Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology | Southwest Texas Junior College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 49-9021.00

Skills

Operations MonitoringTroubleshootingCritical ThinkingInstallationRepairingReading ComprehensionQuality Control AnalysisActive Listening

Knowledge

MechanicalBuilding and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceEngineering and TechnologyComputers and Electronics

Abilities

Problem SensitivityNear VisionDeductive ReasoningOral ComprehensionArm-Hand SteadinessFinger DexterityVisual Color DiscriminationInductive ReasoningManual DexterityVisualization

Tasks

Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the main
Study blueprints, design specifications, or manufacturers' recommendations to ascertain the configur

Technology

Document management softwareIndustrial control softwareWord processing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareFacilities management software

Tools

4-wire resistance sensorsAcetylene torchesAdjustable widemouth pliersAdjustable wrenchesAir compressorsAir flow hoodsAir flow sensorsAir velocity metersAir volume test equipmentAllen wrenchesAlternating current AC line splittersAmmetersAnemometersAutoranging metersAwls

Work Values

SupportIndependenceWorking ConditionsRelationshipsAchievementRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: high49-9021.00	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	title_inference	$59,810 median$91,020 top	+8.11%	3,450

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Associate's Degree)

Multimeters, clamp meters, and continuity testers — operate independently to diagnose electrical faults in HVAC control boards and wiring on light-commercial job sites.
OSHA safety codes and EPA refrigerant handling regulations — apply routinely and without prompting to maintain compliance across residential and small-commercial service assignments.
Design specifications and equipment manuals — read and apply with limited oversight to configure heating and cooling components correctly during installation projects.
Heating and cooling system malfunctions — discuss directly with building occupants using active listening skills to narrow the scope of diagnosis before beginning repairs.
Refrigerant lines, gas piping, and condensate drains — connect and pressure-test with standard tools to form complete, leak-free systems on replacement equipment jobs.
Thermostat and control panel settings — adjust systematically after installation to balance airflow and temperature distribution across residential duct systems.
Preventive maintenance schedules — execute independently, including coil cleaning, lubrication, and filter changes, to sustain equipment efficiency on assigned accounts.
Installed HVAC systems — inspect and functionally test against plan specifications to verify code compliance and detect operational deficiencies before customer sign-off.
Service records and maintenance logs — document accurately using facilities management or CRM software to support scheduling and warranty tracking for a recurring client base.
Common mechanical and refrigeration faults — diagnose using deductive reasoning and manufacturer troubleshooting guides to complete routine repairs with minimal supervision.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.