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Refrigeration Engineering Technician

Designing, installing and repairing the refrigeration technology that is vital for places from restaurants to hospitals

How this role makes a difference

There are many industries that use climate control systems to maintain a steady or cool temperature, either to protect their goods or services, or to create comfortable leisure and work environments. Industries include food production, product distribution, retail storage, hospitality, transport, office spaces, manufacturing, IT/data centres, and medical healthcare services.

A refrigeration technician is involved in the design, installation, maintenance and repair of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems. This involves understanding technology and mechanics and making sure refrigeration systems are as efficient as possible. You could be the technician who helps to preserve food and products, keeps people comfortable, and who installs new energy-efficient technology. 

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Installation and testing of cooling systems
  • Fault diagnosis and repairing of systems
  • Component selection and installation
  • Assessing risks and hazards and putting the right safety measures in place
  • Setting and testing electrical and electronic control systems
  • Positioning and fixing pipework and electrical circuits
  • Understanding manufacturers’ product manuals and instructions
  • Setting the parameters for energy efficient performance
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in engineering and technology.

A responsible approach to completing tasks accurately.

The determination to solve problems and overcome technical challenges.

Great attention to detail when you plan and check your work.

The ability to think a challenge through from different angles before deciding on the best way forward.

A knack for communicating with other people and helping them understand new technology and systems.

The confidence to adapt to changing situations and new technology.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

- sustainability

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

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*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

You could join a small team focused on serving local businesses. Or you might prefer being part of a large UK firm involved in big installations and maintenance contracts all over the UK.

Further on in your career, you could progress to designing cooling systems, decide to set up your own business, or move into building services engineering or plumbing.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

Changes to environmental laws and new innovative technology mean refrigeration challenges and systems are always evolving. Refrigeration is estimated to be responsible for an estimated 10% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and 16% of electricity use, so there is a continuous emphasis on making systems more efficient. Refrigeration technicians have important responsibilities for minimising the environmental impact of cooling systems.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

Refrigeration Engineer
Air Conditioning Technician
Service Technician
Maintenance Technician
Commissioning Engineer

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Sam Gills

Refrigeration Engineering Technician

Sam Gills
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