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Program facts 
Get a solid introduction to performing preventative maintenance service and repairs on residential and commercial heating systems with this 22-credit-hour certificate program. You’ll complete seven courses focusing on practical application to developing troubleshooting techniques, installation of residential heating systems and performing commercial boiler maintenance.
Prepare for a career in the service, installation/design, consulting and sales of residential and industrial heating systems. As a Harper student, you’ll also be highly regarded by local employers who routinely seek out recent graduates to hire.
Credit earned for this program can be applied to Harper’s Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology Degree AAS Degree.
This 22 credit-hour certificate program is designed provide students the skill set to perform preventative maintenance service and repairs on residential and commercial heating systems. Emphasis is placed on practical application to develop troubleshooting techniques, installation of residential heating systems, and perform commercial boiler maintenance.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ELT 110 | Introductory Electronics | 4 |
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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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| HVA 103 | Heating Principles | 3 |
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Description: Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the heating industry. Studies heat laws, heat transfer, and examines fundamentals of the combustion process. Covers gas, oil, and electric forced-air systems for residential comfort heating. Emphasizes practical application for testing and adjusting system performance, troubleshooting electrical systems and control, working with gas pipe, preventative maintenance, service and repair. 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 104 | Residential Comfort Systems | 3 |
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Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101, HVA 103 and HVA 105. Incorporates additional systems' accessories and controls used to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Examines psychrometrics principles, air flow measurements and basic residential air distribution systems. Emphasizes installation of residential HVAC systems, accessories and controls; includes basic concepts of duct design, sheet metal fabrication and installation. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HVA 103 (Heating Principles) with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HVA 105 | Heating and Cooling Controls | 3 |
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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 |
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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 109 | Commercial Heating Systems | 3 |
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Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 103, HVA 105 and HVA 106. Introduces low pressure steam and hot water boilers used in commercial heating. Studies heat laws, heat transfer theories, and examines the combustion process of gas, oil and coal. Covers boiler construction, boiler safe operating practices, pressure controls, and steam systems' accessories. Includes hydronic piping systems, circulating pumps and water treatment. Emphasizes practical application for boiler operation, preventive maintenance and service. Prerequisite: HVA 103, HVA 105 and HVA 106 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| MTH 097 | Basic Technical Mathematics 1 | 3 |
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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 the Heating Service Certificate program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.