HVAC Installation & Residential Service (HEAT), AAS
At Dunwoody College of Technology, the HVAC Installation & Residential Service program provides graduates with the entry-level skills and theoretical knowledge needed to install and maintain the safe operation and energy efficiency of residential and light commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Graduates typically secure jobs as residential, commercial or industrial installers, shop workers, erectors, and service technicians working for existing and new construction HVAC companies. Students learn blueprint reading, load calculations, warm air systems design, mechanical and fuel gas code knowledge, installation techniques, pattern development, and fabrication skills.
Students also learn how to service — troubleshoot and repair — residential and light commercial HVAC systems.
In addition to field-related skills, students gain oral and written communication skills, advanced computation skills, customer relations, and critical thinking skills through Arts & Sciences and technical course work. A shorter certificate option is also available.
Credits earned in the HVAC Installation & Residential Service AAS directly transfer into the following Dunwoody programs:
- Construction Management Bachelor of Science (CMGT)
- Business Management & Leadership Bachelor of Science (AMGT)
Length of Program: 2 years (4 semesters)
Classes Offered: Day
Available Starts: Fall Semester; Spring Semester
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence
- Select HVAC equipment for a designated application.
- Assess HVAC electrical circuits for proper operation.
- Assess HVAC mechanical equipment for proper operation.
- Analyze HVAC air and refrigerant systems for proper operation.
- Fabricate industry’s most commonly used fittings.
- Generate HVAC systems on residential and commercial working plans.
- Install industry’s most commonly used equipment.
- Apply effective safety practices while installing HVAC equipment.
- Complete installation of HVAC equipment according to national, state, and local codes.
- Demonstrate effective customer relation skills.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| MATH1010 | Algebra I | 3 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| General Electives | 3 | |
| Technical Requirements | ||
| SERV1110 | HVAC Electrical I | 2 |
| SERV1120 | Heating Systems I | 3 |
| SERV1130 | Residential Controls I | 2 |
| SERV1140 | Basic Motor Technology | 3 |
| SERV1150 | Cooling Systems I | 3 |
| SERV1210 | Heating Systems II | 3 |
| SERV1220 | Cooling Systems II | 3 |
| SERV1230 | HVAC Electrical II | 2 |
| SERV1240 | Heating Systems III | 2 |
| SERV1250 | Cooling Systems III | 3 |
| HEAT1110 | HVAC Ducts & Fittings | 2 |
| HEAT1120 | Transitional Fittings | 3 |
| HEAT1130 | HVAC Trunk-line Construction | 2 |
| HEAT1140 | Fundamentals of Pattern Development | 3 |
| HEAT1150 | Advanced Pattern Development | 3 |
| HEAT2210 | Welding Fundamentals | 3 |
| HEAT2220 | HVAC Design | 2 |
| HEAT2230 | Residential HVAC Installation | 6 |
| HEAT2240 | Commercial Blueprint Reading | 2 |
| Total Credits | 67 | |
The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which General Education courses and electives you take and when you take them.
The sample academic plan is for informational purposes only. To determine your academic plan, please meet with an academic advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SERV1110 | HVAC Electrical I | 2 |
| SERV1120 | Heating Systems I | 3 |
| SERV1130 | Residential Controls I | 2 |
| SERV1140 | Basic Motor Technology | 3 |
| SERV1150 | Cooling Systems I | 3 |
| MATH1010 | Algebra I | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| SERV1210 | Heating Systems II | 3 |
| SERV1220 | Cooling Systems II | 3 |
| SERV1230 | HVAC Electrical II | 2 |
| SERV1240 | Heating Systems III | 2 |
| SERV1250 | Cooling Systems III | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HEAT1110 | HVAC Ducts & Fittings | 2 |
| HEAT1120 | Transitional Fittings | 3 |
| HEAT1130 | HVAC Trunk-line Construction | 2 |
| HEAT1140 | Fundamentals of Pattern Development | 3 |
| HEAT1150 | Advanced Pattern Development | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| HEAT2210 | Welding Fundamentals | 3 |
| HEAT2220 | HVAC Design | 2 |
| HEAT2230 | Residential HVAC Installation | 6 |
| HEAT2240 | Commercial Blueprint Reading | 2 |
| Communications | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Descriptions
SERV1110 | HVAC Electrical I | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Basic electrical terminology and theory. Introduction to simple circuit construction. Basic electrical properties and their effects on circuits. Load capacity for wiring and fuses. Simple circuit diagramming. Theory of electrical generation through magnetism and electromagnetism. Analyzing and testing circuits with various test equipment.
SERV1120 | Heating Systems I | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Basic fundamentals and terminology pertaining to heat transfer. Thermal environmental science properties. Latent and sensible heat, conduction, convection and radiation. Fundamental psychrometrics. Air distribution, room air movement characteristics and the fundamentals of balancing air systems. Analyzing static, velocity and total pressure along with airflow measurements within ductwork.
SERV1130 | Residential Controls I | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Introduction to basic environmental controls with an emphasis on theory, application, and practical installation. Principles of Effective Temperature will be applied to various temperature, humidity, and air movement controls. Basic control of secondary circuits including transformers, relays, and contactors used in the operation of heating and cooling equipment. Sketch, diagram, and wire basic secondary control circuits. Job safety.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1110
SERV1140 | Basic Motor Technology | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Theory of magnetism and circuitry as it pertains to the induction motor. Introduction to fundamental types of motors used in the HVAC field. Wiring of various power and control circuits. Introduction to the relay, contactor and motor starter. Motor usage and service problems encountered in the field. Electrical diagramming and schematics. Troubleshooting motor circuits. Motor nomenclature and safety.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1110
SERV1150 | Cooling Systems I | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Basic fundamentals of cooling as it pertains to HVAC&R systems. Gas laws and the principles of the basic refrigeration cycle. Skills pertaining to refrigeration: tubing handling, flaring, swedging, soft and hard soldering and brazing. Introduction to refrigerants and refrigerant management.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1120
SERV1210 | Heating Systems II | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Heat generation as it pertains to residential furnaces. Natural and LP gases. Furnace types, sequence of operation, component identification, ignition types, test equipment and safety. Troubleshooting pertaining to the mechanical operation and the electrical control functions of gas furnaces. Diagnostic skills to meet service problems encountered in the field. Combustion testing and job safety.
