Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Mechanic (1 of 2)

Course Description

ACR0047 – Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Mechanic (1 of 2) is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course within the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning/Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Career Certificate program (FLDOE Program Code C400100). The course is part of the HVAC/R 2 program extension, addressing the first half of advanced HVAC mechanic content beyond the foundational HVAC/R 1 program (ACR0041 + ACR0043 + ACR0044C, totaling ~750-850 hours of foundational training already in the corpus). ACR0047 is paired with ACR0049 (HVAC Mechanic 2 of 2) to deliver the comprehensive advanced HVAC mechanic competencies.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating > HVAC/R Technology Advanced and is offered at approximately 27 Florida public institutions. ACR0047 specifically focuses on advanced commercial HVAC competencies — preparing students for service of larger commercial systems, advanced controls, intermediate load calculations and equipment selection, advanced troubleshooting, and the systems-thinking required to work on commercial buildings rather than residential equipment alone. Florida's substantial commercial-construction sector creates persistent demand for technicians qualified for commercial HVAC work.

Successful completion of ACR0047 provides foundational advanced HVAC mechanic competencies; combined with completion of ACR0049 (HVAC Mechanic 2 of 2), graduates earn a comprehensive advanced HVAC mechanic credential within the broader HVAC/R Technology framework. Together with the HVAC/R 1 sequence and ACR0045 (Refrigeration Mechanic), ACR0047 + ACR0049 complete the corpus's coverage of the FLDOE HVAC/R extended program at approximately 1,350 contact hours. Many Florida HVAC/R programs offer ACR0047 + ACR0049 as a paired sequence over consecutive semesters; some institutions allow students to enroll in either order, though the "1 of 2" / "2 of 2" naming convention suggests intended sequential progression.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ACR0047, students will be able to:

• Apply advanced HVAC safety practices in commercial environments: working at heights on commercial rooftop units; safe work in mechanical rooms with three-phase electrical service; safe work around larger refrigerant charges (commercial systems often contain 50+ pounds of refrigerant); safe rigging and lifting of commercial equipment; commercial-grade lockout/tagout for larger HVAC equipment; OSHA 30 (Construction Industry) compliance recommended at this advanced level.
• Apply principles of commercial HVAC system architecture: rooftop units (RTUs) — single-zone and multi-zone; split-system commercial units; chilled-water systems at introductory level (centralized chiller plants serving multiple air-handling units); variable-air-volume (VAV) systems; constant-volume systems; the appropriate system architecture for various commercial-building types and sizes.
• Service and install commercial rooftop units (RTUs): 5-ton, 7.5-ton, 10-ton, 15-ton, 20-ton, 25-ton commercial RTUs; single-zone and multi-zone configurations; gas-electric, electric-electric, and heat-pump configurations; economizer operation and maintenance; commercial-grade outdoor-air controls; the substantial Florida commercial RTU service market.
• Apply principles of commercial controls and building automation: thermostats vs. building-automation system (BAS) interfaces; common BAS platforms in Florida (Honeywell, Johnson Controls/Metasys, Siemens, ALC/Carrier, Trane Tracer, Schneider, Distech); the relationship between equipment-level controls and BAS-level controls; introductory BAS troubleshooting from the equipment side; protocol awareness (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks).
• Apply principles of introductory load calculations and equipment selection: ACCA Manual N (commercial loads — equivalent to Manual J for residential); commercial equipment selection per Manual S; commercial ductwork design per Manual D at intermediate level; the relationship between load calculations and equipment performance; the importance of right-sizing equipment.
• Service commercial gas heating equipment: commercial gas-fired RTU heating sections; commercial unit heaters; commercial boilers at survey level; gas-piping basics for commercial equipment; combustion analysis at introductory level; commercial-gas-equipment safety.
• Service commercial heat-pump equipment: commercial heat-pump RTUs; reversing valve operation in commercial-scale equipment; auxiliary heat (electric and gas); defrost cycles in commercial heat pumps; the increasing role of heat pumps in commercial Florida applications.
• Apply principles of commercial ductwork at advanced level: spiral duct; commercial-grade flex duct; insulation at commercial scale; sound attenuation; ductwork design for commercial-building airflow requirements; air-balancing introduction.
• Apply principles of commercial airflow measurement and balancing: anemometer types (vane, hot-wire, hood); pitot-tube traverse measurement; common balancing instruments; the relationship between proper airflow and system performance; the role of dedicated TAB (Test, Adjust, Balance) contractors at survey level.
• Apply principles of refrigerant piping for commercial systems: longer line sets; line-set sizing per manufacturer; oil-return considerations; insulation for commercial line sets; the relationship between proper installation and long-term system reliability.
• Apply advanced commercial-HVAC electrical work: three-phase HVAC electrical fundamentals; commercial-equipment electrical schematics; motor controls in commercial HVAC (contactors, motor protection, overload relays); variable-frequency drives (VFDs) in commercial HVAC at introductory level; troubleshooting commercial-HVAC electrical issues.
• Apply principles of indoor air quality (IAQ) considerations: ventilation requirements per ASHRAE Standard 62.1 at survey level; the role of HVAC in IAQ; humidity-control challenges in Florida commercial buildings; UV-C lights and other IAQ accessories; the post-pandemic emphasis on IAQ in commercial buildings.
• Apply advanced commercial-HVAC troubleshooting methodology: systematic approach to commercial troubleshooting (the appropriate methodology differs from residential troubleshooting given system complexity); the role of trend data from BAS in troubleshooting; coordinating with building owners and operators during commercial troubleshooting; the importance of root-cause analysis vs. symptom treatment.
• Apply codes and standards at advanced level: Florida Building Code mechanical provisions for commercial buildings; ASHRAE 90.1 (energy efficiency); ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation); ASHRAE 15 (refrigerant safety); the relationship between codes and field installation practice; the permit and inspection process for commercial mechanical work.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors and customer-service skills in commercial settings: scheduling around commercial-building operations; respectful communication with building owners, property managers, and facility managers; documentation of commercial work; emergency-response procedures for commercial-HVAC failures; the substantial responsibility associated with commercial-HVAC work given the larger consequences of errors.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and equipment availability:

