Refrigeration and AC mechanics keep Canada cool in summer and food safe year-round — installing and servicing the HVAC-R systems in every commercial building, supermarket, arena, and industrial facility.
Installing a commercial split-system unit in an office building. You're running refrigerant lines, making connections, charging the system to proper levels, and programming the controls. This is precise work — overcharge or undercharge impacts efficiency.
Service contract work on supermarket display cases and walk-in coolers. You're performing leak detection, checking compressor operation, charging refrigerant, and replacing worn components. Failure means spoiled food and lost inventory.
Maintaining an ammonia system in a food processing plant. You're performing pressure vessel inspections, managing refrigerant inventory, conducting leak detection across massive piping networks, and documenting all work for safety compliance.
Service and repair on an ice rink's refrigeration system. You're diagnosing compressor issues, replacing evaporators, testing controls, and ensuring the ice surface stays at proper temperature for events and practices.
Install an air-source heat pump in a residential home. You're running refrigerant lines, making electrical connections, commissioning the system, and training the homeowner on proper operation and maintenance.
Respond to a residential AC complaint. You diagnose a refrigerant leak, locate it using electronic detection equipment, repair the leak, rechrge the system, and verify performance. Each call is different diagnostic work.
Supermarkets, restaurants, food retail. Strong consistent demand.
Ice rinks, food processing, industrial chillers. Top technical work.
Building automation systems (BAS). Growing rapidly.
Large-scale ammonia refrigeration — specialized, well-compensated.
Heat pumps, central AC, mini-splits. Self-employment friendly.
Run your own service business. Excellent income potential.
Refrigeration cycle fundamentals, basic tools, safety with refrigerants. ~$22–$26/hr
System installation, charging procedures, electrical controls. ~$28–$36/hr
Complex system diagnosis, industrial refrigeration, Red Seal prep. ~$38–$44/hr
Red Seal certified. Full independence. $40–$58/hr
Lead service teams or manage commercial accounts. $52–$68/hr
Own your service business — HVAC-R has exceptional income potential. $75k–$180k+
Workplace hazardous materials information system. Day one.
MandatoryBasic emergency response certification.
RecommendedRequired to purchase and handle refrigerants in Canada.
MandatoryFor rooftop and elevated equipment work.
MandatoryMandatory for industrial ammonia systems.
MandatoryEnvironmental compliance for refrigerant handling.
MandatoryVapour compression cycle, P-H diagrams, superheat/subcooling, refrigerant properties.
Refrigerant types, GWP/ODP, Montreal Protocol, ECCC regulations, handling procedures.
Single/three-phase power, motor starting, control circuits, DDC and BAS systems.
Conduction/convection/radiation, cooling load calculations, equipment selection.
Reciprocating/scroll/screw compressors, evaporators, condensers, metering devices.
Duct design, air handling units, ventilation codes, heat pump operation.
Read the Study Guide for a focused summary of everything tested on your exams, then lock in your knowledge with timed Practice Exams by apprenticeship year.