HAC – Heating & Air Conditioning

This course is designed to provide a basic welding experience in all welding processes in HVAC such as: oxyacetylene safety, oxyacetylene cutting and welding, basic arc welding safety, proper use of equipment and machines, flat and vertical fillet welds, and stringers and weaves with various electrodes.

A study of various states of matter such as temperature, heat, and energy; theory of refrigeration cycle and system sequences. Presents and covers how each cycle part performs and the different types of refrigerant and compressors. Introduces students to various types of heating systems.

This course will cover the basic electric circuits and Ohms law: reading and understanding the various types of wire diagrams and wire symbols through hands-on lab projects. Also covered are wire size and color codes, and the basic items in the Electrical Code that pertain to the HVAC/R field. The study of electric boxes, breakers, fuses and how to properly install and inspect by properly using VOM and AMP meters will be covered, along with single and three phase power supplies, and single and three phase motors.

This course is a continuation of HAC1113 Electricity. This is the study of controls used in refrigeration system, how each control executes function, and how to properly check the controls in each type of system. Repair and replacement of controls and how to properly troubleshoot them will be covered along with the use of meters and tools to perform repairs. Controls for air conditioning, heat pump, commercial refrigeration, and commercial air conditioning systems – electric and pneumatic are covered.

To work in the HVAC industry, technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of refrigerant-containing equipment must be certified under the EPA’s Section 608 of the Clean Air Act. The EPA 608 Universal Certification will be offered during this course. Students will earn a Recovery & Evacuation Certification through ESCO Institute the 50-question System Recovery and Evacuation certification exam covers: safety, the refrigerant recovery process, recycling and reclamation, the evacuation process, proper tool use, measuring a deep vacuum, and filter drier use.

This course covers design-and-operation fundamentals of heating systems: gas, oil, electric, and heat pumps. Covers how each system is designed for residential and commercial service. The setup and installation of each unit, the proper use of equipment to check each system’s operation and the preventive maintenance of each system is covered.

Students will earn Electric Heat, Gas Heat & Water Heaters Certifications through ESCO Institute Electric heat is a 100-question exam covers: systems & components, equipment – installation & service, heating systems & components, safety, theory & application, troubleshooting.  Gas Heat is a 100-question exam covers: combustion theory, electrical troubleshooting, furnace installation & service, furnace troubleshooting, heating safety, heating system & components.  Water Heaters is a 50-question exam covers: safety, sizing, components, theory, typical operation and installation, meter usage, servicing and troubleshooting.

This course will cover piping leak detection for HVAC systems. Students will learn the fundamentals of installation of HVAC systems and will be introduced to sheet metal work.

Students will earn a Brazing & Soldering Certification through ESCO Institute. This 50-question exam covers: types of copper tubing, processes (such as cutting, bending, and swaging), proper tool use, torch safety, brazing, soldering, flaring, and leak testing.

This is a course on preventive maintenance processes used in the field. Students will perform system maintenance (SM) on elated environmental controls technology equipment such as electric heating equipment, air handler, filtration equipment, humidifier/dehumidifier and indoor and outdoor sections of an air conditioner or heat pump and refrigeration systems, etc.

This is a course in troubleshooting HVAC equipment. Students will learn to diagnose and repair both electrical and mechanical problems with equipment.

Students will earn a Basic Refrigeration & Charging Certification along with a Mini-Split Core Essentials Certification through ESCO Institute.  Basic Ref & Charging is a 50-question exam covers: AC&R theory, AC&R systems and components, air supply and delivery, refrigeration AC troubleshooting, refrigeration systems and components, refrigeration theory and application, special refrigeration system components, system charging. Mini-Split Core Essentials is a 100-question exam covers the basic operation, concepts, and installation of Mini-Split systems.

This is a course in troubleshooting HVAC equipment. Students will learn to diagnose and repair both electrical and mechanical problems with equipment.

Students will earn a Basic Refrigeration & Charging Certification along with a Mini-Split Core Essentials Certification through ESCO Institute.  Basic Ref & Charging is a 50-question exam covers: AC&R theory, AC&R systems and components, air supply and delivery, refrigeration AC troubleshooting, refrigeration systems and components, refrigeration theory and application, special refrigeration system components, system charging. Mini-Split Core Essentials is a 100-question exam covers the basic operation, concepts, and installation of Mini-Split systems.

This is a course in troubleshooting HVAC equipment. Students will learn to diagnose and repair both electrical and mechanical problems with equipment.

This is a study of various factors affecting human comfort: temperature, humidity and ventilation. How to properly use a psychometric chart to control the environment we live and work in. How to properly maintain the equipment used in a comfort system will also be covered. The application and function of climate control used in comfort air conditioning, humidifiers, fresh air, and air cleaning will be covered.

This is a course in troubleshooting HVAC equipment. Students will learn to diagnose and repair problems with refrigeration systems.

Students will earn an A2L Certification through ESCO Institute. The Low GWP Refrigerant Safety: A2Ls (Mildly Flammable) Certification exam addresses the safe handling of A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants.

This is a course in jobsite management of HVAC projects. Students will discuss project scheduling and how it affects the completion of a job.

This is a course in hot water and steam heat. Students will study, install, and troubleshoot hot water and steam boilers, and their associated components.

