This Program Consists of all four sections below:

This program is designed for those with little or no experience in the HVAC industry with a goal to begin a career in the HVAC industry. The student will progressively complete each course within the program to acquire the entry level skills in each unit of the course. Students who complete all courses and make successful academic progress and maintain attendance will graduate and receive a Certificate of Completion and a wallet size card. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the necessary skills to start a career in the HVAC industry.This program is designed for those with little or no experience in the HVAC industry with a goal to begin a career in the HVAC industry. The student will progressively complete each course within the program to acquire the entry level skills in each unit of the course. Students who complete all courses and make successful academic progress and maintain attendance will graduate and receive a Certificate of Completion and a wallet size card. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the necessary skills to start a career in the HVAC industry.

All Trades Program

– HVAC Level One
– HVAC Level Two
– HVAC Level Three
– HVAC Level Four

Introduction to HVAC:

Virtually all of the millions of homes and businesses in the United States have a heating system. A large percentage of homes and business have comfort cooling systems as well. In addition, there are many thousands of stores and restaurants that use refrigeration equipment. Workers trained in the HVAC industry have the opportunity to install systems in new construction, service equipment in existing construction, and replace aging systems.

Basic Electricity:

Like most other appliances, an HVAC/R system needs electricity in order to operate. Most of the problems an HVAC/R technician encounters when faced with a service call involve the electrical system, so an understanding of electrical theory, components, and circuits is essential. Technicians must have a firm foundation to get started, allowing them to understand the circuits in complex systems and continue to grow throughout their careers.

Alternating Current:

The electrical power used to operate HVAC equipment is alternating current, or AC power. Compressor motors, fan motors, and transformers, along with the low-voltage control circuits used in managing HVAC/R systems, depend on the constantly changing nature of the AC to function. Because of this constantly changing nature, the principles you learned earlier about calculating voltage, current, resistance, and power cannot be directly applied to AC inductive circuits.

Introduction to Cooling:

To service cooling equipment, you must have a clear understanding of the refrigeration cycle. You must also understand the function of the primary refrigeration – circuit components. Technicians can apply this knowledge to all refrigeration circuits. Despite the differences in the many refrigerants and their boiling points, the basic principles presented here apply to all direct expansion refrigerant circuits.

Compressors:

The compressor is the heart of an HVAC/R system, providing the force that moves refrigerant through the cycle and raising the pressure of the refrigerant so that heat absorbed in the evaporator can be transferred to the condenser. It is essential to understand compressors and to know how to service and troubleshoot them. Although compressors are durable, factors such as the state of the refrigerant circuit and the quality of the power supply can contribute to their failure. HVAC/R technicians must understand how these and other factors influence compressor operation.

Air Distribution Systems:

Most heating and cooling systems use ductwork to deliver conditioned air to the spaces being cooled or heated. The ductwork may be made of sheet metal, fiberglass duct board, fabric, or flexible duct. The performance of the HVAC system is closed linked to the quality of the air distribution system. The ductwork must be of the proper size and type, and must be correctly installed and sealed.

Basic Copper and Plastic Piping Practices:

Copper tubing and piping is used extensively in HVAC work. Copper is the base material for virtually all common refrigerant piping. Plastic piping is used in heating and cooling systems for a variety of purposes. Plastic piping may be used to carry chilled water for large cooling systems, condenser water for water cooled mechanical systems or even to vent high efficiency furnaces.

Soldering and Brazing:

Soldering is used primarily to join copper water lines and condensate lines in the HVAC/R craft. When mechanically strong, pressure resistant joints are needed for refrigerant lines, the process used is brazing. Both soldering and brazing demand careful attention to safety due to the hazards associated with flammable gases and open flames. With some practice, HVAC/R technicians can soon master soldering and brazing techniques.

Sheet Metal Duct Systems:

HVAC ductwork can be made of sheet metal or fiberglass duct board. Because the interior surfaces of sheet metal ducts are smooth, these ducts offer less resistance to airflow than fiberglass duct board. However, in most cases they must be insulated to reduce noise transmissions, minimize the heat transfer, and prevent condensation. Therefore, working with sheet metal ductwork requires knowledge of various types of metals and insulation practices, as well as unique methods for joining and supporting sheet metal ductwork. Sheet metal ductwork systems also include additional components for efficient air distribution, such as dampers and takeoffs.

Fiberglass and Fabric Duct Systems:

Fiberglass duct board has been used successfully in both residential and commercial installations for many years. It is lightweight and easy to handle. The duct provides its own insulation, so it is not necessary to add insulation as it is with sheet metal duct.

Fabric duct systems continue to gain popularity in commercial, industrial and institutional applications. They are affordable, require very limited labor to install, and can be applied in a number of situations. Maintenance and cleaning of these systems is also very simple.