Mission Statement
The mission of the Air Conditioning Technology program is to prepare students for successful careers in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration through traditional lecture; web based interactive instruction, and extensive hands-on shop instruction on actual equipment.
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Work Environment
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in homes, retail establishments, hospitals, office buildings, and factories-anywhere there is climate-control equipment that needs to be installed, repaired, or serviced. Technicians may work outside in cold or hot weather, or in buildings that are uncomfortable because the air conditioning or heating equipment is broken. In addition, technicians might work in awkward or cramped positions, and sometimes they are required to work in high places. Hazards include electrical shock, burns, muscle strains, and other injuries from handling heavy equipment. Appropriate safety equipment is necessary when handling refrigerants because contact can cause skin damage, frostbite, or blindness. When working in tight spaces, inhalation of refrigerant is a possible hazard.
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Nature of the Work
Heating and air conditioning systems control the temperature, humidity, and the total air quality in residential, commercial, industrial, and other buildings. By providing a climate controlled environment, refrigeration systems make it possible to store and transport food, medicine, and other perishable items. Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers - also called technicians - install, maintain, and repair such systems.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. In central forced air heating systems, for example, a furnace heats air, which is then distributed through a system of metal or fiberglass ducts. Technicians maintain, diagnose, and correct problems throughout the entire system. To do this, they adjust system controls to recommended settings and test the performance of the system using special tools and test equipment.
Technicians follow blueprints or other specifications to install oil, gas, electric, solid-fuel, and multiple-fuel heating systems and air conditioning systems. After putting the equipment in place, they install fuel and water supply lines, air ducts and vents, pumps, and other components. They may connect electrical wiring and controls and check the unit for proper operation. To ensure the proper functioning of the system, furnace installers often use combustion test equipment, such as carbon dioxide testers, carbon monoxide testers, combustion analyzers, and oxygen testers. These tests ensure that the system will operate safely and at peak efficiency.
Refrigeration mechanics install, service, and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems and a variety of refrigeration equipment. They follow blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers' instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, evaporators, piping, and other components. They connect this equipment to the duct work, refrigerant lines, and electrical power source. After making the connections, refrigerator mechanics charge the system with refrigerant, check it for proper operation and leaks, and program control systems.
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are adept at using a variety of tools to work with refrigerant lines and air ducts, including hammers, wrenches, metal snips, electric drills, pipe cutters and benders, measurement gauges, and acetylene torches. They use voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, manometers, and other testing devices to check airflow, refrigerant pressure, electrical circuits, burners, and other components.
High school students interested in some initial training for this industry should take courses in shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics, blueprint reading, and computer applications. Some knowledge of plumbing or electrical work and a basic understanding of electronics are beneficial for an HVACR technician. Secondary and postsecondary students studying HVACR learn about theory of temperature control, equipment design and construction, and electronics. They also learn the basics of installation, maintenance, and repair.
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Employment
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work for plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractors, as well as in a variety of industries throughout the country, reflecting a widespread dependence on climate-control systems. Some work for refrigeration and air conditioning service and repair shops, schools, and stores that sell heating and air conditioning systems. Local governments, the federal government, hospitals, office buildings, and other organizations that operate large air conditioning, refrigeration, or heating systems also employ these workers. Many technicians are self-employed. Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to increase 28 percent nationally during the 2008-2018 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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Earnings
Median hourly wages nationally of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were $19.08 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.94 and $24.84 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.19 and the top 10 percent earned more than $30.59. Median hourly wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were:
- Local government-$22.79
- Hardware and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers-$22.18
- Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance-$20.83
- Direct selling establishments-$20.03
- Building equipment contractors-$18.26
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers generally receive a variety of employer-sponsored benefits. In addition to typical benefits such as health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans, and tools.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the diploma program in Air Conditioning Technology will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Competently install air conditioning systems
- Competently inspect and maintain air conditioning and refrigeration systems
- Competently analyze and trace fault conditions in air conditioning or refrigeration systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Air Conditioning Electrical Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Take electrical measurements on air conditioning systems
- Inspect and repair electrical components and control systems
- Inspect and repair electrical components and controls in heating and air conditioning systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Air Conditioning System Maintenance Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Function safely in a workplace environment
- Apply refrigeration principles and practices to air conditioning systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Air Conditioning Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Acuity to read information on unit data plates, identify symbols in wiring diagrams, read information on unit service panels, and read instructions in installation and service manuals
- Hearing: Ability to understand a normal speaking voice when communicating with students, teachers, and customers; ability to differentiate mechanical noises made by operating air conditioning equipment
- Smell: Ability to evaluate possible dangers involved in working with flammable gasses, toxic solvents, and harmful cleaning agents
- Tactile: Feel heat/cold or pain and evaluate the possible danger from hot surfaces and hot or cold work environments
- Motor Ability
- Physical ability to walk long distances and stand for long periods of time; to lift, move, and transfer equipment of at least 50 pounds; and to maneuver in limited space
- Ability to work while in hot/humid and/or cold conditions
- Ability to have manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, power tools and hand tools, and other small and large equipment while wearing essential safety glasses and/or gloves and/or other necessary required safety gear
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of potential dangers of electricity, refrigerants, and mechanical devices
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, including safety glasses, gloves, closed-toe shoes and proper shop clothing
- Ability to maintain safe environment at all times
- Ability to Communicate
- Skills to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team and to instructor
- Skills to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as industry requires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, and analyzing
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for prioritizing daily functions in the lab and work environment
- Intellectual and conceptual ability to deduce the operating sequence of a system from a schematic diagram
- Intellectual and conceptual ability to use a logical sequence to identify system components that are not operating properly.
- Ability to work in fast-paced environments with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs.
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations.
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and work environment.
- Ability to Perform Practical Outcomes
- Ability to function under the practical guidelines of equipment manufacturers' specifications.
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($55)
- Supply fee (Varies - See course descriptions for exact amounts)
- Textbooks (Approximately $850 for Air Conditioning Technology, $200 for Air Conditioning Electrical Technician, and $350 for Air Conditioning Systems Maintenance Technician)
- Tools (Approximately $800 for Air Conditioning Technology, $300 for Air Conditioning Electrical Technician, and $500 for Air Conditioning Systems Maintenance Technician)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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