HVAC-R

HVAC-R - AAS

BTC’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program will prepare you for a career as an HVAC & Refrigeration Technician. You’ll learn new, higher-efficiency technologies and practices, with the valuable hands-on training that employers are looking for. In two years, you can be well-positioned for high-wage employment 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.

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

89% BTC graduate placement rate1

$52,540 starting annual wage2
$68,265 average annual wage2
$88,920 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect three-year averages among BTC students employed in either Washington or Oregon. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program starts in Fall Quarter on a space available basis.

What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?

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.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 99

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Quarter 1

  • HVACR 110HVAC/R & Electricity Basics6 CR
  • HVACR 115HVAC/R & Electric Basics Lab10 CR
  • AMATH 100Applied Occupational Math5 CR
  • or higher

  • Quarter 2

  • HVACR 120Basic Commercial Refrigeration6 CR
  • HVACR 125Basic Commercial Refrigeration Lab8 CR
  • AENGL 100Applied English5 CR
  • or higher

  • Quarter 3

  • HVACR 130Heating Technology6 CR
  • HVACR 135Heating Technology Lab8 CR
  • CMST& 210Interpersonal Communication5 CR
  • OR
  • PSYC& 100General Psychology5 CR
  • OR
  • SOC& 101Introduction to Sociology5 CR

  • Quarter 4

  • HVACR 210A/C & Heat Pumps5 CR
  • HVACR 215A/C & Heat Pumps Lab8 CR

  • Quarter 5

  • HVACR 220Advanced Commercial Refrigeration6 CR
  • HVACR 225Advanced Commercial Refrigeration Lab9 CR

  • Quarter 6

  • HVACR 230Advanced Control Theory5 CR
  • HVACR 233Employment Preparation2 CR
  • HVACR 235Advanced Control Theory Lab5 CR

Program Outcomes

After successfully completing the AAS degree, students will be able to:

  • Safely and properly install and service systems adhering to environmental laws and regulations as they apply to the HVAC/R industry.
  • Demonstrate positive work traits and good customer service skills as a member of a technical team.
  • Diagnose and repair common electrical and mechanical problems in HVAC/R residential, commercial and industrial systems.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with customers, managers, and co-workers.
  • Identify and use appropriate technical literature to install, maintain and service HVAC/R systems.

Employment Outlook

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.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Robert Edwards
Robert Edwards
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Federal Clean Air Act, Section 609, ESCO Institute

    Certificate, Service and Installation Technician-Gas Furnaces, North Americian Technician Exellence

    AAS, C/I Refrigeration, Bellingham Technical College

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    Certificate, Service and Installation Technician-Air Conditioning, North American Technician Excellence

    License, Electrician (EL6A HVAC/RFRG), Department of Labor & Industries, Washington State

    Certificate, Service and Installation Technician-Air-to-Air Heat Pump, North American Technician Excellence

    Certificate, Commercial Refrigeration Exam, Light Commercial A/C & Heating Exam, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI)

    Certificate, EPA Refrigerant Handler Technician Type Universal, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI)

Contacts

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