Heating and Air Conditioning

Heating and air conditioning maintenance employees repair and maintain climate-control equipment ranging from window air conditioners to 500-ton chillers. They also repair and service items like drinking fountains and systems that control environmental conditions in production equipment and facilities. Some of the more complex work includes automated building comfort control, heat recovery, centrifugal chilled water plant and reciprocating refrigeration systems. During early stages, apprentices become familiar with different types of systems, tools and test equipment. They receive thorough shop and classroom training, including AC/DC electrical theory, brazing, soldering, pipe bending and refrigeration. During on-the-job training, apprentices learn to install, maintain and repair water fountains, air conditioning systems, chillers, chilled water systems and air driers. When they complete this training, they are qualified to install, operate, troubleshoot and repair the yard's heating, venting and air conditioning systems.