HVAC/R Program Plan
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Course Description
Program Expenses
Semester I
HVAC/R Foundations I: Pipe Joining and Electrical Applications and Introduction to Gas, Oil and Refrigeration Systems. 370 hours
#1ACT01 | 370
HVAC/R I: Foundations is the introductory course covering HVAC/R systems and the foundational components. Students will learn basic electrical circuitry, safety protocols, Ohm’s law, and how to read electrical meters. Key topics include series and parallel circuits, types of switches and controls used in the HVAC industry, and interpreting common electrical symbols and schematics. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of the Massachusetts Electrical Code as it relates to the HVAC industry.
The course also offers hands-on experience with piping skills essential to the HVAC industry. Students will practice torch safety, pipe cutting, pipe bending, pipe threading, making mechanical connections, soldering, and brazing. They will also be introduced to PEX tubing, PVC piping, and related connections.
Furthermore, students will learn the basic installation and service of industrial refrigeration systems, which are critical for keeping restaurant food products fresh, canned beverages cold, and grocery store produce and frozen goods at the proper temperatures.
This course prepares students for the EPA Section 608 examination by introducing them to the relevant EPA laws and regulations governing refrigerants, including their storage, disposal, and recovery methods.
Semester II
HVAC/R II: Installation and Service of Gas, Oil, and Refrigeration Systems
#2ACT10 | 180 hours
Building on their foundational skills, students in this course will advance their knowledge and expertise. They will learn to set up and install systems, including a hydronic boiler, and construct the associated piping connections. This includes adding various safety valves, pumps, control valves, and accessories to the system. All systems will be tested, adjusted, and live-fired to meet state and local codes.
Students will learn the basic operating sequence for oil-fired heating equipment and identify and correctly use the tools and instruments for troubleshooting oil heating systems. Topics covered include nozzle replacement, electrode adjustment, ignition transformer checks, and setting pump pressure.
Additionally, students will explore how heat transfer occurs in a cooling system, gaining an understanding of the terms and concepts used in the refrigeration cycle. They will calculate temperature and pressure relationships at key points in the refrigeration cycle and use temperature and pressure measuring instruments to take readings. Students will also identify the major components of a cooling system and explain how each type works.
Using this knowledge, students will install a forced hot air heating system with a condensing unit, including the associated electrical, piping, and ductwork components.