Heating and Cooling Mechanics

Background

Air conditioning and heating equipment is used to maintain comfortable temperatures in military buildings, airplanes, and ships. Refrigeration equipment is used to keep food cold and to keep some missile fuels at sub-zero storage temperatures. Heating and cooling mechanics install and repair air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment.

What They Do

Heating and cooling mechanics in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Install and repair furnaces, boilers, and air conditioners
• Install copper tubing systems that circulate water or cooling gases
• Recharge cooling systems with refrigerant gases
• Repair thermostats and electrical circuits
• Replace compressor parts such as valves, pistons, bearings, and electrical motors on refrigeration units

Physical Demands

Heating and cooling mechanics may have to lift or move heavy equipment. They are often required to stoop, kneel, and work in cramped positions. Normal color vision is required for locating and repairing color-coded wiring.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to use hand and power tools
• Interest in solving problems
• Interest in working on machines

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Math
• Science
• Shop mechanics

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Heating and cooling mechanics may work inside repair shops. Frequently, they work wherever equipment is to be installed or repaired.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of eight to 22 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in repair work. Training length varies depending on specialty.

Course content typically includes:

• Installation and repair of furnaces and boilers
• Installation and repair of refrigeration and air conditioning units
• Refrigeration theory
• Use of diagrams and blueprints

Additional training is available on the job and in advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian heating and cooling mechanics work for contractors that install home furnaces and air conditioners or for firms that repair refrigerators and freezers in homes, grocery stores, factories, and warehouses. Heating and cooling mechanics in civilian life often specialize more than those in the military. They may be called heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, or climate control mechanics.

Related Civilian Careers

• Heating and Cooling System Mechanics

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 7,000 heating and cooling mechanics. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new mechanics due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, mechanics maintain and repair equipment under supervision. With experience, they may learn to diagnose mechanical problems and perform complicated repairs. Eventually, they may become superintendents of utilities for large bases.