One Year Course Outline

HVACR Training Program

Program Guidelines

The following information, provided by the ESCO Institute, serves as a general guideline for the courses typically included in a one-year HVACR educational program. Course offerings and instructional hours may vary based on geographic location, institutional requirements, and the specific needs of each program.

Framework Purpose

This framework is intended to support educators and administrators as a baseline when developing, reviewing, or enhancing HVACR programs. Institutions seeking additional guidance are encouraged to consult with the ESCO Institute regarding resources, curricula, and assessment tools that may support their program goals.

Our Objective

Our objective is to ensure alignment with industry standards, provide coverage of the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for student success, and offer proven curricula and assessments to help programs deliver consistent, high-quality instruction.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this training program, it is expected that individuals will be able to:

•Explain how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation.
•Explain the difference between latent and sensible heat.
•Describe the basic vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.
•Discuss the operation of the four main components in the basic vapor-compression refrigeration system.
•Explain the concepts of superheat and subcooling.
•Gather data from gauges, thermometers and charts.
•Interpret data from gauges, thermometers and charts.
•Explain the operation of a heat pump system.
•Perform piping operations on copper tubing such as cutting, reaming, flaring, swaging, soldering and brazing.
•Construct and evaluate basic electrical circuits.
•Use electrical test equipment to measure voltage, current and resistance.
•Properly handle and work with refrigerants.
•Properly read project drawings and prints.
•Properly install an air-conditioning/heat pump system.
•Leak check, evacuate and charge air-conditioning/heat pump systems.
•Evaluate system components.
•Troubleshoot mechanical problems with an HVACR system.
•Troubleshoot electrical problems with an HVACR system.
•Perform preventive maintenance on an HVACR system.

