Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R)
Employment Trends
- Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration units — large and small — always need repairs and maintenance. With increases in industry and commercial business as well as new home construction and renovation, there is a constant need for qualified HVAC technicians.
- Job prospects are expected to be good, particularly for those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training.
- This field is ideal for someone who enjoys figuring out how equipment works and fixing it. Diagnostic techniques and the use of testing equipment is central to the trade.
Program Summary
What would those living in Chicago do without heating, those in Miami do without air-conditioning, or blood banks all over the country do without refrigeration? Heating and air-conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings. Refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—also called technicians—install, maintain, and repair such systems. Because heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems often are referred to as HVACR systems, these workers also may be called HVACR technicians.
Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. In central heating systems, for example, a furnace heats air that is distributed throughout the building via a system of metal or fiberglass ducts. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire system. To do this, they adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the entire system using special tools and test equipment.
Employment Trends
- Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration units — large and small — always need repairs and maintenance. With increases in industry and commercial business as well as new home construction and renovation, there is a constant need for qualified HVAC technicians.
- Job prospects are expected to be good, particularly for those with technical school or formal apprenticeship training.
- This field is ideal for someone who enjoys figuring out how equipment works and fixing it. Diagnostic techniques and the use of testing equipment is central to the trade.
Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- Coursework leading to award of a Continuing Education Certificate
- Skills development and preparation potentially leading to professional credentialing
This comprehensive heating and cooling essentials program combines a practical blend of theory with on-the-job skill building procedures. It provides students with a thorough and accurate guide to troubleshooting and essential service procedures on many types of systems, and to the business aspect of the industry. Successful completion will include EPA certification, providing students with the basis for endless career opportunities in positions with A/C contractors; wholesale distributors; equipment sales; transportation, federal, state, and local government; the armed services; and in property management, institutional maintenance, and countless other facilities and agencies.
Program Curriculum
|
Crs #
|
Course Name
|
Hrs
|
|
HVC300
|
Introduction to HVAC/R, Level One – Part 1 (6.9 CEUs)
|
45
|
|
HVC301
|
Introduction to HVAC/R, Level One – Part 2 (6.9 CEUs)
|
69
|
|
HVC302
|
Trade Mathematics for HVAC/R (1.2 CEUs)
|
12
|
|
HVC303
|
Piping Practices for HVAC/R
|
21
|
|
HVC304
|
Basic Electricity for HVAC/R (1.5 CEUs)
|
15
|
|
HVC305
|
Introduction To Cooling for HVAC/R
|
36
|
|
HVC306
|
Introduction to Heating for HVAC/R
|
18
|
|
HVC307
|
HVAC/R Level Two – Air Distribution Systems, Chimneys, Vents and Flues
|
18
|
|
HVC308
|
HVAC/R Level Two – Maintenance Skills for the Service Tech
|
21
|
|
HVC309
|
HVAC/R Level Two – Alternating Current
|
9
|
|
|
Program total
|
264
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- I’m interested in learning about HVAC/R. Which courses should I take first?
As an entry level student, you should consider the HVC 300 and HVC 301 course during your first semester of study. These courses offer the fundamentals of HVAC/R including Trade Math, Basic Electricity, Piping Practices, Heating and Cooling. There is minimal lab work in these two courses, but they provide the foundation for success in the HVAC field.
- What about these other courses listed which meet at the same time? (HVC 302 - HVC 306)
These courses are designed for individuals who are only interested in updating specific skills. These courses are limited to five students and the students attend the HVC 300 or HVC 301 course in progress during the dates the specific module (i.e. Trade Math) will be offered. If you sign up for HVC 300 and HVC 301, you will learn all of Level One materials.
- When do I start training on HVAC/R systems? I have a few years experience working the field, but I want to learn the proper way to repair a system?
Unlike most of our students, you are coming in with some field experience. You may want to consider starting with the level two courses. These courses will begin in Fall 2006 and will be offered at a training lab in Camp Springs. Topics in level two will include HVACR Troubleshooting for the Maintenance Tech, Alternating Current, and Air Distribution Systems. Topics will be added each semester, as we build our student base for these courses.