begin by insulating refrigerant lines and cleaning furnaces, eventually progressing to such tasks as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal, and checking electrical and electronic circuits.
Career Cultivation
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 270,000 jobs in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And employment of refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers is projected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. Of course, those with formal refrigeration training and air conditioning training should enjoy the best prospects.
Median hourly earnings of refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers were $17.43 in May 2004, with the top 10 percent earning more than $27.11.
With refrigeration and air conditioning training, you'll never suffer through another Southern summer again.
Career Contents
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers install, service, and repair industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and equipment. Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair. Some specialize in one type of equipment, such as commercial refrigeration. Home appliance repairers usually service room air conditioners and household refrigerators.
When refrigeration and air conditioning technicians service equipment, the law requires them to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon, hydrochlorofluorocarbon, hydrofluorocarbon, and other refrigerants. Technicians conserve the refrigerant by making sure there are no leaks in the system; they recover it by venting the refrigerant into proper cylinders; they recycle it for reuse with special filter-dryers; or they ensure that the refrigerant is disposed of properly.
Career Coaching
Many trade schools offer air conditioning training and refrigeration training programs that last up to two years. In these programs, you'll study theory, design, and equipment construction, as well as electronics. You'll also learn the basics of installation, maintenance, and repair. HVAC Excellence; the National Center for Construction Education and Research; and the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation have each set academic standards for air conditioning training and refrigeration training programs.
You may also receive your air conditioning training and refrigeration training through a formal apprenticeship program. These programs typically last three to five years and combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Courses may include subjects such as the use and care of tools, safety practices, blueprint reading, and the theory and design of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Refrigeration training and air conditioning training also takes place on the job as you work alongside experienced technicians. You may begin by insulating refrigerant lines and cleaning furnaces, eventually progressing to such tasks as cutting and soldering pipes and sheet metal, and checking electrical and electronic circuits.
Career Cultivation
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers held about 270,000 jobs in 2004, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And employment of refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers is projected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. Of course, those with formal refrigeration training and air conditioning training should enjoy the best prospects.
Median hourly earnings of refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics and installers were $17.43 in May 2004, with the top 10 percent earning more than $27.11.
With refrigeration and air conditioning training, you'll never suffer through another Southern summer again.
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