Appliance Servicers and Repairers

Nature of work

Appliance servicers and repairers service and repair household and commercial appliances. They work for repair shops, appliance service companies, and repair departments of retail and wholesale businesses, or they may be self-employed.

Job duties

Small electrical appliance servicers and repairers:

• Repair small electrical appliances like lawn and garden equipment and power tools.
• Consult customer or refer to work order to establish nature of the appliance malfunction.
• Observe operation of appliance and complete voltage, resistance and other tests using electrical test equipment.
• Refer to schematic drawings or product manuals and replace or repair parts or components using hand tools and soldering equipment.
• Prepare estimates and written accounts of work performed.

Major appliance repairers/technicians:

• Repair major electrical or gas appliances like domestic and commercial dishwashing equipment, stoves, laundry equipment and refrigerators in customer's home, in customer's place of business or in repair shop.
• Consult customer or refer to work order to establish nature of the appliance malfunction.
• Diagnose faults by checking controls, condensers, timer sequences, fans and other components using test equipment like meters and gauges to measure resistance, current, voltage, pressure, temperature, flue gases and flow rates.
• Refer to schematic diagrams or product manuals and take apart appliance using hand tools.
• Use shop equipment and specialized diagnostic and programming machinery to repair, adjust and reprogram appliances.
• Replace components and subcomponents and reassemble appliance using hand tools and soldering and brazing equipment.
• Prepare estimates and written accounts of work performed.
• May plan service routes.

Sample job titles

• appliance service technician
• dishwasher repairer
• electrical appliance repairer
• electrical appliance technician
• gas appliance servicer
• refrigerator servicer
• stove repairer
• vacuum cleaner repairer
• washing machine servicer

Skills

• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Mechanical aptitude
• Manual dexterity
• Good eyesight and colour vision
• Attention to detail
• A neat appearance
• Customer service skills
• Ability to work independently
• Physical strength and stamina

Job requirements

• Small appliance repairers usually require some specialized college or high school courses or several months of on-the-job training.
• Major appliance repairers/technicians need some high school education and completion of a college program in appliance repair.
• Trade Qualifier option, 8,100 hours, and other criteria.
• Certification for appliance service technicians is voluntary in Nova Scotia.
• Write and score a minimum of 70% on the Red Seal exam for appliance service technicians.
• Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) allows for interprovincial mobility.
• A provincial gas fitter licence may be required for gas appliance service technicians.

Other considerations

• Technicians may be supplied with service vehicles. The work environment may vary considerably because most of the work is in customers’ homes.
• Appliance service technicians typically work a 40-hour week, but overtime is a possibility for emergency work or at busy times of the year. Some work evenings and weekends. Hours can vary considerably for those who are self-employed.
• Physical considerations of the work include bending, kneeling, and moving large appliances.
• Risks include physical injury due to electrical shocks, cuts, burns, and muscle strain.
• Appliance service technicians may specialize in certain types or brands of appliances.
• Appliance service technicians may consult and coordinate with other tradespeople like refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, electricians, gas fitters, and plumbers.
• With experience, appliance service technicians may move into technical training, sales, or supervisory positions. They may also work in their own appliance service business.

Regulations

Contacts

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