What Does an HVAC Technician Do?
An HVAC technician installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems in homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. The title covers three different jobs: service technicians who diagnose and repair, installers who set new equipment and ductwork, and commercial or facilities technicians who maintain rooftop units, chillers, and building controls. Most work for mechanical contractors, home services companies, property management firms, and in-house facilities departments. Employers usually require a trade school certificate or apprenticeship, EPA Section 608 certification, a clean driving record, and 2 or more years of field experience for a service role.
Employers mix this title up with four others. A maintenance technician is a generalist inside one building, and HVAC is one of many systems they touch. An electrician installs the power circuits that feed the equipment; the HVAC technician works the low-voltage controls and the equipment’s own wiring. A sheet metal mechanic fabricates and installs the ductwork, and a facilities manager supervises the technicians and the vendors and does none of the repair work.
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Hiring an HVAC Technician: What to Expect
HVAC technicians come from trade schools, union apprenticeships through the UA or the sheet metal workers, home services companies that train from scratch, and the military. Screen for the EPA 608 certification type (Universal is the one to ask for), for refrigerant diagnosis by asking the candidate to explain how they would separate a low-charge system from a restricted metering device using superheat and subcooling, for brazing skill, for electrical troubleshooting with a meter, and for the driving record. For a residential service role, also ask how they explain a repair and its price to a homeowner, since that conversation decides whether the company gets paid.
HVAC postings usually use one title for all three jobs. A posting that says HVAC technician but describes install work attracts service technicians who leave in a month, and a posting that wants a commercial chiller technician at residential pay gets no qualified applicants. Name the job in the title (service, install, or commercial), state whether pay includes commission or spiffs on sold repairs, and list the equipment the technician will see most.
A posting for this role should say whether the work is residential or commercial, whether the technician will service A2L equipment that uses refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32, and what the service vehicle and on-call rotation look like. A2L refrigerants are mildly flammable and need their own handling, leak detection, and recovery tools, so ask each candidate which A2L training they have completed.
On skilled trades and industrial searches, 4 Corner Resources submits qualified candidates in an average of 2.5 days, clients interview an average of 1.3 candidates per hire, and we submit 1.55 candidates per hire.
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HVAC Technician Core Responsibilities
- Diagnose and repair residential and light commercial heating, cooling, and heat pump systems, including compressors, motors, boards, and refrigerant circuits
- Perform preventive maintenance on rooftop units, split systems, furnaces, boilers, and exhaust fans on a scheduled route
- Recover, evacuate, and charge refrigerant systems per EPA Section 608 rules using digital manifolds and wireless probes, and record refrigerant use
- Service A2L refrigerant systems such as R-454B and R-32 with A2L-rated recovery machines, vacuum pumps, and leak detectors
- Braze copper line sets, pressure test, and leak check new and repaired systems
- Troubleshoot electrical faults in control circuits, contactors, capacitors, and variable-speed drives with a multimeter
- Install and replace equipment, including heat pumps, condensers, and air handlers, connecting line sets, and commissioning the system
- Service and program thermostats and building automation controls (Honeywell, Trane, Johnson Controls, or similar)
- Respond to fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) alerts from building analytics software on commercial sites
- Explain findings and repair options to customers and complete work orders, invoices, and photos in the field service app (ServiceTitan, FieldEdge, or similar)
- Maintain the service vehicle, parts stock, and tools and follow lockout/tagout and ladder safety
- Participate in the on-call rotation for after-hours and weekend emergency calls
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- EPA Section 608 Universal certification
- Refrigerant cycle diagnosis using superheat, subcooling, and pressure-temperature charts
