Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology

This course introduces fundamental employment core skillsets required to effectively enter the engineering technology workforce and/or a registered apprenticeship and may also serve as a component of a pre-apprenticeship. Topics include workplace safety, communication skills, industry overview, tools and equipment, computation and financial literacy, materials, employability skills, personal health, career exploration and pathways including apprenticeship, job preparation and required job skills, and site visits. Upon completion, students should be able to explain how to locate and engage employers, present themselves in a professional manner, perform basic on-the-job skills, pursue necessary job-specific training and/or certification, and enter an engineering technology career with the knowledge required to be successfully employed.

This course covers water-cooled comfort systems, water-source/geothermal heat pumps, and high efficiency heat pump systems including variable speed drives and controls. Emphasis is placed on the application, installation, and servicing of water-source systems and the mechanical and electronic control components of advanced comfort systems. Upon completion, students should be able to test, analyze, and troubleshoot water-cooled comfort systems, water-source/geothermal heat pumps, and high efficiency heat pumps.

This course is a comprehensive study of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration system diagnostics and corrective measures. Topics include advanced system analysis, measurement of operating efficiency, and inspection and correction of all major system components. Upon completion, students should be able to restore a residential or commercial AHR system so that it operates at or near manufacturers' specifications.

This course is designed to develop informative and business writing skills. Emphasis is placed on logical organization of writing, including effective introductions and conclusions, precise use of grammar, and appropriate selection and use of sources. Upon completion, students should be able to produce clear, concise, well-organized short papers.

This course introduces the basic principles of industrial air conditioning and heating systems. Emphasis is placed on preventive maintenance procedures for heating and cooling equipment and related components. Upon completion, students should be able to perform routine preventive maintenance tasks, maintain records, and assist in routine equipment repairs.

This course introduces the principles and concepts of conventional residential heating and cooling system design. Topics include heating and cooling load estimating, basic psychrometrics, equipment selection, duct system selection, and system design. Upon completion, students should be able to design a basic residential heating and cooling system.

This course introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role and function of computers and use the computer to solve problems.

This course introduces the basic principles of oral communication in both small group and public settings. Emphasis is placed on the components of the communication process, group decision-making, and public address. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the principles of effective oral communication in small group and public settings.

This course introduces the basic principles of psychology as they relate to personal and professional development. Emphasis is placed on personality traits, communication/leadership styles, effective problem solving, and cultural diversity as they apply to personal and work environments. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of these principles of psychology as they apply to personal and professional development.

Available Courses: ART 111, ART 114, ART 115, ART 116, ART 118, ART 283, DRA 111, DRA 126, ENG 131, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 233, ENG 241, ENG 242, ENG 243, ENG 261, ENG 262, HUM 110, HUM 115, HUM 120, HUM 122, HUM 130, HUM 220, MUS 110, MUS 112, MUS 210, PHI 240, REL 110, REL 211, REL 212 or REL 221.

This course provides an activity-based approach that develops measurement skills and mathematical literacy using technology to solve problems for non-math intensive programs. Topics include unit conversions and estimation within a variety of measurement systems; ratio and proportion; basic geometric concepts; financial literacy; and statistics including measures of central tendency, dispersion, and charting of data. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the use of mathematics and technology to solve practical problems, and to analyze and communicate results.

This course covers the fundamentals of heating including oil, gas, and electric heating systems. Topics include safety, tools and instrumentation, system operating characteristics, installation techniques, efficiency testing, electrical power, and control systems. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the basic oil, gas, and electrical heating systems and describe the major components of a heating system.

This course covers the installation procedures, system operations, and maintenance of residential and light commercial comfort cooling systems. Topics include terminology, component operation, and testing and repair of equipment used to control and produce assured comfort levels. Upon completion, students should be able to use psychrometrics, manufacturer specifications, and test instruments to determine proper system operation.

This course covers the North Carolina codes that are applicable to the design and installation of HVACR systems. Topics include current North Carolina codes as applied to HVACR design, service, and installation. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate the correct usage of North Carolina codes that apply to specific areas of the HVACR trade.

This course introduces HVAC control systems used in commercial applications. Topics include electric/electronic control systems, pneumatic control systems, DDC temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, wiring, controllers, actuators, and controlled devices. Upon completion, students should be able to verify or correct the performance of common control systems with regard to sequence of operation and safety.

The course covers the maintenance and servicing of HVAC equipment. Topics include testing, adjusting, maintaining, and troubleshooting HVAC equipment and record keeping. Upon completion, students should be able to adjust, maintain, and service HVAC equipment.

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of motors and motor controls. Topics include ladder diagrams, pilot devices, contactors, motor starters, motors, and other control devices. Upon completion, students should be able to properly select, connect, and troubleshoot motors and control circuits.

This course introduces the basic refrigeration process used in mechanical refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Topics include terminology, safety, and identification and function of components; refrigeration cycle; and tools and instrumentation used in mechanical refrigeration systems. Upon completion, students should be able to identify refrigeration systems and components, explain the refrigeration process, and use the tools and instrumentation of the trade.

This course covers the requirements for the EPA certification examinations. Topics include small appliances, high pressure systems, and low pressure systems. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of refrigerants and be prepared for the EPA certification examinations.

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of and computations related to DC/AC electricity. Emphasis is placed on DC/AC circuits, components, operation of test equipment; and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to construct, verify, and analyze simple DC/AC circuits.

This course covers the interpretation of electrical diagrams, schematics, and drawings common to electrical applications. Emphasis is placed on reading and interpreting electrical diagrams and schematics. Upon completion, students should be able to read and interpret electrical diagrams and schematics.

This course covers the principles of air source and water source heat pumps. Emphasis is placed on safety, modes of operation, defrost systems, refrigerant charging, and system performance. Upon completion, students should be able to understand and analyze system performance and perform routine service procedures.