Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC)
Benefits | Career Outlook | Curriculum
Overview
An HVAC professional is essential in bringing comfort to homes, businesses, hospitals, factories and other settings, in the form of efficient heating and air conditioning. And while it may seem challenging, it is a well-rewarded profession.
Our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program combines all essential areas of knowledge with an abundance of hands-on training on real equipment, with courses taught by lectures, lab and externship experience. Lab hours help you gain specific industry-related skills and prepare for the job market.
At Summit College you will be taught by capable faculty members who are there to help you achieve your career goals. They will provide you with a working knowledge in the principles of heat, energy and pressure, among others. Our staff also believes in supporting and challenging each student.
When you complete the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program, you will be prepared for the testing required to obtain EPA 608 Universal Certification.
Benefits of Summit College
Summit College is committed to offering students the individual attention they need to succeed in the HVAC field. With a team of seasoned instructors, you will receive constant support to earn your diploma.
You will benefit from personalized support given by faculty members who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our well-rounded educational experience covers both theoretical and hands-on knowledge that will be crucial to your career.
Here at Summit College, you will receive training that prepares you for the easiest and the hardest cases your work profile might bring. During your time in the HVAC program, you can expect to learn the following:
- Commercial environmental systems
- HVAC system design
- Electrical systems and components
You will develop skills in brazing, cutting, soldering, working with motors and much more.
Summit College will also help you when it’s time to enter the work world. Our career service support includes resume assistance, mock interviews and workshops.
At Summit College you will have access to free tutoring services, the Learning Academy, a quiet and supervised facility that’s open six days a week and offers you support with your academic success. Our classes are small in size because we believe that faculty and students must be able to create personal connections.
Summit College offers excellent resources and has flexible scheduling options, making the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program a possibility for everyone who wishes to start a career in the HVAC field.
Please check with the Admissions department for the next start date of our Technical and Trade programs.
Career Outlook
Summit College’s staff is well aware of the importance of preparing students properly for a successful career in the HVAC field, so the faculty is greatly invested in helping students reach their educational goals.
Employment in the HVAC field is projected to grow 14% from 2014 to 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This exceeds the overall projected employment growth rate of 7%*. With new regulations prohibiting discharge and production of older types of refrigerant pollutants, there will be a need to modify or replace existing air conditioning systems. And since HVAC systems usually need replacing every 10 to 15 years, the need for technicians will never cease to exist.
For trained HVAC technicians, job opportunities are particularly excellent. You should always consider that employers look for candidates with proven knowledge and expertise.
HVAC technicians held about 290,000 jobs in 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of those, 63% were in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning industry, and about one in 10 were self-employed. As a fully trained HVAC technician, you can work on the following facilities:
- Homes
- Schools
- Stores
- Office buildings
- Factories
Curriculum
Our Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program is specially structured to prepare students to be eligible for the EPA 608 Universal Certification prior to graduation, and the initial NATE Core Certification after graduation. The program also gives students exposure to various AC and refrigeration units, equipping them with the ability to think critically and troubleshoot machines.
Our curriculum includes but is not restricted to:
- Principles of Heat, Energy and Pressure
- Electrical Systems and Components
- HVAC Brazing Techniques
- Commercial Environmental Systems
- Commercial Refrigeration
- HVAC System Design
- Residential and Commercial
- Refrigerants and Refrigeration Systems
- Green Job Training
The goal of Summit College’s HVAC program is to provide the student with the extensive working knowledge necessary for the successful operation, maintenance and repair of residential and commercial systems. The content in each course of the program focuses on a learning objective previously identified by HVAC industry groups as key knowledge for an HVAC technician.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will understand the operations, maintenance and repair of residential and commercial heating and AC systems, and will be ready for entry-level positions in the HVAC industry.