HVAC/R Service Technician - Light Commercial
CoolSys
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Overview
At CoolSys, we offer more than just a job—we provide stability, growth, and industry-leading benefits for our employees. No wonder Newsweek named CoolSys one of America's Greatest Workplaces! As a large company serving diverse customers, we invest in our team with:
Why CoolSys?
- Competitive Compensation: $30.00-$45.00 per hour DOE
- Sign On Bonus: Up to $5,000.00 DOE
- Ongoing Education & Training: Access to state-of-the-art facilities and paid online training.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription coverage, paid vacation/holidays, and a 401(K) match.
- Year-Round, Diverse Work: Stay engaged with consistent, interesting projects throughout the year, working across various industries and systems to keep learning and growing.
- Extra Perks: Quarterly bonus plan, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts on vehicles, hotels, theme parks, pet insurance, and more.
Join us and advance your career while working with top-tier clients in the HVAC and refrigeration industry!
Responsibilities
The HVAC/R Technician role is primarily responsible for performing repairs and maintenance to a variety of HVAC and Refrigeration equipment including air conditioning, electric motors, heating units, heat pumps, hermetic compressors, commercial furnaces, boilers, burners, intake and exhaust fans, economizers and humidifiers, RTUs, remote condensing units, ice machines, walk-in coolers & freezers, and upright refrigerators & freezers.
Qualifications
- 5 years of commercial experience as an HVAC and Refrigeration Technician
- Active EPA Certification
- Valid driver's license
- Excellent customer relations and interpersonal skills
- Mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to safely lift to 50 lbs., climb and balance on a ladder, and work in elevated/high locations.
Join Us: Today, there are 27 different companies that make up the CoolSys family of brands. Our valued employees are at the heart of our continued growth and success. We invite you to be part of that growth! Connect with us on Facebook and X.
CoolSys is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified individuals - Including all ages, colors, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics are encouraged to apply. Pre-employment background screening (criminal and MVR for driving positions) and drug testing are required for all positions. CoolSys will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with federal law, state law, or local ordinance.
What Most AC & HVAC Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
HVAC in Texas requires a state license at the company level, and technicians who handle refrigerant need EPA Section 608 certification. Many shops also want NATE certification for higher pay. You can start as an installer helper or entry technician and grow into diagnostics and system design. Pay is often hourly with strong overtime in summer, and service techs frequently earn commission or spiffs on repairs and system sales.
Seasonality drives this trade in Houston. Summer is brutal and busy, with long days, attic heat, and heavy on-call rotations when systems fail. Winter shifts toward heating checks, maintenance plans, and install backlog. New hires underestimate the physical toll of attic and rooftop work in extreme heat. You drive a stocked truck, carry gauges and recovery gear, and stay ready for after-hours emergencies. Steady demand and a shortage of skilled techs keep the field open to anyone who shows up and learns fast.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
A service tech starts with a dispatch list and a truck loaded with common parts. You roll to no-cool calls, check the thermostat, measure refrigerant pressures, test the compressor and capacitor, and inspect the coil and blower. You explain the fault, quote the fix, and get approval before the repair.
Maintenance visits fill much of the shoulder seasons. You clean coils, change filters, flush drain lines, and check amperage so a system does not fail in the next heat wave. Install crews spend the day setting condensers and air handlers, running line sets and ductwork, and brazing connections. Customer trust matters because many repairs are invisible to the homeowner. You document readings, photograph the work, and close the ticket in the field. Expect heat, ladders, tight attics, and a lot of driving between calls, balanced by the satisfaction of restoring cool air on a hundred degree day.
What AC & HVAC Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (HVAC Mechanics and Installers).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $28.34/hr.
Becoming a Licensed HVAC Technician in Texas
HVAC contracting is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the license is held at the company level by a certified technician. Anyone who handles refrigerant needs federal EPA Section 608 certification. Many employers also value NATE certification, which raises pay. You can start as an installer helper with no license, earn your EPA card early, and build toward the ACR technician and then contractor license through documented experience and exams. Summer overtime is common while you climb.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Install Helper / Entry Tech $47,029/yr
Assist installs and maintenance while earning EPA 608 certification.
- 2 Service Technician $58,947/yr
Diagnose and repair systems solo. NATE certification lifts pay.
- 3 Lead Tech / Comfort Advisor $73,902/yr
Handle complex diagnostics, system design, and replacement sales.
- 4 Install Foreman / Estimator $73,902/yr
Run install crews and bid residential and commercial systems.
- 5 HVAC Contractor $83,117/yr
Hold the state license and run your own heating and cooling company.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
More AC & HVAC Jobs Near Houston
Your Job Search Toolkit
Free tools, prefilled for ac & hvac roles.
Was this job page helpful?
Looking to hire instead?
Find verified AC & HVAC businesses in Houston →