Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology

HVAC units on top of buildings
A.A.S./Diploma/Certificate

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Program curriculum offered at A-B Tech provides the basic knowledge needed to develop skills required to work with residential and light commercial systems and cooling theory, electricity, controls, and safety.

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Program curriculum offered at A-B Tech provides the basic knowledge needed to develop skills required to work with residential and light commercial systems and cooling theory, electricity, controls, and safety. The program has four completion options:

  • A.A.S. Degree - the A.A.S. Degree program includes all of the above with the addition of residential building codes, residential system sizing, and advanced comfort systems.
  • Diploma - the Diploma program expands the skill set by adding air conditioning, furnaces, heat pumps, tools, and instruments.
  • The Cooling Certificate program teaches the student concepts and skills needed to install and service various types of domestic cooling systems.
  • The Heating Certificate program teaches students concepts and skills needed to service and repair domestic and light commercial heat pumps, air conditioning, and heating units.

Diploma graduates should be able to assist in the start-up, preventive maintenance, service, repair, and/or installation of residential and light commercial systems. A.A.S. degree graduates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of system selection and balance, and advanced systems.

Programs

Title Credential Credit Hours Link to program details
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. Degree 68 ‌‌
Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology Diploma Diploma 40 ‌‌
Cooling Certificate Certificate 16 ‌‌
Heating Certificate Certificate 15 ‌‌

Career Opportunities

A.A.S. Degree

2014 Median Salary in North Carolina: $19/hr; $39,000/yr
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Mechanics
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2015)

Diploma

2014 Median Salary in North Carolina: $15.50/hr
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Installers
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2015)

Certificate

2014 Median Salary in North Carolina: $13.50/hr
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technicians
(Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2015)

Good to Know

  • Choose your credential:
    • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. Degree,
    • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Diploma, or
    • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Intermediate Certificate, or
    • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Basic Certificate
  • Apply to A-B Tech online at Admissions Overview.
  • Apply for the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Program in person at the Bailey Building, A-B Tech Asheville Main Campus.

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Technician jobs are projected to increase by 31% in the state of North Carolina by 2022. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2015). The following list of skills and abilities will be beneficial to success in this promising career field:

  • Customer service skills — Most technicians work directly with property owners who call in an air conditioning, heating, or refrigeration problem, making strong people skills a must. Interacting with homeowners, property managers, and maintenance supervisors takes a certain level of flair that an exceptional HVAC technician will have.
  • Time management skills — Another important "soft skill" is being able to effectively manage a work/job schedule while remaining organized. Many technicians respond to multiple calls a day and need to be able to efficiently finish each task in order to move on to the next service call without delay.
  • Education — Many technicians choose to acquire a formal degree. These programs can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. A-B Tech offers hands-on training that will support you in the field.
  • Certification — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that all HVAC technicians who work with refrigerants be certified in proper refrigerant handling. This requires a special exam that A-B Tech prepares its students for during training. A-B Tech also assists in administering the exam upon course completion.
  • Mechanical skills — Although mechanical skills can be learned in training, it is important that HVAC technicians are comfortable working with these systems. When an HVAC or refrigeration system needs to be assembled, disassembled, repaired, and programmed, HVAC technicians are essential!
  • Troubleshooting skills — Typically, technicians receive a call about a system before they have a chance to diagnose the problem. A good technician will be comfortable troubleshooting and determining what the issue could be. This requires asking questions of the property owner and working with the system to see what may have failed.

Heath Moody

Chair, Construction Management Engineering, Transportation & Technology