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Refrigeration and air-conditioning installer

Alternative titles for this job include Air-con engineer, HVAC engineer

Refrigeration and air-conditioning installers fit, service and repair cooling systems in buildings, storage and transport.

Average salary (a year)

£25,000 Starter

to

£45,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 48 a week

You could work

on call on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship

University

You could study for a higher national certificate or diploma in building services engineering.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, including a science

More Information

College

You may be able to take a college course, to give you some of the knowledge and skills needed to help find a job as a trainee installer.

Courses include:

  • access to building services engineering
  • installing and maintaining refrigeration systems
  • refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could train for this job by applying for an apprenticeship, such as:

  • Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Mobile Transport Refrigeration Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete. They combine on-the-job training and off-site study with a training provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Registration

Career tips

The Institute of Refrigeration has developed careers resources about refrigeration aimed at young people and teachers.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a refrigeration and air-conditioning installer from the Institute of Refrigeration and the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • practical skills for installing equipment
  • the ability to repair machines or systems
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • problem-solving skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • knowledge of maths
  • the ability to work well with others
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a valid F Gas Certificate if you're going to work with fluorinated greenhouse gases

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a refrigeration and air-conditioning installer, you'll:

  • plan the layout of pipework, ducts and control panels
  • install components
  • provide scheduled maintenance and find and fix faults
  • perform quality checks to make sure systems are working properly and safely
  • retrofit buildings to meet new environmental standards
  • fit or remove systems on refrigerated transport
  • advise clients on ways to reduce their energy use

Working environment

You could work at a client's business.

Your working environment may be cramped, cool and you'll travel often.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a refrigeration engineer, designing cooling systems and managing installation projects.

You might also move into the wider building services engineering industry, concentrate on freight transport cooling systems, or set up your own business.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Refrigeration Apprentice

  • Wage: £15,704 to £25,396.80 a year Annually
  • Location: 165 Christchurch Road, Ringwood

Apprenticeship air conditions and heat pump engineering technician Level 3

  • Wage: £14,526.20 a year Annually
  • Location: LONDON
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

BTEC National Diploma in Building Services Engineering

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 15 September 2025
  • Location: London

Building Services Engineering — BTEC Level 3 Diploma

  • Provider: THE CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: LIVERPOOL
Find courses near you

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