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HVAC Technician in the United Kingdom

Ventilation and air-conditioning work is measured by outcomes: safe install, stable performance, and clean documentation.

Construction & Trades Mid Medium sponsorship likelihood (indicative) Gross pay focus
CV required: candidates without a CV are not considered.
Work eligibility: non-UK candidates must already have the right to work in the UK, or apply only to employers who explicitly confirm sponsorship for the specific vacancy.
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Typical pay (gross)
£34k–£45k / year
Mid-level HVAC tech band; role scope and rota/overtime can shift total earnings.
Reference month (gross)
£2,833–£3,750
Annual range divided by 12; payroll cycles vary by employer.
Reference hour (gross)
£16.35–£21.63
Equivalent at 40 hours/week (comparison only). Many roles run 40–48 hours/week.

Typical responsibilities (site + service)

  • Install HVAC components to drawings: ductwork, pipework, supports, condensate, insulation, plant connections.
  • Assist with commissioning support: pre-start checks, airflow/balancing support, start-up routines, test sheets.
  • Perform planned maintenance (PPM): filters, belts, coils, fan sets, basic controls checks, and housekeeping.
  • Reactive fault-finding on AC/ventilation systems and safe escalation where specialist support is required.
  • Maintain documentation: job notes, parts used, photos where required, and handover updates.
  1. Read the scope: drawings, spec, and method statement.
  2. Install correctly: supports, clearances, labeling, and safe routing.
  3. Prove performance: checks, measurements, and test sheets.
  4. Maintain reliability: PPM routines and tidy plant rooms.
  5. Close the job: documentation, handover, and next actions.

In the UK, employers value technicians who leave a clean trail: what was checked, what was measured, and what was handed over.

Candidate portrait

You are hands-on and methodical. You can install cleanly, diagnose issues step-by-step, and keep safety and documentation standards without being reminded. You don’t guess; you verify.

Signals employers like

  • Clear list of systems: split/DX, VRF/VRV, AHU/FCU, ventilation and extract, heat pumps
  • Evidence of commissioning support (checks, airflow, test sheets, snagging close-out)
  • Maintenance experience (PPM plans, fault logs, parts and consumables)
  • Confident English for safety briefings and site coordination

Tools & working habits

  • Safe isolation mindset; tidy cable/pipe routing and labeling
  • Basic readings and measurements (temperatures, pressures where applicable, airflow checks where requested)
  • Leak awareness and refrigerant handling discipline (role-dependent)
  • Structured reporting: “symptom → checks → findings → action → next step”
Anti-duplicate module: A strong technician reduces rework by leaving systems stable and paperwork complete.

Requirements (detailed)

Must-have

  • English CV (mandatory) with dates, locations, and system types.
  • Mid-level HVAC experience: install and/or maintenance, with evidence of safe working.
  • Site discipline: PPE use, tidy work area, and respect for site rules and permits.
  • Coordination English: enough for toolbox talks, RAMS awareness, and daily handovers.

Commonly requested (depends on scope)

F-Gas certification (where refrigerants are handled) Often requested for refrigerant work; category depends on activities and systems.
Construction site access requirements Some sites request a CSCS card (or equivalent site credential) depending on employer/client rules.
Commissioning support mindset Pre-start checks, snagging close-out, and clear test sheets/handover notes.

Strong advantages

  • Heat pump installation/servicing experience
  • Controls exposure (BMS interfaces, sensors, setpoints) and clean reporting
  • On-call / reactive maintenance experience with tidy fault logs
  • Driving licence (field roles) and willingness to travel (project roles)

Pay (gross / brutto) — realistic UK bands

Band (indicative) Gross pay What it usually means
Starter / improver ~£25k–£34k Assists installs/PPM, develops diagnostics, works under a lead engineer for complex faults.
Mid (typical HVAC Technician) ~£34k–£45k Independent installs + maintenance, predictable quality, supports commissioning and documentation.
Experienced / rota / specialist scope ~£45k+ Broader fault-finding, on-call rota, complex plant exposure, higher responsibility and coverage.

All figures are gross (brutto). Total compensation can change with shift patterns, overtime, on-call rota, and allowances.

Typical hours & rhythm

  • Many roles run 40–48 hours/week depending on site, maintenance contract, and project stage.
  • Some employers use on-call rotas for breakdown cover (allowances vary).
  • Work can be site-based, facilities-based, or field-based (client locations).

UK work conditions (practical, current)

Paid holiday: statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks per year (pro-rated for part-time).
Rest breaks: if you work more than 6 hours in a day, you are entitled to at least a 20-minute uninterrupted break.
Working time cap: average limit is 48 hours/week (normally averaged over 17 weeks), unless you opt out.
Site expectations: PPE, safe systems of work, and “leave it safe and tidy” is a baseline.
Documentation culture: test sheets and clear job notes matter for compliance and maintenance history.
Refrigerant handling: where the role includes refrigerant work, employers often expect the appropriate qualification.

This section is informational and reflects general UK rules and expectations. Employer policies and role scope still apply.

How MaViAl screening works

  • CV review: systems you worked on, scope (install/PPM/reactive), and evidence of safe practices.
  • Fit check: construction site vs facilities vs field service, travel expectations, and commissioning scope.
  • Matching: we align your profile with current UK demand and client requirements.
  • Next steps: you receive clear instructions for the application path and communications.
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FAQ

What gross pay is realistic for HVAC Technician jobs in the UK in 2026?

For a mid-level HVAC Technician, a realistic gross band is £34k–£45k per year. On-call rota and overtime can increase total earnings depending on the employer and contract.

What should I include in my CV to pass screening?

List system types (DX/VRF, ventilation, AHUs), whether you did install or maintenance, examples of fault-finding, commissioning support tasks, and how you document work (test sheets, job notes, handovers).

Do I need F-Gas certification?

If the role includes handling refrigerants, many employers expect the appropriate certification. If your scope is ductwork/ventilation only, it may be less critical. Your CV should clarify what you actually do on systems.

What does “commissioning support” mean in HVAC?

It usually means helping prove performance: pre-start checks, confirming installation readiness, supporting airflow checks, completing test sheets, snagging and close-out, and assisting safe handover to the client.

Is sponsorship possible?

It depends on the employer and the vacancy. If you require sponsorship, apply only where the employer confirms sponsorship for that role.

What does “good performance” look like in the first month?

You follow site rules, deliver tidy installs/PPM, reduce callbacks by documenting properly, and communicate early when you find constraints (missing parts, access issues, or design conflicts).