Construction Cluster

About This Program

Students in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Program learn to troubleshoot issues, install, and repair a broad range of heating and cooling systems, including window and central air conditioning, refrigeration systems, and various heating systems. All HVAC/R students receive the OSHA 10-Hour CareerSafe certification and are taught how to adhere to safety guidelines in the HVAC/R industry. Students study different heating systems, for example, gas, oil, and electrical. Experience troubleshooting oil-and gas-fired burners for heating systems extends students’ experience. The curriculum includes significant experience with electricity, because electrical controls are involved. Students are prepared for the EPA 608 certification exam. See below for full course description.

HVAC/R Course Descriptions

Course Number	Name	Credit	Grade Level
hv101	HVAC/R Exploratory 9	1.0	Grade 9
hv103	HVAC & Refrigeration 9	10.0	Grade 9
hv200	HVAC/R 10	16.0	Grade 10
hv201	HVAC/R Theory 10	4.0	Grade 10
hv300	HVAC/R 11	20.0	Grade 11
hv301	HVAC/R Theory 11	4.0	Grade 11
hv305	HVAC/R Cooperative Education 11	12.0	Grade 11
pcn301	CTE Pathway: STEM for Construction	2.0	Grade 11
pcn302	CTE Pathway: Understanding Specifications & Blueprints	2.0	Grade 11
hv400	HVAC/R 12	20.0	Grade 12
hv401	HVAC/R Theory 12	4.0	Grade 12
hv405	HVAC/R Cooperative Education 12	24.0	Grade 12
pcn401	CTE Pathway: Construction Management	2.0	Grade 12
pcn402	CTE Pathway: Renewable Energy in Construction	2.0	Grade 12

Students enrolled in HVAC/R can earn up to 361 Theory hours and up to 1152 hours towards their refrigeration technician license.

HVAC/R Exploratory 9 

Course # hv101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course introduces grade 9 students to a broad overview of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) field. Included within the week is basic theory on the refrigeration cycle, basic wiring theory, career options, and industry outlook. Students will acquire skills in the basic wiring and piping skills, including swaging, flaring, brazing, and splicing. Students will spend the week working in groups to build and install their own evaporator in a refrigeration system and through this process learn to pipe, leak test, evacuate, and charge systems. In addition, students will complete electrical projects that simulate how a residential refrigerator works. Students will demonstrate their learning through hands-on projects, written assignments, and safety tests. 

HVAC & Refrigeration 9 

Course # hv103 | Credits: 10
This semester-based course will provide students with the basic skills needed in the HVAC/R field. Students will start learning about the operation of the refrigeration cycle, focusing on smaller projects to build up their skills and competencies. Major units of study include: safety, tool use, refrigeration theory, and electrical theory. Students will demonstrate learning through hands-on, individual, and group projects, tool competency and safety tests. 

HVAC/R 10 

Course # hv200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course will continue to provide students with the basic skills needed in the HVAC/R field with a focus primarily on the refrigeration cycle and building a refrigeration system. This project will expand student skills in refrigeration piping, electrical wiring, pipe threading, sheet metal work, and drain lines. We will continue to review career safety, tool use, refrigeration theory, and electrical theory. Students will continue to participate in hands-on, individual, and group projects while practicing tool competency and safety tests. 

HVAC/R 10 Theory 

Course # hv201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course explores the basic theory that is the foundation for the HVAC/R field. The major focus will be on the refrigeration cycle and the theory will be scaffolded with more components, conditions, and controls as the school year progresses. Other units of study will include electrical theory, current events, and safety. Students will demonstrate learning through individual and group projects, verbal, written, and online tests. 

HVAC/R 11 

Course # hv300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course will provide students with skills to install and troubleshoot all types of heating and cooling equipment, including gas-and oil-fired forced hot water systems and steam boilers, direct-fired hot air furnaces, hydro-air handlers, mini-split heating and cooling systems, heat-pump units, and various refrigeration units, including multiple types of ice makers and walk-in coolers. Students will also learn how to wire multi-zone boiler controls and equipment. Major units of study will include: EPA certification, gas-fired equipment, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes, and OSHA-10 certification. Students will demonstrate learning through hands-on individual and group projects, tool competency and safety tests, along with certification exams. 

HVAC/R Theory 11 

Course # hv301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is designed to provide students with experience using refrigerants, refrigeration and system components. In addition to career program and workplace safety, students will review electrical circuits, symbols, and controls. Students will review for the EPA Section 608 test and learn employability skills to prepare them for cooperative education opportunities. 

HVAC/R Cooperative Education 11 

Course # hv305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only. 

HVAC/R 12 

Course # hv400 | Credits: 20
This full-year course focuses on continuing to work with students on refining their skills installing and troubleshooting all types of heating and cooling equipment. The goal for students during this year is for them to be out on their Cooperative Education placement working in the field. Through many partnerships in the mechanical field, students will be working in supply warehouses, refrigeration companies, mechanical contractors, sheet metal contractors, oil companies, heating contractors, and building automation/control companies. 

HVAC/R Theory 12 

Course # hv401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of furnace and air conditioning installation and troubleshooting, including split-central, multi-zone hydronic systems, and refrigeration systems: ice machines, walk-in refrigerated coolers and freezers. Students will study the proper maintenance procedures for refrigeration systems, including walk-in refrigerators and freezers. Students will also practice job estimating and business practices relevant to HVAC careers. 

HVAC/R Cooperative Education 12 

Course # hv405 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle.