Building a Career as Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician

The demand for HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) technicians is increasing in all sectors including residential, commercial and industrial. Employers are looking for qualified and trained professionals who can design, develop, install, maintain, troubleshoot and sell heating, cooling and ventilation systems. They are willing to pay competitive salaries to individuals who specialize in developing, selling and servicing these systems and have strong customer and interpersonal skills.

The HVAC professionals may work as :

• Central air conditioning mechanics
• Commercial air conditioning technicians
• Heating and cooling mechanics
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning mechanics
• Refrigeration mechanics
• Heating technicians
• Transport refrigeration technicians  
• Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprentice
• Gas technician
• Oil burner technician

The employment can also be obtained through affiliated trade apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, sheet metal, electrical or refrigeration. The technicians are also employed as maintenance personnel, sales staff, design mechanics and technical support personnel in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial settings.

Becoming a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician

In order to become a refrigeration and air conditioning technician in Canada and build a rewarding career, you need to undergo a formal education and training. In fact, this is the first step towards building a career in this field. The world has become very technology focused with constant advancement in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, increasing the demand for professionals who can install, maintain and repair these systems.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Courses

Post-secondary air conditioning courses help students acquire a broad knowledge of the design, installation and service techniques of heating and air conditioning systems for commercial and residential and industrial settings. They also learn to maintain, size and select equipment for air conditioning and refrigeration application.

Centennial College’s program typically runs for two years and covers a wide range of subjects including :

• Fundamentals of cooling cycles
• Mechanical cooling cycles
• Pipe joining and installation
• Electrical and heating fundamentals
• Mechanical drawing and prints
• Psychometrics – control
• System design and installation
• Electrical and control systems
• Heating hydronic fundamentals
• Air conditioning and distribution systems
• Advanced electrical and control systems

Besides this, the program helps students strengthen their fundamentals in mathematics, heating, electrical and cooling cycles. They also gain knowledge in ethics in technology and environment and acts, regulations and procedures and communication.

The course spans the areas of designing and engineering and encompasses

• The development of refrigerants
• The selection of equipments to meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
• The efficiency of heating standards
• The installation and service techniques

Enrollment Guide

In order to enroll in the two-year post-secondary program, you will need:

• Secondary School Diploma
• English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
• Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent

Applicants currently in high school can also apply for this program. Their midterm and final term scores will be automatically transmitted to the college. Apprenticeship is also required after graduation for those who wish to become trade persons.