NTT Blog

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration: Advanced Techniques for your Workers

Like everything else, the HVAC&R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) industry has evolved faster than light. Demands for greater energy efficiency and “smart” appliance management are pushing development and manufacturing of appliances to new heights. That means every level of HVAC&R – from concept to creation to maintenance and repair – must be knowledgeable and up-to-date.

Automation, Connectivity, and Regulations

According to Forbes, companies and HVAC professionals should follow these trends:

• Air quality – Homeowners and commercial property owners will continue to push for better air quality management and control. Smart detection of pollutants and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) will lead to immediate response and fresh air introduction to an area.
• Commercial HVAC – The minimum efficiency standard that went into effect in 2018 will continue to increase efficiencies from 25-30% by 2023. Smart HVAC controls for humidity, temperature, occupancy and CO2 levels will drive commercial building development.
• Residential HVAC – The fan efficiency rating (FER) will change effective July 2019. The U.S. Department of Energy says the new rule can save 3.99 quads of energy, reduce carbon pollution by as much as 34 million metric tons, and save more than $9 billion in electricity by 2030. This means most residential furnaces will transition from permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors to electrically commutated (PC) motors. Smart HVAC controls for home HVAC management and diagnostics will take advantage of Wi-Fi capabilities.

Going Beyond the Basics

Forbes also says employee turnover due to lack of engagement costs the U.S. economy $30.5 billion annually. Today’s HVAC&R professionals aren’t interested in dead-end jobs; they want continued growth, challenge, and learning. Within the HVAC&R industry, that means going beyond the basics.

Troubleshooting and the ability to provide immediate solutions are necessary for superior HVAC&R maintenance and repair. Air conditioning and refrigeration technology training can benefit your business. Some of the people that can use advanced training include:

• Apprentice HVAC technicians
• Building engineers
• Building managers/superintendents
• Career HVAC professionals
• Energy management personnel
• Environmental health and safety personnel
• HVAC maintenance/repair technicians
• Plant & facility maintenance technicians
• Plant/facility managers
• Refrigeration system operators
• Stationary engineers

Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Classes

As you examine education opportunities for your employees (or yourself), be sure to look for organizations that have ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training) credentials. This means classes have been evaluated and meet standards set for recognized and consistent training and education. Some of the competencies your Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration course should cover include:

• Evaporators – Characteristics, including:
  • A/C temperature differences
  • Air conditioning system design
  • Altitude correction
  • CFM
  • Enthalpy (h1-H2)
  • Evaporative coil
  • Heat calculation
  • Heat or energy
  • Refrigeration
  • Superheat/metering devices
  • Superheat/thermostatic expansion valve
  • Temperature differences/refrigeration space
• Psychrometrics
  • Comfort
  • CRM requirements
  • Dew point
  • EPA 420-K-02-003
  • Humidity
  • Moisture control/key mold control
  • Preservation
• Refrigerants and oils – What is standard refrigerant composition and what are classifications? Safety and environmental regulations covered
• Refrigeration baselining – This is performance monitoring and methodology including:
  • Condensing/evaporating coils and conditions
  • Material compatibilities
  • Nameplate/informational
  • Oil/types
  • Piping design
  • Refrigerant pressures
  • Refrigerant types/charge
  • Refrigeration manufacturing
  • System accessories
  • System types
  • Temperature readings
  • Types of metering devices
  • Voltage/amps
• Refrigeration equipment – Components include:
  • Compressors
  • Condensers
  • Evaporators
  • Metering devices
  • Refrigeration/system accessories
• Refrigeration heat loads – Surveying/calculating the total product load, etc.
• Refrigeration troubleshooting
  • Condensing sub-cooling
  • Evaporator superheat
  • Temperature difference in A/C condenser
  • Temperature difference in A/C evaporator
  • Voltage/amps
• Residential A/C charging – R22 is the name for halocarbon compound CHClF2 (monochlorodifluoromethane); used as a refrigerant
  • Charging methods
  • Compressor
  • Condenser
  • Evaporators
  • Fixed orifice R-22
  • Metering devices
  • Refrigeration
  • Thermostatic expansion valve R-22
  • Total superheat method
• Thermodynamics – The principles and fundamentals of heat transfer include:
  • Cycle construction
  • Gas laws
  • Pressure and vacuum
  • Pressure/temperature/volume relationships
• Vapor-compression refrigeration cycles – The heat transfer process including typical operating conditions

Continuing Education: Learning and Growth for HVAC&R Professionals

A 3-day (24 CEU hours) intensive classroom instruction can be held onsite for advanced air conditioning and refrigeration. Contact NTT Training to help your team learn more.