The term HVAC-R (or Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration) has been with us for some time. It is also commonly referred to as climate control, since all of these areas need to be controlled in order to regulate the temperature in any environment. All modern buildings, to one extent or another, utilize some kind of HVAC-R technology – it is essential for the well being of the building, and those that operate within it, that this climate control is taken seriously. Failure to correctly regulate the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning can cause severe issues, especially if left for a prolonged period.
Failure to regulate the heating can cause damp and/or humidity. This can be unhealthy for aspects of the building like insulation, which can become sodden and deteriorate. Failure to regulate ventilation can cause issues with mold and spores, especially when combined with poorly regulated heating. These can not only affect the structural integrity of the building itself over time, but can also affect the comfort of those within the building: humidity causes all kinds of issues with the human body, including fatigue and an inability to regulate its own temperature. Heat, humidity and time are also some of the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, which can be harmful to all of us. Suffice to say that there is a lot riding on a company’s ability to control these conditions.
Those trained in HVAC-R are highly sought after individuals, particularly within building or mechanical engineering or within the construction industry. It is because of this that HVAC-R training courses have sprung up seemingly everywhere, and it is getting increasingly hard to spot the courses that will really train, equip and educate you for a career in HVAC-R, and those courses designed just to take your money without any real care or consideration regarding your future. It is important, if you are considering a career in this area, that your HVAC-R training equips you with everything that you will need.
An HVAC-R job is a desirable thing, since the demand for those trained and experienced in this field forces the average salary upwards. The job itself can be highly interesting, often working in large building environments with hundreds, or even thousands of variable factors, where managing the air flow and temperature is elevated far beyond opening a window to the levels of a complex science. Increasingly these large scale operations use PLC’s in order to operate on such a massive scale. PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller and they are used in the air flow regulation of large scale HVAC-R operations.
These require complex installations, maintenance, programming and monitoring. Hospitals, shopping malls and multi screen cinemas are just some of the different building types that would utilize this kind of technology. In addition to the Programmable Logic Controllers, there would also be a complex system of sensors and automated vents and other technology that all require the same level of attention.
With so much going on in the role of an HVAC-R technician, it is understandable why training is essential. A good HVAC-R training course should cover all that would be required to know to set up and maintain an HVAC-R system. It is also because the HVAC-R technician role is so involved that the training is demanding. There is lots to learn and appreciate, and whilst its not easy by any standards, it certainly is achievable to become HVAC-R trained and begin a new career, even with little or no previous experience.
A key element of HVAC-R training, and there for an HVAC-R job, is refrigeration. Understanding refrigeration basics is fundamental to the role of an HVAC-R technician.
Regarding HVAC-R, the term refrigeration simply means the removal and relocation of heat. There are three ways that this can be accomplished: by radiation, by convection and by conduction. Objects transfer heat by coming into contact with objects of lower temperature, and will use one of the previous three methods to pass on the heat. This is the guiding principle of the refrigeration basics.
With the correct training, an individual can develop a very successful (and lucrative) career within the HVAC-R sub-industry. There are few careers as rewarding; and few roles as varied as the work of an HVAC-R technician. The hinge on which this exciting career swings is the training. Without the correct training and guidance, the trainee will have no solid platform from which to develop their career. HVAC-R training requires great content and strong delivery in order to develop individuals into excellent HVAC-R technicians. The course of study needs to cover the basics of HVAC-R in sufficient detail that the individual learns all that is required of them for their future career. Poor training delivers poor employees. There really is no substitute for strong training.
With so many places offering teaching and training in the principles of HVAC-R, it can be a mine field to identify the real quality teaching resources. What so many courses on HVAC-R omit is the need to have a full and detailed knowledge of the refrigeration basics. All HVAC-R technicians need to understand these principles inside and out, this cannot be overstated.