Temperature, humidity, pressure and air motion are some of the important environmental variables that keep changing at any location throughout the year. Adaptation to these many a times unpredictable variations is not possible and thus working efficiently is not feasible either for the living beings or for that matter even the non-living objects. Thus, often control of the environment is essential. Refrigeration and air-conditioning is the subject which deals with the techniques to control the environments of the living and non-living subjects and thus provide them an ambience to enable them to perform better and have longer lives.

Refrigeration is the technology that deals with the phenomena and processes of body cooling. Thus, refrigeration means reducing the internal energy of an object by removal of energy. It is done by lowering its temperature. For the process of refrigeration, such equipment uses the liquids which are usually converted to gas at very low temperatures. Mostly these are using chlorofluorocarbons i.e. freons as coolants. Freon is transferred from the liquid state to the gas state and vice versa without being heated. It absorbs the heat, and with a rise in temperature, turns into a gas. As a result, it generates a cooling effect.

Air conditioning is the process of removal of the heat and moisture and hence to get a more comfortable inner environment. The air conditioning process is usually to distribute the air-conditioned air in different indoor spaces to achieve certain comfort and air quality. In a broader sense, this term covers any possible technology which alters the state of air with its dehumidification, cleaning, heating, cooling, and ventilation. In simple terms, we may say that air conditioners draw the hot air and then cool it by the evaporation process.

Refrigeration and air conditioning service technicians install, maintain, repair and overhaul residential central air conditioning systems, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems, and combined heating, ventilation and cooling systems. Their role also involves estimating material and labour cost and determining plan and requirements for installing, fabricating, and start-up; testing, and servicing the refrigeration and air conditioning equipments. These technicians work independently under the supervision of the facilities supervisor applying power tools, hand tools, and different testing, and precision-measuring instruments. They are expected to complete work orders as assigned and scheduled according to established industry and company standard practices and procedures. They are employed by installation contractors, construction companies, food wholesalers, engineering firms and service establishments.

Refrigeration and Airconditioning Service Technician: Career Pathway

Refrigeration and air conditioning service technicians install, maintain, repair, and inspect refrigeration and air conditioning systems in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. In doing so they undertake the following tasks:

• Establishing job requirements from drawings and specifications, and laying out installation reference points.
• Installing and repairing components such as compressors, motors, condensers, evaporators, switches and gauges, and copper lines for steam, gas, refrigerant, compressed air, oil and chilled water.
• Checking and overhauling refrigeration systems, diagnosing faults and repairing and replacing defective components.
• Carry out repair and routine maintenance duties on equipment, building facilities and offices, building systems, grounds, and structures.
• Test-operating refrigeration and airconditioning systems, checking mechanisms and making adjustments.

The Competencies Needed by a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Technician

Diagnosing the source of a problem quickly and accurately and then fixing it requires a thorough knowledge of refrigeration and air conditioning and several competencies. These competencies are:

• Read and understanding digital manuals and reference materials.
• Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Strong knowledge of the hazards involved in the occupation, and the safety precautions to take.
• Strong knowledge of the repair characteristics and mechanical operation of various types of air conditioning and refrigerating equipment.
• Strong ability and skill to quickly and correctly diagnose, locate, and fix defects in refrigeration and air conditioning systems/units.
• Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Strong ability to understand complex written and verbal instructions, as well as simple sketches and diagrams, and carry them out accurately.
• Strong knowledge of the practices and principles for effective preventive maintenance of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
• Strong ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with customers, colleagues, and supervisors.