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Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanics Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors and outdoors icon that represents where Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanics work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanics. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanics click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Equipment Maintenance

Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanics

work indoors and outdoors

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Physics; Chemistry

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics usually work for companies that install and service air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Some are self-employed.

    In Alberta, 79% of people employed as refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics work in the following industries:

    • Construction.
    • Manufacturing.
    • Wholesale Trade.
  • DutiesDetails

    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics:

    • Work from blueprints or customer instructions.
    • Mount or place system parts.
    • Assemble and install compressors, condensers, evaporators and metering devices.
    • Install and calibrate controls and wiring.
    • Start up systems.
    • Test lines.
    • Detect leaks.
    • Record readings taken to ensure that the system works properly.

    Maintenance work involves:

    • Checking all parts of a system.
    • Oiling moving parts.
    • Keeping units filled with refrigerant.
    • Adjusting valves.
    • Diagnose problems and fix units.
    • Replace or repair controls, electric wiring or other parts.
    • Repair heating equipment.
    • Troubleshoot gas-fired equipment.
    • Calibrate gas-related controls.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Compressor rooms.
      • Computer rooms (clean and comfortable).
    • Outdoors
      • Roof tops.
      • All weather conditions.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work long hours to finish a project.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry 20 kilograms and heavier.
    • Risk of injury working with electricity.
    • Risk of injury working with gases under high pressure.
    • Risk of injury working with hazardous gases.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Mechanical ability.
    • Good co-ordination.
    • Works well with hands.
    • Physical strength and stamina.
    • Works well with others.
    • Good customer service skills.
    • Enjoy doing many different tasks.
    • Enjoy solving problems.
    • Enjoy working with little supervision.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 30-3 or equivalent.
    • Physics 20 or Chemistry 20 or equivalents.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1500 work hours each year.
    • 8 weeks classroom training each year.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Outside the apprenticeship program, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers a one year Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Specialist certificate program and a one year Building Environmental Systems Technology (BEST) diploma program. The entrance requirement for HVAC program is Grade 11 English, Pure or Applied Math 20 and one of the following: Physics 20 (preferred), Science 20 or Chemistry 20. The entrance requirement for the BEST program is successful completion of the HVAC Specialist program or equivalent.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Installing refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
    • Work in repair shops.
    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 2,800 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect below average growth of 2.1% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 59 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $23 to $32 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics earn 50 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 per cent in the second, 75 per cent in the third and 85 per cent in the fourth.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics occupational group earned on average from $29.90 to $39.14 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $36.46 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails