Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology

The Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Technology program is a sequence of courses that prepare you for a career in the air conditioning industry. Virtually, every home and business depend upon some form of essential heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. They provide plenty of work for skilled technicians. You have the option of pursuing either a degree or diploma in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration fields. The program emphasizes a combination of Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration theory, and practical application necessary for successful employment. GTCC's Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program is well respected in the industry and is the first program in North Carolina accredited by HVAC Excellence. This ensures that graduates receive a high-quality education that will be valued by future employers.

HVAC accreditation logo SkillsUSA logo

Credentialing Options

Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology, AAS - CIP Code: 47.0201

A 35 10 0

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 53023

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology AAS degree prepares students for employment in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration industry. The curriculum covers both theory and key principles of the operation of residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. The program also develops technical skills through practical applications that employ current and emerging standards and technologies. Diagnostic and repair practices for electric, gas, single/dual/variable stage air conditioning and heat pump equipment are included in the curriculum. Additionally, students will be exposed to concepts of commercial system design, indoor air quality, oil, hydronic heating, and light commercial refrigeration systems. Lastly, throughout the two-year degree, students will hone their skills in writing, mathematics, communication, customer service, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Successful graduates can qualify for employment in a variety of jobs such as entry/intermediate level HVAC maintenance technicians, installation design helper/lead, light commercial junior engineers, home IAQ analyzers, residential/light commercial appliance repair, junior residential/light commercial system designers, HVAC wholesale counter/sales reps, system commissioning tech, industry equipment and control trainer, hydronic system repair, inspection official, small business owners,  and many new jobs yet to be defined in this expanding field.

NOTE: The AAS degree program may fulfill 2000 of the 4000 hours needed to meet one of the qualifications for the North Carolina Mechanical Contractor's License exam.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration degree, the graduate should be able to:

  • Apply industry standards and theory to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, controls, and refrigeration systems.
  • Maintain system performance and indoor air quality through industry standards of air and hydronic flow.  
  • Attain certification to perform service according to EPA 608 regulations.
  • Use NC codes and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) design standards for residential and commercial structures.
  • Employ personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills expected in the workplace.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 17

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 15

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 7

Fall Semester II

Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester II

Total Credits: 13

Total credit hours required for degree: 67

Electives:

1. Social/Behavioral Science Electives

Choose one course from the following:

2. Communications Electives

Choose one course from the following:

3. Humanities/Fine Arts Electives

Choose one course from the following:

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Air Conditioning and Heating Technology Diploma

D 35 10 0 D1

The Air Conditioning and Heating Technology Diploma prepares students for entry-level jobs in the Heating and Air Conditioning industry. The one-year diploma option covers theory and key principles of the operation of residential heating and air conditioning systems. The program develops basic technical skills through practical applications that employ current and emerging standards and technologies. Diploma program students will learn basic diagnostic and repair practices for residential air conditioning and heat pump equipment to include electric, gas, oil, and single/dual/variable stage units. Additionally, students will learn concepts of residential system design. During the course of study students will have opportunities to hone their skills in writing, mathematics, and customer service techniques. Successful graduates can qualify for employment as an entry level residential maintenance technician, residential installation design helper/lead, junior residential system designer, wholesale counter representative, residential system commissioning technician, and many new jobs yet to be defined in this expanding field.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Air Conditioning and Heating Technology Diploma, the graduate should be able to:

  • Apply industry standards and theory to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, controls, and refrigeration systems.
  • Attain certification to perform service according to EPA 608 regulations.
  • Employ personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills expected in the workplace.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 17

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 19

Summer Semester I

Total Credits: 10

Total credit hours required for diploma: 46

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Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology - Preventive Maintenance Technician Certificate

C 35 10 0 C1

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology - Preventive Maintenance Technician Certificate

Contact: (336) 334-4822 ext. 53023

The Preventive Maintenance Technician Certificate program will prepare students for entry-level preventive maintenance positions in the Heating and Air Conditioning industry. Students will learn required preventive maintenance techniques for residential heating and air conditioning systems to include electric and gas units. Additionally, the program develops basic maintenance skills through practical applications. Successful graduates can qualify for employment as entry-level residential maintenance technicians.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Preventative Maintenance Technician Certificate, the students should be able to:

  • Apply industry standards and theory to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, controls, and refrigeration systems.
  • Attain certification to perform service according to EPA 608 regulations.

Fall Semester I

Total Credits: 8

Spring Semester I

Total Credits: 8

Total credit hours required for certificate: 16

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About Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology

Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology at GTCC

Frequently Asked Questions

You will need to follow the general enrollment process for GTCC.  During the advising process you will have the opportunity to indicate your desire to study within this curriculum. Your advisor will help you sign up for the specific courses you need. It is recommended that new students contact an ACHR faculty member listed in the next FAQ.

Jeff Underwood - Program Director
336-334-4822 Ext. 53046
jwunderwood@gtcc.edu

Chris Sizemore –Instructor
336-334-4822 Ext. 53051
wcsizemore@gtcc.edu

Financial aid is available if you qualify.  Please contact the college's Financial Aid Office for more details. 

No, your instructor will have a tool list for each class. You may use your own tools if you already have them, but tools are required for most AHR classes. You are responsible for having your tools and for your own transportation to and from any job site projects.

Pre-requisites are courses that must be completed before taking another course. Please contact the program faculty coach with any questions about pre-requisites listed in course descriptions.

Co-requisites may be taken at the same time or before another course. Please contact the program faculty coach with any questions about co-requisites listed in course descriptions.

Programmatic accreditation is an independent third-party review of an educational program. The process validates that established standards of excellence for HVACR educational programs are met. These standards are designed to ensure that you, our future workforce, receive the quality of training required to provide you the skills necessary for your success in the HVACR industry.

At GTCC, we value our students’ success. We offer scholarships from our generous donors who want to see our students succeed. There are industry scholarship opportunities available online.

Scholarship opportunities 

Many students work part- or full-time while in school. You may need to take a smaller course load each semester which may extend the time it takes to complete.