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HVAC & Refrigeration

Summary

Students in HVAC & Refrigeration Program

The Northeast Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning / Refrigeration program teaches the skills essential to the entry-level technician. The HVAC/R program incorporates a blend of interactive lectures and hands-on laboratory exercises to develop meaningful knowledge and skills that students can put to immediate use on the job. The small class size ensures a free flow exchange of real-world experiences with state of the art products and emerging theories. Hands-on sessions in our fully equipped lab allow students to hone their operating and troubleshooting skills.

Opportunities

Upon graduation, students are employable as:

  • Air Conditioning Service Technician
  • Commercial Service Technician
  • HVAC Mechanic/Technician
  • Oil Burner Installer/Mechanic/Technician
  • Refrigeration Technician

Technical and Higher Education Majors

  • Sheet Metal Apprentice
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Installations Project Manager
  • Dispatcher

Certifications

Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair, although they are trained to do both. They also may specialize in doing heating work or air-conditioning or refrigeration work. Some specialize in one type of equipment—for example, Hydronics (water-based heating systems), solar panels, or commercial refrigeration. Some technicians also sell service contracts to their clients. Service contracts provide for regular maintenance of the heating and cooling systems and they help to reduce the seasonal fluctuations of this type of work.  Throughout the learning process, technicians may have to take a number of tests that measure their skills. HVACR technicians who have at least 1 year of experience performing installations and 2 years of experience performing maintenance and repair can take a number of different tests to certify their competency in working with specific types of equipment, such as oil-burning furnaces. These tests are offered through the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society, HVAC Excellence, Carbon Monoxide Safety Association, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Safety Coalition, and North American Technician Excellence, Inc., among others. Employers increasingly recommend taking and passing these tests and obtaining certification; doing so may increase advancement opportunities.   Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages. Some technicians, however, may advance to positions as supervisors or service managers. Others may move into sales and marketing. Still, others may become building superintendents, cost estimators, system test and balance specialists, or, with the necessary certification, teachers.

Connections to Work and Higher Education

Industry Affiliations: SKILLS USA

Industry Certifications Available in High School

  • OSHA 10 Construction, Safety & Health Certification
  • EPA 608 Refrigerant Certification (EPA608)
  • Hot Work Safety Certification
  • EPA R-410a Refrigerant Certification
  • Refrigeration Credit toward license

College Credits toward post-secondary certifications/degrees can be earned through Articulation Agreements with:

  • MA State Agreement: HVAC One or more HVAC courses

Courses

  • The HVAC/R Exploratory Program is designed as a one week overview of the several disciplines within this trade. Students will explore the many career opportunities in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration fields.

  • Grade 9 students will be taught: Safety in the Shop, Refrigeration Fundamentals, Compressors, System Components, Basic Piping, Basic Electricity, Test Equipment & Methods, and Refrigerators.

  • Grade 10 students will develop skills in Residential Energy Systems, New Construction, Building Envelope, Ventilation, Window Units, Motor Controls and Drives, Five Wire Thermostats and Blueprint Reading.

  • The purpose of this course is to prepare the HVAC/R student with the knowledge of theoretical background that applies to the basic principles of the industry. The course of instruction will provide a sound basis for the student to gain the necessary entry level skills. In the sequence of courses, this course is the first in a sequence of three. Students will be introduced to the following topics: Tools and Equipment, Tubing and Piping, Heat, Theory, Refrigeration and Refrigerants, OSHA, Domestic Refrigeration and Electrical Controls.

  • Grade 11 students will develop skills in: Commercial Refrigeration, Advance Controls, Split Systems, Water Chillers, Reclaiming and Recovery License, Water Towers, Pneumatic Controls, Automotive AC License, and Solar Energy.

  • The purpose of this course is to prepare the HVAC/R student with the knowledge of theoretical backgrounds that applies to the Refrigeration / Air-conditioning aspect of the industry. In the sequence of courses this is the second of the three courses. Students will be introduced to the following topics: 608 Federal Clean Air Act, Junior/Senior Project and Refrigeration System Components, (condensers, metering devices, evaporators, multiple evaporators, pressure switches, compressors, electrical controls, thermostats, etc.).

  • Grade 12 students will develop skills in Steam and Hot Water Boilers, Oil Burners, Oil Storage and Distribution, Boiler Water Chemistry, Gas and Oil Furnaces, Heat and Cooling Load Calculation, Prep for State Oil and Burner Licensing.

  • The purpose of this course is to prepare the HVAC/R student with the knowledge of theoretical background that applies to the heating aspect of the industry. In the sequence of courses, this course is the third of three. Students will be introduced to the following topics: 410A Refrigerant, Heat Pumps, Gas and Oil Heating, Calculating Heat Loads, (all in the light commercial and residential areas.)