Introduction

• Heat, Temperature, and Pressure
• Matter and Energy
• Refrigeration and Refrigerants

Safety, Tools and Equipment, and Shop Practices

• General Safety Practices
• Tools and Equipment
• Fasteners
• Tubing and Piping
• Leak Detection, System Evacuation, and System Cleanup
• Refrigeration and Oil Chemistry and Management – Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming, and Retrofitting
• System Charging
• Calibrating Instruments
• Simulation: Safety Quiz
• Simulation: Soft Skills Quiz

Automatic Controls

• Basic Electricity and Magnetism
• Introduction to Automatic Controls
• Automatic Control Components and Applications
• Troubleshooting Basic Controls
• Advanced Automatic Controls-Direct Digital Controls (DDCs) and Pneumatics

Electric Motors

• Types of Electric Motors
• Application of Motors
• Motor Controls
• Troubleshooting Electric Motors

Commercial Refrigeration, Part 1

• Evaporators and the Refrigeration System
• Condensers
• Compressors

Commercial Refrigeration, Part 2

• Expansion Devices
• Special Refrigeration Systems
• Commercial Ice Machines

Commercial Refrigeration, Part 3

• Special Refrigeration Applications
• Troubleshooting and Typical Operating Conditions for Commercial Refrigeration

Air-Conditioning (Heating and Humidification)

• Electric Heat
• Gas Heat
• Oil Heat
• Hydronic Heat
• Indoor Air Quality

Air-Conditioning (Cooling)

• Comfort and Psychometrics
• Refrigeration Applied to Air-Conditioning
• Air Distribution and Balance
• Installation
• Residential Energy Auditing
• Typical Conditions
• Troubleshooting

All-Weather Systems

• Heat Gains and Heat Losses in Structures
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Geothermal Heat Pumps

Domestic Appliances

• Domestic Refrigerators and Freezers
• Room Air Conditioners

Commercial Air-Conditioning and Chilled-Water Systems

• High-Pressure, Low-Pressure, and Absorption Chilled-Water Systems
• Cooling Towers and Pumps
• Operation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting of Chilled-Water Air-Conditioning Systems
• Commercial, Packaged Rooftop, Variable Refrigerant Flow, and Variable Air Volume Systems

Simulation Challenge Mode: HVAC

Simulation Challenge Mode: Electricity for HVAC

Soft Skills and the HVACR Technician

• Communication
• Decision-Making
• Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Accepting Responsibility

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
• Optional simulations require a 64-bit operating system

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

*Optional simulations are not screen reader or keyboard accessible. Simulation activities are not meant to be experienced on mobile devices. Personal computers should be used for these activities.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:

• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology, by Silberstein, Obrzut, Tomczyk, Whitman, and Johnson.

The following material will be available online:

• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology PDF
• EPA Section 608 Preparatory Manual - Optional Resource

Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, we recommend having a high school diploma or GED.

If you have the required work experience to take the NATE or HVAC Excellence certification exams, or currently hold Ready to Work certificates and have 2 years of work experience, it is recommended that you take the HVAC/R Certified Technician course.

Please research your state's requirements prior to enrollment to ensure this course is a right fit for you.

Mike Baker
Mike Baker has been an instructor since 2011. Previously, he was HVAC Program Director at both Virginia College and Vista College. Baker was a HVAC technician for several decades and has experience hiring, training, and managing HVAC Technicians. He holds numerous HVAC Excellence certifications, several Green Mechanical Council certifications, an EPA 608 Universal certification, and Emerson Climate Technology certifications. He has served as both an HVAC Excellence Instructor and Exam Proctor.

What is the average salary of an HVAC technician?
According to Lightcast labor data, the average salary for an HVAC technician is $56,607 per year.

What is an HVAC technician? What does an HVAC technician do?
According to Indeed.com, an HVAC technician specializes in the maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems within residential and commercial properties. An HVAC technician is responsible for a wide range of duties related to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning of a building. In addition to installing new units, an HVAC technician replaces existing units, repairs damaged units, or performs regular maintenance to keep units operating correctly. They may work on units in finished structures or install them in buildings under construction. HVAC technicians can work as individuals or with maintenance companies.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Yes, this prepares for the EPA 608 certification. Primarily, it prepares for entry-level certificates needed to enter the HVAC/R industry. You will be able to pass 20+ of the HVAC Excellence Employment Ready certificates, and the NATE Ready to Work certificate. However, you will only be provided with an exam voucher package for HVAC Excellence exam.

When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?
Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.