Department Chair: Christopher Hirst, 847.635.1955 , chirst@oakton.edu
The goal of the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology A.A.S. curriculum is to develop the skills needed for employment and certification in several areas. Students learn to evaluate the performance of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, to assess energy consumption, and to apply principles and methods of energy conservation.
Graduates can seek employment with consulting engineering companies as engineering assistants capable of designing and laying out mechanical systems. Students can earn a certificate in Residential Comfort Control, Residential Comfort Systems Installer, or Commercial Buildings Energy Systems. Upon completion of these programs, students may choose to work with contractors to install and service HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) systems for residential and light commercial buildings. Students who earn a Stationary Engineer’s License Preparation Certificate will develop skills to continue studies toward a Stationary Engineer’s License.
Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology Courses
AHR 1014 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Introduction to Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Course present theories, demonstrations and lab experiences in area of basic vapor compression cycle in refrigeration. Content includes functioning and operating characteristics of mechanical refrigeration system: condensers, evaporators, compressors, refrigerant control devices, refrigerants, test equipment, and special service procedures connected with basic refrigeration cycle. The Clean Air Act set by EPA for proper use of refrigerants explained.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 1024 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Heating
Course covers basic principles of residential heating systems. Content includes proper installation, service and safety procedures, and introductions of the proper procedures to troubleshoot and diagnose reasons for the malfunction of the furnace. Focus is on the combustion process and consumer safety.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 1034 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Sheet Metal Layout and Fabrication
Course covers methods of fabrication. Content includes laying out and fabricating sheet metal ducts and fittings used in heating and air conditioning installations.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 1044 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Introduction to Electricity and Automatic Controls
Course introduces electricity and automatic controls. Content includes electrical safety, basic wiring skills, electrical components, household wiring, wire sizing, conduct sizing, proper procedure to bend thin wall, the explanation of series and parallel circuits as well as hands-on experience with electrical tools and meters.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 1051 credit hours (lecture: 1 | lab: 0)
EPA Section 608 Certification
Course designed to prepare for “EPA Section 608” certification exam. Certification in proper refrigerant use required by law for work on refrigeration systems. Examination fees required.
Prerequisite: AHR 101 with a minimum grade of C or consent of department chair.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2014 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Commercial Refrigeration Systems
Course covers the entire refrigeration cycle, from compressor discharge to compressor suction, for low, medium, and high pressure refrigeration systems. Content includes various types of refrigeration systems, medium and low pressure temperature and their proper installation, product to be cooled, desired temperature to be maintained, humidity conditions, problems involving system balance and component capacity, as well as the use of heat load charts.
Prerequisite: AHR 101 or consent of the instructor or department chair.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2024 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Air Conditioning II – Split System
Course covers principles of residential air conditioning systems. Content includes evaluation and classroom hands-on experience in use of psychometrics, residential air conditioning equipment types and installation. Lab and the simulators focus on systems performance problems and diagnostics.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2033 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Residential Heating and Air Conditioning Load Calculations
Course covers calculation of heating and cooling loads to determine appropriate selection of equipment in new construction. Content includes construction and heat transfer through structure, and computations for heat gains and heat losses for various building structures.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2043 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Air Distribution Systems (Design)
Course covers air moving and treating equipment, and distribution of air using appropriate devices. Content includes blower performance, static and dynamic pressures and pressure drop due to friction, sizing and selection of ductwork and blowers, diffusers, registers and grilles as well as the evaluation of overall system performance.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2064 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Residential Hot Water Boilers and Hydronics Technology
Course covers conventional and modern residential hydronic systems. Content includes "Near boiler" piping, accessories and zoning operations; proper sizing of heat emitting components, baseboards and piping. Hands on experience with tools and the operation of a boiler system.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid
Fee: $50
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2084 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Advanced Automatic Controls
Course covers advanced automatic controls used presently in high-efficiency furnaces. Content includes electronic ignition systems, generic sequence of automatic controls, and ladder type wiring diagrams.
Prerequisite: AHR 104 with a minimum grade of C or consent of department chair.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2123 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 0)
Indoor Air Quality
Course covers sources of pollutants, methods of control, and management techniques to maintain acceptable indoor air quality.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2134 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 0)
Commercial HVAC Systems Applications
Course covers various types of HVAC systems used in commercial buildings and the proper procedure to select and size for the primary and secondary HVAC. Content includes all-air, air-hydronic, all-hydronic and unitary systems and their layouts for air filtration, odor removal, heating, cooling, and air distribution.
Prerequisite: AHR 201 or consent of department chair.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2144 credit hours (lecture: 3 | lab: 3)
Energy Audit, Analysis and Management
Course covers conducting energy audit, surveying and evaluation procedures for energy using systems, and establishing energy management procedures and schedule.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online
Fee: $45
Term Typically Offered: Fall | Spring | Summer
AHR 2154 credit hours (lecture: 4 | lab: 0)
Steam Boiler Operations
Course covers principles of boiler operation for both low- and high-pressure steam boilers. Content includes complete boiler setup from feedwater systems to boiler and piping layout and assembly, combustion accessories and controls, steam accessories, draft controls, and pressure reducing stations. Focus is on boiler room operation and safety. ASME code standards for high-pressure steam boilers are emphasized.
Instruction Type: In-Person | Online | Hybrid