The HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) program at Harford Technical High School is a three year program beginning in grade ten. Students will earn a minimum of four credits before they graduate. In the senior year, students may participate in the Cooperative Work Experience Program.

       This instructional program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills in order to install, service and repair various types of residential and commercial heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. Upon completion of the program, students may enter the work force, attend a local community college to receive an A.A degree in HVAC or continue to a four year college to study mechanical engineering or other related fields.

       Graduates successfully completing this program may receive credit for the first year apprenticeship with the Associated Builders and Contractors, Incorporated (ABC). Students are given the opportunity to take the EPA Certification Exam (section 608), and apply for their Apprentice License. In a recent survey of HVAC contractors, seventy-two percent reported that they needed additional workers to meet the increasing demand for qualified service technicians.

       All students have the opportunity to work efficiently in teams. They will learn to install, service, repair and trouble-shoot central air conditioning, heat pumps, oil furnaces, gas furnaces, and electrical heating systems. Students will learn to safely use hand tools, power tools and special tools related to the industry. They will use test instruments to measure air flow, read and interpret system pressures and test and trouble-shoot the electrical systems commonly found in the HVAC field.