What Kinds of Classes Do You Take in HVAC School?

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The classes you take in HVAC school are designed to prepare you for a career as an HVAC Technician. They provide you with a solid knowledge base on how to install, maintain, and troubleshoot the systems that keep indoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems running well. You learn about HVAC science and electrical systems, the components that make up HVAC and refrigeration systems, and how to install, fix, and maintain them. And most of what you learn is hands-on, which means instead of learning from a textbook, you learn by doing. Check out some of the courses you take in HVAC school and decide if they spark an interest before you enroll.

Courses in HVAC Science and Electrical Systems

You can’t dive into complicated systems that run on high-voltage electricity without understanding what they’re all about. So, your training often starts with some basic principles and theories of electricity and the fundamentals of HVAC safety.

Have you ever heard of the term “thermodynamics?” It’s the science that explains how heat moves and where it fits in HVAC and refrigeration systems. Knowing about heat transfer, refrigeration principles, electricity, circuits, wiring, and motors helps you understand how all the components of HVAC/R come together. You can’t install or fix a system without understanding these basics. And you certainly can’t become an HVAC hero!

Basic Refrigeration and Air Properties

The core concepts of refrigeration and air properties include the mathematics necessary for air conditioning and heat pump operations, best practices, safety issues, and the laws governing refrigeration systems from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You also learn about the appropriate tools and equipment to use on these systems. This course might surprise you as you learn that cooling systems don’t create cold air – instead they use a combination of physics and chemistry to move hot air out of a room.

Construction Drawings and Building Specifications

In this type of course, you learn how HVAC work fits into a larger construction project. You practice reading building drawings and specifications to understand where HVAC equipment and systems need to go and how they should be installed. You might also learn about the different people involved in a construction project, who is responsible for making decisions, and the design factors HVAC Technicians need to consider when working on a new building or construction project.

Gas and Oil Heating Systems

Among the HVAC systems you work on in HVAC school are the gas and oil heating systems commonly found in homes across the country. In this class, you learn the basics of gas and oil systems in both residential and commercial venues. You learn about the safety concerns of both systems, particularly their fuels, circuits and combustion systems, ignition approaches, electronic modules and boards, and thermostats. You also learn about the technology associated with modern heating systems.

Boiler, Chiller, Cooling Tower Systems, and Heat Pumps

Throughout your training, you learn about boiler and chiller systems and how they operate. This includes the cooling towers in chilled water systems and the various components in heat pump systems. You learn to troubleshoot issues associated with these systems and how to maintain safety when working with them.

Refrigeration Pipe, Duct and Flue Systems

In this course, you learn to identify flue systems used in heating units and the different duct systems used in residential and commercial buildings. You also explore the materials used to construct both flue and duct systems. And you learn how to cut, size, and fit pipes made of copper, PVC, and black iron. This is a crucial skill to develop because when you’re an HVAC Tech, you need to cut and solder pipes for refrigerant lines, drains, and vents.

Refrigerants and Oils

Every HVAC Technician is required to earn the EPA Section 608 Certification, which verifies that you can safely handle refrigerants. You can expect to take a course that introduces you to the chemicals and prepares you for this certification. Your instructors provide an overview of proper handling procedures, including how to use certified recovery machines, the proper protective gear to wear, and how to ventilate your working area.

Commercial Refrigeration Systems

Once you learn how to work on HVAC systems, you shift to a focus on refrigerators and the cooling systems that produce ice. You’re taught about components of refrigeration systems, how to perform maintenance and repair, and the proper safety procedures to follow when working with them.

Hands-on Lab Training

To properly train for a career in HVAC, you need to build technical skills that can only be honed in a lab setting. Your training facility should be equipped with an HVAC lab that includes the latest tools and HVAC systems that you can practice on. Your instructors can provide live demos and individual feedback on your work. In this setting, you can work on your skills, learn from your mistakes, and build your confidence as an HVAC technician.

What do you think? Could you picture yourself diving into some hands-on training with the tools, equipment, and systems of HVAC and refrigeration? Charter College offers a Certificate in HVAC/R program that can prepare you for an entry-level career in as few as 10 months. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form for more info.

888.200.9942