Take the time to consider your prior learning experience when choosing a refrigeration course. Community and career colleges offer a variety of courses for licensed refrigeration mechanics. Even if the learning took place on the job, these programs usually give credit for it. There are two types of refrigeration courses: general interest and career-oriented study.
A general facilities maintenance technician, maintenance mechanic, or someone in a related field might benefit from a general interest refrigeration course. This type of course teaches you how refrigeration works, how to maintain it, and how to choose between different design options. The price of this type of course varies, but it usually ranges between $450 and $600 USD (USD).
The vast majority of refrigeration courses are part of a professional program in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). This program usually lasts two to three years and is required in order to become a licensed HVAC mechanic. Candidates who complete the program successfully can work in facilities management, HVAC installation and service companies, or open their own HVAC repair shop.
If you’re pursuing a professional certification in refrigeration, make sure the course is appropriate. People who are enrolled in a refrigeration course as part of a facilities technician program should check with their registrar to make sure the course is still available. Although the facilities technician will not be responsible for the maintenance of this type of system, a thorough understanding of how it operates will come in handy when dealing with an HVAC mechanic. Correctly describing the issues, parts, and various aspects of the system will help speed up diagnosis and possibly reduce repair time and cost.
The cost of specialized tools is usually included in the tuition fee for professional refrigeration courses. These tools are common in this type of equipment, but they are not commonly used in other fields. Many schools have been able to incorporate computer simulation into their refrigeration courses as a result of recent technological advancements. These programs provide students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hone their diagnostic skills without putting themselves in danger. This type of tool also allows instructors to more accurately assess actual job performance and provide necessary correction and guidance.
A licensed HVAC master mechanic should teach refrigeration courses. Working experience repairing and installing refrigeration equipment is more valuable than academic credentials in this skilled trade. The more experience the instructor has, the more knowledge he or she will be able to share in class. Anecdotal stories and real-life examples are frequently the most effective means of disseminating important information.
Vendor-specific training sessions are another option for refrigeration courses when new equipment is installed. These courses are usually delivered on-site by an instructor or a sales representative from the installation company. This type of course does not provide accreditation, but it does provide valuable information for maintaining or managing a large, complex refrigeration system.