Share this program with a friend

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.

Career Opportunities

Building Automation Technician

Facilities Maintenance Technician

HVAC Designer

HVAC/Plumbing CAD Technician

Pipefitter

Utility Technician

Graduate Employers

3M

APEX Engineering

Bartingale Mechanical

Benedict Sales & Service

Hovland’s

Northern Comfort, LLC

Just the Facts

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR)
66 Credit Associate Degree

Length of Program //
Two Years

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire

Program Location //
August and January

Start Months //
August and January

Start Dates //
August and January

 

Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

2,791

Term 2

$

3,217

Term 3

$

2,936

Term 4

$

2,768

Tools/Materials

$

1,560

Books

$

336

 Estimated Total: $13,608

  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 your options today!

Save the Date

 
 

Join us for the Spring Open House

Tuesday, March 28, 2023  //  3:30 – 7 p.m.  //  View Event Details

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) program.

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.

Earn Credentials Along the Way

Career Pathways 

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.

Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

80%
Employed

80% of our recent Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$42K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) graduates reported an average starting salary of $41,776.

 

49
Regional Jobs

There are 49 job openings in the CVTC district for the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration (HVACR) industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

 

Focus On Student Success

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

Steamfitter

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 Opportunities

  Unsure 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

HVAC Excellence

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.