Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology

47.0201

(Associate of Applied Science Degree)

The Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology program is a center of excellence for teaching alternative energy technicians to install, service, and repair heating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Basic heating, refrigeration and air conditioning theory are enhanced with extensive hands-on training in laboratories and on in-service equipment. Comprehensive coverage is given to electrical motors, controls and wiring and systems diagnosis and repairs.

The Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVT) program began contributing to the green economy in 1973 by teaching students to install and maintain high efficiency furnaces, air conditioning units, air source heat pumps, and geothermal ground source heat pumps that save energy in commercial and residential settings. Instruction on alternative energy sources is also included in the program. The HVT program also uses setback thermostats, recycles refrigerant, and reuses equipment components and parts for training.

This program has provided special emphasis in geothermal technology for over 35 years. Geothermal energy production is a $1.5 billion industry, which generates electricity or provides heat for direct applications including aquaculture, crop drying, and district heating or for use in heat pumps to heat and cool buildings. Students use real world geothermal equipment in laboratory classes where they learn to install, maintain, and repair geothermal systems.

Presently, 95% of all main campus buildings operate with geothermal systems to gain energy efficiencies, reduce harmful emissions, save taxpayer dollars, and provide a geothermal learning laboratory.

Graduates may be employed in the installation, maintenance, repair, or sales of residential or commercial HVAC systems or operate their own businesses. Commercial applications may include grocery stores, health care facilities, hotels and resorts, manufacturing operations, educational institutions, and other operations.

The Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology program has three national accreditations: HVAC Excellence, the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA), and the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).

Students are required to join the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), a nationally recognized educational certification agency. RSES training materials are used in the classroom, and students can become certified in four RSES areas if they pass the required examinations. Many contractors are RSES members and seek employees with certification.

Enrollment in the Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology program is limited and students are selected for this program on a competitive basis. Contact the Office of Admissions for the specific application requirements and deadline.

Program Mission
The mission of the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology program is to prepare students to install, service and repair refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Program Goals
The goals of the program are to ensure that the student:

• Gains the skills needed for analytic and problem solving in the HVAC/R industry.
• Gains knowledge in servicing and repairing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.
• Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Has knowledge of safety standards as related to the HVAC/R field.

Program Assessments

• Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation Institute (ARI-ICE)
• Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP)
   

HVT 140 Fundamentals of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning I. This course teaches the theory and practical applications of refrigeration and air conditioning. Basic psychrometry, heat transfer and thermodynamics, and fundamental refrigeration and air conditioning systems are included. The selection and safe handling of tools and materials, forming, fitting, brazing and soldering of tubing are taught. Students are taught to use cleaning solvents, refrigeration oils, and refrigerants. Students can earn certifications from Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 7 credit hours.

HVT 155 Electricity Fundamentals. Introductory lecture course which covers theory and application of Ohms Law. Covers resistance, capacitance, inductance, transformers, motors used for domestic applications, series, parallel circuits and other circuitry. 4 credit hours.

HVT 160 Fundamentals of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning II. This course teaches the maintenance and service of evaporators, compressors, refrigerant control valves, electrical motors and controls, receivers, and accessories. Students learn skills and proper procedures in the operation, maintenance, servicing, and sizing of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. Prerequisites: HVT 140 and HVT 155 with a grade of “C” or better. 7 credit hours.

HVT 165 Residential Electrical Wiring. This course teaches students to draw wiring diagrams, perform electrical calculations, implement plan specifications, use the latest National Electric Code (NEC), and apply Ohms law. Students complete work sheets on residential wiring layouts and wire a simulated single family residence. Prerequisite: HVT 155 with a grade of “C” or better. 4 credit hours.

HVT 251 Residential and Commercial Heating and Cooling I. This course teaches air conditioning, gas furnace, and oil furnace systems and components. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to install, troubleshoot, and service residential and commercial systems, components, and controls. Equipment selection for various applications is also covered. Prerequisite: HVT 160 with a grade of “C” or better. 6 credit hours.

HVT 252 Residential and Commercial Heating and Cooling II. This course teaches electric furnace, air source heat pump, and geothermal ground source heat pump systems and components. Emphasis is placed on developing the ability to install, troubleshoot, and service residential and commercial systems, components, and controls. Equipment selection for various applications is also covered. Prerequisite: HVT 251 with a grade of “C” or better. 6 credit hours.

HVT 255 Internship. Training is provided by skilled journeymen HVAC technicians under a training agreement. Prerequisite: HVT 160 with a grade of “C” or better. 8 credit hours.

HVT 261 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Motors and Controls. This course teaches motor and control use in air conditioning and refrigeration systems with emphasis on types, theory, and application. Students learn to design and troubleshoot motor and control circuits. Prerequisites: HVT 155 and HVT 165 with a grade of “C” or better. 3 credit hours.

HVT 264 Commercial Refrigeration Systems. This course teaches testing, troubleshooting, and servicing of commercial refrigeration systems. Prerequisites: HVT 251 and HVT 261 with a grade of “C” or better. 2 credit hours.

HVT 270 Sheet Metal Duct Fabrication. This course teaches the sizing, layout, fabrication, and installation of sheet metal duct work in the HVAC trade. Prerequisite: DDT 130 with a grade of “C” or better. 2 credit hours.

HVT 299 Special Topics in Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology. Special Topics in Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVT) may include instruction on topics not covered in other HVT courses. Topics covered in other HVT courses may also be covered in more depth in this special topics course. Projects may be undertaken in any area related to the major program with credit hours determined by the level and amount of involvement. The minimum involvement required for one credit is 30 contact hours. The specific topic(s), objectives, plan of instruction, and evaluation criteria must be documented in the syllabus; approved by the Department/Division Chair; and filed in the Academic Records Office. Students may complete more than one Special Topics course, provided that the credits earned in this manner do not exceed a total of four (4) credits. 1-4 credit hours.