• Engage with introductory chilled-water systems: chiller types (air-cooled vs. water-cooled; reciprocating, scroll, screw, centrifugal); cooling-tower operation; pump basics; the basic chilled-water plant.
• Engage with variable-refrigerant-flow (VRF) systems: VRF system architecture; VRF controls; the growing market for VRF in Florida commercial applications (hotels, schools, office buildings); manufacturer-specific service (Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Samsung).
• Engage with introductory commercial refrigeration at deeper level than ACR0045 introduction: substantial walk-in cooler/freezer service; refrigerated case service; the boundary between "HVAC/R technician" and "refrigeration specialist" roles in larger Florida service organizations.
• Engage with commercial-HVAC retrofit and replacement: equipment-replacement project scoping; the relationship between system age and replacement timing; specifying replacement equipment to meet current code requirements.
• Pursue NATE certifications relevant to commercial HVAC: Light Commercial Refrigeration Service; Light Commercial AC Service; Air Distribution; Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst; introductory awareness of NATE Specialty designations.
• Engage with introductory programmable-thermostat and BAS programming: thermostat-level programming; introduction to BAS programming and graphic-display building.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Advanced HVAC Safety in Commercial Environments: Working at heights on commercial RTUs; mechanical-room three-phase work; larger refrigerant-charge handling; rigging and lifting of commercial equipment; commercial-grade lockout/tagout; OSHA 30 (Construction Industry) recommended.
• Commercial HVAC System Architecture: Rooftop units (single-zone, multi-zone); split-system commercial units; chilled-water systems (introductory level); variable-air-volume (VAV) systems; constant-volume systems; appropriate architecture by building type/size.
• Commercial Rooftop Units (RTUs): 5-ton through 25-ton commercial RTUs; single-zone and multi-zone; gas-electric, electric-electric, heat-pump configurations; economizer operation and maintenance; commercial outdoor-air controls; Florida commercial RTU service market.
• Commercial Controls and Building Automation: Thermostats vs. BAS interfaces; common BAS platforms (Honeywell, Johnson Controls/Metasys, Siemens, ALC/Carrier, Trane Tracer, Schneider, Distech); equipment-level vs. BAS-level controls; BAS troubleshooting from equipment side; protocols (BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks).
• Introductory Load Calculations and Equipment Selection: ACCA Manual N (commercial); equipment selection per Manual S; commercial ductwork design per Manual D at intermediate level; load-calculation/equipment-performance relationship; right-sizing importance.
• Commercial Gas Heating: Commercial gas-fired RTU heating sections; unit heaters; commercial boilers at survey level; gas-piping basics; combustion analysis at introductory level; commercial-gas-equipment safety.
• Commercial Heat-Pump Equipment: Commercial heat-pump RTUs; reversing valve in commercial-scale; auxiliary heat (electric and gas); defrost cycles in commercial heat pumps; growing Florida commercial heat-pump role.
• Commercial Ductwork (Advanced): Spiral duct; commercial flex duct; commercial-scale insulation; sound attenuation; commercial-airflow ductwork design; air-balancing introduction.
• Commercial Airflow Measurement and Balancing: Anemometer types (vane, hot-wire, hood); pitot-tube traverse; balancing instruments; airflow/performance relationship; TAB (Test, Adjust, Balance) contractor role at survey level.
• Refrigerant Piping for Commercial Systems: Longer line sets; line-set sizing per manufacturer; oil-return considerations; insulation; installation/reliability relationship.
• Advanced Commercial-HVAC Electrical: Three-phase HVAC electrical fundamentals; commercial-equipment electrical schematics; motor controls (contactors, motor protection, overload relays); variable-frequency drives (VFDs) at introductory level; commercial-HVAC electrical troubleshooting.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Considerations: ASHRAE Standard 62.1 at survey level; HVAC role in IAQ; humidity-control challenges in Florida commercial buildings; UV-C lights and IAQ accessories; post-pandemic IAQ emphasis.
• Advanced Commercial-HVAC Troubleshooting: Systematic commercial troubleshooting methodology; BAS trend-data role; coordinating with building owners during troubleshooting; root-cause analysis vs. symptom treatment.
• Codes and Standards (Advanced): Florida Building Code commercial mechanical; ASHRAE 90.1 (energy efficiency); ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation); ASHRAE 15 (refrigerant safety); codes/field-practice relationship; permit and inspection process.
• Customer Service in Commercial Settings: Scheduling around commercial operations; respectful communication with building owners, property managers, facility managers; commercial-work documentation; emergency-response procedures; commercial-work responsibility.

