Gas Technicians and Refrigeration Mechanics install, maintain and repair residential, commercial and industrial heating, ventilating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
The Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technician program prepares graduates for entry level positions in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, sheet metal and electrical industries.
Curriculum follows TSSA Gas Technician 3 and Gas Technician 2 requirements, providing an opportunity for students to attempt Gas Technician 3 and Gas Technician 2 certification at Lambton College's testing centre. Students will also have the opportunity to obtain an Ozone Depletion Prevention Certification, Gastite gas tubing certification, Wardflex gas tubing certification, and IPEX system S636 venting certification.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Students will learn by demonstrating how to install and service heating and air conditioning equipment using a hands-on approach for more than half of the program. Lambton College graduates have real world experience employers demand in the HVAC industry.
Lambton students complete a replacement of a gas fired furnace as a capstone project in second year. Tasks include planning the installation; safe use of a rotary hammer to drill a hole in concrete and wood; planning, fabricating and installing sheet metal transition pieces needed; properly wiring the 120 volt supply to the new furnace; properly wiring the 24 volt control system; venting the furnace; installing condensate pump and associated drainage; and installing gas supply to furnace. Students learn from active technicians and employers in the HVAC industry on a wide array of equipment as seen in the real world.
Fall 2023 Delivery Format
Term 1 classes will be delivered in person and students will be required to be on campus for the duration of the term. The 2023 Fall term begins on September 6. Students must be on campus to join in-person classes starting September 6, 2023. No exceptions will be made.
See Course List
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
- Grade 12 Mathematics C or U
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary
to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications
or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.
English Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency by submitting one of the following scores:
- IELTS of 6.5
- TOEFL iBT 79
- Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test
Please Note: IELTS is the only proficiency score accepted by the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Additional country-specific requirements may also be applicable.
Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.
Course List
HVA-1504: Fundamentals of Refrigeration
A theoretical and practical introduction to the fundamental principles of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning systems is provided. Students are introduced to government codes and regulations regarding the industry and to the principles of various systems operation's and installation. Safety requirements, use and selection of various tools, instruments and fasteners are also studied in both theory and lab environments. The fundamental principles required to plan and install different types of piping for a variety of refrigeration, air conditioning and heating systems are also covered.
HVA-1716: Gas Technician 3: Codes and Work Practices
Students will learn hazards and safety procedures that relate to working conditions, and the safe handling and procedures for materials they will be using. Students will be introduced to common fasteners, hand and power tools used in the HRAC field. Students will study the origin and properties of natural gas and propane, identify the characteristics of complete and incomplete combustion, upper and lower explosive limits, potential sources of ignition, carbon monoxide and other by-products of incomplete combustion. In addition, students will examine the natural gas and propane installation codes and code adoption documents, Ontario regulations, and standards associated with the manufacturing, testing, installation, and servicing of natural gas and propane appliances, components, and equipment.
HVA-2157: Gas Technician 3: Electrical, Piping and Venting Systems
This course introduces the student basic electrical properties, safely operating, and interpreting electrical meter readings to diagnose equipment operation. Students will learn to read blueprints and obtain information from job documents and equipment manufacturer's installation instructions. Students will discover industry accepted customer service expectations and communication. Gas piping and tubing installation, codes and calculating capacity of fuel are instructed. Introduction to common appliances and their systems (venting, burners, safety and operating controls) will also be taught. More than half of this courses content include practical lab assignments which solidify the theoretical concepts taught.
OHS-2012: Health & Safety
The graduate of this course will have a good understanding of safety aspects of the law, the legal responsibilities of the workplace, and his/her own legal rights and responsibilities, as well as work processes and procedures being used in present-day industry. This course will give them a basic understanding of the Occupational Health & Safety Act and its associated Regulations, and an understanding of health and safety issues in an industrial setting.
MTH-1084: Mathematics for Electrical Circuits
This course reviews and develops topics in basic computation, measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and linear functions, emphasizing their electrical applications.
HVA-2504: Fundamentals of Refrigeration II
Students will apply the fundamentals of refrigeration to practical applications and design and build refrigeration systems. Students learn proper refrigerant recovery, industry accepted evacuation standards, proper selection of refrigerant, and charging of refrigerant. Students expand their understanding of environmental and regulatory rules related to the safe handling of refrigeration equipment and materials.
HVA-3031: Safety & Material Handling
Students will be introduced to various safety work related topics in the HVAC field such as: WHIMIS, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Ozone Depletion Awareness, Vehicle safety, working at heights, ladder and scaffold safety.
HVA-3214: Gas Technician 2: Advanced piping, Building Systems and Appliances
This course examines gas piping requirements for industrial and commercial propane and natural high-pressure gas systems. Piping layout, drawings, symbols, joining methods, identification of underground piping and pressure testing are studied. Domestic gas appliance service and installation are also instructed. Common types of construction methods used in the building industry today help the student understand the concept of a building as a series of interdependent parts. Students will learn about air distribution systems, and air system balancing. Principles of heat loss and gain are also studied. Many practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
HVA-3229: Gas Technician 2: Electricity and controls
Technicians must understand how electrical power operates in systems, and how to properly and safely diagnose electricity and electrical components within various appliance systems. This course examines amperage service, ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI), electrical bonding to gas piping, single-phase and three-phase power supply, electrical hardware, types and ratings of fuses and breakers as well as types and gauges of wire, thermocouple and power pile DC millivolt systems. In addition, it focuses on appliance wiring, schematic diagram design and interpretation. Using furnace simulation boards and gas-fired furnaces, students will design and draw schematic and wiring diagrams for natural draft, fan-assisted and high-efficiency furnaces. Students will then learn to wire and troubleshoot operational faults. This course also covers control concepts and components associated with gas fired appliances including: the basic control system, operating controllers, limit and safety controllers, combustion and safety controls, ignition control modules, valves, regulators and motors. Numerous practical lab projects assist in reinforcing the theoretical concepts.
