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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for HVAC Preventative Maintenance Technician

💰 $ - $

HVACMaintenanceFacilitiesBuilding Systems

🎯 Role Definition

The HVAC Preventative Maintenance Technician is responsible for executing scheduled and predictive maintenance on commercial and industrial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment to ensure system reliability, energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and code compliance. This role combines hands-on mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, HVAC controls work (DDC/BACnet/Modbus), refrigerant handling, and preventative maintenance program delivery using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Ideal candidates demonstrate strong diagnostic skills, EPA 608 certification, familiarity with chillers/boilers/rooftop units/air handlers, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior HVAC Technician or HVAC Apprentice
  • Facilities Maintenance Technician with HVAC exposure
  • Mechanical tradesperson (refrigeration, electrical) transitioning into HVACR

Advancement To:

  • Senior HVAC Technician / Lead Technician
  • HVAC Maintenance Supervisor or Facilities Supervisor
  • Building Automation Systems (BAS) Specialist or Controls Technician
  • HVAC Maintenance Manager or Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Controls Programmer (BACnet/DDC/VFD)
  • Commercial Refrigeration Technician
  • Energy Management Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) on chillers, boilers, rooftop units (RTUs), air handling units (AHUs), variable air volume (VAV) boxes, and packaged systems according to manufacturer recommendations and site-specific PM checklists to maximize equipment life and reduce unscheduled downtime.
  • Diagnose and repair refrigeration circuits including compressors, evaporators, condensers, expansion devices, valves and metering devices; perform refrigerant recovery, evacuation, and recharge in compliance with EPA 608 and company refrigerant handling procedures.
  • Troubleshoot and repair electrical and control system faults including motor starters, contactors, relays, VFD drives, PLCs, and DDC/BACnet/Modbus building automation interfaces to restore HVAC operation and optimize control sequences.
  • Execute comprehensive inspections and testing of mechanical systems: belt and pulley alignment, bearing lubrication and replacement, pump and fan vibration analysis, airflow measurement and ductwork integrity checks using anemometers and manometers.
  • Use infrared thermography and ultrasonic leak detection to identify thermal anomalies, insulation failures, and refrigerant or steam leaks, then document findings and recommend corrective actions to reduce energy waste and safety risk.
  • Maintain accurate and timely entries in CMMS (e.g., IBM Maximo, UpKeep, FMX) for all work orders, PM tasks, parts used, labor hours, and equipment histories to support trending, spare-parts forecasting, and predictive maintenance programs.
  • Perform preventive water treatment verification and maintain water-side equipment (cooling towers, condensate systems, pumps) including bleed-off, chemical checks, and basin cleaning to prevent corrosion and scale that impair HVAC performance.
  • Conduct commissioning, start-up, and seasonal turn-on/turn-off procedures for new or relocated HVAC equipment, ensuring proper installation, control integration, setpoint configuration, and documentation of as-built settings.
  • Implement and follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) and confined space entry protocols during maintenance and repair activities to protect personnel and comply with OSHA and company EHS standards.
  • Replace motors, belts, bearings, seals, valves, and other mechanical components during scheduled PM and emergency repairs to ensure continuous operation of building HVAC systems.
  • Test and calibrate field instruments, thermostats, pressure switches, temperature sensors, and control actuators; adjust control loops and PID settings to ensure stable environmental conditions and efficient system response.
  • Coordinate contracted services, specialized repairs, and warranty work with vendors and manufacturers; obtain quotes, evaluate scope, and oversee vendor performance to ensure timely resolution and cost control.
  • Execute emergency troubleshooting and on-call response for critical HVAC outages, rapidly isolating faults and implementing temporary or permanent repairs to minimize occupant disruption and mitigate risk to equipment.
  • Monitor HVAC system performance and energy consumption metrics; partner with energy managers to identify and implement energy conservation measures, including proper scheduling, economizer optimization, and VFD/controls tuning.
  • Maintain parts inventory and recommend stocking levels based on failure modes, mean time between failures (MTBF), and criticality assessments to minimize mean time to repair (MTTR).
  • Read and interpret mechanical and electrical schematics, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and control sequences to perform complex repairs and modifications safely and accurately.
  • Perform ductwork repairs, minor sheet metal fabrication, and insulation replacement to preserve airflow balance, indoor air quality, and system efficiency.
