Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians Are In Demand

  • Added:
    Oct 16, 2012
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Did you know that as a refrigeration and air conditioning technician you will be in high demand in areas such as technical support, maintenance and installation, design, and sales and service? With today's residential central air conditioning systems up to 35 per cent more energy-efficient than those that were typically installed in the 1990s, the skills needed to fulfill these positions are evolving, as is the training one must undertake to be successful. At Centennial College, students can complete the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician offering, which takes two years to complete.

These Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technicians are first and foremost responsible for making, installing, repairing and servicing residential, commercial and industrial cooling and heating systems. As part of their job, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians measure, cut and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment; recharge systems with refrigerant gases as required; connect rooftop units to gas, test and balance systems and connect electrical systems; adjust computerized controls; use computer software to calculate loads, and work on large machines. Some work in building maintenance, others specialize in repairing small, portable refrigeration and freezing units.

All of these skills can be acquired through Centennial College's Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses, which result in an Ontario College Diploma credential. The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses are facilitated from Progress Campus, where students partake in courses such as Ethics in Technology and Environment; Acts, Regulations and Procedures; Electrical Fundamentals; Mechanical Cooling Cycle; Pipe Joining & Installation for Cooling; Systems Design and Installation; Air Conditioning and Distribution Systems and many others.

In addition, a Capstone Project rounds out in-class training. This final project encompasses elements of everything the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technician students have learned throughout their time in the program. A faculty member supervises this project.

As a result of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses, students develop skills in: maintaining, sizing and selecting equipment for air conditioning and refrigeration application; the development of refrigerants; development of equipment to meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards; efficiency standards for heating equipment; installation and service techniques; among others. Upon graduation from Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning program, students may obtain employment as heating technicians or through affiliated trade apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, sheet metal or refrigeration. Apprenticeship is required after graduation, for those who wish to become tradespersons.

Applicants interested in attending Centennial College's Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Courses, are required to complete an application process. As part of this process, applicants must have at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have completed English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent; and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.

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In this informative article, Emma details the standout features of Centennial College's Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program.


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