RE - Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology

In this comprehensive course, students delve into the core principles of HVAC. They gain an understanding of heat transfer mechanisms, thermodynamics laws, gas laws, BTUs, pressure, and refrigerants. Mathematical concepts are applied to practical electrical theory and the operation of series and parallel electrical circuits commonly encountered in the HVAC/R industry. The course introduces single-phase electricity and magnetism, laying the foundation for advanced topics. Focus is placed on mechanical compression refrigeration systems, where students explore the four key components in-depth, including the associated pressures and temperatures of components. Moreover, students become familiar with relevant regulations, such as RCW 19.28, WAC 296-46B, and articles of the NEC. The course also focuses on training students to use HVAC/R industry tools, following procedures, and operating equipment, all while meeting industry standards. Students will also obtain an OSHA 10 Construction Safety certification. Completion of the PTI 101 Workshop is encouraged.

This course bridges theory and practice through hands-on laboratory work. Students develop skills in using electrical and HVAC/R tools and equipment commonly found in the industry. They apply basic electrical theory on trainer boards while improving proficiency. The course introduces techniques for precision copper-to-copper tubing joining using oxyacetylene torches. Practical applications of refrigeration operations and troubleshooting are introduced on residential air conditioning systems and training boards. Recovery, evacuation, and recharging procedures are covered, aligning with industry standards. Students demonstrate their technical abilities and proficiency in various HVAC/R equipment applications while in a controlled lab environment through benchmark testing.

In this course, students explore central forced air electric heating systems and their applications. They employ Ohm's Law theory to calculate CFM by temperature rise in electric heat systems. The curriculum assists with students' understanding of mechanical compression refrigeration systems. Electric motors used in HVAC/R industry are introduced. Students learn theory of refrigeration applied to air conditioning and typical operating conditions found in industry. Automatic controls common in heating and cooling systems are introduced, alongside the basics of residential thermostats with an emphasis on internal operations for a one-heat/one-cool function. Students continue learning regulations, utilizing Chapter 19.28 RCW, Chapter 296-46B WAC, and articles of the NEC. Students continue reading and using schematic and ladder diagrams. Students have the opportunity to earn their EPA 608 Universal certification, a recognized credential in the HVAC/R field.

This hands-on laboratory course develops students' electrical troubleshooting skills, equipment wiring, and gives emphasis to the application of key performance indicators for mechanical compression refrigeration systems. Practicality is emphasized through wiring and operating relays, capacitors, motors, heaters, thermostats, compressors, and fan motors. The focus extends to equipment wiring, troubleshooting, and learning basic equipment controls while incorporating elementary hand tool utilization along with system recovery, evacuation, and recharge tools and procedures. Students test equipment, verify control functions, and analyze the operation of air conditioning and electric furnaces. Advanced copper-to-copper and copper-to-steel brazing techniques, including nitrogen brazing, are introduced with a theoretical foundation. The course culminates in students showcasing their technical abilities through benchmark testing on various HVAC/R equipment applications.

In this foundational course, students continue learning the safe handling of refrigerants and proper HVAC system charging, including recovery and applications of refrigerants. The course covers the fundamentals of humidification and air filtration, encompassing various types of air filters, from disposable options to cutting-edge electronic air cleaners. Students study both ladder and pictorial wiring diagrams and gain knowledge of single-phase motors. The course delves into residential and light commercial HVAC equipment, covering both packaged and split systems. Students also gain insight into VRF systems, mini-splits, and the proper servicing and maintenance of all equipment, ensuring a foundation in HVAC systems.

This practical laboratory course focuses on applying control strategies to wire and operate HVAC equipment. Students develop a wide range of wiring diagrams, using actual HVAC units. They gain hands-on experience with heat pumps, oil, gas, and electric forced air HVAC systems. Typical lab projects include soldering, wiring, and ensuring proper refrigerant charging of A/C units and heat pumps. The course introduces basic sheet metal fabrication concepts and involves various sheet metal projects using both hand tools and heavier shop fabrication equipment commonly used in the creation of HVAC duct systems.

In this section, students delve into heating systems, including fossil fuel units such as natural gas, LP gas, oil heating systems, electric heating, and heat pump systems. The course covers the combustion and venting process in relation to fossil fuel heating systems and introduces duct design principles. Students apply control strategies learned in the classroom to wire and operate various HVAC equipment types. They gain knowledge in air distribution and balancing residential and light commercial HVAC air delivery systems. The curriculum introduces airside components such as grilles and registers, to ensure students understand the complexities of HVAC systems.