This course introduces the hydronic systems equipment and the pumps to circulate the temperature-controlled fluid. The equipment includes the chiller and boilers that are used in plant operations. There will be a deep dive into the startup, operation and maintenance of this equipment. There will be a focus in fluid motion (pumps), control and thermal energy. Upon completion of the course students will be able to: 1) understand thermal energy; 2) set and balance valves; 3) operate chillers and boilers; 4) understand flow and flow control, GPM; 5) identify pump types and their operation; and 6) identify components of pumps and rebuild pumps.

This is the study of basic design principles including comfort elements, building load calculations, system components, etc., to design a complete HVAC system.

The student will choose one of the following two Capstone Pathways during the first week of class: 1. HVAC project, 2. HVAC specialization. Topics of chosen path are discussed regularly with instructor throughout the semester. Course may include: the design and fabrication of an HVAC project on site or choosing a specialized HVAC area and passing an unofficial HVAC certification test. This class will be a comprehensive and synthesizing project, applying the knowledge and skills learned in the courses that comprise a student’s degree program. Pathways must have theoretical/academic and applied components. The student will take the NATE ICE exams to demonstrate competency in the industry.

Students will earn Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps & Geothermal Certifications through ESCO Institute. This Air Conditioning 100-question exam covers: air conditioning and refrigeration theory, equipment service, systems and components, troubleshooting, refrigerant flow control theory and application. This Heat Pumps 100-question exam covers: components, controls, heat pump cycle, service, theory, troubleshooting, interpreting heat pump schematics. This Geothermal Heat Pumps 100-question exam covers: components, controls, geothermal loops, heat pump cycle, service, theory, troubleshooting, interpreting heat pump schematics.

This course introduces the math needed to be successful as an HVACR technician and designer. The math will consist of equations and calculations for heat load calculations, psychometric and enthalpy charts, fan curves, pump calculations, CFM and building static pressures. Upon completion the student should be able to: 1) plot a psychometric cart; 2) determine heat load calculations using software; 3) plot an enthalpy and entropy chart; 4) calculate fan speeds, CFM, building static pressure; 5) calculate MAU vs. exhaust; 6) calculate pump volume, speed, lift, etc.

A cooperative work experience that provides students an experiential learning practice. Under the supervision of the assigned faculty member, the student will gain work experience directly related to the student’s major. Each student who is enrolled in the internship course shall also enroll in an on-campus seminar.

This seminar class is taken with the HAC Internship course. This will assist students in identifying and evaluating experiences from the internship course and then relate skills to career expectations. Each student who is enrolled in the internship course shall also enroll in an on-campus seminar.

This course introduces the principles and practices of project management. Emphasis is placed on the planning process and tools that support the planning process. Topics include defining a project, planning, work breakdown structure, estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and risks. Upon completion of the course student should be able to: 1) apply project management methods to daily work practices; 2) illustrate a complete project with a chart; 3) apply project management methods to develop planning documents; 4) identify the elements of a project plan; 5) identify the planning requirements for labor, tools, equipment, and materials for a project; 6) identify the types of scheduling systems.

This course introduces the commercial environmental systems and equipment. Environmental discussion includes air systems (DOAS, MAU, AHUs, RTUs). Emphasis is placed in IAQ, energy management systems, filtration and exhaust. Topics will include safety, types of equipment, IAQ, psychometrics, factors relating to human comfort, heat loss/gain, air flow, CFM, Air Changes Per Hour (ACH), humidity, and particulate and air quality monitoring. Upon completion of the course students will be able to: 1) identify typical HVAC equipment; 2) define factors in human comfort; 3) define factors associated with proper particulate level; 4) plot conditions on a psychometric chart; and 5) define aspects of proper exhaust and vacuum systems.

The course introduces evaluation of control circuits found in the building environment. Emphasis is placed on identifying the operational sequence of these systems by interpreting the schematic diagrams of commercial equipment. The course includes the study of control circuits found in motor controls, pump stations, chillers, boilers, RTU’s, VAV and VRF systems. Topics include safety power distribution, 3 phase, single phase, low voltage systems, NEMA symbols, schematics, ladder diagrams, relays and flow charts. Upon completion of class students will be able to: 1) identify NEMA symbols; 2) interpret schematic diagrams common to commercial equipment; 3) determine the operational sequence of commercial equipment from schematics; 4) create flow charts to illustrate the operational sequence of commercial equipment.

This course introduces prints used in the construction of commercial buildings and the commissioning of commercial equipment. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of the symbols and abbreviations in building prints related to wiring, piping, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting systems. Topics include units measure (customary/SI), scales, abbreviations, notations, applied calculations schedules, line safety, types of symbols, orthographic views, dimensioning methods, types of prints, diagrams, schematics, equipment documentation and operational flow charts. Upon completion of the class students will be able to: 1) identify symbols in building prints; 2) interpret commercial building prints; 3) interpret equipment documentation; and 4) interpret operational flow charts.

This course introduces setting up a Predictive Maintenance program in a commercial environment. Benchmarking and data collection will be a major focus. The analytical tools will be available to benchmark initial proper operation and subsequent evaluations. The purpose of this is to protect assets, decrease costs, save energy, prevent untimely breakdowns, determine time for maintenance to prevent breakdowns and increase longevity of critical equipment. Upon completion of the course students will be able to: 1) establish a predictive maintenance plan on equipment; 2) benchmark and commission equipment; 3) use diagnostic tools such as Thermal Imaging, vibration analysis and laser alignment to verify correct operation of equipment; 4) use data loggers; and 5) keep accurate records in a program such as Microsoft Access.