Course	Topics	Hours	Book	E-Learning	V3D	Certification
HVACR Industry Overview	What is HVACR? Industry outlook What jobs are available An average day on the job What will be expected on the job	5	—	Did You Know Episode 92: Preparing the Next-Generation HVACR Workforce DID You Know Episode ??: The HVAC Workforce Insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics	—	—
Safety	Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Tool Safety Ladder Safety Electrical Safety Shop and Workplace Safety Torch Safety Lockout/Tagout procedures Confined Spaces Hot work Safety	20	Gas Heating (Chapter 1: Safety) ESCO Electrical Theory & Application for HVACR (Chapter 1)	Gas Heating (Chapter 1: Safety) Electrical Theory & Application Chapter 1	—	—
Heat, Temperature and Pressure	The Btu Temperature and temperature scales Pressure Pressure conversions Pressure, Volume, and Temperature relationships Latent heat Sensible heat Conduction Convection Radiation	20	ESCO Quick Guide: Refrigeration Cycle, Refrigerants and Components	Refrigeration Cycle, Refrigerants, and Components Training Course Thermodynamics: The Study of Heat and Heat Transfer Part 1 Webinar Replay Thermodynamics: The Study of Heat and Heat Transfer Part 2 Webinar Replay	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures
HVACR Fundamentals	Compressors Condensers Metering Devices Evaporators Superheat Subcooling Suction Line Discharge Line System Accessories Heating System Types	50	ESCO Quick Guide: Refrigeration Cycle, Refrigerants and Components Basic Refrigeration & Charging Procedures Air Conditioning Service Guide R-410A and R-22 Systems 2nd Edition Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Refrigeration Cycle, Refrigerants, and Components Training Course Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures Training Course	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps
System Configurations	Cooling-only packaged-type Cooling-only Split-type Cooling-only PTAC or through-the-wall Heating-cooling ducted systems Heating-cooling ductless systems Heating-cooling PTAC or through-the-wall Earth-coupled systems	15	Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Introduction to HVAC Systems (Dual)	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps
Heat Pump Systems	Introduction to heat pumps Heat pump system components Heat pump controls Heat pump system operation Reversing valve operation Heat pump system wiring diagrams Modes of operation Supplementary heat Emergency heat	20	Heat Pump Operation, Installation, Service High Performance Heat Pumps	High Performance Heat Pumps Course Heat Pump System Diagnostics Course Uncomplicating the Heat Pump: Electrical Systems Troubleshooting Video HVACR Troubleshooting Series: A Heat Pump That Won't Cool Video HVACR Troubleshooting Series: A Heat Pump That's Not Delivering Any Air Video	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps
Refrigerants and the EPA	Pressure/Temperature Relationships Recovery Recycling Reclaiming Refrigerant handling and transporting Refrigerant management Refrigerant oils Leak testing requirements EPA Section 608 preparation and testing	30	EPA Section 608 Prep Manual System Recovery & Evacuation Low GWP Refrigerant Safety: Flammable and Mildly Flammable (A2L) Refrigerants	EPA Section 608 Interactive Preparatory Course Bundle Low GWP Refrigerant Safety: Flammable and Mildly Flammable (A2L) Refrigerants System Recovery & Evacuation	—	EPA 608
Electricity	Electrical safety Magnetism and Electricity Atomic theory Voltage, current, resistance & power Ohm's law Inductive & resistive loads Automatic Controls and Electrical Devices Types of Automatic Controls Control Components and Applications Electric motors (20 Hours) Constructing electric circuits Electrical tool usage Electrical symbols and wiring diagrams Reading electrical schematics Interpreting electrical component specifications Controls (50 Hours) Introduction to electronics Introduction to inverter-controlled motors and compressors	140	ESCO Electrical Theory & Application for HVACR Jim Johnson Electrical Fundamentals For HVACR Technicians Video Training Program AnswerMan Electricity for HVAC&R - A Guide to Troubleshooting Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Electrical Theory & Application for HVACR Course Bundle Basic Electronic Circuits Basic Electronic Components	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Electrical, Employment Ready Electrical Heat
Airflow and Air Distribution	Airflow fundamentals Introduction to the psychrometric chart Airflow tools and instrumentation Measuring airflow Calculating airflow System pressures Duct materials Duct lining and wrapping Duct sealing	30	System Performance 2nd Edition - Maximizing Energy Efficiency in Heating & Cooling Psychrometrics Without Tears Manual Air Conditioning Service Guide R-410A and R-22 Systems 2nd Edition Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Airflow Characteristics and Diagnostics Course and Simulation	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps
Piping Operations for Copper, Steel, and Plastic Materials	Piping tools and safety Pipe sizes Measuring Cutting Reaming Flaring Swaging Bending Soldering Brazing Fittings Filler materials, flux, primers, cements	30	ESCO Brazing and Soldering: Copper Tubing and Processes Soldering and Brazing Refrigeration System Tubing Video (Jim Johnson) Gas Heating (Gas Piping covered) Air Conditioning Service Guide R-410A and R-22 Systems 2nd Edition Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Brazing and Soldering: Copper Tubing and Processes Course; Soldering and Brazing Refrigeration System Tubing Video (Jim Johnson)	—	Employment Ready Brazing and Soldering
System Installation, Start-up, and Maintenance	Project plan reading Introduction to load calculation Indoor unit location Outdoor unit location Mounting and setting equipment in place Installing a secondary drain pan Making duct connections Making line-voltage electrical connections Making low-voltage electrical connections Installing a thermostat Selecting the thermostat location Installing supply registers and return grilles Making flexible duct connections Insulating refrigerant lines Performing a pre-start-up inspection Pressure testing a system Leak testing a system Evacuating a system Starting up a system System Charging System Preventive Maintenance	50	System Recovery & Evacuation System Performance 2nd Edition - Maximizing Energy Efficiency in Heating & Cooling Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology	Top 10 Mini-Split Installation & Maintenance Issues; System Recovery and Evacuation Training Course	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps, Employment Ready System diagnostics and Troubleshooting
System Troubleshooting and Component Evaluation	Establishing a system baseline Mechanical problems: System overcharge System undercharge Reduced outdoor airflow Reduced indoor airflow Non-condensables in the system Overfeeding metering device Underfeeding metering device Electrical problems: Supply voltage Transformer Relays and contactors Control boards Sensors Wiring Motor troubleshooting Compressor evaluation	40	Air Conditioning Service Guide R-410A and R-22 Systems 2nd Edition ESCO System Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Procedures Jim Johnson Electrical, Refrigeration & Air Flow: 30 Troubleshooting Scenarios PowerPoint Bundle ESCO Electrical Theory & Application for HVACR (Chapter 6)	Technician Version: HVAC Simulator Electrical Troubleshooting for Heating & Cooling; Comfort Cooling Refrigeration System Troubleshooting Video; Evaluating Refrigeration Systems Video (Jim Johnson); HVACR Electrical Troubleshooting Component Testing Video (Jim Johnson); HVACR Electrical Troubleshooting Deciding Where to Begin Video (Jim Johnson); Semi-Hermetic Compressors Video (Jim Johnson); Troubleshooting and Servicing Electric Furnaces Video (Jim Johnson); Using Schematics to Troubleshoot HVACR Electrical Circuits Part I Video (Jim Johnson); Understanding Compressor Failures Part 1 & 2 Webinar Replay; ESCO Electrical Theory & Application for HVACR Course (Chapter 6)	—	HEAT, Employment Ready Air Conditioning, Employment Ready Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures, Employment Ready Heat Pumps, Employment Ready System diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Total		450

Program Standards, Accreditation, and Reporting

Supporting curriculum alignment, validation, and continuous improvement

To support the development of a program that is fully aligned with recognized industry standards, educators are encouraged to download the HVAC Excellence Competency and Task List . This resource defines the foundational knowledge areas and technical skills expected within each subject area of an HVACR program and serves as a practical framework for curriculum design and instructional alignment.

Programs seeking to formally demonstrate compliance with established industry benchmarks may pursue third-party accreditation . Accreditation provides independent validation that program content, instructional practices, and assessment methods meet nationally recognized standards.

To further assist educators and trainers in evaluating instructional effectiveness, proctors have access to a comprehensive suite of reporting tools . These reports include individual and aggregate student test scores, identified areas of strength and weakness, detailed breakdowns of the competencies assessed, and statistical analyses. This data enables instructors to determine whether performance gaps are isolated to individual students, specific cohorts, or particular areas of the curriculum. Such documentation also supports evidence-based decision-making and helps programs meet Perkins compliance requirements.

Note: Learn more about our exam development and test validation process here.

* Hours are approximate and may vary based on student progress

One Year Course Outline

Course Objectives

Program Standards, Accreditation, and Reporting

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