A shoutout to HVAC&R technicians

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge and thank the HVAC&R technicians for their hard work and dedication to keeping our environments comfortable and healthy

They play a crucial role in ensuring our homes and workplaces remain comfortable throughout the year. Their work involves installing, maintaining and repairing heating, cooling and ventilation systems essential for indoor climate control and air quality.

There are no specific requirements to become a HVAC&R technician as you gain skills on the job. However, many employers prefer to hire refrigeration/air-conditioning technicians who have or are working towards a qualification.

To become a fully qualified refrigeration/air-conditioning technician you need to complete an apprenticeship and gain a New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – Trade (level 4).

HVAC fun facts

• The first air conditioner was built on July 17, 1902, by Willis Haviland Carrier to control humidity in a printing plant and allow ink to dry in hot conditions. He was named one of TIME magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century’ in 1998.

• The first automotive air-conditioned car was the 1939 Packard. The AC unit took up most of the vehicle’s trunk space.

• The world’s largest HVAC system is in the Holy Mosque in Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia. To cool a space that sees up to 1 million visitors a month in a climate where temperatures frequently top 100 degrees, the system has 135,000 tonnes of refrigeration capacity and uses R134A refrigerant.

Servicing and maintenance

We recommend using a CCCANZ member company to service and maintain your air-conditioning systems.