- Safe handling of A2L refrigerants, including A2L-rated tools, leak detection, and the refrigerant detection sensors required on new equipment
- Brazing and soldering of copper refrigerant lines
- Use of digital manifold gauges, wireless probes, and their apps to log superheat, subcooling, and static pressure
- Electrical troubleshooting of 24-volt control circuits and single- and three-phase equipment
- Experience with gas furnaces, including combustion analysis and gas pressure checks
- Ability to read wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and mechanical drawings
- Valid driver’s license with a clean record and the ability to pass a background check for in-home work
- Physical ability to lift 75 pounds, climb ladders, and work in attics, crawl spaces, and on rooftops
Soft skills
- Comfort explaining a diagnosis and its price to a homeowner or property manager in plain terms
- Discipline to follow the diagnostic sequence instead of replacing the most likely part first
- Reliability on the on-call rotation, since the busiest calls come on the hottest and coldest days
- Clean work habits in customers’ homes and occupied buildings
- Honesty about what a repair needs, because an upsold customer rarely calls back
Education
- High school diploma or GED
- HVAC certificate or associate degree from a trade school or community college, or completion of a registered apprenticeship
Certifications
- EPA Section 608 certification required (Universal preferred)
- NATE certification in the relevant specialty is the standard proof of competence for service technicians
- State or local HVAC license or journeyman card where required, and OSHA 10 for commercial job sites
Preferred Qualifications
- NATE certification or progress toward it
- Manufacturer A2L training and field experience with R-454B or R-32 equipment
- Experience with variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, mini-splits, or heat pumps
- Cold-climate and dual-fuel heat pump installation and commissioning
- Building automation experience with Niagara, Trane Tracer, or Johnson Controls Metasys
- Commercial refrigeration experience (walk-in coolers, ice machines, reach-ins)
- Manufacturer training from Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Daikin, or Mitsubishi
How Much Does an HVAC Technician Make?
Typical national range: $49,611 to $70,520, with a national average of $59,193. Salary data reviewed October 2026 by 4 Corner Resources.
HVAC technician salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a HVAC Technician is:
$59,193
Sample Job Description Templates for HVAC Technicians
Residential HVAC Service Technician
Position Overview
We are hiring a Residential HVAC Service Technician to diagnose and repair heating and cooling systems in customers’ homes. You will handle 4 to 6 service calls a day from a fully stocked company van, explain repair options to homeowners, and recommend replacements when a system has reached the end of its life. The role reports to the Service Manager, pays hourly plus performance pay on completed repairs, and includes a rotating on-call week.
Responsibilities
- Diagnose and repair residential split systems, heat pumps, furnaces, and mini-splits
- Perform maintenance tune-ups for members of our service plan
- Explain findings, options, and pricing to homeowners and complete the sale in ServiceTitan
- Recover and charge refrigerant per EPA rules and document it
- Service A2L systems that use R-454B or R-32 with A2L-rated tools and leak detectors
- Identify replacement opportunities and refer them to the comfort advisor
- Keep the van stocked and organized and reorder parts through the field service app
Requirements
Hard skills
- 2 or more years of residential HVAC service experience
- EPA 608 Universal certification
- Proficiency with superheat and subcooling diagnosis and combustion analysis
- Clean driving record and ability to pass a background check
Soft skills
- Comfortable talking with homeowners about money
- Honest about what a repair needs
- Dependable on the on-call rotation
Education
- High school diploma or GED; HVAC trade school certificate preferred
Certifications
- EPA 608 required; NATE preferred
Preferred qualifications
- A2L refrigerant training
- Experience with ServiceTitan or a similar field service platform
Commercial HVAC Technician
Position Overview
Our mechanical contracting company is seeking a Commercial HVAC Technician to maintain and repair rooftop units, split systems, chillers, and boilers for office, retail, and healthcare customers. You will work a route of preventive maintenance contracts and respond to service calls, and you will diagnose equipment from 5 to 200 tons. The role reports to the Commercial Service Manager and works days with a scheduled on-call rotation.