  • Conduct routine safety inspections and environmental checks, report hazards, and participate in safety meetings, incident investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives to foster a safety-first culture.
  • Prepare clear, professional maintenance reports, service tickets, and handover notes for operations teams and property managers, including root cause analysis, corrective actions, and recommended capital improvements.
  • Support HVAC system retrofits and upgrades by providing field expertise on equipment selection, installation constraints, and control integration to meet performance, code, and budget objectives.
  • Execute preventive calibration and lifecycle maintenance for building automation and energy management systems to ensure accurate measurement and control of HVAC assets and comfort zones.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians and apprentices on PM procedures, diagnostic techniques, safety practices, and use of specialized tools to build team competency and resilience.
  • Maintain compliance with local, state, and federal codes for refrigerant handling, electrical work, and mechanical systems; complete required documentation for permits, inspections, and regulatory reporting.
  • Evaluate and participate in root-cause failure analysis for repeated equipment faults; develop and implement corrective maintenance plans to reduce recurrence and extend asset life.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist facility engineers with HVAC project planning, capital improvement scoping, and lifecycle cost analysis based on observed system condition and failure trends.
  • Support building operations by responding to occupant comfort requests, investigating indoor air quality complaints, and suggesting HVAC setpoint or schedule adjustments.
  • Participate in energy audits and site surveys to collect baseline data for efficiency programs, demand response initiatives, and sustainability reporting.
  • Collaborate with the procurement team to vet and qualify HVAC service vendors, parts suppliers, and subcontractors for technical competency and warranty compliance.
  • Contribute to development and continuous improvement of PM checklists, SOPs, and training materials to standardize maintenance practices across sites.
  • Provide emergency preparedness support, including participation in outage drills, HVAC contingency planning, and documentation of critical equipment recovery procedures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Comprehensive HVACR system maintenance: chillers, boilers, rooftop units, air handlers, split systems, and VRF systems.
  • EPA 608 certification for refrigerant handling and recovery; knowledge of local refrigerant regulations and record-keeping.
  • Electrical troubleshooting up to 480V: motor starters, contactors, relays, circuit breakers, transformers, and branch circuit diagnosis.
  • Controls and BAS proficiency: DDC, BACnet, Modbus, VFDs, PLCs, sequence-of-operations logic, and field device calibration.
  • Hands-on refrigeration skills: evacuation, pressure testing, leak detection, charging, and understanding of refrigerant oil management.
  • Preventative and predictive maintenance techniques: vibration analysis, infrared thermography, oil analysis, and trending for RUL (remaining useful life) assessments.
  • CMMS experience (e.g., IBM Maximo, UpKeep, Fiix) for work order execution, PM scheduling, and asset management.
  • Proficiency with diagnostic tools: multimeters, clamp meters, manometers, anemometers, micron gauges, refrigerant scales, and thermal cameras.
  • Mechanical repair skills: pump rebuilding, bearing replacement, belt alignment, brazing and soldering, and basic sheet metal work.
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, P&IDs, and manufacturer technical manuals.

Soft Skills

  • Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills with a systematic approach to troubleshooting.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for reporting, handoffs, and vendor coordination.
  • Time management and prioritization to balance scheduled PMs, reactive repairs, and emergency calls.
  • Customer-service orientation when interacting with occupants, property managers, and stakeholders.
  • Team collaboration and mentorship mindset to develop junior staff and share best practices.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities, facility schedules, and evolving building automation technologies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED; vocational/technical certificate in HVAC, refrigeration, or related trade preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree in HVACR Technology, Mechanical Technology, or a related field.
  • Additional certifications in electrical fundamentals, controls (BACnet/DDC), or building automation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • HVACR Technology
  • Mechanical or Electrical Trade Programs
  • Building Automation Systems / Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3 – 7+ years of hands-on HVAC preventative maintenance and repair in commercial, institutional, or industrial facilities.

Preferred: 5+ years experience with a broad portfolio of equipment (centrifugal and screw chillers, boilers, cooling towers, rooftop units, packaged systems), demonstrated CMMS proficiency, EPA 608 certification, and experience working with DDC/BAS control systems.

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