Where Can I Work in Refrigeration?

Refrigeration is a steady field that requires installation and maintenance work on a regular basis. It can be a satisfying job in which technicians see tangible results from their work—daily. As a growing field, the job outlook ¹ is predicted to rise in the coming years and continue to provide a source of employment to those with HVACR training. Depending on personal preference, there are a number of specific job types in the industry.

Refrigeration Manufacturing

Factories employ millions of American men and women, accounting for 9 percent of the workforce. Refrigeration starts in a manufacturing environment to build the units and prepare them for shipping and installation. There are a few large and well-known companies that provide refrigeration units and jobs.

• Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest provider of refrigerators with headquarters in South Korea and a number of American plants.
• Whirlpool Corporation is based in Benton Charter Township, Michigan. Whirlpool owns several smaller companies with distinct brand names, such as KitchenAid, Amana, and Inglis.
• General Electric Company is based in Connecticut and is a leader not only in the electronics field but also in new innovations for the refrigeration industry.
• Kenmore is a well-known American appliance company that has been in business since 1927 and provides upscale and industrial refrigeration units.

New Construction and Installation

New construction provides job opportunities in the field and often requires travel as installers go to job sites to ply their trade. With the use of blueprints, the HVACR technician determines how to install a system according to the plans developed by an HVAC design engineer. In addition to the refrigeration unit, technicians may need to offer advice toward electric and structural needs to assure their work installation is able to function properly.

Maintenance and Repair

After the installation, maintenance and repair is an ongoing task for refrigeration units. Jobs in maintenance require a license that proves the worker’s knowledge and abilities in some states. On-the-job training may occur with some employers, but they typically look for people who have completed vocational training at an accredited refrigeration school, as systems have become increasingly complex in recent years. In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mandates that technicians who purchase and/or handle refrigerants pass a written test and become certified in one of three specializations: small appliance service, high-pressure refrigerants, or low- pressure refrigerants.

After education and training is complete, the refrigeration technician may take a job that requires travel or work locally according to his or her preference. Local work often starts daily in a shop or office and requires one or more service calls throughout the day to homes or businesses to conduct repairs. Given that HVACR systems can malfunction at any time, which can result in an uncomfortable indoor climate, technicians sometimes must work overtime or irregular hours.

Restaurant Industry

Restaurants provide a great amount of work for those who’ve completed refrigeration repair course work, as they require units that function on an industrial scale. Common sense dictates that food safety requires refrigeration, and health codes demand that restaurants assure workable refrigeration units to prevent bacterial growth during food storage. As businesses, restaurants can’t afford to shut down due to malfunctions and therefore need regular preventative maintenance and occasionally immediate emergency repairs.

Value of a Degree

Building a refrigeration unit properly, then installing and providing maintenance is not a simple job and, for most people, requires formal instruction on how the systems work. The Refrigeration School has been offering training in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration since 1965. Its instructors provide students with the knowledge and hands-on training they need to embark on a successful career regardless of what sector of the refrigeration industry they choose to work in. Contact the school today to get started on this rewarding career path.