Residential Air Conditioning 1

Course Description

ACR0560C — Residential Air Conditioning 1 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Florida Department of Education's Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology 1 career-preparatory program (Program Number I470102; Career Cluster: Architecture & Construction). The course introduces students to the fundamentals of residential split-system air-conditioning installation, service, and repair: refrigerant theory and the vapor-compression cycle, system components, electrical-control circuits, refrigerant recovery and recycling per EPA Section 608, and basic diagnostic procedures. The "C" suffix denotes integrated lecture and laboratory with hands-on work on training units and live equipment.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers delivering the FLDOE HVAC Curriculum Framework, including Pinellas Technical College, Lake Technical College, Manatee Technical College, Lindsey Hopkins Technical College (Miami-Dade), Sheridan Technical College (Broward), Atlantic Technical College, Orange Technical College, Pensacola State College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Polk State College, and Suncoast Technical College. Articulation agreements between district career centers and Florida College System (FCS) institutions allow clock-hour credit earned to be applied toward the A.S. in Building Construction Technology, Engineering Technology (Heating and Air Conditioning specialization), or comparable degree programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ACR0560C, students will be able to:

• Explain the fundamentals of refrigeration theory: heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation); the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle; pressure-temperature relationships of common refrigerants.
• Identify and describe the function of the four primary components of a split-system air conditioner: compressor, condenser, metering device (TXV, capillary tube, or piston), and evaporator.
• Read and interpret electrical schematic diagrams for residential air-conditioning equipment, including ladder diagrams and wiring schematics.
• Apply safe and correct procedures for refrigerant recovery, recycling, and recharging per EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
• Use standard HVAC test equipment safely: digital multimeter, clamp meter, manifold gauge set, refrigerant scale, vacuum pump, micron gauge, and recovery machine.
• Apply vacuum and triple-evacuation procedures appropriate to system service.
• Apply brazing and soldering techniques for joining copper refrigerant tubing.
• Diagnose common residential air-conditioning system failures at an introductory level: refrigerant undercharge/overcharge, restricted metering devices, electrical control failures, capacitor failures.
• Apply safety practices required by OSHA standards: PPE selection (safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection); ladder safety; lockout/tagout for electrical work; refrigerant handling safety; brazing/soldering safety.
• Demonstrate workplace professional behaviors: punctuality, communication, customer service, and adherence to manufacturer specifications and codes.

Optional Outcomes

• Apply introductory load-calculation principles (Manual J fundamentals) for residential cooling-system sizing.
• Identify airflow measurement and balancing fundamentals using anemometer, manometer, or hood.
• Apply introductory indoor air quality concepts: filtration ratings (MERV), humidity considerations.
• Pursue additional industry credentials beyond EPA 608 (NATE certification, HVAC Excellence).

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Refrigeration Theory: Heat transfer principles; latent and sensible heat; pressure-temperature relationships; saturation, superheat, and subcooling concepts.
• The Vapor-Compression Cycle: Compressor, condenser, metering device, evaporator; pressure changes through the cycle; pressure-enthalpy (P-h) diagrams introductory.
• Refrigerants: R-410A (current standard for residential), R-22 (legacy/phase-out), R-32 and R-454B (newer low-GWP alternatives); refrigerant identification, handling, and chemical properties.
• Electrical Fundamentals for HVAC: Single-phase 240V residential power; control transformers (24V); contactors, capacitors (start, run, dual run), relays; thermostat wiring (basic Y/G/W/R/C); common motor types (PSC, ECM).
• Electrical Schematics: Reading ladder diagrams; wiring diagrams; troubleshooting electrical control circuits.
• Test Equipment: Digital multimeter (voltage, current, resistance, capacitance); clamp meter; manifold gauge set; refrigerant scale; vacuum pump and micron gauge; recovery machine; thermometer; psychrometer.
• System Installation Basics: Tubing preparation; brazing techniques (with nitrogen purge); leak testing; vacuum evacuation procedures; refrigerant charging by weight and by superheat/subcooling.
• EPA Section 608 Compliance: Refrigerant recovery, recycling, and reclaiming; certification levels (Type I small appliances, Type II high-pressure, Type III low-pressure, Universal); record-keeping requirements.
• Diagnostic Procedures: Symptom-based diagnosis (low cooling, no cooling, freezing evaporator, compressor short-cycling); use of pressure and temperature data to diagnose charge condition.
• Safety: OSHA requirements (29 CFR 1910); PPE; ladder safety; lockout/tagout; refrigerant handling; brazing safety; electrical safety.

