HVAC/R Lab

HVAC/R

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration

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Our Instructor

Zach Friend
Level I & II Instructor
friendz@uppervalleycc.org
937.778.1980 x851

Frank Tomasello
Paraprofessional
tomasellof@uppervalleycc.org
937.778.1980 x830

student info

What We Do in HVAC/R

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Students become skilled specialists that create, install, and maintain healthy, comfortable environments where people work, shop, and live. These heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration skills are developed through hands-on experiences in our spacious lab with the most up-to-date technology and equipment. 

  • Understand residential and light commercial heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and DDC controls.

  • Learn the science of refrigeration technologies.

  • Develop skills through hands-on experience with the latest technologies.

  • Become familiar with environmental controls systems.

  • Troubleshoot heating and cooling system failures.

  • Work with sheet metal and learn soldering and brazing skills.

The Upper Valley Career Center HVAC/R program is NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) certified and nationally recognized for excellence and innovation.

409,309

Estimated number of skilled technicians needed to fill the gaps left by retiring techs over the next decade.

Skills for the Future

  • Science of Refrigeration

  • Sheet Metal

  • Soldering and Brazing

  • Electrical Wiring (High and Low Voltage)

  • Control Systems

  • Heating and Cooling Repair

  • Soft Skills

  • Workplace Safety

Typical Yearly Field Trips

  • Carrier | Manufacturing - Indianapolis, IN

  • Slagle Mechanical

  • Rieck Services

  • Sheet Metal Workers Local 24

  • Helix Innovation Center at Emerson Climate Technologies

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HVAC?R Lab

Career Development

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Career Pathways

  • Service Technician

  • HVAC/R Installer - Commercial, Industrial, residential

  • Apprentice

  • Sheet Metal Worker

  • Controls Technician

  • Computer Programing

  • Research Engineer

  • Equipment Sales

  • Warehouse Sales

  • Estimator

  • HVAC/R Systems Designer

  • Business Owner

Earning Potential

The HVAC/R industry offers a wide variety of occupations, good benefits, and excellent pay. 

  • Beginning HVAC/R technicians can expect to earn over $45,000 a year

  • Seasoned technicians, contractors, or engineers can earn up to $100,000 annually.
    Source: ARI (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute)

A Growing Industry

  • The HVAC/R industry is expected to grow by 33.7% in the coming years

  • 34.4% of the current HVAC/R workforce is expected to retire in that same time period.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Work-Based Learning Opportunities

Students who qualify have the opportunity to participate in one of three options for career development during their senior year. All three programs allow students to work within their career field while attending school on a modified schedule, so you they gain skills, experience and competitive wages.

Learn more here!

Career Advancement Center

College & Advanced Education

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College Credits

  • Sinclair Community College

  • University of Northwestern Ohio 

  • Edison State Community College - up to 21 semester hours

Certifications

  • 608 EPA Certification

  • Direct Digital Control Certification

  • Skid Steer Certification

  • 10 hour OSHA Certification

  • Lockout/Tagout Certification

  • NATE Certification

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