Program Orientation & Workforce Readiness

What This Module Teaches

This module introduces students to the building technician and HVAC industry. Students learn how building systems work together and what technicians do on the job every day. It explains the types of environments technicians work in, including residential buildings, commercial facilities, apartments, and industrial sites. Students learn about career opportunities such as HVAC technician, building maintenance technician, facilities technician, and mechanical maintenance technician.

Why This Matters on the Job

Before you touch a single tool, you need to understand the industry you are entering. HVAC technicians are in demand everywhere — homes, offices, hospitals, factories, data centers. Understanding the full landscape helps you choose your career direction and stay motivated through 16 weeks of intensive training.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Overview of residential HVAC systems (furnaces, central AC, heat pumps)
• •Overview of commercial HVAC systems (rooftop units, chillers, VRF)
• •How heating, cooling, ventilation, and plumbing systems work together in a building
• •The role of building automation systems (BAS) in modern facilities

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Understand what HVAC technicians do on a daily basis
• •Identify the four career levels: apprentice, journeyman, master, contractor
• •Explain the three credentials earned in this program (EPA 608, OSHA 10, CPR)
• •Describe WIOA funding requirements including attendance and documentation
• •Map the difference between residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC work

What This Module Teaches

Safety is the foundation of all skilled trades. Students learn workplace safety practices used in mechanical trades and building maintenance. Topics include electrical safety, lockout/tagout procedures, ladder safety, personal protective equipment, and hazard recognition. Students learn basic OSHA safety principles used in the HVAC and maintenance industry.

Why This Matters on the Job

HVAC technicians work with high voltage electricity, pressurized refrigerant, natural gas, and heavy equipment — often in attics at 140°F or on rooftops in winter. One mistake can kill you. Every employer requires safety training before you touch equipment. OSHA 10 certification makes you more hireable and can add $2-4/hr to your pay.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Electrical disconnect switches and breaker panels
• •Lockout/tagout points on HVAC equipment
• •Ladder types and weight ratings (Type I, IA, IAA)
• •Personal protective equipment (PPE) selection for different hazards
• •Fire extinguisher types and when to use each one

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) per OSHA standards on live equipment
• •Identify workplace hazards before starting any job
• •Select correct PPE for electrical, refrigerant, and mechanical hazards
• •Use a non-contact voltage tester and multimeter to verify zero energy
• •Set up ladders safely on uneven surfaces and at correct angles

What This Module Teaches

This module introduces the core tools technicians use daily. Students learn the names, purpose, and correct operation of every tool used to install, diagnose, and service HVAC systems. Each tool is explained in detail — what it is, what it measures, how to read it, and when you use it on a service call.

Why This Matters on the Job

A technician without tools is just a person standing next to a broken AC unit. Knowing your tools — what they measure, how to read them, when to use them — is what separates a trained technician from someone guessing. Employers expect you to show up knowing these tools by name on day one.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Service ports on outdoor condensing units (high-side and low-side)
• •Electrical panels and disconnect switches on HVAC equipment
• •Copper refrigerant line sets (suction line and liquid line)
• •Flare fittings and brazed connections
• •Recovery cylinders and refrigerant tanks

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Identify all 10 core HVAC tools by name and explain their purpose
• •Connect a gauge manifold to service ports and read pressures correctly
• •Use a multimeter to measure voltage, resistance, and capacitance
• •Operate a vacuum pump and verify vacuum level with a micron gauge
• •Cut and flare copper tubing to create a leak-free connection

What This Module Teaches

Electrical knowledge is essential for diagnosing heating and cooling systems. This module explains electrical fundamentals including voltage, current, resistance, and circuits. Students learn how electricity flows through HVAC components such as contactors, capacitors, relays, and motors. The module teaches how to read wiring diagrams and ladder diagrams — the blueprints that show how every wire in the system connects.