Optional Topics

• Introductory Chilled-Water Systems: Chiller types (air-cooled, water-cooled; reciprocating, scroll, screw, centrifugal); cooling-tower operation; pump basics; basic chilled-water plant.
• Variable-Refrigerant-Flow (VRF) Systems: VRF architecture; VRF controls; growing Florida market (hotels, schools, offices); manufacturer-specific service (Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Samsung).
• Introductory Commercial Refrigeration (Deeper Level): Walk-in cooler/freezer service; refrigerated case service; "HVAC/R technician" vs. "refrigeration specialist" boundary in Florida service organizations.
• Commercial-HVAC Retrofit and Replacement: Equipment-replacement project scoping; system-age/replacement-timing relationship; specifying replacement to meet current code.
• NATE Certifications for Commercial HVAC: Light Commercial Refrigeration Service; Light Commercial AC Service; Air Distribution; Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst; NATE Specialty awareness.
• Programmable-Thermostat and BAS Programming: Thermostat-level programming; BAS programming and graphic-display building introduction.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: The authoritative reference is the FLDOE HVAC/R Career Certificate Program Framework (Program Code C400100).
• Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: Continuation of the textbook used in HVAC/R 1 courses — typically Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology by Tomczyk et al. (Cengage), with substantial commercial-HVAC chapters; Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning by Althouse et al. (Goodheart-Willcox); Commercial Air Conditioning and Refrigeration by Wirz (Cengage); ACCA Manual N for commercial load calculations.
• Reference resources: ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook; ASHRAE Refrigeration Handbook; ASHRAE Systems and Equipment Handbook; ASHRAE Applications Handbook; NATE Light Commercial AC Service exam-preparation materials.
• Required tools (typical for advanced commercial work): Higher-capacity manifold gauge sets; commercial-grade recovery machines and vacuum pumps; commercial-grade refrigerant scales; combustion analyzers (for commercial gas equipment); air-balancing instruments at introductory level (vane anemometer, hood anemometer); commercial-grade test instruments (CAT III, CAT IV multimeters).
• Lab and shop equipment (institution-provided): Commercial RTU trainers; commercial controls trainers; chilled-water trainer (where institution can provide); BAS trainers (Honeywell, Johnson Controls/Metasys, ALC/Carrier — varies by institution); cutaway equipment for instruction.
• Industry credentials sought during/after the program: Continued EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification; NATE Light Commercial AC Service certification; NATE Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst; HVAC Excellence Commercial Air Conditioning; manufacturer-specific commercial-HVAC certifications (Carrier, Trane, Lennox commercial, AAON, Daikin commercial); BAS-platform-specific certifications (Honeywell, Johnson Controls).
• Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA for HVAC students broadly.
• Online resources: ACHR News (industry trade publication); HVAC School podcast and resources (free, hvacrschool.com); ASHRAE Journal; AHRI resources; manufacturer commercial training portals.
• Tutoring and support: Institution HVAC/R shop instructors; manufacturer-provided training events at commercial-HVAC distributor locations; commercial HVAC service company training programs.

