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Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

If you are a problem solver and like working with your hands, think about a career in heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R).

This program prepares you to design, install, service and maintain furnaces, air conditioners and refrigeration systems. Through classes, hands-on projects and jobsite experiences, you’ll learn about basic HVAC/R systems, electricity, heating, gas and oil codes, load calculations, cooling, refrigeration, duct design and troubleshooting.

Whether you want to work as a service technician, service manager or business owner, you will graduate ready for a variety of job opportunities working with HVAC/R systems in homes, office buildings, schools, factories, hospitals—and even airplanes and cars.

Detailed Information

We offer a seven quarter, two-year Associate’s Degree of Applied Science (A.A.S) in HVAC/R. Graduates of the program are prepared for entry-level positions as a technician in the HVAC/R trade, a rewarding career that is fast-paced, challenging, and requires an independent mindset.

Students of the SCC HVAC/R program study electrical theory, motors, controls, refrigeration theory, gas and electric furnace troubleshooting, air conditioner and refrigeration system troubleshooting, heat pump troubleshooting, and computer based digital controls. Please see course descriptions for a detailed listing of each course and learning topics.

Hands-on learning and troubleshooting is an important part of our program. The SCC HVAC/R lab has over 120 pieces of operational equipment for students to learn on and practice with. All pieces of equipment were installed by students, and have been maintained by students. Classroom theory is backed up with real-world testing, measurement, and troubleshooting on actual pieces of equipment students will see in the field after they graduate. An optional internship is available sixth and seventh quarters as well. Students will have the opportunity to take the tests to receive their Spokane Gas Heating Mechanic’s 1 License and EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License. Students will also register to receive their WA L&I Electrical Trainee License, and will start to receive credit for hours that will apply towards an electrical license.

  1. Demonstrate the ability to wire, perform a startup, and evaluate the operation of a natural draft gas furnace.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair an electric furnace.
  3. Obtain a City of Spokane Gas Heating Mechanic's 1 license.
  4. Demonstrate the abilty to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair 80%-95% gas furnaces.
  5. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair basic medium-temp and low-temp commercial refrigeration systems.
  6. Obtain an EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant Handling License.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair air conditioning systems.
  8. Demonstrate the ability to follow and comply with local and national safety codes.
  9. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the operation of, troubleshoot, and repair a heat pump system.
  10. Demonstrate the ability to design, install, and commision a basic Direct Digital Control system for a commercial rooftop unit of refrigeration system.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

Completion of the two-year Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program at Spokane Community College prepares the student for an entry-level position in one of the most challenging occupations available.

Entry-level HVAC/R technicians typically work on residential and light commercial systems performing equipment installations, preventative maintenance, and service and repair functions. Opportunities also are available in systems design and sales.

Areas of study include basic HVAC/R systems, electricity, heating, local gas and oil codes, load calculations, cooling, refrigeration, duct design, and troubleshooting. These skills are taught from lab applications coordinated with classroom theory and actual jobsite experience.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 123


Program Courses

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 103
Fundamentals of Electricity in HVAC/R   3
4
AIRC 106
HVAC/R Electrical Applications  
6
AIRC 107
HVAC/R Electrical Applications Lab  
8
APLED112
Applied Mathematics   1
5
Total Credits
 
23

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 108
Fundamentals of Heating Systems  
6
AIRC 137
Fundamentals of Heating Systems Lab  
8
APLED121
Applied Written Communication   1
4
Total Credits
 
18

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 109
Fundamentals of Refrigeration  
5
AIRC 110
Fundamentals of Refrigeration Lab  
10
AIRC 136
HVAC/R Safety  
1
Total Credits
 
16

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 203
Fundamentals of Air Conditioning   2
7
AIRC 204
Fundamentals of Air Conditioning Lab   2
7
Total Credits
 
14

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 205
System Performance Testing  
5
AIRC 206
System Performance Testing Lab  
10
APLED123
Leadership Skills for Business and Industry  
4
Total Credits
 
19

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 207
System Servicing and Troubleshooting of Heat Pumps  
5
AIRC 208
System Servicing and Troubleshooting of Heat Pumps Lab  
10
APLED125
Employment Preparation   1
3
Total Credits
 
18

Seventh Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
AIRC 262
Fundamentals of Direct Digital Control  
5
AIRC 265
Fundamentals of Direct Digital Control Lab  
10
Total Credits
 
15

1 This related education requirement may be met by any course or combination of courses approved by the instructional dean.
2 The fourth quarter is held summer quarter.
3 This course must be taken in a student's first quarter in the program regardless of whether the student starts fall, winter, or spring.

Estimated costs for completing this program

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 12,416
$ 16,008
$ 27,525
Books
$ 974
$ 974
$ 974
Course Fees
$ 1,046
$ 1,046
$ 1,046
Institutional Fees
$ 784
$ 784
$ 3,727
Supplies and Materials
$ 2,600
$ 2,600
$ 2,600
Total Costs
$ 17,820
$ 21,412
$ 35,872

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

  • Travis Green
    Travis Green
    Air Cond, Refri & Heating
    Vocational certifications
    Travis.Green@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7156
  • Steve Nordquist
    Steve Nordquist
    Air Cond, Refri & Heating
    A.A.S., Spokane Community College
    Steve.Nordquist@scc.spokane.edu
    509-533-7090

SCC HVAC/R Graduate Employment Rates

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
Estimated Employment Rate 95% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Average Starting Hourly Wages $15.20 $14.89 $16.45 $15.81 $16.79

Source: Program Data Tracking

"My experience in the SCC program was great. The faculty was knowledgeable, approachable and very thorough in their teaching, and I left with a strong understanding of the trade." — Mike Hatley, Johnson Control service technician

"The HVAC/R program at SCC gave me a good solid foundation for my professional life. Their instructors are terrific, and they are especially great at helping you build your self-confidence. I'm very glad I chose SCC to launch my career." — Santos Cardenas, Lincoln building engineer for Goodale & Barbieri Real Estate Services

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