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Program facts 
Develop advanced knowledge in residential comfort systems with this 19-credit-hour certificate. You’ll learn about the maintenance and repairs of residential heating and cooling systems and also receive an introduction to duct design, sheet metal fabrication and equipment selection to improve indoor air quality.
Classes are taught in our modern, state-of-the-art HVAC/R Open Lab and focus on the planning, installation, and start-up procedure of residential HVAC systems.
Credit earned for this program can be applied to Harper’s Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology Degree AAS Degree.
This 19 credit-hour certificate program focuses on residential comfort systems and installation. In addition to learning maintenance and repairs of residential heating and cooling systems, the certificate is designed to provide the students the basic concepts of duct design, sheet metal fabrication and equipment selection to improve indoor air quality. Emphasis is placed on the planning, installation and start up procedure of residential HVAC systems.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| 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. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 3 Contact Hours: 6 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| 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; includes working with ACR copper tubing, tools and instruments. Prerequisite: MTH 100, MTH 101 or higher. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HVA 103 | Heating Principles | 3 |
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 100, MTH 101 or higher. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| HVA 104 | Residential Comfort Systems | 3 |
Description: Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101, HVA 103 and HVA 105. Incorporates additional system 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. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| 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 100, MTH 101 or higher. Lecture Hours: 2 Lab Hours: 2 Contact Hours: 4 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MTH 100 | Applied Math for Technical Careers 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 from 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 mathematics course is intended for AAS degree students only. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Students may take MTH 100, MTH 101 or higher.
Students interested in HVAC/R may also be interested in:
For more information about the Residential Comfort Systems Certificate program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.