The HVAC/R Program offers the student the technical and practical knowledge and skills to help perform installation tasks, service, and repairs in heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning situations

Program’s Curriculum

Basic Safety (12.5 Hours)
Presents basic jobsite safety information to prepare workers for the construction environment. Describes the common causes of workplace incidents and accidents and how to avoid them. Introduces common PPE, including equipment required for work at height, and its proper use. Information related to safety in several specific environments, including welding areas and confined spaces, is also provided.
Introduction to Construction Math (10 Hours)
Reviews basic math skills related to the construction trades and demonstrates how they apply to the trades. Covers multiple systems of measurement, decimals, fractions, and basic geometry.

Introduction to Hand Tools (10 Hours)
Introduces common hand tools used in a variety of construction crafts. Identifies tools and how to safely use them. Proper hand tool maintenance is also presented.
Introduction to Power Tools (10 Hours)

Identifies and describes the operation of many power tools common in the construction environment. Provides instruction on proper use, as well as on safe-handling guidelines and basic maintenance.

Introduction to Construction Drawings (10 Hours)

Introduces the basic elements of construction drawings. The common components of drawings are presented, as well as the most common drawing types. The use of drawing scales and how to measure drawings is also covered.

Introduction to Basic Rigging (7.5 Elective Hours)

Provides basic information related to rigging and rigging hardware, such as slings, rigging hitches, and hoists. Emphasizes safe working habits in the vicinity of rigging operations.

Basic Communication Skills (7.5 Hours)

Provides good techniques for effective communication on the job. Includes examples that emphasize the importance of both written and verbal communication skills. Describes the importance of reading skills in the construction industry and covers proper techniques to use in a variety of different written communication formats. 

Basic Employability Skills (7.5 Hours)

Describes the opportunities offered by the construction trades. Discusses critical thinking and essential problem-solving skills for the construction industry. Also identifies and discusses positive social skills and their value in the workplace.

Introduction to Material Handling (5 Hours)

Describes the hazards associated with handling materials and provides techniques to avoid both injury and property damage. Common material-handling equipment is also introduced.

Introduction to HVAC (7.5 Hours) 

Covers the basic principles of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, career opportunities in HVAC, and how apprenticeship programs are constructed. Basic safety principles, as well as trade licensure and EPA guidelines, are also introduced.

Trade Mathematics (10 Hours) 

Explains how to solve HVAC/R trade related problems involving the measurement of lines, area, volume, weights, angles, pressure, vacuum, and temperature. Also includes a review of scientific notation, powers, roots, and basic algebra and geometry.

Basic Electricity (12.5 Hours) 

Introduces the concept of power generation and distribution, common electrical components, AC and DC circuits, and electrical safety as it relates to the HVAC field. Introduces reading and interpreting wiring diagrams.

Introduction to Heating (15 Hours) 

Covers the fundamentals of heating systems and the combustion process. The different types and designs of gas furnaces and their components, as well as basic procedures for their installation and service, is provided.

Introduction to Cooling (30 Hours) 

Explains the fundamental operating concepts of the refrigeration cycle and identifies both primary and secondary components found in typical HVAC/R systems. Common refrigerants are introduced as well. Describes the principles of heat transfer and the essential pressure temperature relationships of refrigerants. Basic control concepts for simple systems are also introduced.

Introduction to Air Distribution Systems (15 Hours) 

Describes the factors related to air movement and its measurement in common air distribution systems. The required mechanical equipment and materials used to create air distribution systems are also presented. Basic system design principles for both hot and cold climates are introduced.

Basic Copper and Plastic Piping Practices (10 Hours) 

Explains how to identify types of copper tubing and fittings used in the HVAC/R industry and how they are mechanically joined. The identification and application of various types of plastic piping, along with their common assembly and installation practices, are also presented.

Soldering and Brazing (10 Hours) 

Introduces the equipment, techniques, and materials used to safely join copper tubing through both soldering and brazing. The required PPE, preparation, and work processes are covered in detail. The procedures for brazing copper to dissimilar materials are also provided.

Basic Carbon Steel Piping Practices (10 Hours) 

Explains how to identify various carbon steel piping materials and fittings. The joining and installation of threaded and grooved carbon steel piping systems is covered, with detailed coverage of threading and grooving techniques included.

Alternating Current (10 hours)

Presents the basic concepts of alternating current generation and use. It also discusses how single- and three-phase alternating current is used to power resistive and inductive circuits in HVAC/R equipment. Various types of transformers used in HVAC systems are identified. The basic operation of single- and three-phase motors is explained. In addition, the process of safely testing AC-powered devices is covered.

