Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology

This lecture based course will touch on the following aspects of the refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning trade: safety as it pertains to the HVAC/R industry, tools and their uses, sheet metal layout and fabrication, iron pipe threading and fabrication, copper tubing joining methods, and PVC piping. The class will thoroughly study the principals of heat transfer, refrigerants and basic refrigeration cycle. Refrigerant manifold gauge attachment and removal, refrigerant phases, recovery system evacuation will also be covered in detail. This lecture is accompanied by the fabrication lab (REFG 111) and refrigeration systems lab (REFG 113) to allow application of content covered in this lecture. Co-requisites: REFG 111 and REFG 113. (F)

An in-depth study of the four essential components of the refrigeration system such as: evaporators, condensers, compressors and metering devices will be included in this course. Normal system operating conditions will be discussed for a variety of refrigeration and air conditioning applications. Understanding normal operating conditions will be essential in learning troubleshooting techniques. This course will begin with a review of the theories of refrigerants, refrigerant recovery methods, and system evacuation. Prerequisite: REFG 101. (S)

With an emphasis on decreasing the impact on the environment by improved service techniques, study in this course will prepare the student to practice more environmental acceptable procedures. Study in this course will include: The chemical composition of the refrigerants commonly used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, effects of the refrigerants on the environment, service procedures recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency for preventing the release of refrigerants to the atmosphere. During the course the students will examine oils and the appropriate application, changing, and disposal methods. This course is designed to be a concentrated study to help the student pass the EPA Refrigerant Certification Exam.(S)

In the HVAC/R industry it is imperative that professionals have a good working knowledge of blueprints. Blueprint reading and estimating learning outcomes are measuring and scaling skills, identification of symbols, and definitions of pertinent terms. The student will work with plan views, elevations, sections, details, and specifications and show how it is possible to determine the scope of the job and formulate a list of materials needed. Time will also be spent learning to determine how the building designer intended the HVAC/R equipment to be installed. No prerequisites are required. (F)

In the first eight weeks of this first semester course will be a practical hands-on counterpart to the REFG 101 theory class. It will introduce the student to the fabrication of sheet metal air distribution components, iron gas piping, copper tubing, and PVC piping components. The activities will introduce the student to the construction and mechanical skills necessary for the installation of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. REFG 111 will provide actual fabrication tools and equipment where the student will be able to practice fabricating projects until they are acceptable trade quality projects. Sheet metal layout, piping leak testing, threading, priming, gluing, silver soldering, and silver brazing are examples of activities in this lab. Corequisite: REFG 101. (F)

This course will allow the student to apply refrigeration fundamentals to actual domestic and residential systems. Diagnostics, repairs and component replacements will be applied to refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, de-humidifiers, and central air conditioning systems. There will also be application opportunities for the knowledge learned in REFG 102. A key component of the course will be providing repair reports on two separate pieces of equipment that the student has provided. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 111 or equivalent. (S)

This second eight week course in the first semester will be a practical hands-on counterpart to the REFG 101 theory class. It will introduce the student to the refrigeration system and allow the student to take necessary readings and measurements to solidify their understanding of a simple refrigeration system. Also, there will be introductions and opportunities to use evacuation, refrigerant recovery and refrigerant charging equipment. Corequisite: REFG 101. (F)

An introduction to electrical theory, REFG 121 will allow study of the theories of electricity with an emphasis on how these theories apply to the HVAC/R industries. It will begin by examining atomic theory and how to use this knowledge to explain electrical pressure, current flow, resistance and electrical power. There will be an emphasis on Ohm's Law, series circuits, parallel circuits and series-parallel circuits. The student will be instructed on electric meters and their usage. Transformers, Alternating Current and Power Distribution Systems will also be studied. The course will also provide instruction in the components, symbols and circuits used in the HVAC/R industry. Corequisite: REFG 123. (F)

From motor theory to HVAC/R components to the wide varieties of electrical diagrams, the course focus is to give the student a strong background in electrical understanding necessary to install and service heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Special emphasis will be applied to troubleshooting techniques and skills. This course will provide an in-depth look at electric motor theory while examining electrical inductance and capacitance. Five motor types will be studied with an emphasis on their operation, selection and application as well as troubleshooting techniques. Motor starting dynamics and starting components will be studied as well. The course will also cover the wide variety of components and circuits that are likely to be encountered in the HVAC/R industry. Electrical circuits and diagrams will be studied in-depth. Prerequisites: REFG 121 and REFG 123 or equivalents. (S)

A counter-part to the electrical theory class this course will allow the student to examine the electrical laws of voltage, current, resistance and power by connecting circuits, measuring electrical data and then comparing this data to the calculated values. Electrical meter operation and application, as well as safety practices will be focal points of the course. Control circuits will also be designed and examined. Emphasis will be placed on learning a solid understanding of the electrical fundamentals and the troubleshooting skills necessary to work in the HVAC/R industry. Corequisite: REFG 121. (F)

