What Does it Take to Be a Weatherization Installer or Technician?

Job 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

• Test and diagnose air flow systems, using furnace efficiency analysis equipment.
• Prepare and apply weather-stripping, glazing, caulking, or door sweeps to reduce energy losses.
• Apply insulation materials such as loose, blanket, board, and foam insulation to attics, crawl spaces, basements, or walls.
• Explain energy conservation measures, such as the use of low flow showerheads and energy-efficient lighting.
• Apply spackling, compounding, or other materials to repair holes in walls.
• Prepare cost estimates or specifications for rehabilitation or weatherization services.

What Every Weatherization Installer or Technician Should Know

Weatherization Installers and Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Other Weatherization Installer or Technician Job Titles

• Weatherseal Technician
• Energy Auditor
• Weatherization Assistant
• Weatherization Coordinator
• Weatherization Administrator

Are There Job Opportunities for Weatherization Installers and Technicians?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 42,700 jobs in the United States for Weatherization Installer or Technician. 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. The BLS estimates 5,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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 do Weatherization Installers and Technicians Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Weatherization Installers and Technicians may use on a daily basis:

• 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

Becoming a Weatherization Installer or Technician

Education needed to be a Weatherization Installer or Technician:

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

References:

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

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More about our data sources and methodologies.