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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology

Are you the outdoors type who doesn't want to be tied to a desk? Do you enjoy tackling new tasks? Our students identify with these aspects of a career in Air Conditioning Technology. They also receive real satisfaction from helping people obtain and maintain a suitable environment and doing so certainly makes a difference. If you also like helping people, then you might be interested in the Air Conditioning Technology Program at TSTC West Texas.

Everything in the heating and air conditioning business is somehow related to the refrigeration process, and that process applies to a wide variety of businesses and industries. If you're wondering how refrigeration applies to everyday life--read on--we're here with the answers.

Manufacturers of computer chips require a controlled environment; keeping foods fresh requires effective refrigeration systems; even manufacturing processes for certain drug and surgical supplies depend on having the right climate. Such a wide variety of uses for refrigeration technology means that whether you want to work in residential air conditioning and heating or you prefer working in-house for a large manufacturing company, you have a number of career options including:

• Residential Air Conditioning and Heating Technician
• Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
• HVAC/R Installer (residential and commercial)
• Sheet Metal Fabricator
• Equipment Sales or Dispatching (yes, there are office careers too)

In the hands-on learning environment of the Air Conditioning Program at the Sweetwater campus you'll learn the principles and techniques of the technology in courses such as:

• Refrigeration Principles
• Basic Electricity for HVAC and Advanced Electrcity
• Gas and Electric Heating
• Air Conditioning Installation and Startup
• Sheet Metal Fabrication
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Residential Air Conditioning Systems Design
• Air Conditioning Troubleshooting

Our Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Program begins by teaching basic skills and theory. Then you have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to new and used equipment in a "hands- on" lab. You will receive training on HVAC/R equipment from the smallest of parts used on domestic and residential equipment to the largest components used on commercial equipment. During your training on lab equipment, you'll encounter real-life system malfunctions to troubleshoot and repair.

Since computer systems are important to controlling heating and air conditioning, you'll learn computer fundamentals too. Other skills are also covered, skills that are absolutely essential for success on the job, such as customer service and critical thinking.

As a graduate of the program you will have an EPA Certification, required by the federal government to work in the HVAC/R field. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to take other industry competency exams. Employers tell us that successful completion of industry certifications means more money on the job for our graduates.

With an advisory committee of leaders in the HVAC/R industry, instructors have constructed a program that prepares individuals for this career field. In only twelve months time, at the Sweetwater campus, a student can earn a Certificate of Completion respected by employers across the state.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology		Location	In-state Tuition	Out-of-state Tuition	Time to Complete	Toolkit Prices
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology	Certificate	SWTR	$3,555.00	$8,352.00	12 Mo.

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