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
Related Programs
Commercial Refrigeration Technician certificate
HVAC Residential Installer
HVAC Technician certificate