Optional Topics

• Load Calculations: ACCA Manual J introductory concepts; sensible and latent loads.
• Airflow and Duct Concepts: Static pressure, CFM, duct sizing introductory.
• Indoor Air Quality: MERV filtration ratings, humidity control basics.
• Heat Pumps: Reversing valve operation, defrost cycles (covered in greater depth in subsequent ACR courses).

Resources & Tools

• Industry Texts: Eugene Silberstein Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (Cengage); Bill Whitman et al. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (Cengage); ACCA technical publications (Manual J, Manual D).
• Industry Standards: EPA Section 608 of the Clean Air Act; ASHRAE Standards; OSHA 29 CFR 1910; ACCA Manuals.
• Test Equipment: Digital multimeters, clamp meters, manifold gauge sets, refrigerant scales, vacuum pumps, micron gauges, recovery machines, brazing torches.
• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology 1 (Program Number I470102), available at fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/curriculum-frameworks/.
• Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO): SkillsUSA is the approved CTSO for HVAC programs.
• Industry Partners: Florida HVAC contractors and distributors (Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem dealers) provide internship and apprenticeship opportunities.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ACR0560C, combined with subsequent courses in the HVAC PSAV sequence and the EPA Section 608 certification, qualifies students for entry-level employment in:

• HVAC Service Technician (SOC 49-9021, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers) — The primary occupational target for this program. Florida's hot, humid climate creates exceptionally strong year-round demand for HVAC technicians.
• HVAC Installer in residential new-construction and replacement settings.
• HVAC Helper / Apprentice with established Florida HVAC contractors during program completion.
• Maintenance Technician in property management, hospitality (Florida hotels, theme parks), commercial real estate, and healthcare facilities.

Florida's HVAC industry is among the strongest in the United States due to climate. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects HVAC technician employment to grow faster than average through 2030; in Florida specifically, demand consistently exceeds supply, and licensed contractors report ongoing recruiting challenges.

Special Information

Industry Certifications

This course supports preparation for the following industry credentials:

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification — required by federal law for any technician who works on stationary refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment containing regulated refrigerants. ACR0560C content directly supports the Type I, Type II, and Universal exam preparation.
• NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Core certification — an industry-standard certification recognized by Florida HVAC employers.
• HVAC Excellence certifications.
• R-410A Certification (refrigerant-specific safe-handling credential).

Florida Contractor Licensure

Beyond technician work, students who pursue contractor licensure must complete additional experience and pass the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licensure examination administered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Licensure categories include Class A Air Conditioning Contractor (unlimited capacity), Class B (residential up to 25 tons), and Mechanical Contractor (broader scope including HVAC). The PSAV program is foundational; full contractor licensure typically requires 4 or more years of documented experience under a licensed contractor.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

The HVAC PSAV program is structured around occupational completion points with credits expressed in clock hours rather than semester credits. ACR0560C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 250 clock hours depending on institutional structure. Per FLDOE PSAV requirements, students must meet minimum TABE scores in Computation and Communications.

Articulation

Clock-hour credit earned in ACR0560C may be articulated toward college credit at Florida College System institutions with which the delivering institution maintains an articulation agreement. Common destinations include the A.S. in Engineering Technology (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration specialization), or the A.S. in Building Construction Technology.