What You Need to Know About Weatherization Installer or Technician

Occupation Description Perform a variety of activities to weatherize homes and make them more energy efficient. Duties include repairing windows, insulating ducts, and performing heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) work. May perform energy audits and advise clients on energy conservation measures.

Life As a Weatherization Installer or Technician: What Do They Do?

• Explain recommendations, policies, procedures, requirements, or other related information to residents or building owners.
• Recommend weatherization techniques to clients in accordance with needs and applicable energy regulations, codes, policies, or statutes.
• Clean and maintain tools and equipment.
• Maintain activity logs, financial transaction logs, or other records of weatherization work performed.
• Install and seal air ducts, combustion air openings, or ventilation openings to improve heating and cooling efficiency.
• Inspect buildings to identify required weatherization measures, including repair work, modification, or replacement.

Skills Needed to be a Weatherization Installer or Technician

When polled, Weatherization Installers and Technicians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Energy Conservation Director
• Building Analyst/Supervisor
• Air Sealing Technician
• Director of Housing and Energy Services
• Weatherization and Housing Inspector

Is There Going to be Demand for Weatherization Installers and Technicians?

There were about 42,700 jobs for Weatherization Installer or Technician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Weatherization Installer or Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Weatherization Installer or Technician are District of Columbia, Colorado, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools & Technology do Weatherization Installers and Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Weatherization Installers and Technicians:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Project
• Database software
• SAP software
• Work scheduling software
• Apache Ant
• Salesforce.com Salesforce CRM

How to Become a Weatherization Installer or Technician

Individuals working as a Weatherization Installer or Technician have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Weatherization Installer or Technician?

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.