If you're thinking about launching a career in HVAC, one of the biggest questions you may have is: What systems will I actually learn to work on? At Pinnacle Career Institute (PCI), our HVAC Technician Certificate Program is built to give students real-world, hands-on experience with the types of systems they'll encounter in the field.

Whether you’re interested in residential, commercial, or industrial work, PCI’s program provides a deep dive into the mechanical, electrical, and technical skills needed to service a wide range of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

🔧 What Is the PCI HVAC Program?

Our 40-week online HVAC program includes both didactic and lab work (a total of 1,200 clock hours), culminating in an immersive 10-day in-person boot camp in Kansas City, Missouri. Students graduate with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed for entry-level roles such as:

• HVAC Technician
• HVAC Installer
• A/C Tech
• Service Technician
• HVAC Mechanic
• HVAC Specialist

🧠 Core Systems You’ll Learn to Work On

1. Heating Systems

You’ll explore the principles of heating and combustion, and get hands-on training in:

• Gas furnace installation and service
• Furnace venting systems
• Heat pump systems
• Hot-water heating and hydronic systems
• Belt-driven systems and common lubricants

2. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems

You’ll study:

• The refrigeration cycle
• Compressors and expansion devices
• Pure and blended refrigerants
• Lubricating oils and refrigerant containment
• Service and repair procedures for A/C units
  
  

You’ll also use equipment such as:

• Refrigeration training units
• Walk-in coolers and freezers
• Rooftop package units
• Electric air handlers
• Recovery units, vacuum pumps, and nitrogen bottles

3. Air Distribution Systems

Learn to:

• Create and install sheet metal and fiberglass duct systems
  
• Install registers, diffusers, and dampers
  
• Work with flex duct and suspension/support systems
• Understand air cleanliness and humidity control equipment

4. Electrical and Mechanical Components

You’ll gain a foundation in:

• Basic and advanced electrical theory
  
• Transformers and induction motors
• Wiring terminations and AC circuit testing
• Control concepts and diagnostic testing
  
  

This part of the curriculum is supported with electrical training boards, 3-phase motors, and DC trainers.

5. Piping and Installation Techniques

Learn to measure, cut, and join:

• Copper tubing (soldering and brazing)
• Plastic piping
  
• Threaded and grooved carbon steel piping
  

You’ll also explore gaskets, seals, and packing materials critical to maintaining system integrity.

🧪 Major Equipment You'll Train With

Throughout your coursework and during boot camp, you’ll use:

• Metal benders
• Torches
• Hand tools
• Electrical boards
• Refrigerant drums
• Heat pumps
• Various HVAC training units

These tools are used to simulate real-world tasks so you're prepared from day one on the job.

🛠️ The Boot Camp Experience

Your training ends with an 80-hour HVAC Technician Practicum in Kansas City. During this 10-day capstone course, you’ll get to:

• Install and service furnaces, compressors, and ductwork
  
• Assemble copper, plastic, and steel piping
• Fabricate air distribution systems
• Test AC circuits and components
• Install and maintain heat pumps
  
• Work with refrigerants and oils under supervision

You'll also sit for the EPA 608 Universal Certification and OSHA-10, setting you up for compliance and safety in the field.

🌎 Where Can You Work After Graduation?

PCI’s HVAC program prepares you for entry-level roles in:

• Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

In other states, registration or apprentice licensing may be required. PCI recommends checking your local and state requirements before enrolling.

🎯 Ready to Learn How HVAC Systems Really Work?

At Pinnacle Career Institute, we don't just teach HVAC—we train you to work with it. From furnaces to refrigeration, ductwork to diagnostics, our program is designed to prepare you for real-world work in under a year.

Visit www.pcitraining.edu to apply today and get started on your future in HVAC.