This course provides a thorough grounding in the design principles, operational fundamentals, and commissioning procedures for residential and light commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems. Students will gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical field skills needed to size, evaluate, charge, and document system performance to a professional standard.
1. Principles of System Sizing and Load CalculationIntroduces the methodology behind proper equipment selection, including Manual J load calculation concepts, building envelope factors, and the consequences of oversized or undersized equipment on comfort, efficiency, and system longevity.
2. Airflow Measurement and System PerformanceExamines the critical relationship between airflow and system performance. Students will learn to measure and evaluate external static pressure, supply and return air distribution, and the downstream effects of airflow deficiencies on capacity, efficiency, and equipment reliability.
3. Refrigeration Circuit Components and OperationA functional review of the refrigeration circuit — compressors, metering devices, heat exchangers, reversing valves, and associated controls — with emphasis on how each component contributes to system operation and what its failure looks like in the field.
4. Sensible and Latent Heat in Cooling and Heating ApplicationsCovers the psychrometric principles underlying system performance, including the distinction between sensible and latent heat loads, their influence on equipment selection, and how to evaluate a system's ability to manage both comfort and humidity effectively.
5. Ambient Temperature Effects on Capacity and EfficiencyExplores how outdoor and indoor ambient conditions affect system capacity, efficiency ratings, and operational behavior. Includes discussion of rated versus real-world performance and implications for heat pump operation at temperature extremes.
6. Refrigerant Charging Methods and ProceduresInstruction in industry-accepted charging methods including superheat, subcooling, and manufacturer-specified procedures. Students will develop the skills to achieve accurate charges across a range of system types and field conditions.
7. Field Measurement Techniques and InstrumentationHands-on instruction in the proper use and interpretation of field instrumentation — manifold gauges, digital manifolds, psychrometers, anemometers, manometers, and temperature probes. Emphasis on measurement accuracy, data quality, and tool care.
8. Documentation Standards and Record KeepingEstablishes professional standards for commissioning documentation, including startup reports, system performance baselines, and service records. Students will understand how accurate documentation supports warranty compliance, liability protection, and long-term customer relationships.
This course is suited for HVAC technicians at any experience level who want to move beyond reactive service work and develop a disciplined, measurement-based approach to system commissioning. Business owners will find the curriculum directly applicable to raising field standards, reducing callbacks, and differentiating their company on quality of installation and startup.
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in gas furnace combustion theory and applied field practice. Students will develop the technical knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to install, evaluate, and diagnose gas furnace systems with confidence and precision.
1. Installation PracticesCovers industry-standard procedures for safe and code-compliant gas furnace installation, including equipment placement, gas line connections, electrical hookup, and pre-startup verification.
2. Combustion PhysicsExamines the science behind the combustion process — fuel chemistry, air-to-fuel ratios, stoichiometry, and the byproducts of complete versus incomplete combustion. Establishes the theoretical foundation for all field measurement and diagnostic work.
3. ComponentsA detailed review of gas furnace components including heat exchangers, burners, igniters, flame sensors, gas valves, and induced draft assemblies — with emphasis on function, interaction, and failure modes.
4. Clocking the Gas MeterHands-on instruction in calculating actual gas input rate using meter clocking techniques. Technicians will learn to verify proper fuel delivery and identify input deviation from manufacturer specifications.
5. VentingAddresses venting system design, materials, sizing, and code requirements for both atmospheric and positive-pressure applications. Includes common venting failures and their impact on combustion performance and safety.
6. Field Combustion MeasurementsInstruction in the use of combustion analyzers to measure flue gas composition, including CO, CO₂, O₂, and stack temperature. Students will learn to interpret readings, calculate combustion efficiency, and establish baseline performance data.
7. DiagnosticsApplies course knowledge to real-world fault conditions. Students will work through systematic diagnostic processes to identify combustion-related issues, evaluate safety concerns, and determine appropriate corrective action.
This course is designed for HVAC technicians seeking to sharpen their gas system expertise, as well as service business owners evaluating training investments for their field teams. No advanced prerequisites required — appropriate for early-career technicians through experienced professionals looking to formalize their combustion knowledge.
This course provides a structured foundation in electrical theory and applied practice as it relates to HVAC systems. From fundamental concepts through hands-on diagnostic work, students will develop the knowledge and confidence to safely work with both line and low voltage circuits, interpret wiring diagrams, and systematically troubleshoot electrical faults in the field.
1. Electricity FundamentalsEstablishes the core principles of electrical theory — voltage, current, resistance, and power — and how they interact within HVAC circuits. Students will develop a working understanding of series and parallel circuits, Ohm's Law, and the behavior of electrical loads as the foundation for all subsequent coursework.
2. SafetyCovers the essential safety practices required when working with electrical systems, including lockout/tagout procedures, arc flash awareness, proper PPE, and safe work habits around energized equipment. Emphasis on building a safety-first mindset that becomes second nature in the field.
3. Field MeasurementsInstruction in the proper use of electrical test instruments — including multimeters, clamp meters, and megohmeters — with emphasis on correct technique, meter selection, and accurate interpretation of readings in live HVAC systems.
4. Low Voltage Control WiringExamines the 24-volt control circuit as the nerve center of HVAC system operation. Students will learn how thermostats, control boards, and system components communicate through low voltage wiring, and how to trace, test, and modify control circuits with confidence.
