HVACR Fundamentals

The Santa Rosa Junior College HVACR Fundamentals Certificate of Achievement prepares students for exciting and in-demand jobs in the residential Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry.

Students will learn how residential HVACR systems and their components operate; the fundamentals of airflow, refrigeration, ventilation, combustion, and thermodynamics; and the tools and equipment used for installation, maintenance, and repair work. Students also learn about jobsite safety, career opportunities, codes and regulations, and industry certification requirements for residential HVACR technicians.

This program is great for students new to the HVACR industry and for students who already have some industry experience. The certificate can be completed by full-time or part-time students, over 3-4 semesters. 

We anticipate 10-20 completers annually beginning in Fall2025 once we have run all 4 required courses for the new certificate. We purposely kept the unit count low to enable students to complete the program in3-4 semesters. 

1. Identify and explain the function of residential HVACR systems and components.
2. Identify and explain the proper use of diagnostic tools used by residential HVACR technicians.
3. Diagnose and troubleshoot operational faults in residential HVACR systems.
4. Explain the career pathways and business opportunities for residential HVACR technicians. 

The purpose of the HVACR Fundamentals Certificate/Degree are to prepare students for good paying, in-demand jobs in the residential HVACR industry. The residential HVACR industry is transitioning from gas appliances to electric heat pumps as part of a state and national push towards decarbonizing the building sector. Many jobs are being created in the process. Moreover, these jobs cannot be outsourced or automated. 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
HVACR 101	Introduction to HVACR	3.0	S1
HVACR 102	Residential HVACR System Components	3.0	S2
HVACR 103	Residential Heating, Airflow and Ventilation	3.0	S3
HVACR 104	Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems	3.0	S3
Electives	total of 6 units
CONS 101	Introduction to the Construction Industry	3.0
CONS 102	Construction Practice and Technologies	3.0
ELEC 51A	Fundamentals of Electricity	3.0
WELD 170	Beginning Welding	2.0
MACH 52	Blueprint Reading for Machine and Related Industries	3.0
ESHIP 115	Financial Basics and Cash Flow	3.0
BMK 50	Marketing	3.0
BMG 52	Business Communication	3.0
BMG 66.4	Project Management	1.5
BGN 81	Practical Business Math	3.0
CS 5	Computer Literacy	3.0
CS 61.11A	Microsoft Excel, Part 1	1.5
CS 61.11B	Microsoft Excel, Part 2	1.5

The HVACR Fundamentals Certificate does not duplicate or overlap with any existing programs at SRJC. In the credit modality, the Construction Management program focuses on the knowledge and skills needed to manage the construction process, not fix or install HVACR systems. The Mechatronics program focuses on industrial maintenance and automation. In the noncredit modality, the Adult Education programs are focused on Carpentry and a Survey of the Building and Construction Trades. The Survey program could be a feeder into the credit HVACR Fundamentals program.

Neither Mendocino College, Napa Valley College, nor College of Marin have an HVACR career education program. Mendocino College has several interdisciplinary certificates related to “Sustainable Construction & Energy Technology.” These certificates cover a broad cross-section of residential construction and renewable energy technologies. They are not specific to HVACR. The CIP code listed for the Program is actually for Solar Energy Technology/Technician. https://www.mendocino.edu/about/administration/administrative-departments/sustainable-construction-and-energy-technology.