Why This Matters on the Job

Over 60% of HVAC service calls involve an electrical problem — a bad capacitor, a stuck contactor, a blown transformer, a failed motor winding. If you cannot read a wiring diagram and trace current flow with a meter, you cannot diagnose anything. This module is the difference between a technician and a parts changer.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Contactors — electromagnetic switches that turn the compressor and fan on/off
• •Capacitors — store and release electrical energy to start and run motors (start caps and run caps)
• •Relays — smaller electromagnetic switches used in control circuits (fan relays, time-delay relays)
• •Transformers — step voltage down from 240V to 24V for the thermostat control circuit
• •Motors — compressor motors, condenser fan motors, blower motors, inducer motors
• •Fuses and circuit breakers — overcurrent protection devices

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Calculate voltage, current, and resistance using Ohm's Law (V = I × R)
• •Read a ladder diagram and trace current flow from power source to load
• •Measure voltage, amperage, resistance, and capacitance with a multimeter
• •Test a capacitor and determine pass/fail (within ±6% of rated value)
• •Identify open circuits, short circuits, and grounded circuits

What This Module Teaches

This module teaches students how to identify the major components found inside HVAC systems. Students learn the purpose and function of compressors, condensers, evaporator coils, expansion devices, and blower motors. Students examine how each component contributes to the heating and cooling process and how technicians inspect these components during service visits.

Why This Matters on the Job

You cannot fix what you cannot identify. When you open a condenser panel or look inside an air handler, you need to instantly recognize every component — what it is, what it does, and what it looks like when it has failed. This is the foundation for all troubleshooting.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Compressor — the pump that circulates refrigerant through the entire system (scroll, reciprocating, rotary types)
• •Condenser coil — the outdoor coil where refrigerant releases heat to the outside air
• •Condenser fan motor — pulls air across the condenser coil to help reject heat
• •Evaporator coil — the indoor coil where refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air
• •Metering device — TXV (thermostatic expansion valve) or fixed orifice (piston) that controls refrigerant flow into the evaporator
• •Blower motor — pushes air across the evaporator coil and through the ductwork into the building
• •Filter drier — removes moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant circuit
• •Accumulator — prevents liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor (flood-back protection)

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Identify all major components on a live split AC system by sight
• •Explain what each component does in the refrigeration cycle
• •Recognize visual signs of component failure (oil stains, burn marks, ice, corrosion)
• •Trace the refrigerant path from compressor through the entire system and back
• •Identify the difference between a TXV and a fixed orifice metering device

What This Module Teaches

The refrigeration cycle is the heart of every HVAC cooling system. Students learn the four stages: compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. Students learn how refrigerant moves through the system, how temperature and pressure change at each stage, and how to use a pressure-temperature (PT) chart to convert between pressure readings and saturation temperatures.

Why This Matters on the Job

Every cooling diagnosis starts with understanding the refrigeration cycle. When a system is not cooling, you need to know where in the cycle the problem is occurring. Is the compressor not compressing? Is the condenser not rejecting heat? Is the metering device restricted? Is the evaporator not absorbing heat? You cannot answer these questions without understanding the cycle.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Stage 1: Compression — compressor takes low-pressure gas and compresses it into high-pressure, high-temperature gas
• •Stage 2: Condensation — hot gas flows through the condenser coil, releases heat to outdoor air, and condenses into a high-pressure liquid
• •Stage 3: Expansion — liquid refrigerant passes through the metering device, pressure drops dramatically, creating a cold low-pressure mixture
• •Stage 4: Evaporation — cold mixture flows through the evaporator coil, absorbs heat from indoor air, and evaporates back into a low-pressure gas
• •The cycle repeats continuously as long as the thermostat calls for cooling

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Diagram the complete refrigeration cycle with correct pressure and temperature states at each point
• •Calculate superheat from live gauge readings and temperature measurements
• •Calculate subcooling from live gauge readings and temperature measurements
• •Use a PT chart to look up saturation temperature for R-410A, R-22, and R-134a
• •Explain what happens to pressures and temperatures when common problems occur (low charge, overcharge, dirty coil, restriction)

What This Module Teaches

This module prepares students for the EPA Section 608 certification. Students learn about refrigerant types (CFC, HCFC, HFC, HFO), environmental regulations, and safe refrigerant handling procedures. Students learn why refrigerant leaks are harmful to the environment and how federal regulations require technicians to properly recover and recycle refrigerant.

