Air Con Engineer

Every tradesperson knows that there are many tips and tricks that you will pick up over the course of your career. Every job is different and some things can only really be learnt through experience.

However, if you are considering a career as an air conditioning engineer then Ashburnham Insurance offer some advice in this post on suitable training for the job, the different career paths available within the industry, what is typically involved with this type of work, and ways to ensure that you stay protected from the risks associated with air conditioning repairs.

Why Choose to Become an Air Conditioning Engineer?

Working as an air conditioning engineer can be a rewarding career. Working with renewable energy technology, improving energy efficiency, advising customers on how to reduce energy consumption, and ensuring that certain types of gas don’t harm the atmosphere all means that you’ll be working in an industry that is at the forefront of protecting the environment. 

The increase in the use of technology, such as computers, in offices and public buildings, means that the ambient temperature of most working environments in the UK has increased over the last decade, and with more buildings being better insulated than before, it seems obvious that the popularity of air conditioning units has grown. 

As an air conditioning engineer, you’ll also get to work in all types of buildings, such as supermarkets and shopping centres. You’ll also need to travel between jobs sometimes and get to stay away from home. Once you have built up your experience, you might choose to become an HVAC engineer or a plumber or move into designing cooling systems. You could even try setting up your own air-con business.

What Does an Air Conditioning Engineer Do?

A unit that has been designed to condition the air is known as an air conditioner. Air conditioning engineers are typically responsible for installing, servicing and maintaining the air conditioning units and cooling systems that control the air quality, temperature and humidity inside buildings like offices, supermarkets, gyms and schools.

If the unit both cools and heats up the air, expelling the moisture through air vents, then this is known as an HVAC unit. HVAC engineers and installers typically work on the design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in both buildings and vehicles. Even though they are included under this term, not all HVAC units are air conditioning units.

Because of the size of many air conditioning and HVAC installations, in buildings that owners own for many years, they tend to be a lifelong investment for the customer and so it is important that they are regularly serviced and maintained. Working as an engineer in either of these areas means that your duties are likely to include surveying the buildings where the air conditioning units are going to be installed, designing and installing the units, ensuring that the units are working safely and sufficiently with regular servicing, and diagnosing and fixing any faults within the units.

How to Become an Air Conditioning Engineer?

There are a couple of different ways to get into this job role, which include undertaking either a college course or an apprenticeship. There are college courses available that will give you some of the knowledge and skills required to then find a job as a trainee air conditioning engineer. You can also train for this job through an apprenticeship, combining studying and practical training on the job.

You can find out more about specific college courses and apprenticeships, and more about what it takes to become an air conditioning engineer on the Government’s careers website here. Don’t forget that the entry requirements for courses can sometimes change, so you should always check with your training provider to find out exactly what you’ll need to apply.

What are the Risks for Air Conditioning Engineers?

When you are involved in the repairing or installation of air conditioning units in any type of property you might find that you have to work in uncomfortable and cramped conditions in order to access some air conditioning or HVAC units and there are many potential risks that you could encounter.

Public liability insurance for air conditioning engineers is not compulsory but it is essential. This type of insurance helps to protect you and your business from the cost of any unexpected incidents that you could be liable for and which could result in financial difficulties for you and your business. 

Common types of public liability insurance claims include things such as dropping a tool whilst repairing an air-con unit on a roof causing damage to a customers property or a customer tripping over tools left lying around on the floor, injuring themselves.

If you run an air conditioning business and have people working for you, employers liability insurance is a legal requirement. The health and safety of your employees is your responsibility so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to ensure their wellbeing.

Contact Ashburnham Insurance on freephone 0800 1696137 for more information.

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