Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

What is refrigeration and air conditioning? 

Workers in this field install and maintain the heating and air-conditioning systems that control the temperature, humidity and total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial and other buildings by precisely following blueprints, design specifications and manufacturers’ instructions. 

They need knowledge of electrical components and systems since heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical and electronic components such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, thermostats and switches. 

In refrigeration, technicians work with a variety of precision measuring tools to manipulate conditions such as refrigerant pressures and air flow in duct systems. Voltmeters, pressure gauges, manometers and other testing devices are used in analyzing system performance. When servicing equipment, they must use extreme care to conserve, recover and recycle the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants used in the refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. 

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics perform some or all of the following duties:

HOW TO JOIN THE FIELD  

Completion of secondary school is usually required. 

Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in refrigeration and air conditioning repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. 

Trade certification for refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories. 

Trade certification for transport refrigeration mechanics is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick, Alberta and British Columbia. 

Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination. 

INDIGENOUS AND REMOTE CONSIDERATIONS  

Although these services are needed in northern, Indigenous and remote communities, it can be difficult to get apprenticeships in communities. This means that many students pursuing this career will be forced to relocate while they are studying. Again, it may also be difficult to find people to work for in their home communities, so entrepreneurship may be necessary.

With math literacy in the north being lower than in other places, northern and remote students may need extra support in order to pass tests and get their red seal. 

DISABILITY CONSIDERATIONS 

With this job being heavy manual labour, it may not be possible for someone with a severe physical disability. Accommodations may be necessary for someone with a learning disability. 

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and the Skills for Success Program

The key Skills for Success for this career path are:

• Reading 
• Numeracy
• Problem Solving 

RefrigerationAndAirConditioning