Why This Matters on the Job

Federal law. You cannot purchase or handle refrigerant without EPA 608 certification. The fine for knowingly venting refrigerant is up to $44,539 per day per violation. This is not optional — it is the law, and employers verify your certification before hiring you.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •CFC refrigerants (R-12) — banned, highest ozone depletion potential, still found in old equipment
• •HCFC refrigerants (R-22) — phased out, cannot be manufactured, still serviced in existing systems
• •HFC refrigerants (R-410A, R-134a) — current standard, zero ozone depletion but high global warming potential
• •HFO refrigerants (R-1234yf) — next generation, low GWP, being adopted in automotive and some commercial
• •Recovery, recycling, and reclamation — three different processes with different legal requirements

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Classify refrigerants by type (CFC, HCFC, HFC, HFO) and identify their environmental impact
• •State the maximum fine for knowingly venting refrigerant ($44,539/day)
• •Explain the difference between recovery (removing), recycling (cleaning on-site), and reclamation (processing to ARI 700 purity at a certified facility)
• •Identify who can purchase refrigerant (EPA 608 certified technicians only, since January 2018)
• •Score 85%+ on EPA 608 Core section practice exam

What This Module Teaches

Technicians must safely remove and recharge refrigerant in HVAC systems. This module teaches the hands-on procedures used to recover refrigerant from equipment, evacuate systems with a vacuum pump, and properly charge systems using both the weighing method and the superheat/subcooling method.

Why This Matters on the Job

This is what you do on almost every major repair. Compressor replacement, coil replacement, line set repair — all require recovering the refrigerant, pulling a vacuum, and recharging. If you cannot do this correctly, you cannot do the job. An improper charge wastes energy, damages equipment, and costs the customer money.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Refrigerant recovery process — connecting recovery machine, monitoring pressures, verifying complete recovery
• •System evacuation — connecting vacuum pump, pulling to 500 microns, performing a standing vacuum test
• •Charging by weight — using the scale to add the exact factory charge amount
• •Charging by superheat — for systems with fixed orifice (piston) metering devices
• •Charging by subcooling — for systems with TXV metering devices

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Recover refrigerant from a system to EPA-required vacuum levels
• •Evacuate a system to 500 microns and perform a standing vacuum test
• •Charge a system by weight using a refrigerant scale
• •Charge a system by superheat method (fixed orifice systems)
• •Charge a system by subcooling method (TXV systems)
• •Determine which charging method to use based on the metering device type

What This Module Teaches

Students explore the heating side of HVAC systems. Topics include gas furnaces (natural gas and propane), electric furnaces, heat pumps in heating mode, and combustion safety. Students learn how heating systems generate heat, how safety controls prevent dangerous conditions, and how technicians inspect heating equipment during maintenance and repair.

Why This Matters on the Job

Heating calls are half the business. In cold months, furnace breakdowns are emergencies — families with no heat in winter. You need to diagnose furnace problems quickly and safely. A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide into a home and kill people. This is life-safety work.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Gas furnace components — gas valve, burners, heat exchanger, inducer motor, hot surface igniter, flame sensor, limit switch, blower motor
• •Ignition types — standing pilot (old), hot surface igniter (HSI, most common), direct spark ignition (DSI)
• •Heat pump in heating mode — reversing valve switches refrigerant flow so the outdoor coil absorbs heat and the indoor coil releases it
• •Electric furnace — heating elements (like a giant toaster) controlled by sequencers
• •Combustion air and venting — how exhaust gases exit the building safely

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Identify all components of a gas furnace by sight
• •Measure temperature rise and verify it matches the furnace nameplate
• •Perform CO testing and interpret the results
• •Check gas pressure at the gas valve with a manometer
• •Clean a flame sensor and explain why dirty sensors cause lockouts
• •Identify the ignition type on any furnace

What This Module Teaches

Heating and cooling systems rely on airflow to deliver conditioned air throughout buildings. This module teaches how duct systems, vents, registers, filters, and air handlers distribute air. Students learn how to measure airflow, identify duct problems, and understand how poor airflow affects system performance and efficiency.

