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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Air Conditioning Maintenance Technician

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

HVACMaintenanceFacilitiesTechnical Services

🎯 Role Definition

An Air Conditioning Maintenance Technician is responsible for the preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of commercial and residential HVAC systems, including air conditioners, heat pumps, chillers, rooftop units, split systems, ductwork, and refrigeration components. This role combines technical diagnostics, hands-on mechanical and electrical repair, refrigerant handling and recovery (EPA 608), and proactive system performance improvements to ensure occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance across facilities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • HVAC Apprentice or HVAC Helper transitioning into a full technician role.
  • General Maintenance Technician with basic electrical and mechanical skills.
  • Refrigeration or Mechanical Tradesperson moving toward HVACR specialization.

Advancement To:

  • Senior HVAC / Lead Air Conditioning Technician
  • HVAC Supervisor / Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
  • Building Automation / Controls Technician or Specialist
  • Facilities Manager or Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Refrigeration Service Technician
  • Controls & Building Automation Specialist
  • Mechanical Maintenance Technician
  • Commissioning Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform routine and scheduled preventative maintenance on commercial and residential air conditioning systems (rooftop units, split systems, VRF, chillers, heat pumps) to maximize equipment lifespan, prevent breakdowns, and maintain peak system efficiency.
  • Diagnose complex mechanical and electrical issues in HVACR systems using diagnostic tools (multimeters, manifold gauge sets, leak detectors, airflow meters) and apply proven repair techniques to restore functionality quickly and safely.
  • Recover, reclaim and recharge refrigerants in compliance with EPA Section 608 regulations, maintain accurate refrigerant logs, and ensure proper documentation and reporting for all refrigerant handling and disposal activities.
  • Replace, install and calibrate HVAC components such as compressors, contactors, capacitors, condensers, evaporators, motors, fans, thermostats, and control boards while following manufacturer instructions and safety standards.
  • Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and system control sequences to troubleshoot faults and implement long-term corrective actions that reduce repeat service calls.
  • Conduct detailed system performance evaluations including superheat/subcooling checks, static pressure testing, duct leakage assessment, and airflow balancing to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
  • Perform emergency after-hours and on-call repairs for critical HVAC failures, prioritize safety and rapid restoration of climate control, and communicate status updates to facilities management and stakeholders.
  • Use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) or service management software to log jobs, update asset histories, generate work orders, and track parts inventory to improve operational readiness.
  • Adjust and program building automation systems (BAS) and thermostatic controls to optimize setpoints, schedules, and sequences of operation in accordance with energy management strategies and occupancy needs.
  • Conduct preventive inspections and safety checks, test electrical connections, and tighten terminals to prevent electrical hazards, and ensure compliance with OSHA and local safety codes.
  • Perform brazing, soldering and mechanical piping work including copper and steel lines, flare fittings, and valve replacements to maintain refrigerant integrity and proper system operation.
  • Troubleshoot and repair HVAC control systems including thermostats, zone controllers, sensors and relay logic, and collaborate with controls vendors for complex BACnet/Modbus/Proprietary integrations.
  • Replace belts, bearings, and drive assemblies on fans and blowers, and perform vibration analysis or corrective maintenance to eliminate operational noise and mechanical wear.
  • Conduct condenser and evaporator coil cleaning, fin straightening and condenser water treatment to prevent fouling and maintain heat transfer efficiency across packaged and split systems.
  • Coordinate with procurement and spare parts teams to recommend and secure replacement components, compressors and contractor services, balancing cost, quality and availability to minimize downtime.
  • Provide on-site guidance and technical mentorship to junior technicians and apprentices, demonstrate safe work practices, and ensure work is performed to company standards and warranty conditions.
  • Inspect, test and maintain chillers, cooling towers and associated pumps including lubrication, mechanical seal checks, and water treatment collaboration to ensure thermal plant reliability and efficiency.
  • Manage refrigerant leak detection programs using electronic leak detectors, ultrasonic testing and dye tracer techniques, and lead repair efforts to reduce refrigerant loss and environmental impact.
  • Maintain clear, professional communication with building occupants, property managers and clients regarding system status, repair timelines, and energy-saving recommendations to sustain customer satisfaction and trust.
