Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration

What does the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration career field do?

Installs, operates, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems, combustion equipment, and industrial air compressors. Manages HVAC/R functions and activities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 172000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Installs and operates HVAC/R systems and equipment. Interprets drawings and schematics and installs HVAC/R components. Installs, repairs, fabricates, and tests piping and tubing systems. Installs, connects, troubleshoots, and maintains HVAC/R controls. Tests HVAC/R equipment for proper operation. Balances air and water in HVAC systems. Monitors systems operation to ensure efficiency and compliance technical orders, manufacturer handbooks, local procedures, codes, and directives. Evaluates water treatment for heating and cooling systems. Ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations for fuels, refrigerants, and hazardous materials.
• Maintains, and repairs HVAC/R equipment and systems. Performs recurring maintenance and seasonal overhaul on systems and components. Uses drawings and schematics to analyze and isolate system malfunctions. Troubleshoots malfunctions. Repairs or replaces components. Modifies equipment for specific missions or to increase efficiency.
• Maintains tools and equipment. Maintains shop tools and equipment.
• Advises on problems installing and repairing HVAC/R equipment and systems. Solves maintenance problems by studying layout drawings, wiring and schematic drawings, and analyzing construction and operating characteristics. Develops and establishes operation and maintenance procedures to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Performs planning activities. Performs facility surveys. Surveys proposed work to determine resource requirements. Prepares cost estimates for in-service work. Applies engineered performance standards to plan and estimate jobs. Coordinates plans and other activities.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: principles of HVAC/R systems, controls, and components; combustion systems; air and water balancing; non-electric kitchen equipment; industrial air compressors; interpreting drawings and schematics; fundamentals of HVAC/R equipment and troubleshooting techniques; industrial water treatment; environmental regulations for fuels, refrigerants, and hazardous materials; and military and commercial publications and environmental regulations.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in mathematics, general science, physics, shop mechanics, electricity, and computer fundamentals is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E131. Completion of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Apprentice Course J8AQR3E131 00AA and J3ABR3E131 00AC.
• 3E171. Completion of Advanced Control Systems Cybersecurity Course (AFIT WENG 270) Note: Highly recommended for ANG and AFRES.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E151. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E131. Also, experience in functions such as operation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC/R equipment and control systems.
• 3E171. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E151. Also, experience performing or supervising functions such as operation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC/R equipment and control systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty, the following are mandatory:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Ground Transportation.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 3 skill level, 2 years of lack of recent performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 5 skill level, 4 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 7or 9 skill level, 6 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW DAFMAN 36-2100.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $37,650–$70,240 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders: $37,650
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators : 67,840
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer: $50,590
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Home Appliance Repairers: $41,610
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics: $55,490
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: $64,680
• Weatherization Installers and Technicians: $39,660