Refrigeration and air-conditioning installer
Refrigeration and air-conditioning installers fit, service and repair cooling systems in buildings, storage and transport.
Also known as: Air-con engineer, HVAC engineer
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£45,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 48 a week
What you'll do
As a refrigeration and air-conditioning installer, you'll:
- plan the layout of pipework, ducts and control panels
- install components
- provide scheduled maintenance and find and fix faults
- perform quality checks to make sure systems are working properly and safely
- retrofit buildings to meet new environmental standards
- fit or remove systems on refrigerated transport
- advise clients on ways to reduce their energy use
Working environment
You could work at a client's business.
Your working environment may be cramped, cool and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- practical skills for installing equipment
- the ability to repair machines or systems
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- problem-solving skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- knowledge of maths
- the ability to work well with others
- persistence and determination
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a refrigeration and air-conditioning installer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
University
You could study for a higher national certificate or diploma in building services engineering.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, including a science
College
You may be able to take a college course, to give you some of the knowledge and skills needed to help find a job as a trainee installer.
Courses include:
- access to building services engineering
- installing and maintaining refrigeration systems
- refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could train for this job by applying for an apprenticeship, such as:
- Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Mobile Transport Refrigeration Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a valid F Gas Certificate if you're going to work with fluorinated greenhouse gases
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a refrigeration engineer, designing cooling systems and managing installation projects.
You might also move into the wider building services engineering industry, concentrate on freight transport cooling systems, or set up your own business.
Career tips
The Institute of Refrigeration has developed careers resources about refrigeration aimed at young people and teachers.
Registration
- you can register for an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB) skillcard to show you are qualified to work in the industry
Guides for this industry
Related roles
- Job roleHeating and ventilation engineer
- Job roleBuilding services engineer
- Job rolePlumber
- Job rolePipe fitter
- Job roleHeat pump engineer
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