Harper College will be closed Wednesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 1 for Thanksgiving Break.
Program facts 
Get a comprehensive background in air conditioning and refrigeration service with this 29-credit-hour certificate program.
You’ll learn how to perform preventative maintenance, service and repairs on residential and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems. The program focuses on practical application, giving you the skills needed to perform system diagnostics and develop troubleshooting techniques.
Complete the 10-course program in our unique HVAC/R Open Lab, a state-of-the-art facility
featuring more than 70 pieces of commercial and residential equipment. The lab is
staffed by
expert instructors who are available to assist you six days per week, making this
program
accommodating to your busy schedule.
This 29 credit-hour certificate program is designed to provide students the skill set to perform preventative maintenance, service and repairs on residential and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Emphasis is placed on practical application to perform system diagnostics and develop troubleshooting techniques.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELT 110 | Introductory Electronics | 4 |
|
Description: Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ELT 144 | AC and DC Motors | 2 |
|
Description: Introduces students to fractional horsepower motors for residential and commercial applications. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, and test and measurement equipment use associated with motors and motor controls are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of direct current (DC) motors and controls, and single three-phase alternating current (AC) motors and controls. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ELT 145 | Variable Frequency Drives | 2 |
|
Description: Introduces students to variable frequency drives (VFDs) as they pertain to residential and commercial motor control applications. A safety review followed by terminology, principles, test and measurement equipment use associated with VFDs and typical applications are examined. Emphasis is placed on the practical application, operation, installation and maintenance of VFDs. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 101 | Refrigeration Fundamentals | 3 |
|
Description: Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Studies theories on heat laws, pressures, matter, and energy; examines refrigerant chemistry and the refrigeration cycle. Covers proper refrigerant management techniques and safe practices. Emphasizes practical application, troubleshooting techniques, measuring and testing the operation of the basic refrigeration cycle; including working with ACR copper tubing, tools, and instruments. Prerequisite: MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 102 | Refrigeration Systems | 3 |
|
Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101. Introduces specialized system controls and accessories found in commercial refrigeration systems. Covers pressure and temperature controls, water cooled condensers, commercial defrosting, and piping practices. Emphasizes practical application to develop diagnostic and troubleshooting techniques, interpret wiring diagrams, service, and repair; including working with zero ODP refrigerants used in commercial systems application. Prerequisite: HVA 101 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 105 | Heating and Cooling Controls | 3 |
|
Description: Introduces electrical principles and concepts, electrical safety, electrical controls and electrical wiring diagrams utilized in residential and light commercial HVAC systems. Covers electrical symbols, Ohms' Law, series and parallel circuits, power distribution, magnetism, transformers, switches, relays, contactors, AC motors, motor starters and capacitors. Emphasizes the practical application for electrical system diagnosing; measuring volts, ohms and amps; troubleshooting, testing and adjusting electrical controls; interpreting wiring schematics, and wiring electrical circuits. Prerequisite: MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 106 | Pneumatic Controls Systems | 3 |
|
Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 105. Introduces pneumatic system controls and accessories found in commercial heating and air- conditioning systems, and variable/constant air volume air handling units. Covers pneumatic relays, dampers, valve actuators, controller receivers, temperature and humidity controls, and air compressors. Emphasizes practical application to develop diagnostic and troubleshooting techniques, focusing on interpreting pneumatic diagrams, testing and measuring system components, service, repair and installation; and introduces commercial heating and cooling systems. Prerequisite: HVA 105 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 107 | Commercial Air Conditioning Systems | 3 |
|
Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101, HVA 105 and HVA 106. Focuses on air conditioning systems used in commercial buildings and their applications. Studies direct expansion systems, packaged units, and chilled-water systems. Covers rooftop units, variable refrigerant flow systems, air handling units, chillers and cooling towers. Emphasizes practical application, to develop troubleshooting techniques, perform system diagnostic/installation/preventative maintenance service and repairs. Includes fundamentals of air conditioning absorbers. Prerequisite: HVA 101, 105 and 108 with grades of C or better, and prior or concurrent enrollment in HVA 106 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 108 | Domestic Refrigeration Appliances | 3 |
|
Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101 and HVA 105. Introduces the application of the refrigeration cycle in respect to small appliances. Covers refrigerators, air conditioning and fundamentals of heat pump operations. Reviews work-safe practices, electrical system diagnostics, proper refrigerant handling and charging techniques, brazing and soldering copper tubing. Emphasizes practical application, operation, installation, maintenance, service and repairs. Prerequisite: HVA 101 with a grade of C or better, and prior or concurrent enrollment in HVA 105 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 097 | Basic Technical Mathematics 1 | 3 |
|
Description: Reviews arithmetic, introduces basic algebraic and right triangle trigonometric techniques. Includes arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, ratio and proportions, measurements, right triangle trigonometry and their application to solve a variety of career and technical problems. Draws practical problems the student’s career area, including emergency services, graphic communications, building trades, culinary arts and information technology. Intended for students pursuing Harper degrees and certificates in career program fields. This course: is not transferable, does not satisfy the prerequisite for any other mathematics course, and does not satisfy any general education requirements. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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1 - Students may take MTH 097 or MTH 101 or higher.
Students interested in HVAC/R may also be interested in:
For more information about A/C and refrigeration courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.