This applied laboratory course enables students to blend theoretical knowledge with practical skills through work on operational HVAC equipment. Laboratory and shop tasks are centered on heating systems, which include natural and LP gas units, oil heating systems, electric heating, heat pump systems, and dual-fuel heat pumps. Students participate in electrical wiring, mechanical operation, and combustion analysis of oil and gas heating systems, using digital analysis tools. The course includes lab projects that involve wiring of heating systems, troubleshooting, conducting combustion analysis on fossil fuel heating systems, assessing system performance and condition, and measuring system airflow.

In this course, students begin with the fundamentals of commercial refrigeration. They explore both medium-temperature and low-temperature applications, identifying refrigeration flow problems and delving into the mechanical components of commercial refrigeration systems. Electrically, students study labeling, identifying, creating, and applying all electrical components found in walk-in coolers and freezers, including single and three-phase units and their components. The course equips students with the ability to read electrical schematics of commercial refrigeration systems. Regulatory knowledge is extended to include RCW 19.28, WAC 296-46A, WAC 296-401B, and articles from the NEC.

This comprehensive laboratory and shop course provides hands-on evaluation and repair opportunities with a diverse array of operational refrigeration equipment. Students gain practical experience in setting, adjusting, evaluating, programming, and wiring a wide variety of commercial refrigeration equipment under various operating conditions. Installation, setting, and proper wiring methods, as specified by NEC standards, are emphasized, ensuring that students are well-versed in safety measures in lab and shop areas.

Building upon the foundation laid in Commercial Refrigeration I, this course delves into advanced commercial refrigeration. Students explore medium temperature and low-temperature applications in greater depth, with a focus on identifying refrigeration flow problems and understanding standard operating procedures for walk-in coolers, freezers, and ice machines. Electrically, students expand their expertise in labeling, identifying, creating, and applying electrical components across a wide range of commercial refrigeration units, including single and three-phase systems. The course includes an introduction to supermarket rack systems with oil management, ensuring students are well-prepared for the complexities of modern commercial refrigeration. Regulatory knowledge is extended to encompass RCW 19.28, WAC 296-46A, WAC 296-401B, and articles from the NEC.

This hands-on laboratory and shop project course enables students to further develop by working with a diverse range of operational refrigeration equipment, including walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machines, reach-in units, undercounter units, and supermarket rack systems. Students gain knowledge in identifying oil management systems in supermarket refrigeration. The curriculum tests students' abilities in setting, adjusting, evaluating, programming, and wiring various commercial refrigeration equipment under a wide array of operating conditions. Installation, setting, and proper wiring methods, in accordance with NEC standards, are emphasized, ensuring that students are well-versed in safety measures in lab and shop environments.

In this advanced course, students are introduced to industrial heating and cooling systems and their various components, including variable air volume (VAV) systems, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, hot water systems, geothermal heat pumps, electrical theory, control circuits, wiring schematics, variable frequency drives (VFDs), pneumatics, and direct digital control (DDC) systems. Students will develop troubleshooting skills for industrial systems, an understanding of control systems, and the ability to interpret control circuits, wiring schematics, and piping diagrams. This course also delves into specific topics related to controlled atmosphere (CA) rooms, including nitrogen scrubbers, liquid nitrogen, nitrogen generators, and the processes involved in creating and exiting a controlled atmosphere. RCW 19.28, WAC 296-4018, and articles from the NEC are addressed for a final time.

This course allows students to receive hands-on experience operating, servicing, and repairing industrial heating and cooling systems. It allows students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in a practical setting to functioning labs and equipment. The related projects in the course will cover DDC equipment, chillers, brazing, MIG welding, pipe threading, compressor tear-down, VFDs, boilers, hot water systems, campus building maintenance, and off-site service work.

Students can accept a position as a HVAC/R technician and work in industry under a training externship agreement with Perry Technical Institute, the employer, and the student. Completion of the externship packet is required as well as some assigned course activities. To be eligible for an externship the student must work under a licensed 06A journeyman with an appropriate electrical license or waive the credited 2000 electrical hours. Students not on an externship will focus on the completion of a required capstone project along with reviewing program curriculum while working on shop and lab projects.