Why This Matters on the Job

The best compressor in the world cannot cool a house if the ductwork is crushed, disconnected, or undersized. Airflow problems cause frozen coils, high energy bills, hot/cold spots, and premature equipment failure. Many service calls that seem like refrigerant problems are actually airflow problems. Technicians who understand airflow solve problems faster.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Supply ductwork — delivers conditioned air from the air handler to each room
• •Return ductwork — brings room air back to the air handler to be heated or cooled again
• •Registers and grilles — the visible vents in each room that direct airflow
• •Air filters — trap dust, pollen, and debris before air enters the equipment (MERV ratings)
• •Air handler / blower assembly — the fan that moves air through the entire duct system
• •Dampers — adjustable plates inside ducts that control airflow to different zones

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Measure airflow at supply registers using an anemometer
• •Measure total external static pressure on a duct system
• •Identify common duct problems: disconnected ducts, crushed flex duct, missing insulation, leaky joints
• •Explain how a dirty filter reduces airflow and causes the evaporator coil to freeze
• •Calculate approximate CFM from velocity and duct dimensions

What This Module Teaches

HVAC systems rely on controls to regulate temperature and system operation. This module explains how thermostats, sensors, control boards, and low-voltage wiring manage heating and cooling cycles. Students learn how technicians diagnose thermostat problems, wiring faults, and system communication failures between the thermostat and the equipment.

Why This Matters on the Job

The thermostat is the brain of the HVAC system. If the thermostat is not sending the right signal, nothing works — even if every other component is perfect. Thermostat and control problems account for a large percentage of service calls. Technicians who understand control wiring solve problems that stump others.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Thermostat types — mechanical, digital programmable, smart/WiFi thermostats
• •Low-voltage control circuit — 24V transformer, thermostat wires (R, Y, W, G, C, O/B)
• •Control boards — the circuit board inside the furnace or air handler that receives thermostat signals and controls equipment
• •Temperature sensors — thermistors and RTDs that measure air and refrigerant temperature
• •Zone control systems — dampers and multiple thermostats controlling different areas of a building

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Wire a thermostat to a control board using correct terminal designations
• •Measure 24V control voltage at thermostat and equipment terminals
• •Diagnose a thermostat that is not calling for heating or cooling
• •Identify the difference between conventional and heat pump thermostat wiring
• •Troubleshoot a system where the thermostat displays correctly but equipment does not respond

What This Module Teaches

Routine maintenance helps HVAC systems operate efficiently and prevents major failures. Students learn the maintenance tasks technicians perform regularly including filter replacement, coil cleaning, electrical connection inspection, refrigerant level checks, and seasonal startup/shutdown procedures. Students complete a full maintenance checklist on simulated equipment.

Why This Matters on the Job

Preventive maintenance is steady, reliable work. Many HVAC companies run maintenance agreement programs where technicians visit the same customers twice a year — spring for cooling, fall for heating. A technician who can perform thorough maintenance inspections catches problems early, prevents expensive breakdowns, and builds customer trust. This is how you build a career.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Condenser coil cleaning and inspection
• •Evaporator coil inspection (visual check for ice, dirt, biological growth)
• •Air filter inspection and replacement (MERV ratings, filter sizes)
• •Electrical connection tightening and inspection (loose connections cause arcing and fires)
• •Capacitor testing (run caps and start caps)
• •Contactor inspection (pitting, welding, chattering)
• •Drain line clearing (condensate drain clogs cause water damage)
• •Thermostat calibration verification

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Perform a complete cooling season maintenance inspection using a checklist
• •Perform a complete heating season maintenance inspection using a checklist
• •Clean a condenser coil without damaging the fins
• •Test a capacitor and determine if it needs replacement
• •Clear a clogged condensate drain line
• •Document all findings on a maintenance report for the customer

What This Module Teaches

Troubleshooting is one of the most valuable skills technicians develop. Students learn a systematic diagnostic process: listen to the customer complaint, inspect the system visually, take measurements, analyze the data, identify the fault, make the repair, and verify the fix. Students analyze common problems including systems not cooling, systems not heating, systems not turning on, and airflow issues.

Why This Matters on the Job

This is the job. Every service call is a troubleshooting exercise. The technician who can systematically diagnose a problem — instead of guessing and replacing parts — saves the company money, earns customer trust, and gets promoted. Parts changers stay at entry level. Diagnosticians become lead techs.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •No cooling diagnosis — thermostat, power, contactor, capacitor, compressor, refrigerant charge, airflow
• •No heating diagnosis — thermostat, power, gas supply, ignition, flame sensor, limit switch, heat exchanger
• •System short cycling — dirty filter, refrigerant overcharge, oversized equipment, failed sensor
• •High energy bills — dirty coils, low refrigerant, duct leaks, failed insulation
• •Water leaks — clogged condensate drain, frozen evaporator coil, cracked drain pan
• •Strange noises — failing bearings, loose parts, refrigerant slugging, expansion/contraction

