Occupation

Home Appliance Repairers

Human Advantage 67%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.4 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Repair, adjust, or install all types of electric or gas household appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens.

Also Known As: Air-Conditioner Window Unit Installer (AC Window Unit Installer), Air-Conditioner Window Unit Servicer (AC Window Unit Servicer), Appliance Adjuster, Appliance Advisor, Appliance Installer, Appliance Mechanic, Appliance Repair Mechanic, Appliance Repair Service Consultant +61 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
  2. Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
  3. Talk to customers or refer to work orders to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
  4. Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides to diagnose and repair problems.
  5. Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
  6. Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
  7. Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
  8. Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.
  9. Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.
  10. Service and repair domestic electrical or gas appliances, such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
  11. Reassemble units after repairs are made, making adjustments and cleaning and lubricating parts as needed.
  12. Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances.
  13. Test and examine gas pipelines and equipment to locate leaks and faulty connections, and to determine the pressure and flow of gas.
  14. Light and adjust pilot lights on gas stoves, and examine valves and burners for gas leakage and specified flame.
  15. Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers.
  16. Contact supervisors or offices to receive repair assignments.
  17. Maintain stocks of parts used in on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of appliances.
  18. Level refrigerators, adjust doors, and connect water lines to water pipes for ice makers and water dispensers, using hand tools.
  19. Observe and test operation of appliances following installation, and make any initial installation adjustments that are necessary.
  20. Set appliance thermostats, and check to ensure that they are functioning properly.
  21. Install appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves.
  22. Level washing machines and connect hoses to water pipes, using hand tools.
  23. Clean and reinstall parts.
  24. Clean, lubricate, and touch up minor defects on newly installed or repaired appliances.

Supplemental Tasks (5)

  1. Conserve, recover, and recycle refrigerants used in cooling systems.
  2. Install gas pipes and water lines to connect appliances to existing gas lines or plumbing.
  3. Take measurements to determine if appliances will fit in installation locations, performing minor carpentry work when necessary to ensure proper installation.
  4. Measure, cut, and thread pipe, and connect it to feeder lines and equipment or appliances, using rules and hand tools.
  5. Assemble new or reconditioned appliances.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
69%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
20%
Less than a High School Diploma
8%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (12)

  • Intac International Wintac
  • Parts database software
  • RazorSync
  • Route mapping software
  • ServiceMax
  • Web browser software
  • dESCO ESC

Tools & Equipment (41)

  • Appliance dollies
  • Bearing removers
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Charging hoses
  • Combustible gas detectors
  • Condenser brushes
  • Cordless drills
  • Digital multimeters
  • Digital vacuum gauges
  • Dual temperature heat guns
  • Flat cold chisels
  • Folding hand trucks
  • Folding utility knives
  • Hex key sets
  • Hose clamp pliers
  • Laptop computers
  • Leak detectors
  • Mechanic's stethoscopes
  • Mini tubing cutters
  • Multipurpose screwdrivers
  • Multipurpose spanners
  • Portable point of sale terminals
  • Precision needle files
  • Ratchets
  • Refrigerant recovery units
  • Sealed burner wrenches
  • Smart phones
  • Snap-ring pliers
  • Socket adapters
  • Socket extensions
  • Socket wrench sets
  • Solder guns
  • Spanner nut wrenches
  • Stick welders
  • Tablet computers
  • Telescoping inspection mirrors
  • Temperature recorders
  • Test charging manifolds
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Vent brushes
  • Work vans

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Plasterers and Stucco Masons 77% match
Zone 2
Home Appliance Repairers You are here
Zone 3
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers 93% match

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Real Talk

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