Heating, Ventilating & A/C

Some may call you an HVAC Technician. We like to think of you as a Comfort Engineer. This cool profession is heating up year round. After all, what would we do in Cleveland without heat in the winter? And what would Miami be like without air conditioning? The HVAC program teaches you the skills you need to service and install temperature, humidity, and air quality control systems in both commercial and residential applications.

HVAC systems consist of many mechanical, electrical, and electronic components such as motors, compressors, pumps, fans, ducts, pipes, thermostats, and switches. Technicians must be able to maintain, diagnose, and correct problems, throughout the entire system. Students enrolled in this program learn to install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair residential and commercial comfort control systems. This class offers the opportunity to work on gas and electric furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and more.

Credits

High School Credit Junior Year
Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning: 2.5, Technology: .5, Geometry: 1.0
Potential College Semester Hour Credit
Stark State: 12.0
University of Northwestern Ohio: 6.0
Stark State College
College Tech Prep: 13.0

Stark State Articulation Agreement

Program Resources

Course of Study/Syllabus

Sample Assignments

Current Program Fees:

Junior: $ 115.00

Senior: $  80.00

HVAC - Reitz

Teacher: Rick Reitz

Email: rreitz@polaris.edu
Education:
Associates Degree, Cuyahoga Community College
Certifications: CFC, OSHA 30 hrs.
Years at Polaris: 3
Industry Experience: 30 years as service technician, installer and factory rep
Interests/Hobbies: Kent State, golf and biking

Here’s an informative YouTube link highlighting trends in the HVAC industry:

Skills

  • Charging a system
  • Vacuuming a system
  • Installing and servicing air conditioners and furnaces
  • Troubleshooting
  • Sheet metal layout and installation
  • Brazing and soldering
  • Wiring
  • Gas piping
  • Designing systems
  • Ice machine repair
  • Heating terminology
  • Electrical terminology

Equipment

  • Gauges
  • Multimeters
  • Amprobe
  • Heat pump
  • Oil furnace
  • Gas furnace
  • Electric furnace
  • Window air conditioner
  • Whole house air conditioner
  • Hot water boilers
  • Sheet metal shear
  • Slip and drive machine
  • Lock former

Career Options

  • HVAC repair technician
  • Parts person
  • Maintenance worker
  • Service technician
  • Installer
  • Salesperson

Future Opportunities with Further Education

  • Service manager
  • General manager
  • Superintendent of maintenance crew
  • Business owner
  • Engineer

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