Academics
HVAC/R Technology
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology (HVAC/R) program trains technicians to install, maintain, and repair residential, commercial, and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They follow blueprints, design specifications, and manufacturers instructions to install motors, compressors, condensing units, and evaporators, connect equipment to ductwork, refrigerant lines and electrical power sources, charge the system with refrigerant, and check for proper operation. Technicians also diagnose problems, test and overhaul compressors, relays, and thermostats, and do require chlorofluor-carbon refrigerants and all the new refrigerants used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. They use a variety of pipe cutters, benders, acetylene torches, voltmeters, thermometers, pressure gauges, and manometers to check air flow, refrigerant pressure electrical circuits.
To pursue a career as an HVAC/R technician, you must be courteous, tactful, in good physical condition because you are sometimes required to lift heavy equipment and work in awkward, cramped positions, detail-oriented, and able to work independently. A basic understanding of shop math, mechanical drawing, applied physics and chemistry, electronics blueprint reading, and microelectronics is helpful. Although this program is not intended to be transferable to a four-year college, many of the courses will transfer. Discuss this with your advisor.
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Degree
Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 69
Program Requirements
Select a course number below to see a course description.
Required General Education Courses
| Course | Name | Credit Hours |
| ENGLISH * | 3 | |
| COMMUNICATION * | 3 | |
| SOCIAL SCIENCE * | 3 | |
| MATHEMATICS * | 3 to 4 | |
| LABORATORY SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS * | 4 | |
| HUMANITIES * | 3 |
Required Program Courses
| Course | Name | Credit Hours |
| ARCTK 119 | BLUEPRINT READING - CONSTRUCTION | 1 |
| ELCTK 111 | RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL WIRING | 2 |
| REACT 110 | INTRODUCTION TO REFRIGERATION | 4 |
| REACT 112 | RESIDENTIAL AIR CONDITIONING | 4 |
| REACT 118 | ELECTRICITY AS IT APPLIES TO HVAC/R | 4 |
| REACT 119 | SHEET METAL FOR HVAC/R | 2 |
| REACT 120 | RESIDENTIAL FURNACES | 4 |
| REACT 121 | HEAT PUMPS AND GEOTHERMAL | 4 |
| REACT 122 | RESIDENTIAL HYDRONIC SYSTEMS | 4 |
| REACT 130 | LIGHT COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION | 4 |
| REACT 131 | COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION AND ICE MACHINES | 4 |
| REACT 139 | RESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS INSTALLATION | 1 |
| REACT 211 | RESIDENTIAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN I | 3 |
| REACT 213 | RESIDENTIAL EQUIPMENT DESIGN II | 3 |
| REACT 219 | DUCT FABRICATION | 2 |
| REACT 220 | BALANCING AND TESTING HVAC SYSTEMS | 2 |
| REACT 237 | OCCUPATION INTERNSHIP I | 1 |
| REACT 238 | OCCUPATION INTERNSHIP II | 1 |
* Recommended general education courses: HUMAN 124; ECON 110; PSY 110; HIST 201; MATH 106 or MATH 115; PHYSC 110; ENGL 125; COMM 110
Although this program is not intended to be transferable to a four-year college, many of the courses will transfer into the HVAC/R Engineering Technology and Energy Management Bachelor of Science Degree at Ferris State University.
Students must provide the following items: safety glasses with side shields, work gloves, basic scientific calculator, and thumb drive.
Recommended Course Sequence
| Semester | Courses |
| Fall Semester 1 | REACT 110; REACT 118; REACT 119; REACT 120; REACT 112; ARCTK 119 |
| Spring Semester 1 | REACT 139; REACT 121; REACT 130; REACT 122; REACT 131; ELCTK 111 |
| Fall Semester 2 | REACT 211; REACT 219; REACT 237; Social Science; Mathematics; English |
| Spring Semester 2 | REACT 213; REACT 238; REACT 220; Communication; Laboratory Science/Mathematics; Humanities |
Program Contact Information
Agricultural and Industrial Technologies Department
Dirksen Building, Room 09
(309)694-8566
Illinois Career Cluster
Architecture and Construction
Career Pathway:
Maintenance/Operations
Career Pathway
Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.
Career Cluster:
Architecture and Construction If you are a high school junior or senior, you can get a head start on your future by taking college-level courses now! Visit our Dual Credit webpage for a listing of area high schools with courses available Humanities | Introduction to Communication (COMM 110) | Introduction to Psychology (PSY 110) | Lab Science | Mathematics High School Diploma or GED Getting Started: Apply to ICC | Paying for College | Career Information:
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
| Student Information HVAC Residential Installer
(16 credit hours) Section 608 of the Federal Clean Air Act; HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification in Electrical, Gas Heat & Air Conditioning Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer; HVAC Mechanic; HVAC Service Technician; Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Installer; Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
$17-39/hr
HVAC Technician
(28 credit hours) HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification in Electric Heat, Heat Pump & Hydronic Heat Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer; HVAC Mechanic; HVAC Service Technician; Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Installer; Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$17-39/hr
Pathway:
Maintenance/Operations
ICC Pathway: HVAC
Early College
Point of Entry
Certificate of Completion
Industry Credentials
Employment Information
Certificate of Completion
Industry Credentials
Employment Information
OR
Certificate of Completion
Commercial Refrigeration Technician (28 credit hours)
Industry Credentials
HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification in Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures & Light Commercial Refrigeration
Employment Information
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer; HVAC Mechanic; HVAC Service Technician; Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Installer; Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$17-39/hr
Associate of Applied Science Degree
HVAC/R Technology(69 credit hours)
Industry Credentials
4 Part HVAC Excellence System Performance Certification
Employment Information
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer; HVAC Mechanic; HVAC Service Technician; Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic and Installer; Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer$17-39/hr
OCCUPATION BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
There are no current articulation agreements to Bachelor degree programs at this time.
CAREER CLUSTER BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
Program transfer guides layout course work to be taken at ICC and the transfer institution to complete specific programs of study or majors.
Many of the courses will transfer into the on-line HVAC/R Engineering Technology and Energy Management Bachelor of Science Degree at Ferris State University.
GENERAL BACHELOR DEGREE TRANSFER OPTIONS
General transfer agreements formalize the transfer process from ICC to other colleges and universities.
For additional transfer information:
Transfer Assistance
Useful Transfer Links
Transfer Agreements
Related Programs
Commercial Refrigeration Technician certificate
HVAC Residential Installer
HVAC Technician certificate