Compressors (12.5 hours)

Presents refrigerant compressors. Since the compressor is considered the heart of any HVAC system, its good health and well-being are crucial to overall system performance and reliability. Compressors can take many forms, but they all perform the same basic function. They create the pressure differential in the system that allows refrigerant to move through the metering device and through the condenser and evaporator coils where heat is exchanged. Because the compressor is the most expensive component in most HVAC systems, it is important that technicians be able to correctly diagnose and correct problems that can affect compressor operation to avoid a costly compressor replacement. 

Refrigerants and Oils (15 hours)

Discusses the refrigerants and oils used in modern refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Today, new technologies and stringent environmental laws are driving changes in the HVAC industry. Older refrigerants that damage the environment are being phased out and replaced with more environmentally friendly refrigerants. These new refrigerants often require new compressor lubricating oils. These modern refrigerants and oils also have new handling and service requirements with which technicians must be familiar.

Leak Detection, Evacuation, Recovery, and Charging (30 hours)

Provides trainees with guidance related to servicing the refrigerant circuit of HVAC systems. The four essential service tasks—leak detection, evacuation, recovery, and charging—are covered in detail. In addition, information related to the US EPA’s requirements for providing these services in an environmentally sound manner are also provided. Developing the necessary skills to provide these services are vital to the future success of trainees in the HVAC/R trade. To that end, a significant amount of this module is devoted to hands-on practice and the successful completion of its required performance tasks.

Metering Devices (12.5 hours)

Introduces metering devices used in the mechanical refrigeration cycle. The primary function of metering devices is presented, along with related components such as the distributor. The operation of capillary tube, fixed-orifice, and expansion-type metering devices is explored in detail. In addition, the process of selecting and installing thermal expansion valves specifically is covered.

Heat Pumps (20 hours)

Introduces heat pumps, a very efficient form of electric heat. Compared to straight electric heat, heat pumps can consistently operate at higher energy efficiency. This module presents the operation of heat pump systems in detail with additional emphasis on the most common form of supplemental heat, electric resistance heating elements. The installation considerations of both split and packaged heat pumps systems are also reviewed.

Basic Maintenance (20 hours)

An introduction to common tasks associated with the basic maintenance of HVACR systems. Specific tasks, such as lubrication and belt installation, are discussed in detail. In addition, the module describes the general procedures for performing inspections and periodic maintenance of gas furnaces and common cooling/heat pump systems, including how to complete the required documentation.

Chimneys, Vents, and Flues (5 hours)

Covers the chimneys, vents, and flues that are used with fuel-burning furnaces and boilers. All fuel-burning appliances must have adequate air for complete combustion and must have a means to safely remove the products of combustion. Different types of fuel-fired furnaces and boilers have different and unique requirements for venting the products of combustion.

Sheet Metal Duct Systems (10 hours)

Covers sheet metal duct systems. While other materials can be used to fabricate air ducts, sheet metal has been and continues to be one of the most popular materials for this purpose. Major advantages of sheet metal ducts systems include low resistance to airflow, strength, and durability. In addition to using time-tested assembly methods, modern sheet metal duct systems need to be sealed to prevent leakage of conditioned air, and insulated to prevent heat loss or heat gain through the walls of the duct.

Fiberglass and Fabric Duct Systems (7.5 hours)

Reviews the application and methods of fabricating fiberglass duct systems. In addition, the installation guidelines for installing a fiberglass system are presented, along with the methods to repair damaged components. The module concludes with coverage of fabric-based duct systems, which have become increasingly popular in a variety of applications.

Commercial Airside Systems (12.5 hours)

Introduces the air distribution systems used in commercial structures such as schools and office buildings that are divided into comfort heating and cooling zones. The module covers the various types of systems, as well as the air terminals and air source equipment used in these systems. Accessories commonly used with commercial systems are also covered.

Air Quality Equipment (5 hours)

Introduces the factors related to indoor air quality and human comfort. Since humidity is a common comfort factor for all types of buildings, the equipment used to control humidity is presented in detail. The module also covers the air filtration materials and the introduction of outside air into the indoor environment.

Introduction to Hydronic Systems (15 hours)

Introduces hydronic heating systems. In hydronic heating systems, fluids (typically water) are used to transfer heat. Fuels such as gas or oil are used to heat the water in a boiler. Pumps then circulate that heated water throughout the structure where terminal devices such as radiators release the heat into different areas.