When I asked José Javier if he would be interested in being interviewed to commemorate World Refrigeration Day, he replied with the same enthusiasm and authenticity he shows in his social media posts. That’s exactly why I chose him: I thought it would be fascinating to learn more about the hands-on work being done in our sector through the perspective of someone who is truly passionate about what he does and willing to tell it like it is. As an added bonus, I got to enjoy his distinctive sense of humour and his growing fame as a disseminator on LinkedIn.

This year (2025), World Refrigeration Day, which we celebrate today, is dedicated to “cooling skills,” highlighting the importance of technical expertise, training, and the professionals who keep this industry running. José Javier López Reinaldo has over 25 years of hands-on experience with refrigeration and air conditioning systems. In recent years, he has also taken to sharing anecdotes and reflections on his work on LinkedIn, where he describes himself as: “Refrigeration Technician – FrigoMan – Low-Cost FrigoInfluencer.”

Refrigeration technician is his profession, while FrigoMan and FrigoInfluencer are the result of his social media presence. He explains it like this: “The FrigoInfluencer thing started when a LinkedIn user, José Luis Medina (RIP), gave me that nickname. He was the first to call me Frigoman. When I heard that he’d passed away, I added it to my profile name. At the last IFEMA trade show, people started stopping me in the hallways, they recognised me. I was amazed, and sort of jokingly began calling myself a FrigoInfluencer.”

José Javier devotes much of his time and energy to the maintenance, sales, and installation of air conditioning systems. In addition, he also carries out some work in the refrigeration sector, specifically performing inspections in hospital blood banks. When I asked what motivates him most to get up and go to work, he didn’t hesitate: “New challenges. A new challenge, a new adventure.” He adds, “Monotony kills me. That’s why I don’t fit into a setup where I’d just be installing domestic units all day, which is mostly what’s around in my area.” And what doesn’t he miss on his days off? He’s also clear on that: “Phone calls. I get drained by those mornings full of one call after another, they keep you from sticking to your schedule. I try to funnel all calls to email so I can organise my routes and appointments properly when I sit down at the computer.”

As you might imagine, José Javier could probably write a book about all the stories he’s lived through while installing and maintaining cooling systems. But the one he finds funniest is this: “Once, I advised a client not to remove the ceiling cassette units already installed in the office he had just bought. There was no electricity yet, so I wanted to wait until power was available to inspect that particular unit. Out of the 18 units, we already knew 9 would need replacing due to age and difficulty finding spare parts. I started installing other machines, still without power, while waiting for the supply to be connected. I even ordered a specific remote control for that unit. When the electricity finally came on and the unit didn’t respond to the remote, I opened it up—only to find just the decorative panel. The actual unit was gone! Someone had taken it, and only the fascia remained. In the end, we had to order another machine, and now I’ve got a very expensive remote control that I no longer need.”

Of course, beyond the funny moments, there are also very serious situations that demand full attention, like when he arrives at a site and finds a system in a condition far from what you’d expect. One of the most common mistakes José Javier often highlights on LinkedIn is the failure to respect the minimum clearance distances required for proper airflow in HVAC installations. In these cases, he has learned to be extremely cautious: “My best advice for refrigeration and air conditioning installations is to look before you touch. Carefully observe everything, especially when dealing with new clients. It’s not the first time someone’s blamed me for something that was already broken. It’s happened more than once with service valves. I’ve gone to connect the gauge early in the morning to check pressures, and the valve was already damaged. When I removed the cap, I immediately saw the first issue: it was missing.” He repeats his golden rule: “Look and analyse before touching anything.”

In the refrigeration trade, the challenges aren’t just practical, but they’re also bureaucratic. In fact, one of José Javier’s biggest concerns is the possible implementation of a law requiring an engineer’s signature every time a domestic unit is installed. He notes that this would be particularly problematic for freelancers and small businesses. With a touch of resignation, he adds: “We’ll have to find some kind of solution, and in many cases, that’ll mean closing shop. It would probably be another shake-up, like what happened in 2010 with Royal Decree 795/2010, when thousands of old-school refrigeration technicians without formal certification had to change careers, retire early, or end up unemployed.”

Dealing with customers can also be complicated when it comes to enforcing safety regulations. According to José Javier, it’s not always easy to get clients to understand the importance of meeting manufacturers’ minimum requirements or complying with occupational risk prevention laws. “Lots of people still ask for outrageous things to be done five or six metres above ground, with no safety measures. When you bring up the need for a lifting platform or something similar, they question you, saying you’re being too picky. But there’s always that one guy who’s willing to risk his life.”

Another challenge in the profession is handling the sense of urgency some clients bring. His advice to newcomers in the field is directly related to this: “Don’t give in to pressure. We’re not heart surgeons doing open-heart surgery. People demand speed or emergency service from us, but they’ll wait months to see a doctor. In our line of work, except for rare cases, it’s not life or death.”

Of course, José Javier’s life isn’t all about installing and repairing systems. On LinkedIn, he also shares snippets of his free time and how he manages to keep warm or cool during the day. To get energised in the morning, coffee is essential; and to cool down, his favourite “refrigerant” at the end of a Friday shift is a good cold beer. “I’m a beeretarian,” he jokes, true to his signature sense of humour.

José Javier’s story is a perfect example of the life of a refrigeration technician working in southern Spain, where summer temperatures can be extreme. Still, every technician probably has their own way of recharging and facing new challenges…or “new adventures,” as he likes to call them. Always, of course, guided by his motto: “Look and analyse before touching anything.”

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