Program Overview

Become a Certified HVAC/R Technician

The Certified HVAC/R Technician program is designed to prepare students for a career in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry. This course will prepare students to earn NATE or HVAC Excellence certification in under 12 months.

Job Outlook for Certified HVAC/R Technicians

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of HVAC/R technicians is expected to grow 13% during the next few years, resulting in 46,300 new jobs. The average salary for these technicians is just under $49,000 per year, with top earners making nearly $78,000.

Certified HVAC/R Technicians FAQs

• What does an HVAC/R Technician do?
  Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) technicians work on the systems that control the temperature, humidity, and quality of the air in homes, workplaces, and other buildings.
• Do HVAC/R Technicians need a certification?
  Many states require that HVAC/R technicians have a license before they can work independently. NATE and HVAC Excellence certifications are widely recognized in the field and by customers seeking service.
• Does this course prepare me for certification?
  Yes, this HVACR Technician Certification course will prepare students for the HVAC Excellence Core and Professional Technician certifications exams, the NATE Core and Specialty Test certification exams, and the EPA Section 608 certification exam.
• How long does it take to complete a Certified HVAC/R Technician course?
  This Certified HVAC/R Technician course can be completed in 12 months or less and will help students build a strong foundation of HVACR service, repair, and maintenance, prepare to sit for the NATE certification exams, prepare to sit for the HVAC Excellence certification exams, and prepare to sit for the EPA 608 Refrigerant Handling exam.

Course Information

Course Objectives

Understand basic components of the vapor-compression and refrigeration cycles, functions and characteristics of system refrigerants, piping operations, and learn proper installation and operation of HVAC systems.

Prerequisites and Requirements

This course is designed for HVAC/R technicians with one-to-two years of industry experience. A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Curriculum

• Safety, Tools and Equipment, and Shop Practices
  Learn general safety practices as well as how to care for and use all the tools you will come across on the job.
• Automatic Controls
  Understand automatic control components and applications, including troubleshooting for basic through more advanced systems.
• Electric Motors
  Gain a full understanding of electric motors, including types, applications, controls, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Commercial Refrigeration
  Learn the ins and outs of commercial refrigeration components, including evaporators, condensers, compressors, expansion devices, ice machines, special applications and systems, and more.
• Air-Conditioning (Cooling)
  Understand comfort and psychometrics, air distribution and balance, installation, energy auditing, common conditions, troubleshooting techniques, and more.
• All-Weather Systems
  Learn about the heat gains and losses that occur in various structures, as well as detailed information on both air source and geothermal heat pumps.
• Domestic Appliances
  Get detailed information on domestic appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners.
• Commercial Air-Conditioning and Chilled-Water Systems
  Learn the ins and outs of cooling towers, pumps, and chilled-water systems, including operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for commercial, packaged rooftop, variable refrigerant flow, and variable air volume systems.
• Simulation Challenge Mode: HVAC
• Simulation Challenge Mode: Electricity for HVAC

Instructor

Mike Baker
Mike Baker has been an instructor since 2011. He was previously an HVAC Program Director at both Virginia College and Vista College. Baker was a HVAC technician for several decades and has experience hiring, training, and managing HVAC Technicians. He holds numerous HVAC Excellence certifications, several Green Mechanical Council certifications, an EPA 608 Universal certification, and Emerson Climate Technology certifications. He has served as both an HVAC Excellence Instructor and Exam Proctor.

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University is an inclusive community grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and dedicated to scholarship, service, lifelong learning, and environmental stewardship. The university inspires students to build meaningful lives through engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic metropolitan region, the nation, and the world.