Energy production technicians work with engineers and other technicians to install, operate, modify, and repair systems and devices that convert raw energy inputs into usable energy supplies. Examples of these devices are home and industrial temperature control systems, including steam, electric, and hot water furnaces, air conditioning systems, and solar heating systems. Technicians typically supervise other technicians in the installation and repair of these systems. Increasingly, these types of systems are controlled by complex computer control panels that require a knowledge of both mechanics and electronics.
Energy conservation technicians are involved with appraising the energy use of existing structures and suggesting ways to improve energy conservation. These individuals work with energy engineers and other technicians to determine building measurements and energy system specifications and to suggest methods to increase mechanical efficiency and structural modifications to save energy. Many public and private utility companies dispatch these technicians to private homes to assess energy problems, such as leaks in doors and windows and clogged furnaces and filters, and to suggest measures to correct these problems. In some cases, energy conservation technicians also fix the diagnosed problems.
Related Occupations
- Power Plant Operator
- Power Distributor
- Solar Collection Technician
- Chemical Technician
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technician
- Electromechanical Technician
- Petroleum Technician
- Mechanical Engineering Technician
While there are no formal requirements for a job as a energy management technician, most employers prefer applicants who have an associate degree from a two-year community college or technical institute or who have ap-prenticed with an energy management specialist for at least six months. Many community college and technical institute programs in energy management are available. Most technical institutes offer programs that are quite specific and deal explicitly with the installation, maintenance, and repair of certain types of heating or air conditioning systems. Conversely, community colleges tend to offer more broad-based programs, familiarizing students with the principles and applications of physics, electronics, energy conservation, computers, instrumentation, and energy economics. These majors are often called energy conservation or energy management technology. At these colleges, typical first programs include classes in mathematics, chemistry, physics, the fundamentals of energy technology and engineering, introduction to electricity and electrical devices, and energy production systems. Second-year classes may include electrical power and illumination systems, mechanical and fluid systems, energy conservation codes and regulations, blueprint reading, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning maintenance. Students must like working with their hands and have mechanical aptitude. Students spend a considerable amount of time in the laboratory assembling, disassembling, adjusting, and operating a variety of energy systems. Most graduates of energy management programs secure jobs before leaving college because school job placement offices do a good job of placing these individuals.
Special Certification
There are presently no state licensing requirements for this occupation.
Setting
Energy management technicians work in laboratories, manufacturing facilities, power plants, and at homes and small businesses. Research technicians work primarily in laboratories or engineering departments. They usually work a normal day schedule and a standard 40-hour week. Research technicians work with machinery and instruments that can cause harm by electric shock, and they must exercise good judgment and caution. In most cases these facilities are clean, safe, and comfortable environments with advanced machinery and instruments.
Production technicians work primarily in manufacturing facilities, power plants, and at work sites installing and maintaining equipment. Depending on their duties, these technicians can spend part of all of their time making service and installation calls. Their places of work can be dirty, noisy, and sometimes hot or cold. For the most part, they travel only locally and are usually assigned a company vehicle. These technicians also work a regular 40-hour week, but occasionally they must work more when equipment installation or repair deadlines are tight.
Conservation technicians work primarily in the field at homes and businesses. They typically make appointments with clients and meet them at the site they are inspecting. They frequently talk with clients and make return calls to check up on improvements or make additional inspections, and therefore, must possess good communication skills. These technicians may need to climb and to squeeze into tight locations, and are occasionally required to work in dirty, noisy and hot or cold places. Most are assigned a company vehicle and must possess a valid driver's license. In some cases these technicians must drive far from their home base, but overnight stays away from home are rare. Conservation technicians work a typical 40-hour week, and overtime is generally not required.
Salary Statistics
The pay for energy management technicians is above average for technicians in similar fields. Most entry-level technicians with only a high school diploma and no experience can expect to earn between $14,000 and $18,000, while those with a two-year college degree can earn between $17,000 and $23,000 per year. Technicians with three to six years' experience can earn as high as $30,000 per year. Local government agencies have similar starting pay scales and usually offer more generous benefit packages, such as family health insurance, and sick and vacation pay.
Sources of Further Information
- American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 535 Washington, DC 20036
- Association of Energy Engineers 4025 Pleasant dale Rd. Suite 420 Atlanta, GA 30340
- Energy Conservation Coalition 1525 New Hampshire Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036
- Center for Energy Policy and Research c/o New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY 11568
- Alliance to Save Energy 1925 K St., NW Suite 206 Washington, DC 20006
