Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

About HVACR

The HVACR program is unique because it treats designing, retrofitting, testing, and balancing on a problem-solving level. This specialized program prepares the technician for the fast-growing, highly technical HVACR field.

The challenge for the service technician is to optimize the service operation of HVACR systems to maximize customer and employer satisfaction. Using computers to replicate various conditions that could be encountered, students, develop a plan of action to use with live work.

Students learn current methods of identifying and performing efficiency evaluations on various types of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems as well as adjusting and balancing equipment for maximum performance.

In addition to HVACR classroom theory sessions, students also perform service and installation on numerous live projects on and off-campus. The HVACR laboratory includes tools, equipment, computers, and instrumentation typically found in commercial, residential, and industrial settings. The lab also includes ground source heat pumps, gas efficient furnaces, regular heat pumps, oil-fired furnaces, gas and oil boilers, ice machines, walk-in boxes, roof-top equipment, chiller systems, and commercial refrigeration trainers.

Challenging careers abound on a national level with firms offering graduates a variety of positions as service technicians, installation technicians, estimators, and in-plant industrial technicians.

What you’ll learn

• Demonstrate the ability to do technical work in a variety of heating, cooling, and plumbing, and refrigeration fields; apply safety standards and understand and work with technical developments in the industry.
• Apply concepts of algebra and physics in the layout, design, development, and analysis of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment and systems.
• Identify and demonstrate the correct use of tools, materials, and equipment used in the trade.
• Demonstrate the ability to read and interpret blueprints and use blueprints when installing equipment.
• Troubleshoot heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment using standard troubleshooting procedures.
• Write clear, concise, legible, and accurate technical reports using technical English and apply verbal communication skills in job-related activities.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics and use schematics when installing and repairing equipment.
• Estimate the cost of installation and design and layout an effective system for a specific location and use.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the operation and use of hermetic, reciprocating, and centrifugal compressors.
• Apply basic knowledge of airflow, ventilation, and energy conservation concepts to the design of systems, using modern building design and solar energy technology. 

Sample Job Titles 

Install, service, or repair heating and air conditioning systems in residences or commercial establishments.

• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Service Technician (HVAC Service Technician), Heating, Ventilation
• Air Conditioning Technician (AC Technician)
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Installer (HVAC Installer)
• HVAC Specialist (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Specialist)
• HVAC Technician (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technician)
• Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Mechanic (HVAC Mechanic)
• Mechanic

Essential Skills Needed

This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.