Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Technician

Course Description

AER0172 / AER0172C – Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Engineering Technology: Automotive Service taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course is offered as Occupational Completion Point (OCP) H within the Florida Department of Education's Automotive Service Technology career and technical program (CIP code 0647060400 / 0647060410). Students develop entry-level skills in the diagnosis and repair of automotive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems including A/C system performance, refrigeration components, heating systems, engine cooling effects on cabin heat, electrical/electronic operating systems and related controls, and refrigerant recovery, recycling, and recharging. The course is delivered as integrated lecture and laboratory instruction with hands-on shop experience.

AER0172 is offered at 42 Florida public technical colleges, district career centers, and state college workforce programs and transfers as equivalent across the state. The course aligns with the ASE A7 (Heating and Air Conditioning) certification task list. Per Florida Statute 1004.925, all automotive service technology education programs in Florida must be industry certified — most Florida programs hold ASE Education Foundation MAST certification. Note that A/C work also requires EPA Section 609 certification for refrigerant handling, which is a separate credential from ASE A7. The course typically prepares students for both. Note on transferability: as a clock-hour PSAV course (course prefix 0), AER0172 is not college-level and does not transfer for college credit. Successful completion contributes to the OCP H occupational completion point and the overall Automotive Service Technology certificate (1,800 hours total program).

Learning Outcomes

The following outcomes align with the Florida Department of Education Curriculum Framework for Automotive Service Technology and the ASE Education Foundation A7 (Heating and Air Conditioning) task list. Tasks identified in the FLDOE framework as P-1, P-2, or P-3 are ASE-priority tasks. The course also reinforces the Common Career Technical Core Career Ready Practices.

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Comply with personal and environmental safety practices, with particular attention to refrigerant safety, high-pressure refrigerant handling, eye and skin protection, and the proper handling, storage, recovery, and disposal of refrigerants per EPA Section 609 requirements.
• Perform A/C system performance diagnosis: verify customer concern; perform initial vehicle and system inspection; check operation of A/C controls and blower motor; measure system pressures using a manifold gauge set on both R-134a and R-1234yf systems.
• Perform refrigeration system component diagnosis and repair: diagnose and repair compressor and clutch concerns; condenser, evaporator, receiver-drier, and accumulator inspection and replacement; thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) and orifice tube diagnosis and replacement; A/C lines, hoses, fittings, and seals.
• Perform refrigerant recovery, recycling, and recharging using approved equipment per EPA Section 609 requirements; identify and label refrigerants correctly (R-134a vs. R-1234yf); add the correct amount of refrigerant oil per OEM specifications.
• Perform A/C leak detection using electronic leak detectors, UV dye and black light, and soap solution; locate and repair leaks at fittings, hoses, and components.
• Perform A/C system evacuation: pull a system into a deep vacuum; hold vacuum to verify integrity; recognize and respond to inability to maintain vacuum (system has a leak).
• Diagnose and service heating system components: heater core, heater hoses, heater control valves, blend doors, and the connection between the engine cooling system and cabin heat output.
• Diagnose and service HVAC operating systems and related controls: blower motor and resistor/module circuits; mode control (defrost, vent, floor, A/C); temperature blend door operation; recirculation door; rear A/C systems where equipped.
• Diagnose and service HVAC electrical and electronic controls: A/C control head; pressure switches (high and low); ambient temperature sensor; in-cabin temperature sensor (NTC type); sun load sensor; HVAC control modules; CAN/LIN bus communication awareness.
• Use diagnostic scan tools to retrieve HVAC-related diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and live data; perform actuator tests and bidirectional control where supported.
• Identify and properly handle R-134a (HFC) and R-1234yf (HFO) refrigerants; understand environmental impact (ODP, GWP); recognize incompatible refrigerants and the consequences of mixing.
• Perform A/C retrofit awareness: identify legacy R-12 systems; understand R-134a retrofit requirements; recognize when retrofit is appropriate versus uneconomical.
• Demonstrate the Common Career Technical Core Career Ready Practices; maintain accurate work orders, parts records, and refrigerant-handling logs (which may be subject to EPA inspection).

Optional Outcomes

Depending on shop equipment and instructor specialization, students may also:

• Service hybrid and electric vehicle A/C systems, which use electric compressors and require special POE oil — with appropriate high-voltage safety procedures.
• Service R-1234yf systems, the newer low-GWP refrigerant required on most post-2017 vehicles, including the special equipment and procedures required for safe handling.
• Diagnose automatic temperature control (ATC) systems with multiple zones (driver, passenger, rear) using their dedicated control modules and sensors.
• Apply vehicle electronic service information systems (Mitchell1, AllData, IATN, OEM technical service bulletins) to A/C diagnosis.
• Participate in SkillsUSA career and technical student organization activities, including state and national competitions.
• Engage in on-the-job training (OJT) at a sponsoring employer site.

