Home appliance repairers install and repair household appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves, and washer and dryers.
Home appliance repairers typically do the following:
Home appliance repairers, often called home appliance repair technicians, usually travel to customers’ homes to do their work. They use many basic handtools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, to determine the cause of unusual noises, leaks, or excessive vibration. Some use more specialized tools, such as ammeters, voltmeters, and wattmeters, to check for electrical problems. After identifying problems, workers repair or replace defective belts, motors, heating elements, switches, gears, or other items. They also may tighten, align, clean, and lubricate parts as necessary.
Most technicians explain to clients how to use a new appliance. If necessary, they may show clients how to use different functions of a newly repaired appliance.
Technicians also keep records of bills, payments, parts used, and hours worked. If an appliance is under warranty, a technician may need to contact the appliance’s manufacturer to be paid for the work they did.
When working on refrigerators and window air conditioners, repairers are required by law to conserve, recover, and recycle chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and hydrofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerants used in cooling systems. Federal regulations also require that home appliance repair technicians document the capture and disposal of refrigerants. For more information, see the profile on heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition