The ProTecs Program has been around since the early 1990′s, and was originally implemented to improve homeowner satisfaction through the hiring, training, testing, certification, and recognition of HVACR technicians. The following classes are available:
ECM Motor Technology – Learn how to accurately, and efficiently troubleshoot ECM-driven motors. Become familiar with ECM versions 2.1, 2.5, 3.0,
and x-13. Topics include motor identification, module replacement, identifying failures, and tech tips. Course is state license and NATE certified for 3 hours. EPA Refrigerant Certification – Course prepares attendees to take the EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Certification Test. Subject material includes core, small appliances, high pressure appliances, and low pressure machines, such as chillers. EPA test concludes second half of session. Brazing & Coil Repair – This class enables students to repair copper coils without destroying them. Covers oxy/acetylene, acetylene-only, nitrogen propane, soft solder, and silver solder techniques. Hands-on practice for maximum effectiveness. Rooftops – Covers the installation, operation, and troubleshooting of Carrier/Bryant rooftop package units from 3 to 25 tons with R-410a refrigerant. Subjects include the IGC board, compressor lockout, accutrol metering device, and economizer logic controls. State license and NATE certified for 3 hours. NATE Training: Core & A/C, Heat Pumps – Prep for both the NATE Core and A/C or Heat Pump Exams. Core covers soft skills, tools, safety, math, comfort fundamentals, and electrical. A/C & Heat Pumps reviews refrigeration principles, heat properties, and measurement. NATE & state approved for 3 hours. Furnace Troubleshooting – Addresses troubleshooting techniques for standing pilot, natural draft, draft-induced, and condensing furnaces. Topics are: sequence of operation, combustion air and venting, gas & ignition controls, electrical, and troubleshooting. State and NATE approved for 3 hours. Economizers – This class will cover the initial set-up, controls, operation, and troubleshooting of Carrier factory installed and Micrometal economizers. Also addresses the operation and troubleshooting of Johnson and Honeywell logic controls. State license and NATE approved for 3 hours. Commercial Split Systems – Reviews the installation, operation, and troubleshooting of Carrier commercial split system equipment. Subjects are: system plusses/ minuses, piping, oil return, TXV’s, capacity control, low ambient , and hot gas bypass. It’s In The Can – Do you know what’s going on inside a compressor? What should be happening? What are the operating characteristics, safety considerations, and effective troubleshooting techniques? All of these will be covered, plus how to condemn a compressor. Heat Pump Troubleshooting – This timely topic will discuss how to troubleshoot refrigeration circuits, fixed and non-fixed metering devices, compressors, and electrical failures. It will also include diagnosing system charge problems, non-condensables, and calculating airflow, plus reversing valves and the defrost process. State and NATE certified for 3 hours. Airflow Management – Topics will include determining proper static pressure, poor duct practices, using a duct calculator, calculating actual airflow, assessing system adequacy, return & supply grille locations, installation & troubleshooting tips. Evacuate and Charge with Speed – In this program, we will demonstrate quick, efficient, and safe methods for speedy refrigerant removal and recovery of A/C and refrigeration machines. Students will learn techniques for improved flow rates, with the ability to hold a vacuum of 500 microns (or even less!) for extended periods of time. Be able to evacuate most systems in 6 minutes or less. NATE and state approved for 3 hours. TXV Installation, Service, & Troubleshooting – Manufacturers are using TXV’s to achieve higher SEER’s. How well can you troubleshoot them? Get up to speed on the refrigeration cycle and
components, theory of TXV’s, installation tips, troubleshooting, & servicing. State license/ NATE
approved for 3 hours. Geothermal Install, Service & Troubleshooting – This class will equip you to: understand equipment installation, operation, and maintenance, pressure drop calculations, heat of extraction/exhaustion, desuperheaters, controls, and troubleshooting. State license/NATE approved for 3 hours. Air Properties and Measurement – Focus is on understanding air and its properties via a psychrometric chart. Topics include system air flow calculations, system capacity calculations, and air side problems which cause poor system performance. Electrical Fundamentals – For those with a basic understanding of wiring diagrams, this course will provide skills needed to solve heating/cooling problems. Topics addressed: troubleshooting strategies, schematic diagrams, troubleshooting aids, diagnosing faults and motor circuit testing. Residential Load Estimating: REVS & Manual J8 AE – These seminars will cover load estimating using both the REVS method and a short form Manual J 8th edition. Several sample houses will be assigned to assure understanding of the material. Proper airflow for each room will also be calculated, enabling the salesperson to know beforehand which rooms are candidates for poor heating/cooling problems. Approved for 12 hours of state license credit. A/C Principles l: Evaporators & Metering Devices – This course is aimed at improving the technician’s understanding of the function and performance of the low side of a refrigeration system: evaporators and metering devices. Regarding the evaporator, topics will focus on latent heat, sensible heat, superheat, temperature differences, refrigerant condition, proper air flow, and humidity removal. Metering device subjects will include principles of expansion devices, TXV’s, fixed-bore metering devices, affects of systems temperature and pressure, superheat, and troubleshooting. A/C Principles ll: Condensers & Compressors – The compression cycle, along with the condenser, is part of the high side of a refrigeration system. But compressors also function in the low side as well. In this course, we’ll investigate the functions of a compressor, recips, scrolls, refrigerant’s effect on compressor operation, and describe causes for compressor problems and their solutions. We’ll also examine condenser functions and operation, subcooling, flash gas, and condenser troubleshooting. A/C Principles lll: System Troubleshooting – This course will enhance the A/C troubleshooting skills of the technician through proper collection if information and then troubleshooting to the root cause. Topics will address system pressures, temperatures, voltage reading, amp draws, refrigerant charge, air flow, compressor flooding & slugging, all aimed at improving environment comfort and efficient and reliable system operation. Service Options: Repair vs. Replace – This class equips techs with the knowledge, tools, and skills to know when and how to recommend replacement instead of a repair. Topics covered include: equipment life expectancy, life cycle analysis, operating costs, improvements in HVAC technology, when replacement makes sense, and why replacement makes sense. Applied for 3 hours of state license credit. Superior Customer Service for Techs – This workshop teaches technicians skills they can use to increase the level of service they provide to customers. All aspects of a service call are addressed, from arriving at the home, assessing the situation, examining the system, presenting solutions, to completing the invoice and collecting payment. Special effort is made to emphasize the customer’s needs for accessories and maintenance agreements.
