Home Appliance Repairers

Description

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

Tasks

  • Disassemble appliances so that problems can be diagnosed and repairs can be made.
  • Bill customers for repair work, and collect payment.
  • Trace electrical circuits, following diagrams, and conduct tests with circuit testers and other equipment to locate shorts and grounds.
  • Service and repair domestic electrical and/or gas appliances such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
  • Replace worn and defective parts such as switches, bearings, transmissions, belts, gears, circuit boards, or defective wiring.
  • Talk to customers or refer to work orders in order to establish the nature of appliance malfunctions.
  • Reassemble units after repairs are made, making adjustments and cleaning and lubricating parts as needed.
  • Record maintenance and repair work performed on appliances.
  • Provide repair cost estimates, and recommend whether appliance repair or replacement is a better choice.
  • Maintain stocks of parts used in on-site installation, maintenance, and repair of appliances.
  • Clean and reinstall parts.
  • Observe and examine appliances during operation to detect specific malfunctions such as loose parts or leaking fluid.
  • Observe and test operation of appliances following installation, and make any initial installation adjustments that are necessary.
  • Refer to schematic drawings, product manuals, and troubleshooting guides in order to diagnose and repair problems.
  • Instruct customers regarding operation and care of appliances, and provide information such as emergency service numbers.
  • Assemble new or reconditioned appliances.
  • Clean, lubricate, and touch up minor defects on newly installed or repaired appliances.
  • Conserve, recover, and recycle refrigerants used in cooling systems.
  • Level refrigerators, adjust doors, and connect water lines to water pipes for ice makers and water dispensers, using hand tools.
  • Set appliance thermostats, and check to ensure that they are functioning properly.
  • Level washing machines and connect hoses to water pipes, using hand tools.
  • Install gas pipes and water lines to connect appliances to existing gas lines or plumbing.
  • Respond to emergency calls for problems such as gas leaks.
  • Install appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves.
  • Contact supervisors or offices to receive repair assignments.
  • Light and adjust pilot lights on gas stoves, and examine valves and burners for gas leakage and specified flame.
  • Test and examine gas pipelines and equipment to locate leaks and faulty connections, and to determine the pressure and flow of gas.
  • Measure, cut, and thread pipe, and connect it to feeder lines and equipment or appliances, using rules and hand tools.
  • Take measurements to determine if appliances will fit in installation locations; perform minor carpentry work when necessary to ensure proper installation.
  • Hang steel supports from beams or joists to hold hoses, vents, and gas pipes in place.
  • Disassemble and reinstall existing kitchen cabinets, or assemble and install prefabricated kitchen cabinets and trim in conjunction with appliance installation.

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Hearing Sensitivity
The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Work Activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Selling or Influencing Others
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Work Context

Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

Interests

Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Work Style

Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Lay Titles

Air-Conditioner Window Unit Installer-Servicer
Appliance Adjuster
Appliance Installer
Appliance Repairer
Appliance Service Technician
Appliance Technician
Appliance Worker
Automatic Washer Mechanic
Customer Service Representative
Electric Appliance Installer
Electric Razor Mechanic
Electric Shaver Mechanic
Electric Stove Mechanic
Electric Tool Repairer
Electrical Appliance Mechanic
Electrical Appliance Repairer
Electrical Appliance Servicer
Electrical Appliance Servicer Apprentice
Electrical Mechanical Technician
Field Service Representative
Gas Appliance Adjuster
Gas Appliance Installer
Gas Appliance Mechanic
Gas Appliance Repairer
Gas Appliance Servicer
Gas Technician
Home Appliance Dryer and Washer Mechanic
Home Appliance Installer
Home Appliance Washing Machine Mechanic
Home Appliances Mechanic
Household Appliance Installer
Household Appliance Mechanic
Household Appliance Repairer
Household Appliances Service Technician
Household Refrigeration Mechanic
Household Refrigerator Mechanic
Microwave Household Appliances Technician
Range Mechanic
Refrigerator Repairman
Repair Technician
Room Cooler Installer
Service Manager
Service Technician
Sewing Machine Mechanic
Stove Installer
Stove Mechanic
Vacuum Cleaner Mechanic
Vacuum Cleaner Repairer
Vacuum Repairer
Washer Repairman
Washing Machine Installer
Window Unit Air Conditioning Mechanic

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$16.91 hourly, $35,170 annual.
Employment (2008):
34,510 employees