Harper College

Residential Comfort Systems Certificate

Install, maintain and repair residential heating and cooling systems

Program facts manufacturing construction icon


  • Credit hours: 19
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcome: Heating and air conditioning mechanic and installer

Develop advanced knowledge in residential comfort systems with this 19-credit-hour certificate. You’ll learn about the maintenance and repairs of residential heating and cooling systems and also receive an introduction to duct design, sheet metal fabrication and equipment selection to improve indoor air quality.

Classes are taught in our modern, state-of-the-art HVAC/R Open Lab and focus on the planning, installation, and start-up procedure of residential HVAC systems.

Credit earned for this program can be applied to Harper’s Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technology Degree AAS Degree.

Certificate program requirements

This 19 credit-hour certificate program focuses on residential comfort systems and installation. In addition to learning maintenance and repairs of residential heating and cooling systems, the certificate is designed to provide the students the basic concepts of duct design, sheet metal fabrication and equipment selection to improve indoor air quality. Emphasis is placed on the planning, installation and start up procedure of residential HVAC systems.

Required:

Number Course Title Credits
ELT 110 4

Description:  Introduces fundamentals of electricity and magnetism. Covers basic electrical laws and principles. Presents electrical quantities, units, symbols and notation. Examines foundational electronic materials and components. Presents elementary DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) network analysis, key semiconductor devices, and simple analog and digital circuits. Also covers electrical safety considerations, laboratory instrumentation and test and measurement techniques.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

HVA 101 3

Description:  Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Studies theories on heat laws, pressures, matter, and energy; examines refrigerant chemistry and the refrigeration cycle. Covers proper refrigerant management techniques and safe practices. Emphasizes practical application, troubleshooting techniques, measuring and testing the operation of the basic refrigeration cycle; including working with ACR copper tubing, tools, and instruments.

Prerequisite: MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

HVA 103 3

Description:  Introduces vocabulary, concepts and scientific principles used in the heating industry. Studies heat laws, heat transfer, and examines fundamentals of the combustion process. Covers gas, oil, and electric forced-air systems for residential comfort heating. Emphasizes practical application for testing and adjusting system performance, troubleshooting electrical systems and control, working with gas pipe, preventative maintenance, service and repair.

Prerequisite: MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

HVA 104 3

Description:  Builds on concepts learned in HVA 101, HVA 103 and HVA 105. Incorporates additional systems' accessories and controls used to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). Examines psychrometrics principles, air flow measurements and basic residential air distribution systems. Emphasizes installation of residential HVAC systems, accessories and controls; includes basic concepts of duct design, sheet metal fabrication and installation.

Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in HVA 103 (Heating Principles) with a grade of C or better, or consent of coordinator.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

HVA 105 3

Description:  Introduces electrical principles and concepts, electrical safety, electrical controls and electrical wiring diagrams utilized in residential and light commercial HVAC systems. Covers electrical symbols, Ohms' Law, series and parallel circuits, power distribution, magnetism, transformers, switches, relays, contactors, AC motors, motor starters and capacitors. Emphasizes the practical application for electrical system diagnosing; measuring volts, ohms and amps; troubleshooting, testing and adjusting electrical controls; interpreting wiring schematics, and wiring electrical circuits.

Prerequisite: MTH 097 (Basic Technical Mathematics) with a grade of C or better.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

MTH 097 1 3

Description:  Reviews arithmetic, introduces basic algebraic and right triangle trigonometric techniques. Includes arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry, ratio and proportions, measurements, right triangle trigonometry and their application to solve a variety of career and technical problems. Draws practical problems the student’s career area, including emergency services, graphic communications, building trades, culinary arts and information technology. Intended for students pursuing Harper degrees and certificates in career program fields. This course: is not transferable, does not satisfy the prerequisite for any other mathematics course, and does not satisfy any general education requirements.

Class Schedule:  Summer 2024 | Fall 2024

1 - Students may take MTH 097 or MTH 101 or higher.

Related programs

Students interested in HVAC/R may also be interested in:

Resources

Next steps

For more information about the Residential Comfort Systems Certificate program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Last Updated: 4/8/24