Major Topics

Required Topics (per FLDOE Curriculum Framework)

• Workplace and HVAC-Specific Safety: OSHA general industry safety; refrigerant safety (frostbite, asphyxiation, eye injury risks); high-pressure handling; PPE for refrigerant work (eye and skin protection); EPA Section 609 environmental compliance; refrigerant container handling and storage.
• Refrigeration Theory: The refrigeration cycle (compression, condensation, expansion, evaporation); pressure-temperature relationship; phase change and heat transfer; high side vs. low side; the role of each component (compressor, condenser, expansion device, evaporator, accumulator/receiver-drier).
• Refrigerants: R-12 (legacy, banned in new use), R-134a (HFC, current legacy), R-1234yf (HFO, post-2017 standard); ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP); identifying refrigerants by container color and SAE J639 fittings; refrigerant oils (mineral, PAG, POE) and compatibility.
• A/C System Components: Compressor types (axial piston, scroll, electric for hybrids); compressor clutch operation; condenser; evaporator; receiver-drier (TXV systems); accumulator (CCOT systems); thermostatic expansion valve (TXV); fixed orifice tube (CCOT); pressure switches and transducers; refrigerant lines, hoses, and O-ring/gasket sealing.
• Manifold Gauge Set Operation: Connecting gauges to high and low side service ports; reading and interpreting pressure readings under various conditions; correlating pressure readings to system faults (low charge, overcharge, restriction, moisture, air contamination).
• System Performance Testing: Center-vent temperature; ambient temperature considerations; pressure-temperature charts; high-side and low-side pressure interpretation; identifying common faults (low charge, restricted condenser, faulty TXV, overcharge, system contaminated with moisture or non-condensable gases).
• Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling, and Recharging: Using EPA-approved recovery/recycling/recharging equipment; verifying recovery is complete; evacuating to deep vacuum (29.5+ inches Hg); holding vacuum to verify integrity; recharging by weight per OEM specification; oil replacement per recovered amount.
• Leak Detection: Electronic leak detectors (heated diode, infrared); UV dye and black light methods; soap solution method; identifying leak locations at fittings, hoses, evaporator, and condenser.
• Heating System and Engine Cooling Connection: Heater core operation; coolant flow through heater core; heater control valves; blend door operation (electronic and vacuum); diagnosing no-heat and inadequate-heat complaints; the relationship between engine cooling system condition and cabin heating performance (e.g., low coolant or air-bound system causing no heat).
• HVAC Operating Systems and Controls: Blower motor circuits and resistor/module operation; mode doors and selector controls; temperature blend doors; recirculation/fresh-air doors; rear A/C control awareness.
• HVAC Electronic Controls: Pressure switches (high and low pressure cutout); A/C compressor clutch control circuits (typically computer-controlled via ECM/PCM); ambient and in-cabin temperature sensors (NTC negative temperature coefficient sensors); sun load sensors; relays; HVAC control modules; OBD-II HVAC-related DTCs.
• Service Information and Diagnostics: Use of OEM service manuals and electronic service information (Mitchell1, AllData); reading and interpreting wiring diagrams; using OBD-II scan tools to retrieve HVAC DTCs and live data; bidirectional control where supported.
• Career Ready Practices and EPA Section 609: Workplace ethics; the legal requirement for EPA Section 609 certification to purchase refrigerant or service A/C systems; documentation of refrigerant transactions; environmental responsibility.

Optional Topics

• R-1234yf Service: SAE J3030 equipment requirements; flammability classification (mildly flammable, A2L); special service equipment for R-1234yf systems.
• Hybrid and Electric Vehicle HVAC: Electric compressors; the role of the high-voltage system; POE refrigerant oil compatibility; high-voltage safety during service.
• Automatic Temperature Control (ATC): Multi-zone climate control; ATC module operation; sensor calibration and diagnostics.
• SkillsUSA Activities: SkillsUSA technical and leadership skills training and competition preparation.
• Cabin Air Filter Service: Inspection, replacement, and customer education on air-quality benefits.

Resources & Tools

• Required Reference Standards: ASE A7 (Heating and Air Conditioning) task list (current edition, available at ase.com); ASE Education Foundation MAST Program Standards; FLDOE Automotive Service Technology Curriculum Framework (current year); EPA Section 609 Refrigerant Handler Certification (epa.gov/section608); SAE J639 (Safety Standard for Motor Vehicle Refrigerant Vapor Compression Systems); SAE J3030 (R-1234yf Service Equipment).
• Standard Textbooks: Today's Technician: Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning by Schnubel (Cengage); Modern Automotive Technology by Duffy (Goodheart-Willcox — relevant chapters); Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning by Halderman and Mitchell (Pearson); MACS (Mobile Air Conditioning Society) training materials.
• Service Information Systems: Mitchell1 ProDemand; AllData; OEM repair information; MACS Mobile Air Conditioning Society (macsmobileairclimate.org); IATN.
• Required Equipment: EPA-approved refrigerant recovery/recycling/recharging machine for R-134a (and ideally also R-1234yf); manifold gauge sets (separate sets for R-134a and R-1234yf — they cannot be cross-used); electronic refrigerant leak detector; UV dye injection equipment and UV light; vacuum pump; thermometers; refrigerant identifier (R-134a vs. R-1234yf vs. counterfeit); OBD-II scan tool; vehicle lift or floor jack with jack stands.
• EPA Section 609 Certification: Required by federal law for anyone purchasing refrigerant or servicing motor vehicle A/C systems. Available through MACS, ESCO Institute, ASE, and other approved organizations. Many Florida programs include preparation and the certification exam in the course; the credential is permanent once earned.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Safety glasses (Z87.1-rated, full-coverage recommended for refrigerant work); butyl rubber gloves for refrigerant; safety shoes; appropriate work clothing.
• Career and Industry Organizations: ASE Education Foundation; National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence; SkillsUSA; MACS Mobile Air Conditioning Society; the EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program for refrigerant transitions.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of AER0172, with the other courses in the Automotive Service Technology program, prepares students for entry-level employment with particularly strong demand in Florida's climate:

