Appliance Technicians Will Be In-Demand as Homes Become Smarter

As Homes Become “Smarter,” Demand for Appliance Technicians Will Rise

Refrigerators that let you know when the milk is about to expire or that read you the steps of a recipe might seem like something out of the “Jetsons,” along with robot housekeepers and flying cars. But, today, they are found in homes across the U.S.

It’s not only refrigerators that have gotten smarter. Other common household appliances, from thermostats to TVs and from ovens to security cameras have all gotten an intelligence upgrade. As of 2016, nearly half of all people were interested in homes that had smart appliances^[1].

The rise of the smart home can mean many things. A study by Pew Research Center found that more than 50% of people surveyed^[2] agreed with the statement that smart homes would allow people to better manage resources and would improve energy efficiency. As more people purchase smart appliances, the need for qualified technicians to maintain or repair those appliances is also likely to increase.

What Are Smart Appliances?

Smart appliances are regular old appliances, such as washers and dryers, refrigerators and ovens, which happen to be connected to the internet. In some cases, the appliances themselves will have a WiFi connection. In others, they will connect to a smartphone and can be controlled through an app.

Compared to regular old appliances, smart appliances offer several conveniences and benefits to homeowners. They can help homeowners save money on energy use and utility bills. For example, smart thermostats learn a person’s preferences and will adjust the temperature in a home automatically at certain times of a day. A homeowner with a smart thermostat no longer has to worry about raising or lowering it on their own.

Some smart appliances can make a home safer. For example, a smart camera that’s connected to a user’s phone can alert them whenever there is any strange activity, such as an unknown person hanging out on a porch. Smart light bulbs can change color when levels of smoke or carbon monoxide are detected.

What Do Appliance Technicians Do?

Appliance technicians service and repair a range of household appliances, such as washers and dryers and ovens. Some can specialize in the service and repair of heating and cooling systems. The nature of their work can vary based on where they work and the types of machines they fix.

For example, a technician who works in an apartment building might be responsible for maintaining the appliances in each unit in the building. A technician who works at a school or hospital is likely responsible for the appliances throughout the building. HVAC technicians might travel from home to home or business to business, installing or repairing equipment as needed.

How Will Smarter Homes Affect the Demand for Technicians?

In the past, additional training beyond high school and some on-the-job instruction wasn’t required to begin a career as an appliance technician or HVAC technician. As more and more people invest in smart appliances and as the technology behind those appliances becomes increasingly complex, there is more demand for more advanced training, such as a career certificate and licensure.

Over the next 10 years, the demand for general appliance workers and technicians is expected to increase by 6%^[3]. Demand for heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers is expected to increase by 13% over the next decade^[4].

How Do You Become an Appliance Technician?

Earning a career certificate can the first step on the path toward a career as an appliance technician or HVAC technician. After earning a major appliance and refrigeration certificate from Orange Technical College, you’ll be eligible to take the Graduate Certified Appliance Technician and the Professional Service Installer exam. Earning an HVAC certificate prepares you for HVAC Excellence’s Employment Ready Exams. If you wish, you can continue your studies in an associate’s degree program at Valencia College after completing an HVAC certificate.

If the idea of smart homes intrigues you and you’re interested in a career that’s focused on the latest in home appliance technology, Orange Technical College can help you get started. Request information today on our appliance and HVAC programs.

Sources:

1. “Prep Agents With 6 Smart Home Facts,” Realtor Magazine, https://magazine.realtor/for-brokers/network/article/2016/02/prep-agents-with-6-smart-home-facts
2. “The Future of Smart Home Systems,” Pew Research Center, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2012/06/29/the-future-of-smart-systems/
3. “General Maintenance and Repair Workers,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/general-maintenance-and-repair-workers.htm#tab-6
4. “Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm#tab-6