HVACR Technician

Career Prep

About the Program

HVACR Technicians are one of the most in demand jobs in the current job market, and the job opportunities are expected to continue growing over the next ten years. HVAC Technicians install, inspect, repair and maintain heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems for residential and commercial settings. This course will provide the skills needed to obtain an entry-level position in the HVACR industry. It can also be used to upgrade your skill set if you are already employed as an HVACR technician. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of all aspects of HVACR, with the goal of preparing students to be able to install and maintain HVACR systems. Students will learn through a combination of theoretical and practical applications so that they have a solid understanding of how HVACR systems work prior to entering the workforce. Students will be prepared to obtain entry-level HVACR positions.

Students will:

• Describe the responsibilities of an HVACR Technician and identify the different areas of concentration.

• Identify the scientific components involved in HVACR system development, operation, and maintenance.

• Identify the various refrigeration systems and components.

• Explain the practices involved in refrigeration system installation, maintenance, and repair.

• Identify the electrical systems and components.

• Identify air conditioning systems and describe the process for installing, maintaining, and repairing them.

• Identify the various types of heating systems and describe how to install, maintain, and repair them.

• Identify heat pump systems and explain the process of installing, maintaining, and repairing them.

• Identify the components of HVACR system design, sizing, sizing, and layout and describe the process involved.

• Describe commercial environmental systems and identify how to install, maintain and repair them.

• Describe commercial refrigeration systems and identify how to install, maintain, and repair them.

• Describe the installation, maintenance, service, and troubleshooting processes.

This is a self-paced program. Self-paced programs create a unique learning experience that allows students to learn independently and at a pace that best suits them.

Tuition: $2,897

Duration: 430 Hours

Students will have access to the program for 1 full year.

Prerequisites: HS diploma/GED, basic computer skills and familiarity with the internet

To learn more about ETI’s tuition and financial aid options, click here.

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Fundamentals

In this lesson, you will learn about the fundamentals of HVACR.  In the first section, you will receive an overview of the HVAC/R field and the roles and responsibilities of an HVACR technician.  From there, you will learn about safety protocol and concerns.  Finally, you will learn the different tools and measurements that are used in HVACR repair and maintenance.  Upon completion of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of HVACR and will be prepared to begin learning about the individual components of HVACR maintenance and repair.

Lesson 2: HVAC Science

In this lesson, you will learn about the science behind HVACR.  You will learn about properties of matter, types of energy, temperature measurement, thermodynamics, pressure and vacuum, and calibration of meters.  An understanding of these components is necessary when working with hearing and air conditioning systems.  Therefore, this lesson will provide a thorough overview of these components and will include activities and assignments that help students better understand the content.

Lesson 3: Refrigeration Systems and Components

In this lesson, students will learn about the different refrigeration systems and components.  In addition to the basic systems, students will learn about the refrigeration cycle, compressors, condensers, metering devices, and evaporators.  Students will also learn about the different properties of refrigerants and special refrigeration components. 

Lesson 4: Refrigeration Practices

In this lesson, students will learn about the different processes and procedures involved in refrigeration maintenance and repair.  In the first section, students will learn about refrigeration safety.  From there, students will learn about specific procedures involved in piping and tubing, soldering and brazing, leak testing, system piping, system evacuation, and system charging.  Finally, students will learn how to access sealed refrigeration systems, as well as manage refrigerants in accordance with the EPA.

Lesson 5: HVACR Electrical Systems and Components

In this lesson, students will learn about HVACR electrical systems and their components.  In the first section, students will learn about basic electricity and alternating current fundamentals.  Students will learn how to use electrical measuring and test instruments, as well as general electrical components.  In the final section of the lesson, students will learn how to develop and use electrical diagrams, as well as utilize control systems.

Lesson 6: Air Conditioning Systems

In this lesson, students will learn about air conditioning systems.  In the first section, students will learn about the fundamentals of psychometrics and airflow.  From there, students will learn about air filters, ventilation and dehumidification, residential air conditioning and residential split-system air-conditioning installations.  In the final section, students will learn about duct installation and troubleshooting processing for air conditioning systems. 

Lesson 7: Heating Systems

This lesson will cover the basics of heating systems.  First, students will learn about the principles of combustion and safety.  In the second section of the lesson, students will learn about gas furnaces, including controls, installation and troubleshooting procedures.  The final section of the lesson will cover oil furnace heating systems and residential oil heating installation, as well as space heaters and humidifiers.

Lesson 8: Heat Pump Systems

This lesson will cover heat pump systems.  Students will learn how to install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical heating systems and air source heating systems.  Students will also learn about geothermal heat pumps and heat pump installation.

Lesson 9: System Design, Sizing, and Layout

This lesson will provide a comprehensive overview of all aspects of system design, sizing, and layout.  In the first section, students will learn about basic building construction and green buildings and systems.  From there, students will learn about indoor air quality requirements and considerations, as well as residential load calculations and duct design.  In the final section of this lesson, students will learn how to test and balance air systems.

Lesson 10: Commercial Environmental Systems

This lesson will examine commercial environmental systems and the specific requirements for maintaining and repairing these systems.  Students will learn about all aspects of commercial systems, including fans and air-handling units, single-zone rooftop units, zoned systems, and the various types of control systems. 

Lesson 11: Commercial Refrigeration Systems

This lesson will provide a comprehensive overview of commercial refrigeration systems.  Students will learn how to maintain, troubleshot, and repair these systems.  Students will learn about the guidelines required for food preservation, and the basic layout and design of commercial refrigeration systems, including supermarket equipment and ice machines.

Lesson 12: Installation, Maintenance, Service, and Troubleshooting

This lesson will provide in-depth instructions for installing, maintaining, servicing, and troubleshooting HVACR systems.  Students will learn about the specific guidelines and procedures involved and will have the opportunity to practice these processes using simulations and case studies.