• OCP H Completion – Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Technician completion within the Automotive Service Technology program.
• EPA Section 609 Certification – Earned in conjunction with the course; legally required for refrigerant purchase and A/C service; permanent (no renewal required).
• ASE A7 Certification Preparation – AER0172 directly prepares students for the ASE A7 (Heating and Air Conditioning) certification exam (60 questions, 75 minutes). The A7 exam covers A/C system diagnosis and repair (10 questions), refrigeration system components (10 questions), heating and engine cooling effects (5 questions), operating systems and related controls (19 questions), refrigerant recovery, recycling, and handling (8 questions), and related items.
• Master Automotive Service Technology Certificate – AER0172 contributes 150 hours toward the full 1,800-hour Automotive Service Technology program.
• Florida Industry Application — Particularly Strong Demand – Florida's hot, humid climate makes A/C service a high-demand year-round specialty. Florida vehicles experience particularly heavy A/C use, leading to faster wear of components (compressors, condensers, evaporators) and stronger customer demand for repair. Major employers include franchised dealerships statewide; chain operations (Pep Boys, Firestone, Goodyear); independent shops; A/C specialty shops; cruise line ground transportation; commercial fleet service; and government fleet maintenance. Many Florida shops actively recruit A/C-qualified technicians given Florida's specific demand profile.
• Career Outcomes:
  • A/C Specialty Technician – At specialty A/C repair shops or as an A/C-focused technician at general repair shops.
  • Automotive Service Technician – Entry-level technician at dealerships and independent shops, with A/C as a key competency.
  • Mobile A/C Service Technician – Mobile service trucks for fleet customers.
  • Service Writer / Service Advisor – Technical knowledge for customer-facing service-writing roles, where A/C diagnosis is a frequent topic.

Special Information

EPA Section 609 Certification Requirement

Per U.S. EPA Section 609 of the Clean Air Act, technicians servicing motor vehicle air-conditioning systems must hold EPA Section 609 certification. ASE Heating and Air Conditioning certification (A7) does not by itself satisfy the EPA Section 609 requirement — they are separate credentials. AER0172 typically prepares students for both. EPA Section 609 certification is permanent once earned (no recertification required).

Florida Statute 1004.925 — Industry Certification Required

Per Florida Statute 1004.925, all automotive service technology education programs in Florida must be industry certified. Most Florida programs hold ASE Education Foundation MAST certification.

Instructor Certification Requirements

Per FLDOE framework, instructors teaching this course must hold appropriate teacher certification and are recommended to hold ASE Master Automobile Technician certification including the A7 specialty.

Course Sequencing

Per the FLDOE Curriculum Framework, AER0014 (OCP A) is the recommended prerequisite for all subsequent OCPs. The sequence after OCP A is at the discretion of the instructor. Many programs sequence A/C (OCP H) later in the program after students have built electrical/electronic competency in OCP G (AER0360).

Refrigerant Transition: R-134a to R-1234yf

The U.S. is in the middle of a multi-year transition from R-134a to R-1234yf as the standard refrigerant. R-1234yf has a much lower global warming potential (GWP ~4 vs. ~1,430 for R-134a) but is mildly flammable and requires different service equipment. Most vehicles built after 2017 use R-1234yf. Students must be prepared to service both refrigerants, and shops must invest in dual equipment.

Course Length and Structure

AER0172 is delivered as 150 clock-hours (approximately one full semester at full-time enrollment, or extended part-time enrollment over multiple terms). Lecture and laboratory instruction are integrated.

Transferability Notice

As a clock-hour PSAV course (course prefix 0), AER0172 is not college-level and does not transfer for college credit. Some Florida State Colleges have established articulation agreements that award college credit toward A.S. degrees in Automotive Service Management Technology or related applied science degrees for students who complete the full Automotive Service Technology PSAV program. At Hillsborough Community College the course carries 5.0 vocational credit value internally.

Industry Outlook

Florida's climate makes A/C technicians particularly valuable. Industry demand for HVAC-qualified automotive technicians is consistently high statewide, with EPA Section 609-certified technicians in particular demand. Continued education tracking the R-1234yf transition and emerging refrigerants is essential for long-term career success.