HVAC Certificate Course

Lesson 1 • Overview of the HVAC Trade

Introduces the HVAC industry's scope, career pathways, and professional standards. Establishes context for all subsequent technical learning in the course.

Lesson 2 • Hand Tools and Measuring Instruments

Identifies and demonstrates proper use of common HVAC hand tools and measurement devices. Correct tool use underpins every installation and service task in the course.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory and Environmental Compliance

Explains refrigerant handling regulations, environmental protection requirements, and documentation standards. Compliance knowledge is compulsory before students handle refrigerants.

Lesson 1 • Refrigeration Cycle Fundamentals

Traces the vapour-compression refrigeration cycle through its four stages. This cycle is the operating core of all air conditioning and refrigeration equipment covered later.

Lesson 2 • Basic Thermodynamic Concepts

Introduces temperature, pressure, enthalpy, and the laws of thermodynamics. These concepts form the scientific basis for understanding refrigeration and heating cycles.

Lesson 3 • Psychrometrics and Air Properties

Covers dry-bulb, wet-bulb, dew point, and relative humidity as air property measurements. Psychrometric analysis directly supports load calculations and system sizing decisions.

Lesson 1 • Wiring Practices and Code Compliance

Covers wire sizing, grounding, disconnect requirements, and electrical installation standards. Proper wiring practices ensure safety and pass inspection on every installation.

Lesson 2 • HVAC Electrical Components

Identifies contactors, relays, capacitors, transformers, and motors used in HVAC systems. Component recognition enables accurate diagnosis and replacement decisions.

Lesson 3 • Reading Wiring Diagrams and Schematics

Teaches ladder diagrams, pictorial wiring diagrams, and schematic symbols used in HVAC documentation. Diagram literacy is essential for systematic troubleshooting in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Theory Essentials

Covers voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law as applied to HVAC circuits. This theoretical base is required before students work on any live equipment.

Lesson 1 • Refrigeration System Diagnostics

Uses pressure-temperature relationships and system readings to diagnose common refrigeration faults. Diagnostic accuracy reduces unnecessary part replacement and callback rates.

Lesson 2 • System Evacuation and Charging

Covers deep vacuum procedures, moisture removal, and refrigerant charging by weight and superheat. Correct evacuation and charging are critical to system efficiency and longevity.

Lesson 3 • Refrigeration System Components

Identifies compressors, condensers, evaporators, metering devices, and accessories in refrigeration systems. Component knowledge supports accurate diagnosis and correct part selection.

Lesson 4 • Refrigerant Types and Properties

Classifies refrigerants by chemical family, global warming potential, and safety group. Proper refrigerant identification prevents cross-contamination and regulatory violations.

Lesson 1 • Ductwork Materials and Construction

Covers sheet metal, flexible duct, and duct board materials along with fabrication and sealing methods. Material selection and sealing quality directly affect system efficiency and air quality.

Lesson 2 • Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

Explains mechanical ventilation requirements, air exchange rates, and filtration standards for healthy indoor environments. Ventilation design connects directly to occupant health and building code compliance.

Lesson 3 • Airflow Principles and Duct Design

Applies friction loss, velocity pressure, and static pressure concepts to duct system design. Proper duct sizing prevents noise, energy waste, and comfort complaints.

Lesson 4 • Air Terminals and Diffusers

Identifies registers, grilles, diffusers, and dampers and explains their effect on airflow patterns. Correct terminal selection and placement achieve uniform comfort throughout conditioned spaces.

Lesson 1 • Gas Furnace Installation and Venting

Covers furnace placement, gas piping, flue venting, and condensate management for high-efficiency units. Correct installation prevents carbon monoxide hazards and ensures warranty compliance.

Lesson 2 • Gas Furnace Operation and Components

Explains combustion principles, heat exchanger function, and gas valve operation in forced-air furnaces. Furnace knowledge is the foundation for safe gas system service throughout the chapter.

Lesson 3 • Heating System Diagnostics and Tune-Up

Applies combustion analysis, temperature rise measurement, and safety control testing to heating service. Systematic tune-up procedures improve efficiency and prevent hazardous equipment failures.

Lesson 4 • Hydronic and Boiler Systems

Introduces hot water boilers, circulators, expansion tanks, and zone valves for hydronic heating. Hydronic system knowledge broadens service capability for commercial and residential applications.

Lesson 1 • Split System Components and Layout

Identifies indoor air handlers, outdoor condensing units, and interconnecting refrigerant and electrical lines. System layout knowledge is required before students perform any installation tasks.

Lesson 2 • Air Conditioning System Troubleshooting

Applies systematic diagnostic methods to resolve compressor, metering device, and airflow faults. Structured troubleshooting reduces diagnostic time and improves first-call resolution rates.

Lesson 3 • Cooling System Performance Verification

Uses superheat, subcooling, delta-T, and airflow measurements to verify system performance after installation. Performance verification confirms correct refrigerant charge and airflow before customer handoff.

Lesson 4 • Split System Installation Procedures

Covers equipment mounting, line set installation, brazing, pressure testing, and startup sequence. Following correct installation steps prevents refrigerant leaks and premature equipment failure.

Lesson 1 • Heat Pump Troubleshooting and Optimisation

Applies advanced diagnostic techniques to resolve defrost, reversing valve, and auxiliary heat faults. Optimisation strategies improve seasonal efficiency and reduce customer energy costs.

Lesson 2 • Heat Pump Operating Principles

Explains reversing valve operation, heating and cooling mode cycles, and coefficient of performance. Heat pump theory builds directly on refrigeration cycle knowledge from earlier chapters.

Lesson 3 • Heat Pump Installation and Startup

Covers heat pump-specific wiring, defrost control setup, and startup verification procedures. Correct installation prevents defrost failures and ensures efficient cold-weather heating performance.

Lesson 4 • Geothermal and Mini-Split Systems

Introduces ground-source heat pump loops and ductless mini-split installation and service. These system types represent growing market segments requiring specialised installation knowledge.