Responsibilities
- Perform preventive maintenance on rooftop units, split systems, and air handlers under service contracts
- Diagnose and repair chillers, boilers, pumps, and cooling towers
- Troubleshoot three-phase electrical systems, VFDs, and building controls
- Respond to fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) alerts from the customer’s building analytics platform
- Recover and charge refrigerant and complete EPA recordkeeping
- Write clear service reports and repair quotes for customers’ facilities managers
- Coordinate with building engineers on shutdowns and access
Requirements
Hard skills
- 4 or more years of commercial HVAC service experience
- EPA 608 Universal certification and OSHA 10
- Experience with packaged rooftop units, chillers, and hydronic systems
- Building automation familiarity (Niagara, Metasys, or Tracer)
- Experience with A2L refrigerants and low-GWP replacement equipment
Soft skills
- Works independently across many customer sites in a day
- Communicates professionally with facilities managers
- Careful about safety on rooftops and in mechanical rooms
Education
- High school diploma or GED; HVAC program graduate or completed apprenticeship preferred
Certifications
- EPA 608 Universal required; NATE and manufacturer chiller training preferred
HVAC Installer
Position Overview
We are hiring an HVAC Installer to replace and install residential and light commercial heating and cooling systems. You will remove old equipment, set new condensers, air handlers, and furnaces, braze line sets, modify ductwork, and start up and commission the system to manufacturer specifications. The role reports to the Install Manager, works with a helper on a two-person crew, and pays hourly with overtime during peak season.
Responsibilities
- Install split systems, heat pumps, furnaces, and mini-splits per the sold job scope
- Set equipment, braze and pressure test line sets, and pull a proper vacuum
- Install A2L equipment with the refrigerant detection sensors and mitigation controls the manufacturer requires
- Modify and seal ductwork and install thermostats and condensate systems
- Start up and commission systems and record charge, static pressure, and temperature split
- Walk the homeowner through the new system and collect the completion signature
- Keep the job site clean and protect the customer’s home
Requirements
Hard skills
- 2 or more years of HVAC installation experience
- EPA 608 certification
- Brazing, duct fabrication, and electrical hookup skills
- Ability to lift 75 pounds and work in attics and crawl spaces
- Knowledge of A2L installation requirements and safe brazing practices around mildly flammable refrigerants
Soft skills
- Takes pride in a clean, square installation
- Works well with a helper and teaches as the job goes
- Keeps to the schedule during peak season
Education
- High school diploma or GED; HVAC trade school certificate preferred
Certifications
- EPA 608 required; NATE Installation certification preferred
Preferred qualifications
- Experience installing ductless and VRF systems
- Cold-climate or dual-fuel heat pump installation experience
- Sheet metal fabrication experience
Building HVAC Technician (Facilities)
Position Overview
Our university facilities department is seeking a Building HVAC Technician to maintain the heating, cooling, and ventilation systems across a campus of 40 buildings. You will perform preventive maintenance, respond to work orders, operate the building automation system, and work alongside electricians, plumbers, and controls technicians on the in-house team. The role reports to the HVAC Shop Supervisor, works a day shift with occasional overtime, and includes a full benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Perform preventive maintenance on air handlers, chillers, boilers, pumps, and terminal units
- Respond to comfort complaints and equipment alarms from the building automation system
- Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and controls faults
- Operate and adjust the Metasys or Niagara building automation system
- Review fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) reports and energy trends from the building automation system and act on the findings
- Document work in the CMMS and update equipment records
- Support contractors on capital projects and commissioning
Requirements
Hard skills
- 3 or more years of commercial or institutional HVAC experience
- EPA 608 Universal certification
- Experience with chillers, boilers, and hydronic systems
- Building automation system operation and basic programming
Soft skills
- Patient with building occupants and their comfort complaints
- Methodical about preventive maintenance schedules
- Collaborates with the other trades in the shop
Education
- High school diploma or GED; HVAC certificate or apprenticeship completion preferred
Certifications
- EPA 608 Universal required; boiler operator license preferred where applicable
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with laboratory or healthcare ventilation requirements
- Steam system experience