Course Information

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System’s Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning course breakdown by grade. Each student is required to complete four years of a Career Technical Education program.

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12
3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits 3 Credits
Exploratory and Introduction to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Basic Refrigeration/Sheet Metal Introduction to Heating and Cooling Advanced Heating and Cooling

Course Descriptions*

Students deciding to enter the field of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) will be introduced to the basics of safety and sanitation, as well as the use and care of hand tools, power tools, electrical, storage cylinders and stationary equipment. They are provided with information on entry-level employment opportunities in the HVAC trade. The students will demonstrate their skill in basic copper tubing practices like cut, swage, bend, flare and solder. Students will be introduced to the safe use of sheet metal tools and will construct basic sheet metal fittings commonly needed to install HVAC duct systems.

In Grade 10, the HVAC program is designed to provide students with an understanding of theoretical information covering the sciences of matter, heat, fluids and pressure. Theory information also includes the components of a basic refrigeration system and how they operate to move heat from where it is not wanted to where it is desirable. The students will demonstrate electrical fundamentals including electrical circuits, Ohm’s law and meter use. Laboratory skills practiced include servicing and testing refrigeration equipment and basic electrical circuits including identifying electrical motors. Skills needed for installation of HVAC systems including piping materials, threading of black pipe and duct installation are also practiced. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices.

In Grade 11, students will demonstrate theoretical competency in HVAC electrical controls and refrigeration systems such as air conditioning and refrigeration, both domestic and commercial. The students will have an understanding of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification requirements with refrigeration systems and will be able to calculate building heating and cooling loads. Skills practiced in lab and on in-school and outside work projects for customers include installation and service of refrigeration and heating systems and startup and checkout procedures. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL).

In Grade 12, students will explain and identify heating fuels (natural gas, propane and heating oil), how they burn and how to safely control the burn, as well as EPA certification requirements in order to pass certification exams. Instruction in different types of air conditioning systems, heat pumps, unitary, central station and split systems is provided in dividing needs and trouble-shooting service. Students will demonstrate their ability to use code books and apply code requirements at apprentice entry-level. Skills practiced in lab and on in-school and outside production work for customers include installation of the different systems and testing operation and airflow. The proper handling of refrigerants, including recovery, recycling and reclaiming, are studied and practiced. Students continue to receive instruction in safety requirements and demonstrate sound safety practices. Students will demonstrate the ability to complete a job application, to interview and to perform entry-level job readiness and trade skills. Students reaching an acceptable level of proficiency may be eligible for Work-based Learning (WBL). Each student will take the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam, which is a performance-based test.

Students successfully completing this course of study will be able to pursue a two- or a four-year engineering degree at a college or university. Students can obtain immediate employment in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning field, which include: residential and commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning apprenticeship in installation and service, refrigeration mechanic, sheet metal apprentice, sheet metal design, gas system technician, oil burner technician, heating, ventilation and air conditioning sales representative, wholesale supply representative and appliance repair technician.