Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (AAS)

• The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Associate of Applied Science degree prepares the individual for a technical service career in residential or light commercial/industrial environmental systems. The student will study the mechanical and electrical/electronic systems involved in contemporary environmental controls.
• Program Highlights
• All campuses are equipped with industry standard technology and are staffed by qualified and experienced faculty. HVAC-R students gain essential hands-on experience in our classroom and labs, making the HVAC-R program a skillful environment designed for learning and student success
• Credentials and Careers
• The HVAC-R program offers three levels of certification that build upon each other: The HVAC Occupational Entry Certificate is offered as a 16-week (single semester) fast track to prepare the student to enter the air conditioning service profession. This certification will focus on the basic knowledge and skills needed to gain entry level employment in the HVAC-R field.
• Upon completion of the occupational entry certificate, the student is encouraged to progress into the Residential Servicing Certificate. This second level of certification will expose the student to a higher skill set, greater diversity of equipment applications and better prepare them for employment as a residential service technician.
• The Commercial Servicing Certificate is a third level certification, achieved as a progression from the previous two levels of certification. Commercial servicing certification adds those skills necessary to enter the profession of servicing larger and more complex processes of air conditioning and refrigeration equipment typically utilized in supermarkets, retail stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals and other commercial or industrial applications.
• The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration AAS includes these three levels of certification and the general education courses required for the degree. Graduates of the HVAC-R program have numerous opportunities for employment in the HVAC-R industry, especially in Houston where the demand is great for trained individuals.
• Transferability
• Program graduates may further their education at Lone Star College by applying to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy, Manufacturing, and Trades Management.
• General education courses (Core) are designated for easy transfer to Texas public institutions and applicable to requirements at private and out-of-state institutions.
• Technical coursework may be transferrable to other institutions.
• Please consult with a program advisor for more information about transferability.

• Prerequisite: Completion of HVAC Residential Servicing Certificate, Level 1 Certificate (30 Credit Hours) and HVAC Commercial Servicing Certificate, Level 1 Certificate (additional 18 unique Credit Hours)
• This award requires 60 credit hours in total; the course list below is the 12 credit hours specific to it.
• Lone Star College reports 1584 contact hours for this award.
• Where the course list shows "Choose N credit hours", those courses are the options for one elective slot, not additional requirements.

• Utilize tools of the trade to cut, bend, form, flare, solder and braze refrigeration copper tubing properly.
• Utilize several techniques for locating refrigerant leaks and make repairs on a refrigeration system.
• Operate a recovery machine to properly recover refrigerant from a refrigeration system to a recovery cylinder.
• Charge refrigeration and air conditioning systems properly.
• Troubleshoot refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
• Read, interpret and draw electrical schematic diagrams of HVAC equipment.
• Test electronically and determine the conditions of controls and components of HVAC equipment with a multi-meter.
• Take pressure temperature readings, graph linear measurements and perform mathematical calculations related to the HVAC trade.
• Recognize tools / instruments of the HVAC trade and know how to properly use them with HVAC equipment.

• Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 60 credit hours.
• Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($14,940.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($18,780.00).
• Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
• Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
• Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.

Employment in the HVAC-R field requires federal licensure from the Environmental Protection Agency License #608. The HVAC-R program offers a specific class to prepare students for passing this required license exam.

• Students who are classified as First Time in College (FTIC) will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.
• Students who are not classified as First Time in College (FTIC) and have not yet demonstrated college-level readiness in reading and writing, will complete EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework: First Year Experience.