AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING, REFRIGERATION, AND HEAT PUMPSProgram Description
This program is intended for the individual who wants to learn operation, troubleshooting and service of domestic and commercial air conditioning and heating equipment and also the repair and service of heat pumps. The program is intended for an individual who has sufficient mechanical and electrical comprehension to successfully assimilate the training offered. Portions of the National and Local Mechanical Code requirements are discussed in each phase of training.

The objectives of this program are to qualify the graduate to obtain employment at an entry-level position within the air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, and heat pumps service industry and to provide the graduate with the basic skills generally required for career advancement.

Course Descriptions

AC 101 Basics
In this unit, students are taught the development of refrigeration, the British Thermal Unit, and the basic refrigeration cycle; introduction to the chemical and physical properties of refrigerants and refrigeration oil; types, uses, and safety in handling common and special tools; types of fittings and tubing; soldering and brazing techniques; the fundamentals of electrical meters, Ohms Law, types of circuits, and electrical safety; the fundamentals of electricity, its generation, distribution, usage and controls. Also covered is the study of schematic diagrams, the troubleshooting of circuits, and common controls and their function and construction. The material covered in this phase encompasses electromagnetism and Ohms Law in design and construction characteristics of control devices including transformers, relays, capacitors, etc. Special emphasis is placed on particular control devices as utilized in modern refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

AC 102 Electrical
This unit covers the basic symbols used on wiring diagrams, the type of diagrams, how diagrams are drawn, and how diagrams are used in troubleshooting; the electrical meters that are used in troubleshooting; the theory of electric motors, the selection and testing of motors, and motor protection and troubleshooting; how electricity is generated and distributed, control circuits and their function, residential control circuits, and the 24 volt thermostat used in residential heating and cooling systems.

AC 103 Refrigeration & Comfort Cooling Systems
This unit covers the domestic refrigerator and freezer cycles and their controls, defrosting systems, wiring systems, and trainers; charging and evacuating refrigerators and freezers; replacing and servicing of hermatic motor compressors; troubleshooting system diagrams, leak detection, fabrication of lines, and use of electrical test instruments. The unit also covers comfort cooling systems; operating, troubleshooting and servicing of residential comfort coolers; introduction to the use of psychometric charts, wiring diagrams, wiring and servicing controls; principles of the heat pump, air handling and heat load calculations used in cooling.

AC 104 Heating
This unit covers fundamentals of heating systems and the operation, troubleshooting and servicing of warm air heating systems; use and care of test instruments for servicing heating systems; wiring diagrams, wiring and servicing controls used in residential heating systems; principles of air handling as it pertains to heating systems, principles of sizing, and installing heating systems.

AC 105 Commercial Systems
This unit covers commercial systems, cycles and components; ice makers, defrost systems, controls, safety devices an types of service valves; the operation, troubleshooting and servicing of commercial systems and, accessories; code and non-code installations, drawing diagrams and the wiring of complete electrical systems, heat lead calculations, air and water cooled condensers.

AC 106 Heat Pumps
This unit covers the refrigerant flow in the heating and cooling cycles of a heat pump as well as in the defrost cycle. It also covers troubleshooting and repairing common problems utilizing pictorial, schematic and flow charts of heat pumps. In addition, preventative maintenance will be emphasized as well as installation and servicing of heat pumps.