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Approved by the Texas Workforce Commission
Classes Start January 14, 2020
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Classes

A/C & Heating Program

The air conditioning and heating technician training program is a comprehensive course designed to teach students the skills and techniques required for entry-level employment into the residential and light commercial heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) field. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to install, service, and maintain typical air conditioning and heating systems found in the southern environment of the United States. We are Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) approved.

HVAC Classes

Students will learn with lectures, discussions, and hands-on experience in lab environments during our HVAC classes. They will also be exposed to a variety of actual equipment and mock-up situations designed to prepare them for fieldwork. The approximate time required to complete this program is 10 weeks. The certificate awarded is a Certificate of Completion in the Air Conditioning & Heating Technician Program.* Scroll down to view the HVAC class descriptions for this program.

2023/2024  Class Schedule

We offer each 10-week session four times each year.

Classes are conducted for 3 hours Monday thru Thursday’s during the 10-week period.  We offer morning, afternoon and evening classes.

September 11th, 2023 – November 16th, 2023  In Session

December 4th, 2023 – February 8th, 2024 

Morning Classes: 8:00am – 11:00am

Evening Classes: 5:30pm – 8:30pm

READY TO ENROLL?

Begin the process by calling us or filling out the CONTACT FORM. To visit our school, CONTACT US for a tour or to sit in on one of our HVAC classes.  Note that we are ADA Compliant.

School Holidays

July 4th – July 3rd, 4th and 5th

Christmas  Closed December 25th, 26th & January 1st

Make-up days for holidays: 

Friday, June 23rd

Friday, June 30th

Friday, July 7th

Class Itinerary

Students will attend class Monday thru Thursday for the 10-week program. Class times are shown below.

10-Week Program – Morning Class

8:00 – 9:30 class time

9:30 – 9:40 break

9:40 – 11:00 class time

10-Week Program – Evening Class

5:30 – 7:00 class time

7:00 – 7:10 break

7:10 – 8:30 class time

HVAC 101 – Introduction to Air Conditioning Service, Installation and Maintenance:
This subject introduces the student to the field of air conditioning work. Upon completion of this subject, students learn what skills are required to install an air conditioning system, such as electrical, brazing, installation techniques, refrigerant recovery and what tools are required to complete the job. They will also learn the importance of ethics, licensing and EPA certification in getting and staying hired in the industry. Students will be introduced to other facets of air conditioning maintenance and installation such as troubleshooting, the refrigeration cycle, ductwork and applications which will give them knowledge of where and what type of facilities hire HVAC contractors. (Prerequisites: None).
HVAC 102 – Refrigeration Cycle:
This subject introduces students to the basic refrigeration cycle. Students will be able to:

1) Understand how the actual cooling process takes place inside air conditioning systems
2) Know the different refrigerants in common use today
3) Know the use of water as a cooling medium
4) Explain the basic heat pump cycle
5) Understand mini-split systems,
6) Understand heat wheels and HRV applications.

(Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 103 – Basic Electrical:
This subject introduces students to basic electrical circuits found in the HVAC entry-level field. Students who complete this subject will:

1) Understand basic electrical
2) Learn how to wire simple control circuits
3) Learn about single and three phase circuits
4) Be exposed to the dangers of electricity
5) Be exposed to common electrical components and learn how to wire them.

This subject includes a lot of hands-on work with contractors, relays, transformers, thermostats, wiring devices, capacitors and actual mockup wiring instruction. (Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 104 – Air Conditioning Systems and Applications:
This subject is devoted to providing the students with an overview of how different types of systems, that are used to heat and cool both people and objects, operate. The different systems are: residential split DX units, residential split heat pumps, basic geothermal applications, chilled water basics in commercial applications, package unit applications, mini split systems, and dehumidifiers. Prerequisites (None)
HVAC 105 – Basic Installation Techniques:
This subject is designed to teach the installation of a basic residential air conditioning system. At the completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1) Set and connect a condenser unit
2) Make condenser copper connections
3) Make condenser line voltage electrical connections
4) Run and wire low voltage wiring for the condenser
5) Be familiar with methods of insulating and covering copper
6) Assemble a gas furnace in an attic mock-up
7) Install an evaporator coil and plenum
8) Install drain systems with knowledge of proper traps and draining techniques.

(Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 106 – Ductwork Techniques:
 

This subject will teach the student basic ductwork techniques that entry-level technicians will need for residential and light commercial work. The skills the student will obtain are:

1) The different common types of duct systems in use
2) How to properly install flex duct
3) How to install duct taps on metal and duct board
4) How to cut sheet metal
5) Basic duct board skills
6) Duct sealing
7) Duct installation
8) Basic metal rectangle duct measurements, order making, and fabrication
9) Basic rule of thumb ductulator use

(Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 107 – Motors:
This class will expose the student to common motors used in air conditioning work that entry-level technicians can expect. The students will learn:

1) Condenser fan motors
2) Blower motors direct drive
3) Belt drive components and adjustments
4) Blower bearings and replacement techniques
5) Sheaves and pulleys
6) Special purpose motor applications and actuators.

( Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 108 – Safety:
This subject is devoted to putting safety first and to help prepare students for actual situations they may encounter. They will learn:

1) How to use personal protection equipment
2) How to drive safely and how to tie down equipment safely in the back of a truck
3) How to safely use ladders
4) Rotating equipment safety
5) OSHA safety lockout tag out
6) Sun exposure and overheating in attics
7) Safe use of torches
8) Knowing your limitations and when to ask for help.

(Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 109 – Brazing:
This subject will teach students how to properly make brazed and flare connections on refrigerant tubing using a torch and flaring tools. This is a hands-on class with practical applications using mock-ups of actual situations. (Prerequisites: None)
HVAC 110 – Tools:
This class is designed to identify the different tools needed to perform most entry-level services. The class will discuss proper use of tools and show examples. Upon completion of the class, the students will understand which tools are needed and the importance and function of each. They will also learn how to stock their truck with the proper tools to be the most efficient. ( Prerequisites: None)
HVAC 111 – Codes, Licensing and EPA Certification:
During this portion of the program, students will learn about codes, licenses, and certifications required when performing HVAC work. The student will learn:

1) Common uniform mechanical codes as adopted by the City of Houston
2) Code inspector enforcement
3) Requirements by the State of Texas for technicians
4) Requirements by the EPA for technicians
5) How to obtain a state contractors’ license and what is required to start your own HVAC business.

HVAC 112 – Professional Conduct and Ethics:
This subject will introduce students to proper behavior with customers. They will learn:

1) What a customer expects
2) How to protect a customer’s property
3) What not to do on customer’s property
4) Grooming habits
5) How to speak to a customer
6) The importance of honesty and integrity with customers, co-workers, and employers.

(Prerequisite: None)

HVAC 113 – Introduction to Commercial Buildings:
This subject will introduce the student to the broad world of commercial HVAC. The student will be exposed to:

1) Class A building chilled water and boiler systems, 2) building pneumatic controls
3) Building ventilation
4) Fire dampers
5) Stairwell pressurization systems
6) Toilet exhaust systems
7) Stationary engineering and maintenance department interface
8) Asbestos-containing materials

(Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 114 – Heating Equipment:
Upon completion of this subject, the student will understand the basic operation of:

1) Warm air gas furnaces
2) Electric heat furnaces
3) Gas piping for natural gas
4) Special requirements for L.P. gas
5) Infrared and fan powered warehouse heaters
6) Water and air source heat pumps
7) Introduction to hot water and high rise heat systems
8) Vent pipe basics

( Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 115 – Trouble Shooting and Repair Techniques of the Most Common Failures:
This subject is designed to provide the student with commonly found repair situations. The student will be taught how to:

1) Diagnose condenser failures and fix them
2) Diagnose gas and electric furnace failures
3) Diagnose air flow issues on the supply side
4) Identify return air problems
5) Identify drain problems
6) Identify thermostat problems
7) Identify refrigerant system problems
8) Tricks of the trade, fan propeller removal, capacitor replacement, parts locating, warranty work, thawing frozen coils, leak detection, disconnect switch issues, rotation issues, circuit card replacement tips, float switch and condensate pumps
9) Maintenance of residential air conditioning systems
10) Maintenance of light commercial package units.

( Prerequisites: None)

HVAC 116 – Charging Systems and Refrigerant Recovery:
Students will learn the techniques of the following procedures:

1) Charging refrigerant into a system
2) Recovering refrigerant
3) Pulling a correct vacuum on a system
4) Methods of subcooling and superheat procedures
5) Rule of thumb quick checks of refrigerant charging

(Prerequisites: None)

*Please note that all seeking employment as air conditioning/refrigeration technicians must pass an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification test. You will learn about the EPA 608 requirements in this course regarding ozone-depleting refrigerants and the clean air act. The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating can proctor your test! View our ESCO test proctor page for more information.