Are you ready to become an HVAC technician? Want to be prepared when you start working as an apprentice? OBC has you covered. You should know that we measure our success by the accomplishments of our students. Our faculty works to create a learning environment that builds confidence, pride, and respect. We offer progressive career training and help students develop critical thinking skills for success as HVAC professionals. That way you are ready for residential and commercial work.

What is Residential HVAC?

A residential HVAC system controls a home’s temperature and air quality. Its main elements include the indoor evaporator and the outdoor compressor. The system is also comprised of additional equipment, including a furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, air handler, air cleaner, humidifier, ductwork, and thermostat.

What is Commercial HVAC?

Like residential HVAC, commercial HVAC regulates temperature, humidity, and air quality but is used in commercial buildings and transportation vehicles. Commercial HVAC systems can be more complex and on-the-job training can’t really be a substitute for a formal education in commercial HVAC.

How Does OBC Prepare HVAC Students for Residential and Commercial Work?

OBC prepares you for residential and commercial HVAC work, so you succeed in your new career. Some of the ways we help prepare you with:

A Complete Curriculum

OBC offers a complete curriculum that lays a strong foundation you can build upon throughout your career. Our courses teach you the theory behind HVAC systems, safety protocol, and other critical knowledge that help you succeed in your new job. Some of the courses that are included

in the HVAC program at OBC are:

Introduction to Trades – an introduction to the skills needed to be successful as a trade professional. This course focuses on basic math functions, tools, and safety protocols.

Basic Electricity – an exploration of the basic concepts of electricity and how they are applied to an HVAC/R role.

Motors and Controls – a review of the basic theory, operation, application, and repair of motors used in residential and commercial HVAC systems.

Residential Heating and Cooling Systems – an introduction to electric, gas, oil, hot water, and steam heating and cooling systems found in residential HVAC.

Commercial Heating and Cooling Systems – an introduction to the heating and air conditioning systems used in commercial HVAC. This course also reviews the processes for installing, operating, and servicing heating and air conditioning systems.

Commercial Refrigeration – an introduction to the components that make up a commercial refrigeration system and the maintenance and troubleshooting methods.

Industry Standard Equipment

In our HVAC program, you will use the same industry-standard equipment that you will find on the job as an HVAC professional. Complex HVAC equipment can be expensive to obtain, so completing your HVAC training at OBC allows you to focus on gaining knowledge and mastering skills, leaving the cost of equipment, gear, and other expensive items to us.

What Other Benefits Does OBC’s HVAC Program Offer?

Career Preparation – preparation for the job market after graduation. This course includes resume preparation, interview skills, and prep to take the EPA 608 certification exam.

Hands-On Training

Our HVAC program includes hundreds of hours of hands-on training so you can put the classroom theory to the test. Our instructors guide you through the installation, maintenance, and repair of HVAC systems, answering questions along the way. During the program, you get real-world experience that can help build your confidence ,so you are ready to succeed when you start your apprenticeship in HVAC.

Flexible Schedules

We offer both day and evening classes so you can complete our HVAC program while taking care of other responsibilities. You may take care of a family member, work while you attend school, or have other personal obligations. We want to give you every opportunity for success by offering flexible schedules that fit your needs.

What are the Essential Skills You Need to Succeed?

OBC understands that you are not born with the essential skills to succeed as an HVAC professional, but with hard work and guidance from our instructors, you can master many of the skills you will need to succeed. Some of the HVAC skills that you will hone during our HVAC program include:

Communication

As an HVAC professional, you must communicate with customers and coworkers. During the HVAC program at OBC, we will train you to be a better communicator and improve your customer service to create satisfied customers.

Critical Thinking

When you drive up to a customer’s house to fix their HVAC system, you must be able to analyze, evaluate, and decide on the best course of action to help the customer. During our HVAC program, you learn to think critically and make informed decisions that help you succeed as an

HVAC technician.

Problem Solving

The sign of good customer service is solving a problem before it even arises. Through our hands-on training, you will learn how to troubleshoot different scenarios and find the best solutions. You will be able to audit an HVAC system and provide unique solutions to customer needs.

Time Management

It is critical to plan and organize your time. During the HVAC program at OBC, you will learn how to manage your time so that everything you do finishes on schedule and under budget.

Adaptability

Things can change at anytime, and you need to adapt to these situations. Maybe a part is on backorder, or you must find a creative solution to repair an HVAC system. We help you hone your adaptability skills by throwing you curveballs during our hands-on training. You must use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to be adaptable, and that starts with our training.

Attention to Detail

As the adage goes, “measure twice, cut once.” It is important to have a keen eye for detail to ensure that HVAC systems run at optimal efficiency and that everyone who encounters the HVAC systems is safe. Plus, making an error fixing an HVAC system can leave a client without air conditioning on a hot day. So you hone your attention to detail skills, our instructors will offer direct feedback while you learn.

Conflict Management

As an HVAC technician, you will inevitably run into unhappy customers occasionally. Our HVAC program prepares you for these conflicts and gives you the knowledge and skills to defuse these situations, to create happy customers.

Reliability

It is always important to show up on time and do the work that is expected of you. During the HVAC program at OBC, you will be held accountable for attendance and the quality of work you complete. This will help you be more reliable when working as an HVAC technician because you will have already practiced this skill throughout the HVAC training program.

Physical Stamina

As an HVAC technician, you may need to lift heavy objects and stand for long periods. We will start you off easy and work throughout the program to help you build your physical stamina so by the end of the program, you are ready to take on anything that comes your way.

Continuous Learning

We instill the correct values in you throughout the HVAC program. Ultimately, we teach you how to learn because there will always be new technology and procedures that you will need to know, so learning how to learn is an essential skill that will come in handy throughout your career.

Want to Learn More?

Now that you know we will help prepare you for residential and commercial HVAC, it is time to learn more about Ohio Business College. If you have a passion for heating and cooling, working in the HVAC/R industry might just be for you. Entering a career in a field as potentially rewarding as HVAC/R all starts with an HVAC/R training program. At Ohio Business College, we can help you gain the skills and knowledge that can serve as the foundation of a rewarding career as an HVAC/R technician.

Contact us today to learn more about our HVAC/R program.