SERV1220 | Cooling Systems II | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Fundamentals of residential air conditioning. Evacuation principles and procedures for deep vacuums. Basic split system air conditioning systems wiring and controls examined and diagrammed in schematics. Refrigerant chemistry examined. Refrigerant recycling, recovery, and management reviewed in accordance with EPA standards. Systematic refrigerant charging procedures determined and validated through hands-on guidance using actual equipment. Basic cooling analysis through psychrometrics and pressure-enthalpy processes. Job safety.
SERV1230 | HVAC Electrical II | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Introduction to semiconductors and elementary solid-state circuits used in HVACR control circuits. Electrical schematics for HVACR secondary and load circuitry. Fundamental operation and wiring of motor starter secondary and load circuits examined, diagrammed, and wired. Electronic theory applied to electronic air cleaners, electronically commutated motors, and digital temperature controls. Continued application of relays, and contactors developed in lab jobs and servicing situations encountered in the field. EPA Section 608 Technician Certification test review and exam (required). Job safety.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1110
SERV1240 | Heating Systems III | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Introduction to forced air, oil burning, and electric furnaces. Evaluation of gas, oil, and electric furnace sequences of operation coupled with combustion analysis. Practice of start up procedures and combustion testing processes. Mechanical and electrical applications using wiring diagrams and schematics. Diagnostic skills of mechanical, combustion, and electrical problems encountered in the field. Job safety.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1110, SERV1120, SERV1130, SERV1140, SERV1210, And SERV1230
SERV1250 | Cooling Systems III | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Advanced residential air conditioning and air-to-air heat pump systems. Theory and troubleshooting of heat pumps. Application and operation of air conditioning and heat pump controls examined. Wiring diagrams and schematics examined and evaluated. Hydrocarbon Refrigerants certification test review and exam (required). Introduction to customer relations skills with a focus on occupational professionalism. Job safety.
Prerequisite(s): SERV1110, SERV1120, SERV1130, SERV1140, SERV1220, And SERV1230
HEAT1110 | HVAC Ducts & Fittings | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Development and fabrication of ducts and fittings common to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, with emphasis on uniform and state code requirements. Methods of connecting ducts and fittings in an air system. Principles of geometric pattern development as it applies to duct construction and application. Multiple uses and care of hand tools common to the industry.
HEAT1120 | Transitional Fittings | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Focus on transitional fittings where the triangulation method of pattern development is required. Use of direct triangulation, as a short-cut method of layout, is emphasized. Identification, care, adjustment, and maintenance of floor equipment common to the sheet metal industry.
Prerequisite(s): HEAT1110
HEAT1130 | HVAC Trunk-line Construction | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Pattern development, and the fabrication of a scaled-down trunk-line, emphasizing the quality and quantity of work. Usage, construction methods, and installation of various types of dampers.
Prerequisite(s): HEAT1120
HEAT1140 | Fundamentals of Pattern Development | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Principles of pattern development as they apply to the layout of round fittings requiring parallel, or radial line methods of pattern development. Fabrication procedures for round fittings, including use of rotary machines for fabricating purposes, riveting, and spot welding. Use, safety, and proper procedures for soldering sheet metal are incorporated.
HEAT1150 | Advanced Pattern Development | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Advanced theory and application of single, and double-line triangulation in the development of irregular patterns. Use of plan and elevation views in the visualization, and development of irregular objects as well as the procedure for the development of true-length lines seen in the foreshortened mode.
HEAT2210 | Welding Fundamentals | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Applications, safety, and procedures for oxyacetylene, stick, GMAW, and TIG welding. Light and heavy-metal welding in flat position, freehand-cutting procedures, types of weld joints, and joint preparation. Vulcan software for CNC plasma table controllers.
HEAT2220 | HVAC Design | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Heat loss and heat gain energy calculation based upon Manual J: Calculation. Development of the requirements for selecting and designing heating and cooling systems for residential construction. Operating characteristics, proper application, cost, advantages/disadvantages, and specific requirements for designing systems to meet specific needs.
HEAT2230 | Residential HVAC Installation | Lecture/Laboratory (6 Credits)
Installation procedures of residential and small commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Emphasis on the Uniform Mechanical code, and Minnesota State Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing code, pertaining to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation procedures. Air-handling ducts, venting, combustion and fresh-air ducts requirements. Use of available standard-type fittings; sizing, cutting, and threading of gas pipe as well as installation and code requirement of residential-style gas systems. Installation, setup, and maintenance, of industries most common indoor air quality accessories is included.
HEAT2240 | Commercial Blueprint Reading | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Architectural, structural, civil, electrical and mechanical blueprint reading with a major emphasis on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems contained within these plans. Duct construction, hangers and dampers evaluated according to specification and SMACNA requirements. Make drawings using AutoCAD: 2-D drafting commands for HVAC drafting.
MATH1010 | Algebra I | Lecture (3 Credits)
Foundational algebra is applied the in the context of geometry and trigonometry. Topics include rules of exponents, simplifying expressions, solving equations, computing measurements of two and three dimensional shapes, solving right triangles, and solving oblique triangles.
General Education: Mathematics