Career Pathways

ACR0047 supports advanced commercial HVAC career pathways. Specific pathways include:

• Commercial HVAC Service Technician — service of commercial RTUs, split-system commercial units, basic chilled-water systems; substantial Florida demand at major commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, theme parks.
• Commercial HVAC Installation Technician — installation of commercial HVAC equipment in new construction and major retrofit projects.
• Building-Automation Technician (with additional BAS-specific training) — focused work on building-automation systems; among the higher-paying HVAC specialties.
• Commercial Maintenance Technician — facilities-maintenance roles at hospitals (AdventHealth, Orlando Health, BayCare, Lee Health, Memorial Healthcare, HCA Healthcare), school districts, county and city governments, theme parks (Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld), hotels and resorts.
• HVAC Service Manager / Lead Technician — with experience, supervising other technicians and managing commercial-account service.
• Florida Licensed HVAC Contractor — long-term professional path through Florida CILB licensure (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor — Class A; commercial work scope).
• Florida Commercial HVAC Employer Landscape: Major commercial-HVAC contractors statewide (mechanical-contractor businesses serving Florida commercial markets); facilities-maintenance teams at major hospitals, school districts, theme parks, hotels, retail chains; manufacturers' service organizations; major-account national service providers (EMCOR Services, ABM, Service Logic) with Florida operations.

Special Information

Program Position

ACR0047 is the first half of the advanced HVAC mechanic content within the HVAC/R 2 program extension. The full extended HVAC/R Technology certificate sequence:

• HVAC/R 1 (Foundation, ~750-850 hours): ACR0041 + ACR0043 + ACR0044C — already in corpus
• HVAC/R 2 Refrigeration Specialty: ACR0045 (Refrigeration Mechanic) — already in corpus this session
• HVAC/R 2 Advanced HVAC Specialty: ACR0047 (this course; HVAC Mechanic 1 of 2) + ACR0049 (HVAC Mechanic 2 of 2) — covered in separate guides

Total comprehensive HVAC/R Technology program ranges from 1,000-1,350 hours depending on which specialty modules are completed. ACR0047 + ACR0049 together provide the comprehensive advanced HVAC mechanic credential within the HVAC/R 2 framework.

Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB)

Florida regulates HVAC contracting through the CILB. ACR0047 contributes to the substantial preparation needed for the long-term licensure path; licensure requires substantial additional supervised work experience plus examinations. See the ACR0041 guide for the licensure-pathway overview.

Course Format and Hours

ACR0047 is a clock-hour PSAV course structured as approximately 250 contact hours per FLDOE framework — typically delivered over one semester (15-16 weeks at 16-17 hours per week, full-time PSAV scheduling) or two semesters (part-time scheduling). Day, evening, and weekend formats are available at most institutions. The course combines classroom theory and substantial shop laboratory practice on commercial-HVAC trainers, with field experience or paid internship at commercial-HVAC service companies at some institutions.

Credits

ACR0047 is a 0-credit PSAV clock-hour course. Per Florida convention, PSAV courses are measured in clock hours rather than college credits.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions consistently use ACR0047 for this course. The "1 of 2" naming convention paired with ACR0049 ("2 of 2") suggests sequential progression though some institutions may allow either order. Programs are aligned to the FLDOE HVAC/R Curriculum Framework and consistent across Florida technical colleges, FCS technical centers, and adult-education centers.