Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) Overview
Mechanically inclined? CVTC’s Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology program prepares you for careers designing, installing, and maintaining air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment. You will also learn to work with geothermal, solar, and other renewable energy equipment. HVACR careers are in demand with a shortage of technicians and an increasing need for support of alternate energy systems.
In the HVACR classes, you will learn:
- HVACR system design, balancing, and drafting
- Energy management system and controls
- Gas, oil, electric, and hydronic heating systems
- Principles of ACHR electricity
- Solar, geothermal, and other renewable energies
- Air handling system design and installation
- Advanced temperature controls
- CAD
- Load calculations
- Print reading
- Solving technical problems
CVTC provides you with both hands-on technical and service situations under the close supervision of an experienced instructor. Students enjoy learning concepts and immediately applying those concepts in the lab.
The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology program prepares you to take the Environmental Protection Agency Certification exam for safe handling of refrigerants along with the Industry Competency exam for HVACR technicians.
Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning.
Explore This Program
Just the Facts
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR)
66 Credit Associate Degree
Program Length
Two Years
Delivery Method
Face-to-Face
Program Location
Eau Claire
Start Months
August, January
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Term 1
$ 2,881
Term 2
$ 3,321
Term 3
$ 3,064
Term 4
$ 2,842
Materials
$ 1,693
Books
$ 303
License, Certificate, or Credential
$ 60
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $14,164
Career Opportunities
HVAC Designer
HVAC Installer
HVAC Technician
HVAC/Plumbing CAD Technician
Service Technician
Sheet Metal Apprentice
Graduate Employers
APEX Engineering
Bartingale Mechanical
Benedict Sales & Service
Erv Smith Services
Hovland's
Senasys
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
// Program Scorecard$50K Yearly Salary
Our recent Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) graduates reported an average starting salary of $49,792.
89% Employed
89% of our recent Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) graduates got a job in the industry.
54 Regional Jobs
There are 54 job openings in the CVTC district for the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) industry.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) program.
Sample Courses
Plan & Print Reading–HVAC
Learn the fundamentals of reading and interpreting architectural, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical plans for the sizing and installation of equipment.
Advanced HVAC Controls
Understand the basic concepts of a HVAC control system with a priority of making students familiar with the components of a direct digital control (DDC) and pneumatic control system.
HVAC Systems Design
Students will design air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems for commercial buildings and perform room by room load calculations, duct layout and pipe sizing, and equipment selection.
Request More Information
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Earn Credentials Along the Way
Career Pathways What is a career pathway?
Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.
Pathway Certificates
Air ConditioningGas, Heating and AirflowOil, Electric and Hydronic HeatingRefrigeration
Associate Degree
Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?
Apply NowStudent Testimonial
I came to CVTC because I knew it would be better for me than a four-year college, and I wanted more education after high school.
Chaz
HVACR Student
Related Programs & Certificates
Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
Degrees & Diplomas
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) Technician, Technical Diploma
Renewable Energy, Technical Diploma
Apprenticeships
Continue Your Learning
CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.
// Explore Continuing Ed OpportunitiesUnsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.
A Program You Can Trust
Program Accreditation
The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) program is accredited by HVAC Excellence. HVAC Excellence programmatic accreditation identifies educational programs that possess, the resources and administrative support, to prepare students for entry level positions in the HVACR industry. Visit accreditation website.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
// View Admission RequirementsAdvising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
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