NCCER Certification HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) Syllabus

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) in NCCER Certification, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   HVAC Fundamentals and Safety

   3 topics

   • Principles of Heat and Refrigeration
     • Heat transfer, latent and sensible heat
     • The refrigeration cycle
     • Pressure-temperature relationships
   • HVAC Safety and EPA 608
     • Refrigerant handling and recovery
     • Section 608 certification requirements
   • Tools and Instruments for HVAC
2. 2

   Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems

   3 topics

   • System Components
     • Compressors, condensers, evaporators, and metering devices
     • Refrigerant types and applications
   • Charging, Evacuation, and Leak Detection
   • Troubleshooting Refrigeration Circuits
3. 3

   Heating Systems

   3 topics

   • Gas and Oil Heating
     • Furnace components and combustion
     • Venting and combustion air
   • Electric Heat and Heat Pumps
   • Hydronic Heating Basics
4. 4

   Air Distribution and Controls

   3 topics

   • Air Distribution Systems
     • Duct design, sizing, and fabrication
     • Airflow measurement and balancing
   • HVAC Controls
     • Thermostats and control circuits
     • Electrical components and wiring diagrams
   • Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) flashcards for NCCER Certification

21 of 52 cards from the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In refrigeration, what is the difference between sensible heat and latent heat?

   Sensible heat changes a substance's temperature with no change of state; latent heat changes the state (e.g., evaporating or condensing) at constant temperature.

2. Define a British Thermal Unit (BTU).

   The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit (at sea level).

3. What is the latent heat of vaporization of water at atmospheric pressure?

   Approximately 970 BTU per pound.

4. How many BTU/hr equal one ton of refrigeration?

   12,000 BTU/hr (the heat needed to melt one ton of ice in 24 hours).

5. State the formula for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius.

   C = (F - 32) x 5/9.

6. What are the four components that make up the basic vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, in order?

   Compressor, condenser, metering device (expansion valve), and evaporator.

7. In the refrigeration cycle, what happens to the refrigerant in the evaporator?

   It absorbs heat from the conditioned space and boils/evaporates from a low-pressure liquid into a low-pressure vapor.

8. In the refrigeration cycle, what is the function of the condenser?

   It rejects heat from the high-pressure refrigerant vapor, causing it to condense into a high-pressure liquid.

9. What is superheat?

   The number of degrees a vapor is heated above its saturation (boiling) temperature at a given pressure.

10. What is subcooling?

    The number of degrees a liquid is cooled below its saturation (condensing) temperature at a given pressure.

11. Under EPA Section 608, what are the four technician certification types?

    Type I (small appliances), Type II (high-pressure systems), Type III (low-pressure systems), and Universal (all types).

12. What does the EPA Section 608 regulation prohibit?

    The knowing venting (release) of CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants to the atmosphere during service, maintenance, repair, or disposal.

13. Which refrigerant property makes ozone depletion potential (ODP) a concern, and which refrigerant class is being phased out for it?

    Chlorine content damages the ozone layer; CFCs (already banned) and HCFCs (e.g., R-22) are being phased out.

14. What PPE is required when handling refrigerant to prevent frostbite and eye injury?

    Safety glasses/goggles and gloves, because liquid refrigerant can cause frostbite and eye damage on contact.

15. Why must you never use oxygen or compressed air to pressure-test a system containing refrigerant oil?

    Mixing oxygen or high-pressure air with oil can cause an explosion; nitrogen (an inert gas) must be used instead.

16. What instrument set is used to read system high-side and low-side pressures and is the primary HVAC service tool?

    The refrigeration manifold gauge set (gauge manifold).

17. On a gauge manifold, what color hose connects to the low side and what color to the high side?

    Blue hose for the low (suction) side and red hose for the high (discharge) side; yellow is the center/utility hose.

18. What tool measures the moisture/non-condensable removal during evacuation by reading deep vacuum in microns?

    A micron gauge (electronic vacuum gauge).

19. What instrument is used to measure superheat and subcooling temperatures on suction and liquid lines?

    A clamp/pipe thermometer or thermocouple temperature probe.

20. What meter measures voltage, amperage, and resistance for electrical troubleshooting in HVAC?

    A multimeter (a clamp-on ammeter is used for measuring current).

21. What is the function of the metering device (TXV or fixed orifice) in a refrigeration system?

    It creates a pressure drop, metering liquid refrigerant into the evaporator and dividing the high side from the low side.

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