5. Relays, Contactors, and SequencersA functional review of the switching devices that bridge low voltage control signals and line voltage loads. Students will understand the operating principles, terminal identification, and common failure modes of relays, contactors, and electric heat sequencers.
6. Basic LogicIntroduces the logical structure underlying HVAC control circuits — including series logic for safety controls, parallel logic for redundant paths, and how to mentally model a circuit before picking up a meter. Builds the reasoning skills necessary for efficient, methodical troubleshooting.
7. Wiring DiagramsDevelops proficiency in reading and interpreting both schematic and pictorial wiring diagrams. Students will learn to navigate manufacturer documentation, trace circuit paths, identify components, and use diagrams as a primary diagnostic tool rather than a last resort.
8. DiagnosticsApplies the full body of course knowledge to real-world electrical fault scenarios. Students will work through structured diagnostic processes — using diagrams, measurements, and logical reasoning — to isolate failures, verify repairs, and document findings with professional precision.
This course is well suited for technicians who want to close gaps in their electrical knowledge and develop a more systematic approach to troubleshooting. For business owners, a team that can accurately diagnose electrical faults on the first visit reduces truck rolls, shortens call times, and builds customer confidence. Appropriate for technicians at all experience levels — from those building their foundation to experienced techs looking to sharpen and formalize their diagnostic process.
This course takes a science-first approach to one of the most misunderstood procedures in HVAC service — system evacuation. Students will move beyond the habit of "pulling a vacuum" and develop a genuine understanding of what is happening inside the system, why proper technique matters, and how to verify that the job is actually done right.
1. The Science of EvacuationEstablishes the foundational principles behind the evacuation process — vapor pressure, boiling point depression, and the behavior of moisture and non-condensables under vacuum. Students will understand what is physically occurring inside the system at each stage of the process, providing the context needed to make sound decisions in the field.
2. How Moisture Affects the SystemExamines the mechanisms by which moisture enters a refrigeration circuit and the damage it causes — including refrigerant contamination, acid formation, oil degradation, and long-term harm to compressors and metering devices. Reinforces why thorough evacuation is a critical investment in system reliability and service longevity.
3. Proper Evacuation TechniquesCovers the procedural and equipment requirements for a professional evacuation, including vacuum pump selection and maintenance, hose and core selection, manifold configuration, and the correct placement of the micron gauge. Students will learn setup practices that maximize evacuation efficiency and measurement accuracy.
4. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid ThemIdentifies the most frequent mistakes made in the field — including core depressors left in place, oversized hoses, gauge placement errors, pump oil neglect, and premature isolation — and explains how each compromises the result. Emphasis on developing habits that produce consistent, repeatable outcomes.
5. Understanding Decay TestingInstruction in how to properly conduct and interpret a decay test following evacuation. Students will learn what a passing result looks like, how to distinguish moisture outgassing from a leak, and how to use decay test data to make confident go/no-go decisions before introducing refrigerant.
This course is appropriate for technicians at all experience levels. Even seasoned professionals often carry forward evacuation habits that compromise system quality — this course provides the scientific grounding and procedural clarity to correct those habits and raise the standard of every startup. For business owners, the curriculum directly addresses one of the most common sources of premature equipment failure and warranty callbacks.
This course develops a working knowledge of airflow as it applies to residential and light commercial HVAC systems. Students will build from fundamental air science through duct design principles, field measurement techniques, and real-world system performance evaluation — gaining the practical skills needed to diagnose airflow problems and commission systems with confidence.
1. Air PropertiesEstablishes the physical characteristics of air that govern how it behaves in a duct system — including density, temperature, humidity, and the relationship between these properties and system performance. Provides the scientific foundation for all subsequent measurement and diagnostic work.
2. Manual D BasicsIntroduces the principles of residential duct system design as defined by ACCA Manual D. Students will develop an understanding of friction rate, duct sizing methodology, and how design decisions at the planning stage directly affect airflow delivery in the field.
3. Understanding Static PressureCovers the concept of static pressure as the primary indicator of duct system resistance. Students will learn how to interpret total external static pressure readings, identify where resistance originates in a system, and recognize when static pressure is contributing to equipment stress or comfort failures.
4. Field MeasurementsHands-on instruction in the tools and techniques used to measure airflow and pressure in the field — including digital manometers, Pitot tubes, and capture hoods. Emphasis on measurement accuracy, proper placement, and interpreting results in the context of system performance.
5. Trueflow Grid with ForecastingInstruction in the use of the Trueflow measurement grid for accurate system airflow testing. Students will learn how to apply forecasting techniques to predict system performance adjustments and use data to guide recommendations before and after service work.
6. Flow HoodCovers the proper use of the flow hood for measuring supply and return register airflow. Students will develop proficiency in placement, reading, and balancing techniques — and learn how register-level data connects to whole-system airflow evaluation.
7. Effects on System PerformanceBrings the course together by examining how airflow deficiencies — whether from duct resistance, improper balance, or equipment mismatch — translate into measurable impacts on capacity, efficiency, humidity control, equipment runtime, and system longevity. Students will be equipped to connect field data to system outcomes and communicate findings clearly to customers and colleagues.
This course is designed for technicians who want to move beyond equipment-only thinking and develop a systems-level understanding of how air delivery affects everything downstream. Business owners will find the curriculum directly applicable to reducing comfort complaints, improving diagnostic accuracy, and building a reputation for quality that goes beyond the equipment itself.
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