Heating, Ventilation, AC, and Refrigeration

Specialty Summary. Installs, operates, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems, combustion equipment, and industrial air compressors.  Manages HVAC/R fuel emissions and refrigerant handling programs and activities.  Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 172000.

Installs and operates HVAC/R systems and equipment. Interprets mechanical and electrical system drawings and schematics, and installs HVAC/R components.  Installs, repairs, fabricates, and tests piping and tubing systems. Installs, connects, troubleshoots, and maintains HVAC/R controls.  Tests HVAC/R equipment for proper operation. Balances air and water in HVAC/R systems.  Monitors system operation to ensure efficiency and compliance with technical orders, manufacturer handbooks, state and local procedures, codes, directives, and Environmental Protection Agency regulations.  Evaluates water treatment for heating and cooling systems. Ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations for fuels, refrigerants, and hazardous materials.

Maintains, and repairs HVAC/R equipment and systems.  Performs scheduled preventive maintenance and seasonal overhaul on systems and components.  Uses drawings and schematics to analyze and isolate system malfunctions.  Troubleshoots malfunctions.  Repairs or replaces components.  Modifies equipment for specific missions or to increase efficiency.

Maintains hand and powered tools and equipment.  Maintains shop tools and equipment.

Advises on problems with installation and repairs to HVAC/R equipment and systems.  Solves maintenance problems by studying layout drawings, wiring and schematic drawings, and analyzing construction and operating characteristics.  Develops and establishes operation and maintenance procedures to ensure maximum efficiency.

Performs planning activities.  Performs facility surveys.  Surveys proposed work to determine resource requirements.  Prepares cost estimates for in-service work. Applies engineered performance standards to plan and estimate jobs.  Coordinates plans and other activities.

During the fall of 1992, Congress ordered Military Service Chiefs to oversee review of military technical and operational training.  At one time, technical training for HVAC/R was held at Sheppard AFB and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. 

Gen. McPeak designated 1992 as the "year of training."  His goal was to ensure enlisted personnel were "mission ready" when they reached their first assignment.  As a result, all enlisted personnel were required to take technical training.  Career Field Education and Training Plans (CFETPs) were established to lay out the necessary path for enlisted personnel, including required training as well as training projected to be beneficial in the future.  Currently, Sheppard AFB is where 3E1 formal training is conducted.

Knowledge: Knowledge is mandatory of: principles of HVAC/R systems, controls, and components; combustion systems; air and water balancing; industrial air compressors; interpreting drawings and schematics; fundamentals of HVAC/R equipment and troubleshooting techniques; industrial water treatment; environmental regulations for fuels, refrigerants, and hazardous materials; and military and commercial publications and environmental regulation.

Education:  For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in mathematics, general science, physics, shop mechanics, electricity, and computer fundamentals is desirable.

Training:  For award of AFSC 3E131, completion of a basic HVAC/R course is mandatory.

For entry into this specialty, the following are mandatory:

--Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.

For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs, must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations.

Must maintain local network access IAW AFMANs 33-152, User Responsibilities and Guidance for Information Systems and 33-282, Computer Security.

Most dynamic career field within CE functional community.

Work with your direct leadership and local Career Assistance Advisor.