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Follow a systematic diagnostic process from complaint to verified repair
• •Diagnose a no-cool system using pressure readings, temperature measurements, and electrical tests
• •Diagnose a no-heat system using combustion analysis, gas pressure, and ignition sequence verification
• •Identify the root cause — not just the symptom (example: low refrigerant is a symptom, the leak is the cause)
• •Verify the repair by running the system and confirming normal operation before leaving

What This Module Teaches

This module simulates real service calls technicians experience in the field. Students learn the complete service call workflow: receiving the dispatch, driving to the job, greeting the customer, inspecting the equipment, diagnosing the problem, recommending repairs, performing the work, verifying the fix, collecting payment, and completing documentation.

Why This Matters on the Job

Knowing how to fix equipment is only half the job. The other half is professionalism — how you communicate with customers, how you present yourself, how you document your work. Employers lose customers over poor communication more often than poor repairs. This module teaches you to be a complete technician, not just a mechanic.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Service call workflow — dispatch, arrival, customer interview, inspection, diagnosis, repair, verification, documentation
• •Customer communication — how to explain technical problems in plain language
• •Flat-rate pricing vs. time-and-materials pricing
• •Warranty vs. non-warranty service calls
• •When to recommend repair vs. replacement

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Complete a full service call from arrival to departure following professional procedures
• •Interview a customer to understand their complaint without using jargon
• •Present repair options and pricing clearly and honestly
• •Document the service call completely and accurately
• •Leave the work area cleaner than you found it

What This Module Teaches

Technicians must demonstrate professionalism and workplace readiness. This module prepares students for employment by teaching job search strategies, resume building, interview skills, employer expectations, and workplace communication. Students learn how to interact with customers, document service calls, and present themselves as professionals.

Why This Matters on the Job

You can be the best diagnostician in the class, but if you cannot show up on time, communicate professionally, and present yourself well in an interview, you will not get hired — or you will not keep the job. Employers hire attitude and train skill. This module makes sure you have both.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •Job search platforms — Indeed, LinkedIn, company websites, WorkOne job board
• •Employer expectations — punctuality, appearance, communication, work ethic, willingness to learn
• •Customer service fundamentals — first impressions, active listening, managing expectations
• •Workplace documentation — service tickets, time sheets, inventory logs
• •Professional development — continuing education, manufacturer training, advanced certifications (NATE)

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Build a professional resume highlighting HVAC credentials and training
• •Practice answering common HVAC interview questions confidently
• •Demonstrate professional communication with customers and supervisors
• •Understand employer expectations for attendance, appearance, and conduct
• •Create a 1-year career development plan with specific goals

What This Module Teaches

The final module prepares students for the EPA Section 608 certification exam and program completion. Students review key HVAC concepts, safety procedures, refrigerant regulations, and refrigeration cycle knowledge needed to pass the certification exam. This module includes timed practice exams, targeted review of weak areas, and final competency assessments.

Why This Matters on the Job

This is what the entire program has been building toward. The EPA 608 Universal certification is your ticket into the HVAC industry. Without it, you cannot purchase refrigerant, you cannot legally work on cooling systems, and most employers will not hire you. Pass this exam and you are a certified HVAC technician.

Tools Used in This Module

Systems & Components You Will Learn

• •EPA 608 Core section — ozone depletion, Clean Air Act, recovery/recycling/reclamation, safety, refrigerant properties
• •EPA 608 Type I — small appliances (under 5 lbs), self-contained recovery, disposal requirements
• •EPA 608 Type II — high-pressure systems (residential AC, heat pumps, supermarket refrigeration), recovery levels, leak repair
• •EPA 608 Type III — low-pressure systems (centrifugal chillers), pressurization, standing vacuum test
• •Program final assessment — comprehensive review of all 16 modules

Practical Skills You Will Build

• •Pass timed practice exams for all four EPA 608 sections with 85%+ consistently
• •Identify and review weak areas using targeted study materials
• •Demonstrate exam-day time management (80 questions, no time limit but focus matters)
• •Complete the program final assessment covering all 16 modules
• •Schedule and sit for the official proctored EPA 608 Universal exam