AC & Heat Pump Fundamentals

ACHP 105 is the school’s flagship foundation course for students who want serious shop time without committing to a multi-year full-time program. It’s practical, fast-paced, and centered on doing the work at the bench on real equipment, including refrigeration cycles, electrical troubleshooting, and service practice from day one.

Over eight weeks of evenings, you work through the fundamentals of AC and heat pump service the way a working technician actually uses them: components first, then the refrigeration cycle, then the electrical side, then full service tasks with instructor guidance.

• Zero homework: your work stays in the shop, and your study time happens with your hands on equipment.
• No written exams/tests: we don’t test memory, we test ability.
• Practical assessments: students demonstrate real-world competency directly to instructors.
• Real-world proof: you prove your understanding by actually performing the task.

Forget long slideshow lectures and multiple-choice bubbles. The ACHP 105 objective is simple: train you on the real-world fundamentals needed to start a career in HVAC.

This is a 90% hands-on course. Participation is expected, and you are an active participant in your own career.

Tasks for Success: on day one, each student receives a checklist of required shop competencies. To complete the course, every item must be signed off by an instructor.

• Understanding: explain what each component does, where it is used, how it works, how to test it, and how it fails.
• Diagnose & troubleshoot: demonstrate electrical and mechanical test procedures on live equipment.
• Perform the task: physically execute each required process/repair correctly.

To complete the course, students must finish the full checklist (80+ items) and demonstrate competency, not just theory recall.

Anyone with or without prior experience who likes working with their hands and their mind. This course is a strong fit for career changers entering the HVAC trade, plus installers and newer technicians looking to expand practical service ability.

If you want direct bench experience and field-style diagnostics, this format is built for you.

• Fluke 323 amp probe
• Fluke 116 VOM multimeter
• Three-port R-22 / R-410a manifold gauge set

Books and lab materials are provided as part of tuition. Not sure where to source the tools? Ask when you call, and we’ll point you to the right suppliers.

• Course code: ACHP 105
• Total hours: 96 hours over 8 weeks
• Format: In-person evenings, Monday through Thursday
• Class size: Up to 24 students, first-come first-served
• Location: Brier, WA campus

• Tuition: $3,995, books & lab materials included
• $100 deposit holds your seat (refundable within 5 business days of signing)
• $2,070 balance due on day one
• $1,825 remaining due at week five

Not sure yet? Call the office and we’ll walk you through it, no pressure.