Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Refrigeration and air conditioning engineers install, maintain, and repair industrial, commercial and domestic heating, cooling and refrigeration systems and equipment. They may install ducted air-conditioning in a family home, locate and correct faults in electrical equipment, or build large walk-in refrigeration units for businesses needing mass food storage.

Refrigeration and air conditioning engineers are skilled in electronics, understand airflow techniques, and have the flexibility to work in a wide range of environments. From ensuring a safe and reliable installation in accordance with relevant standards, through to diagnosing malfunctions, system maintenance or upgrading, and fault finding and correction, the skills of communication, technical knowledge of systems and operations, concentration, precision and attention to detail are crucial. Interpersonal skills are also needed since the technicians must be able to work with a variety of people.

Professionals in this area are employed by refrigeration and air conditioning installation contractors, industrial facilities, food wholesalers, engineering firms, retail and service locations. Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. The increasing number of sophisticated climate control systems will also increase demand for qualified refrigeration and air conditioning engineers.