  • Implement energy conservation measures and recommend system upgrades (VFDs, economizers, high-efficiency compressors, controls retrofits) to reduce utility costs and extend equipment service life.
  • Perform end-of-warranty inspections and quality assurance checks on newly installed HVAC equipment, ensuring installations meet design intent, manufacturer specifications and local code requirements.
  • Ensure personal and team compliance with PPE, confined space procedures, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), and safe refrigerant handling protocols to reduce workplace incidents and maintain a strong safety record.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with HVAC equipment inventory audits, parts stocking and lifecycle planning to support predictable maintenance windows and minimize emergency procurement.
  • Support energy and sustainability initiatives by tracking equipment performance trends, contributing to building energy audits, and suggesting operational improvements to facilities leadership.
  • Participate in cross-functional maintenance projects (plumbing, electrical, building envelope) when HVAC expertise is required for integrated system repairs or renovations.
  • Provide technical input for bid specifications, scopes of work and vendor evaluations for contracted HVAC services and capital replacement projects.
  • Deliver brief training sessions or toolbox talks on HVAC safety, refrigerant regulations, and common troubleshooting techniques to upskill the maintenance team.
  • Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of preventive maintenance checklists, SOPs and service protocols tailored to the facility’s HVAC asset portfolio.
  • Assist with commissioning activities and start-up procedures for new HVAC equipment installations to verify performance and handover documentation to operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant Certification and practical experience with refrigerant recovery/reclamation procedures.
  • Strong HVAC diagnostics including electrical troubleshooting (AC/DC), motor and control circuit testing, and use of multimeters and amp clamp meters.
  • Hands-on experience with refrigeration charging, superheat/subcooling calculations, and use of manifold gauge sets for system balancing.
  • Knowledge of HVAC system components: compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices, metering devices and service valves.
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, P&IDs, ductwork layouts and sequence of operation documents.
  • Experience with building automation systems (BAS), thermostats, VFDs, and common protocols such as BACnet, Modbus or LonWorks.
  • Proficiency using leak detection tools (electronic detectors, ultrasonic, soap testing) and executing effective leak repair techniques.
  • Skilled in brazing, soldering, pipe fitting, HVAC brazing certification preferred, and mechanical assembly for refrigerant lines and piping.
  • Experience with commercial HVAC equipment: rooftop units, split systems, chillers, cooling towers and packaged rooftop units.
  • Familiarity with CMMS or service dispatch platforms for creating work orders, asset tracking and maintenance documentation.
  • Knowledge of safety standards and regulatory compliance including OSHA, EPA refrigerant handling, NFPA and local HVAC codes.
  • Ability to perform vibration analysis, belt alignment, bearing replacement and routine motor/pump maintenance.

Soft Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking to diagnose complex HVAC faults quickly and accurately.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for client interactions, reporting, and coordination with facilities teams and contractors.
  • Excellent time management and prioritization to handle multiple service calls, preventive maintenance tasks and emergency repairs.
  • Customer service orientation with professional demeanor when interacting with tenants, occupants and vendors.
  • Attention to detail to ensure accurate documentation, maintenance records and adherence to safety procedures.
  • Team player who can mentor junior staff and collaborate across maintenance, engineering and procurement functions.
  • Adaptability and willingness to work flexible hours, including on-call and emergency response shifts when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED required; strong emphasis on technical coursework, shop classes, or trade certifications.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate Degree or technical diploma in HVAC, HVACR, Mechanical Technology, Refrigeration Technology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • HVAC / HVACR Technology
  • Refrigeration Technology
  • Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance / Mechanical Trades

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on HVAC maintenance and repair experience in commercial, institutional or multi-family residential environments.

Preferred: 5+ years of progressive experience maintaining complex commercial HVAC systems (chillers, rooftop units, building automation) with demonstrated ability to lead small teams and manage projects. EPA 608 Universal certification, manufacturer training certificates, and documented experience with preventive maintenance programs are strongly preferred.

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