What an HVAC technician does
HVAC technicians install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in homes, offices, schools and industrial buildings. One day might involve installing a furnace and air conditioner in a new home, and the next might mean troubleshooting a rooftop unit or a building automation problem. Because the work combines gas, refrigeration, electrical and airflow, credentials and experience vary a great deal.
Finch starts by learning whether you need installers, residential service technicians or commercial technicians, and which systems you work on. We then screen candidates for TSSA gas certification, refrigeration qualifications and refrigerant handling certification, along with diagnostic skill and customer communication. Strong HVAC technicians reduce callbacks and keep customers loyal, so we look closely at how candidates approach a service call.
Typical responsibilities
- Installing furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and ventilation equipment
- Performing seasonal maintenance and inspections
- Diagnosing heating, cooling, airflow and control problems
- Handling refrigerants safely and following recovery procedures
- Replacing components such as motors, igniters, compressors and control boards
- Writing up work orders and explaining findings to customers
Qualifications and credentials
- TSSA gas technician certification, typically G2 for residential and light commercial work
- A 313A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic certificate, or progress toward one, for many cooling and refrigeration roles
- Ozone depletion prevention (ODP) certification for handling refrigerants
- Experience with the residential or commercial equipment you service
- A valid driver's licence, and often a clean driving record, for service vehicles
Who hires an HVAC technician
- Residential HVAC contractors
- Commercial mechanical contractors
- Property management and facilities companies
- Equipment dealers and service companies
- Institutional facilities such as schools and hospitals
Where we recruit HVAC technician candidates
We fill HVAC technician roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- TSSA gas certification level and refrigeration credentials
- Refrigerant handling certification
- Residential versus commercial equipment experience
- Diagnostic approach and customer communication
- Driver's licence status and references
Interview questions to ask
- Describe how you diagnose an air conditioner that runs but does not cool.
- What steps do you include in a typical furnace tune-up?
- How do you handle a customer who is upset about the cost of a repair?