Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
From the moment you start the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) program at Highland Community College Technical Center you will be installing, diagnosing and repairing a variety of HVAC and plumbing problems. A very practical, hands-on application of your knowledge is demonstrated by working with the Construction Technology and Electrical Technology programs in the construction of a house.
The HVAC & plumbing shop offers a variety of up-to-date equipment and trainers to prepare for a career as a technician. Full-time students can expect to complete this program within nine-months. While enrolled in the program students will take the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) 608 exam and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Certification tests. The NATE exam consists of the core and one specialty area.
The HVAC program aligns with the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES). CIP Code 47.020: Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician. A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating condition of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Includes instruction in diagnostic techniques, the use of testing equipment, the principles of mechanics, electricity, and electronics as they relate to the repair of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
Certifications: Students in the HVAC program are eligible to take the EPA Section 608 Certification exam, OSHA10 training, and the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Core exam, along with one NATE specialty certification.
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HVAC Courses (38 Credits Total):
*This course is recognized by the Kansas Board of Regents as Common or Support course within the program.
1 Credit Hour
This course will explain job/site safety and precautions for job/site hazards; determine the uses of personal protective equipment (PPE); identify the safety equipment and procedures related to safe work practices and environment; identify fire prevention and protection techniques; explore Hazardous Communications (HazCom) including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDA).
2 Credit Hours
This course will introduce students to a basic set of house plans including the plan views, elevations, framing, wall sections and details. Students will be able to read these prints and sketch details and layouts of specific items that relate to their occupational area.
1 Credit Hour
This course covers the various hand and power tools used in the construction industry specifically as it relates to those in HVAC and plumbing occupational areas. The correct and safe use of hand and power tools will be emphasized. Students will be required to pass a written and performance safety test on all power equipment in their area.
2 Credit Hours
This course is designed to provide students a review of the basic principles of math, which include whole numbers, common and decimal fractions, ratio proportions and percent algebra, the metric system and basic geometric shapes and graphs.
1 Credit Hour
Students will be certified in federal regulations of safe refrigerant handling practices. Successful completion of the certification course is required for technicians to work with and purchase refrigerants.
4 Credit Hours
This course is designed to introduce students to the broader picture that is HVAC. Students will become familiar with trade related organizations, job requirements, gain skills in soldering and brazing, and demonstrate learned skills to service and repair air conditioning systems. Students must earn a C grade or better in this course in order to advance to the next course.
2 Credit Hours
This unit covers the plumbing system of a structure including water supply distribution pipes; fixtures and fixture traps; soil, waste and vent pipes; building drains and building sewers; storm water drainage and their devices; appurtenances and connections within the building and outside the building within the property lines. All plumbing is taught to specifications of the Uniform Plumbing Code.
3 Credit Hours
This course is designed to introduce the student to pattern development and fabrication of fittings used in the heating/air conditioning industry in a safe and proper manner.
3 Credit Hours
This course covers terminology associated with heating and humidification. Heating equipment covered will include; gas heating systems, hydraulic heating and electric heating and oil heating. In addition, humidification will be covered.
4 Credit Hours
This course covers generating electricity, types of electricity- direct (DC) and alternating (AC) current circuit fundamentals, magnetism, and electrical components.
3 Credit Hours
This course covers terminology associated with domestic refrigeration, identification of types of domestic refrigeration, location of data plates and their purpose. Also covered will be sealed system components, what their function is and how they operate, as well as locating and solving programs in a domestic refrigeration system in a safe manner.
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: HVA115
This course includes electric control circuits in ladder diagram and pictorial form. Also covered will be icemaker diagrams, comfort cooling controls, central air-conditioning controls, pressure motor controls, motor safety controls, defrost controls and humidity controls.
3 Credit Hours
This course is designed to introduce the student to terminology associated with heating and humidification. Gas/electric heating systems and heat pumps will be covered. Also covered will be the installation, operation, and service procedures need to safely operate heating equipment.
3 Credit Hours
This course is designed to help students to understand the operation of the control systems in heating and cooling equipment as well as heat pump control systems. Sequence of operation of the controls will be covered.
2 Credit Hours
Prerequisite: HVA126
This course is a continuation of Plumbing I dealing with the development of technical skills and knowledge of the trade.
1 Credit Hour
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to identify the job skills necessary to have a successful career in the field of their choice. Topics included listening skills, oral communication, human relations, decision making/problem solving, how to work as a team, time and resource management, work ethics, career planning and resume building.