This course will focus on preparing students for success in the HVAC/R industry. Because of the many electrical drive motors, electrical controls and in general, the large amount of electrical type problems likely to be encountered, the technician needs to be skilled in diagnostics, circuit diagrams and electrical meter application. This course will prepare the student to that end. The student will be exposed to real circuits. Placing the volt, ohm, and amp meter test leads on the circuit to discover what troubleshooting clues the readings will indicate. Time will be spent creating circuits by reading schematic wiring diagrams. Participants will be creating wiring diagrams from looking at existing diagrams. Taking volt, ohm, and amperage readings for preventive maintenance will also be an activity in this class. Electrical simulators will be utilized by the students during the duration of the course. Prerequisites: REFG 121 and REFG 123. Corequisite: REFG 122. (S)

Green is the emphasis in this course with an in-depth analysis of the refrigeration cycle. Students will use Pressure/Enthalpy diagrams to learn how dynamically the system operates and how changes in any area will affect the entire system. Proper piping and pipe sizing techniques will also be studied and applied. The efficiency of the refrigeration system will be the focus. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 102. (F)

This course will provide a study of commercial refrigeration systems from a service and installation perspective. This will include studies of heat pumps, supermarket systems, ice making equipment and restaurant/food service equipment. The course emphasis will include system charging techniques, for peak efficiency, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Prerequisite: REFG 201. (S)

This course will explore the special components that are used with commercial refrigeration equipment and examine their application in operating systems. Attention will be given to system balance, in-depth compressor analysis, defrost methods, capacity controls, head pressure controls and refrigerant oils and temperature control methods. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 102, REFG 112, REFG 113, REFG 201 or equivalents. (F)

This course will introduce the student to more advanced systems such as parallel rack systems, ice machines, compound systems and cascade systems. An emphasis will be placed on developing HVAC/R troubleshooting techniques. Prerequisites: REFG 201, REFG 202, REFG 211 or equivalents. (S)

This course will begin with a review of electrical theory, relay logic, schematic diagram interpretation, and troubleshooting. It will then introduce the student to different automatic control systems used in the HVAC/R industry. As time permits, the course will begin with electro-mechanical controls and then proceed to pneumatics, direct digital controls, programmable logic controls, and variable frequency drives. Prerequisites: REFG 121, REFG 122, REFG 123, REFG 124. (S)

A discussion and completion format this course covers psychometrics, air quality, building envelope, air exchange and humidification. Emphasis is placed on energy efficiency as it pertains to duct design, lay out and balancing. When available, balancing will take place on site utilizing real buildings. The course includes classroom, traditional lab, homework, and some computer lab and building location work. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 102, REFG 111, REFG 113. (F)

Students will encompass the age-old questions. How big is big enough? How does one properly determine heating and cooling system size? With the energy efficient equipment that is available to us today in the HVAC industry, there comes the responsibility to size the equipment to the building energy loss or gain. Why size it correctly? Customer comfort, equipment life span, and trouble free energy efficient performance are a few of the many good reasons. Green technology applications are a focus of study in this course. A working knowledge of the basics necessary to see HVAC system installation from sizing, planning and layout, selecting equipment, material list, to the completed balanced forced air system. Prerequisite: REFG 231. (S)

This subject matter will provide a broad exposure to a wide variety of heating equipment and their service needs. There will be in-depth discussion on gas, oil, and electric heating equipment as well as the mechanical, fuel combustion, and electrical service. This course ties together how the installation of this equipment affects the efficiency, all around performance, and length of service this equipment will have for the end user. This course was green before green was a popular word. This course covers most aspects of heating service and is accompanied by the heating equipment lab to allow application of content covered in this lecture. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 102, REFG 121, REFG 123 or equivalents. (S)

The heat pump is back to stay and this course will explore air source and geothermal heat pumps. This study will include why heat pumps are a good alternative energy source. Students will spend time analyzing control systems, refrigeration components and the air requirements of heat pump systems. Time will be spent investigating how the refrigerant circuit differs from an air conditioner. The student will explore and wire different systems that employ back-up heat systems, dual-fuel systems and off-peak options. The heat pump will be examined from both the installation and service technician's perspective. Due to the importance of energy efficiency, systems will also be analyzed and adjusted to ensure design performance efficiencies. Prerequisites: REFG 101, REFG 102, REFG 121, REFG 123 or equivalents. (F)

The subject matter will provide a broad exposure to a wide variety of heating equipment and their service needs. Gas, oil and electric heating equipment will be explored, taken apart, reassembled, and problems troubleshot. REFG 255 ties together how installation, good or bad, will affect the efficiency, and length of service to the end user. This course accompanies a heating equipment lecture and covers the hands-on aspects of heating service application. Prerequisites: REFG 121 and REFG 123 or equivalents. (S)

The study of hydronic heating from boiler operation to the types of application; forced air, convection, and radiant. The course includes classroom and laboratory assignments. This course will provide a working knowledge of the three types of hydronic heating, the design features, and the proper installation of hydronic heating systems. Prerequisites are REFG 231 or equivalent. (S)

A course designed to meet special departmental needs during new course development. It is used for one year after which time the course is assigned a different number.

Cooperative Education offers students the opportunity to integrate career, social and personal development into the educational process. The cooperative education program allows students to integrate classroom study with a paid work experience related to their fields of study. It is recommended that a student has successfully completed one year of academic study.

A course designed to meet special departmental needs.