HVACR Systems Servicing (SERV), AAS
At Dunwoody College of Technology, the HVACR Systems Servicing program prepares graduates to secure employment as technicians who maintain the safe operation and energy efficiency of residential, light, and large-scale commercial and industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems. Modern HVACR systems consist of multiple mechanical, electrical, energy management, and electronic components to operate and drive the equipment. Students learn the skills and theoretical knowledge needed to maintain these operating systems as well as troubleshoot, diagnose, and correctly repair environmental and product cooling 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.
Length of Program: 2 years (4 semesters)
Classes Offered: Day
Available Starts: Fall Semester; Spring Semester
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence
Bachelor's Completion Option(s): Construction Management (CMGT), Bachelor of Science | Business Management Leadership (AMGT), Bachelor of Science
- Select HVAC & R equipment for a designated application.
- Assess HVAC & R electrical circuits for proper operation.
- Assess HVAC & R mechanical equipment for proper operation.
- Determine proper operation of comfort cooling, high, medium, and low temperature refrigeration equipment.
- Analyze HVAC & R air, water, steam, and refrigerant systems for proper operation.
- Demonstrate effective customer relation skills.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Requirements | ||
| MATH1010 | Algebra I | 3 |
| Communications Elective | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Social Sciences Elective | 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 |
| SERV2110 | Domestic Refrigeration | 2 |
| SERV2121 | Commercial Refrigeration I | 3 |
| SERV2131 | Commercial Refrigeration II | 3 |
| SERV2140 | HVAC Commercial Controls I | 3 |
| SERV2150 | HVAC Piping & State Mechanical Code | 2 |
| SERV2210 | HVAC Commercial Controls II | 3 |
| HEAT2220 | HVAC Design | 2 |
| SERV2231 | Metal Fabrication | 3 |
| SERV2240 | Steam & Hydronic Heating | 3 |
| SERV2250 | Commercial Air Conditioning | 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 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 19 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SERV2110 | Domestic Refrigeration | 2 |
| SERV2121 | Commercial Refrigeration I | 3 |
| SERV2131 | Commercial Refrigeration II | 3 |
| SERV2140 | HVAC Commercial Controls I | 3 |
| SERV2150 | HVAC Piping & State Mechanical Code | 2 |
| Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| SERV2210 | HVAC Commercial Controls II | 3 |
| SERV2231 | Metal Fabrication | 3 |
| SERV2240 | Steam & Hydronic Heating | 3 |
| SERV2250 | Commercial Air Conditioning | 2 |
| HEAT2220 | HVAC Design | 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
SERV2110 | Domestic Refrigeration | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Examine the mechanical refrigeration cycle as it pertains to domestic refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, and residential dehumidifiers. Topics include system controls and component troubleshooting and repair, electrical schematic interpretation and diagramming, analysis of refrigerant and electrical components for proper operation and temperature control, as well as job safety.
SERV2121 | Commercial Refrigeration I | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Investigate the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of restaurant product cooling equipment. Topics include a diverse cross section of ice maker, reach-in refrigerator, and freezing refrigeration equipment. Examine methods of defrost, electronic and mechanical refrigeration and temperature controls. Interpret and analyze schematics and diagrams. Apply refrigerant recovery and charging procedures. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2131 | Commercial Refrigeration II | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Analyze the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of commercial product cooling equipment. Topics include: walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, light commercial, and supermarket refrigeration equipment and operation. A variety of refrigeration controls, both electrical and mechanical are examined along with methods of defrost and heat recovery. Identify refrigeration pipe and equipment sizing, as well as electrical schematics and diagramming. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2140 | HVAC Commercial Controls I | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Examine the fundamentals of commercial HVAC controls. Control conceptions include pneumatic and DDC control functions with the inclusion of building energy management systems for an environmentally green HVAC setting. Demonstrate the application of these controls along with variable frequency drives, air handler, multi-zoning, VAV systems and economizers in a variety of hands-on experiments. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2150 | HVAC Piping & State Mechanical Code | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Introduction to the State of Minnesota Mechanical and Energy Codes. Topics emphasized are: refrigeration, gas piping, venting, steam and hydronic system installation codes. Hands-on labs include fabrication of copper, iron, steel, and pex piping. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2210 | HVAC Commercial Controls II | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Examine three phase power supplies, motor starters, environmental controls, magnetic contactors, and relays used in the commercial HVAC equipment environment. Other topics include: combustion analysis, ventilating exhaust PRV and make-up air equipment and requirements. Industrial heating burner controls and safeties are diagrammed and developed in hands-on lab experiments. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2231 | Metal Fabrication | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Practice metal fabrication skills with a focus on oxyacetylene and wire feed welding. Topics include layout and construction of common sheet metal components found in residential HVAC systems. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2240 | Steam & Hydronic Heating | Lecture/Laboratory (3 Credits)
Examine steam and hydronic heating systems, both residential and commercial. Topics include: high and low pressure boilers and accessories, including code requirements; and maintenance, troubleshooting and repair practices. Introduction to steam and hydronic boiler controls, safety and component parts in hands-on labs. Prepares student for the State of Minnesota Special Engineers license exam. Job safety standards are applied.
SERV2250 | Commercial Air Conditioning | Lecture/Laboratory (2 Credits)
Explore water-cooled chiller and computer room air conditioning technology and an examination of the compressors that run them. The focus is on HVAC packaged unit (RTU) installation, start up, check out, combustion analysis, and troubleshooting procedures. Job safety standards are applied.
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.
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