JSS-1001: Job Search and Success
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.
GED-XXX3: General Education Elective
CPL-XXX: Co-op Work Term (optional)
HVA-3504: Fundamentals of Refrigeration III
This hands-on course provides introductory training to install, service, maintain and update refrigeration systems, select appropriate types of condensers, evaporators, compressors, refrigerants and flow controls. Students also learn joining and connection operations that conform to industry code, proper use of recovery equipment, troubleshooting refrigerant problems, and the use of electronic scales for charging.
HVA-3233: Gas Technician 2: Gas Pressure controls and Gas-fired Refrigeration
A thorough understanding of the principle elements of gas pressure regulators and their operation is necessary in order to properly install and service gas equipment. This course explores the need for pressure regulators, examines the code and regulation requirements, explains the basic operation of a regulator, compares different types of regulators, regulator selection requirements, and troubleshooting common regulator problems. Introduction to gas fired refrigerators is also covered in this program. Many practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
HVA-4243: Gas Technician 2: Conversion Burners, Water Heaters and Combination systems
Students will learn about conversion from one type of fuel source to another on different appliances encountered in the industry. Combustion characteristics and adjustments of gas burner systems is covered in depth in this program. Installation of new and replacement gas water heaters are normal duties of a gas technician. The student will learn types of heater controls, components, and piping systems and how these systems are successfully planned and installed. Tankless water heater installation and service will also be covered in this course. Many practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
HVA-4254: Gas Technician 2: Forced Air Systems
Gas technicians need to understand the operational aspects of forced warm-air furnaces in order to provide effective, efficient, and safe service to their customers. Students will learn how to install, maintain, service, and troubleshoot forced warm air systems. Areas of study include venting systems of furnaces, drain systems, sheet metal design, layout, fabrication and installation, 120- and 24-volt furnace electrical systems and gas piping and tubing supply systems. Many practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
COM-1113: Workplace Communications
This course focuses on skills required in any organization or position: writing business documents, responding to realistic scenarios, and speaking in an organized and vibrant manner. Students will practice professional communications skills by producing, revising, and editing short business documents and engaging in verbal interactions and presentations.
GED-XXX3 : General Education Elective
HVA-4504: Fundamentals of Refrigeration IV
Students will explore heat pumps and ductless air conditioning systems. Additional components found in heat pumps, the refrigeration cycle as it applies to heat pumps, Discussion around proper selection of equipment, installing and servicing heat pumps and ductless air conditioning systems. Ground source heat pumps and air source heat pumps will be covered in this course.
HVA-4162: HVAC Building Automation
Technicians frequently encounter problems with building automation systems and are required to diagnose, repair and maintain simple and complex automation systems. Students will gain a greater understanding of building mechanical systems, automated systems, and controls and be able to describe and diagnose faults. Smart thermostat programming and diagnosing is also taught in this course. Practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
HVA-4266: Gas Technician 2: Hydronic Systems and Venting II
Students will learn the concepts of water used as a heating medium, the differences between hydronic and forced air heating systems. Pump selection and troubleshooting, boiler controls and boiler troubleshooting, boiler service and maintenance are also covered in this course. Venting systems, the material, application and proper sizing of venting systems used on appliances is also covered. Practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
HVA-4276: Gas Technician 2: Air Handling, Space Heaters and Appliances
Students will learn concepts of air movements in ductwork and different areas of buildings. Adjusting airflow through appliances and utilizing filtration systems to achieve proper air exchange and maintain air quality. Air movement device selection and maintenance are also covered in this course. Options for building heating can utilize different types of space heating appliances for smaller areas or smaller rooms of the home or garage. Add-on devices such as filters, air cleaners, humidifiers, and cooling coils improve the air quality in a building heated by a forced-air furnace. Students will learn how to select, install and maintain filters, humidifiers, air cleaners, and add-on heating and cooling coils. Practical lab exercises reinforce theoretical concepts taught in this course.
GED-XXX3: General Education Elective
Program Maps
Students are required to follow their prescribed program map and are not allowed to take unscheduled breaks for any reason.
Current Students
Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website.
You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.
Employment Opportunities
Apprenticeship possibilities and job prospects are excellent, with above average wages and steady employment. Graduates find work in heating, air conditioning, sheet metal, electrical and refrigeration contracting firms. Other opportunities include petrochemical, building and facilities services, wholesale, distribution, parts and equipment manufacturing companies.
Career positions may include, but are not limited to: central air conditioning mechanic, commercial air conditioning mechanic, heating and cooling mechanic, commercial air conditioning mechanic, heating and cooling mechanic, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprentice.