HVAC Technician
HVAC Technicians that install and maintain HVAC systems. These technicians perform HVAC design, customer interactions, HVAC installation, and HVAC maintenance.
Building Science Education curriculum relevant to HVAC technicians is provided below. Building science fundamentals are covered in Heat Transfer, Control Layers, and HVAC - Overview. Information on modern heat pump concepts including variable speed heat pumps, smart diagnostic tools, and cold climate heat pumps. Additional topics cover lighting, appliances, and miscellaneous electric loads, and indoor air quality.
This curriculum is recommended for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, US Department of Labor SOC 49-9021.00.
Heat Transfer (Level 2)
Remember
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- Remember the essential concepts of heat movement
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Remember the three heat transfer mechanisms
Lecture Notes
:
Basic Principles of Heat Transfer
Lecture Notes
:
Three Modes of Heat Transfer
Problem Set
:
Define Heat Transfer Modes
Problem Set
:
What Affects Heat Transfer
Understand
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- Understand the basic principles of conduction and the relationship between U-value and R-value
- Understand the basic principles of convection heat transfer
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Understand the basic principles of radiation heat transfer
Lecture Notes
:
Conduction and U-value vs. R-value
Lecture Notes
:
Convection Principles
Lecture Notes
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Radiation Principles
Problem Set
:
Heat Transfer Measurements
Problem Set
:
How Radiant Energy Moves
Problem Set
:
Why Hot Air Rises
Control Layers (Level 1)
HVAC - Overview (Level 2)
Remember
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- List the various types of heating and cooling systems
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Remember types of efficiency ratings for HVAC Systems
Lecture Notes
:
Efficiency Ratings
Lecture Notes
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Types of HVAC Systems
Problem Set
:
Efficiency Ratings
Problem Set
:
Types of HVAC Systems
Understand
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- Describe a balanced HVAC System
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Understand the effects of HVAC system sizing
Lecture Notes
:
Balanced System
Lecture Notes
:
System Sizing
Problem Set
:
Balanced System
Problem Set
:
System Sizing
HVAC - Introduction to Heat Pumps (Level 2)
Remember
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- Describe what an air source heat pump is and what it can be used for.
- Remember key terms related to sizing and design of heat pumps.
- Know the customer benefits of ASHPs.
Lecture Notes
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Remember
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 1.2
Understand
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- Understand how a heat pump moves heat.
- Understand the different types of heat pumps.
- What are the different heat pump options when looking for alternatives for homes that are currently heated by a gas furnace or boiler?
- Understand the market trends for heat pumps and the benefits of switching to heat pumps in existing homes.
- Understand the business case for ASHP installation services.
Lecture Notes
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Understand
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.3
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.4
HVAC - Smart Diagnostic Tools
Remember
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- Know the impact of quality HVAC installation.
- Understand aspects of quality HVAC installation and how smart tools can be applied.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Remember
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 1.1
Understand
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- Know the definition of smart diagnostic tools and their components.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Understand
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 2.1
Apply
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- Understand an example of how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to the task of charging refrigerant.
- Understand how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to commissioning.
- Understand how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to troubleshooting and diagnostics.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Apply
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 3.3
HVAC - Electrical Panel Assessment (Level 2)
Remember
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- What are electrical panels and what role do they play in switching from fossil fuel to electric heat pump heating?
Lecture Notes
:
Electrical Panels - Remember
Problem Set
:
Electrical Panels - Problem Set 1.1
Understand
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- Know how to determine a home’s electrical panel size.
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What are the components in a typical electrical panel?
Lecture Notes
:
Electrical Panels - Understand
Problem Set
:
Electrical Panels - Problem Set 2.2
HVAC - Thermostats for Heat Pumps and Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps (Level 2)
Remember
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- Learn what a thermostat is and what it does.
Lecture Notes
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Remember
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 1.1
Understand
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- Understand why smart thermostat control is important for heat pumps.
- Understand when different components of dual fuel systems should operate.
Lecture Notes
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Understand
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 2.2
HVAC - Combustion Safety (Level 2)
Remember
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- What is combustion safety, and what are three good practices to ensure combustion safety for gas-fired natural draft appliances?
- Know the widely adopted fuel gas codes.
- Define key combustion safety terms and know the different categories of vented gas-fired appliances.
Lecture Notes
:
Combustion Safety - Remember
Problem Set
:
Combustion Safety - Problem Set 1.2
Problem Set
:
Combustion Safety - Problem Set 1.3
Understand
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- Understand the main approaches to evaluating combustion safety.
- Understand the harmful effects of CO spillage and what can be done to prevent backdrafting of CO.
Lecture Notes
:
Combustion Safety - Understand
Problem Set
:
Combustion Safety - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Combustion Safety - Problem Set 2.2
HVAC - Duct Leakage Testing (Level 1)
Remember
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- What is duct leakage testing, who performs the test, and why is it useful?
- Understand key terms used with duct leakage testing.
Lecture Notes
:
Duct Leakage Testing - Remember
Problem Set
:
Duct Leakage Testing - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Duct Leakage Testing - Problem Set 1.2
HVAC - Business Development (Level 1)
HVAC - Preventative Maintenance
Remember
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- What is preventative maintenance, and who is responsible for this type of maintenance?
- Understand key terms relevant for preventative maintenance of HVAC systems.
- Understand the type of problems a technician may encounter when assessing HVAC system maintenance.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Remember
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 1.2
Understand
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- Understand the general steps for HVAC contractors carrying out maintenance inspections for HVAC Systems.
- Understand the general steps for HVAC contractors carrying out cleaning restoration for HVAC systems.
- Understand how a homeowner can perform preventative maintenance on a ductless air source heat pump.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Understand
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.2
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.3
Apply
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- Understand the inspection and maintenance tasks for different heat pump HVAC systems and their components.
- Understand how to perform standardized cleaning on HVAC systems and ductwork.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Apply
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 3.2
Lighting, Appliances, and Miscellaneous Loads (Level 1)
Remember
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- Define incandescent, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), light-emitting diode (LED), and lighting power density in the context of building energy systems.
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Define plug load, miscellaneous loads, smart grid, and parasitic load in the context of building energy systems.
Lecture Notes
:
Lighting, Appliances and Miscellaneous Loads - Remember
Indoor Air Quality (Level 2)
Remember
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- Identify pollutants that can impact indoor air quality
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Identify which energy improvement measures can impact indoor air quality
Lecture Notes
:
Energy Improvements that Can Impact IAQ
Lecture Notes
:
Pollutants That Can Impact Indoor Air Quality
Problem Set
:
Better or Worse IAQ With Air Sealing
Problem Set
:
Pollutants that Increase with Indoor Humidity
Understand
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- Consequences of elevated levels of indoor pollutants
Lecture Notes
:
Illnesses Related to Poor Indoor Air Quality
Problem Set
:
Common Denominator for Poor Indoor Air Quality