BTC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program will prepare you for a career as an HVAC & Refrigeration technician. In BTC's HVAC-R program, you’ll learn new, higher-efficiency technologies and practices, with the valuable hands-on training that top HVAC employers are looking for. In two years, you can be well-positioned for high-wage employment as an HVAC-R technician with heating and air conditioning contractors, refrigeration contractors, hotels, school systems, or industrial processing plants.
Student Chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
For more details on industry growth and job opportunities, check out the trade’s Bridging the Skills Gap presentation.
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
87% BTC graduate placement rate1
$48,131 starting annual wage2
$61,526 average annual wage2
$76,689 potential annual wage2
This program starts in Fall Quarter on a space available basis.
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
HVACR 110 | HVAC/R & Electricity Basics | 6 CR |
HVACR 115 | HVAC/R & Electric Basics Lab | 10 CR |
MATH& 107 | Math in Society | 5 CR |
or higher |
HVACR 120 | Basic Commercial Refrigeration | 6 CR |
HVACR 125 | Basic Commercial Refrigeration Lab | 8 CR |
ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 CR |
or higher |
HVACR 130 | Heating Technology | 6 CR |
HVACR 135 | Heating Technology Lab | 8 CR |
CMST& 210 | Interpersonal Communication | 5 CR |
or |
PSYC& 100 | General Psychology | 5 CR |
or |
SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 5 CR |
HVACR 210 | A/C & Heat Pumps | 5 CR |
HVACR 215 | A/C & Heat Pumps Lab | 8 CR |
Choose 5 Credits inHumanities, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences from approved AAS-T Acceptable Transfer Courses list | 5 CR |
HVACR 220 | Advanced Commercial Refrigeration | 6 CR |
HVACR 225 | Advanced Commercial Refrigeration Lab | 9 CR |
HVACR 230 | Advanced Control Theory | 5 CR |
HVACR 233 | Employment Preparation | 2 CR |
HVACR 235 | Advanced Control Theory Lab | 5 CR |
After successfully completing the AAS-T degree, students will be able to:
About 75% of BTC HVAC & Refrigeration students are employed within nine months of graduation. The average annual wage in this field is $53,685, with an earning potential of about $64,355 per year.*
Criminal convictions may restrict or prevent student participation with internships and employment in this industry.
Most program graduates work as technicians for private heating, air conditioning, or refrigeration service companies. Opportunities may also exist to work for heating and air conditioning dealers, manufacturing companies, food processors and in self-employment.
Potential positions include heating and air conditioning technician, heating and air conditioning service person, heating and air conditioning installer, contractor, estimator, food industry mechanic, or gasfitter.
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email IndustrialTradesNav@btc.edu