Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning HVAC
Gain hands-on experience with heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment in our dual-track program. More and more emphasis is being placed on energy efficiency and sustainability, challenging today’s HVAC technician to understand how to use innovative methods and technology to install, maintain and repair HVAC equipment in a sustainable way.
Our HVAC Technology program addresses the workplace training needs of the sustainable energy, natural resources management and industrial technology fields so you can pursue your career goals with the training and experience necessary.
Develop a variety of general industrial skills such as electrical and blueprint reading. Gain on-the-job experience learning about HVAC systems as a whole, utilizing technology and diagnosing and repairing HVAC systems. Become competent in the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in this growing and challenging field.
A practical experience during the summer term along with advanced coursework during the second year ensures that you know what to expect when entering the workforce and, even better, that you’ll be ready for it. As you learn about and work on different types of HVAC systems, you’ll develop the broad and solid skill-set needed to thrive in this field.
Faculty Contact
 |
Don Edwards Instructor | Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology 712-362-7956 | dedwards@iowalakes.educreate new email |
Program Details
Did You Know?
Curriculum
Term 1
HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC
An introduction to HVAC systems, with an emphasis on electrical and mechanical fundamentals skills, including AC and DC electricity; electrical power supplies and wiring materials; meter operations; mechanical math and measurement; fasteners; and PVC assembly.
Prerequisite: SER 124 – Industrial Safety
HCR 112 – Heating Fundamentals
This course covers fundamental principles and skills for all common heating systems. This course is a combined lecture and lab course and includes discussions and demonstrations in heating fundamentals. Safety is greatly emphasized as students are working with actual voltages, and working equipment.
Corequisite: HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC
HCR 305 – Fundamentals of Refrigeration
This course is a combined lecture and lab course covering the theory and laws governing refrigeration, the operation of refrigeration systems, heat transfer, components, and test equipment. It also covers the different soldering and brazing methods and materials used in refrigeration service. Emphasis is on the recovery, recycling and charging methods used.
Prerequisites: HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC and SER 124 – Industrial Safety
MAT 743 – Technical Math
Technical Math includes operations with real numbers, use of fractions, ratios, measurement conversion, algebraic equations, functions, geometry, and right angle trigonometry. Applications are designed around situations students may encounter in industrial settings
SER 116 – Career Seminar
A study of the careers available within the renewable energy sector, with an emphasis on analyzing renewable energy industries as related components of a dynamic system. Students will also learn about drafting cover letters, creating resumes, interviewing, and networking.
SER 124 – Industrial Safety
A study of principles and practices used to establish a safe and efficient environment for personnel in the renewable energy industry and various sectors thereof. The course focuses on general industrial safety, safety and health regulatory agencies and organizations, hazard recognition and correction, and first aid.
Term 2
COM 753 – Technical Communications†
This course is designed to prepare students for the oral and written communication situations in the working world. The major areas of study include technical communication principles, oral communications, composing technical documents, and using Standard English. Writing projects require the use of a word processing program; therefore, computer experience is recommended.
ELE 195 – Motor Control
This course discusses motor controls, components, operation, and service. Students will learn electric relay control of AC and DC motors along with troubleshooting motors in an industrial application.
HCR 115 – Residential Heating Systems
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the various types of residential heating systems. Areas and concepts covered include combustion theory, basic air distribution, furnace construction, filters, humidifiers, installation techniques, and maintenance procedures.
Prerequisites: HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC and HCR 112 – Heating Fundamentals
HCR 125 – Oil & Hydronic Heating
This course is a combined lecture and lab course studying the theory and applications in electrical resistance and oil and hydronic heating systems as they relate to residential and commercial heat loss requirements. Studies include installation, troubleshooting wiring and control circuits.
Prerequisite: HCR 112 – Heating Fundamentals
HCR 205 – Air Conditioning Principles
This course is a combined lecture and lab course which deals with the fundamentals of residential air conditioning systems. Emphasizes system components, types of refrigerants, principles of heat transfer, and diagnosis and repair of various systems used in the air conditioning industry. Studies relationship to temperature and pressure variance including psychrometric comparison as applied to commercial and residential air conditioning.
Prerequisites: HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC and SER 124 – Industrial Safety
Term 3
HCR 932 – Internship
On the job training for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation program.
Prerequisites: HCR 102 – Intro to HVAC
† indicates a course that fulfills the diversity requirement. This course may also fulfill another general AA requirement.
