Air Conditioning, Heating, and Solar Energy
20 courses · San Diego City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
AIRE 60 Construction Safety and Health
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 32 - 36 hours lecture
This course is designed to prepare students to perform as what Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines as a competent person - able to recognize hazards associated with a particular task and mitigate associated hazards. Emphasis is placed on identifying and addressing safety and health problems on construction worksites. Topics include a broad spectrum of health and safety workplace concerns regarding OSHA construction standards. This course is designed for students interested in construction technology, job-site safety, hazard identification, avoidance control, and injury and illness prevention.
AIRE 94 HVAC/R Certification Training
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
This course is designed to prepare students for various industry recognized certifications pertaining to the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry. Emphasis is placed on industry specific certification readiness. Topics include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification, Environmentally Safe R-410A Service Techniques, Preventive Maintenance Techniques, GREEN HVAC/R Technician Certification, and Techniques and Regulations for the Safe Handling of Flammable Hydrocarbon and Hydrofluoroolefin Refrigerants. This course is designed for students interested in gaining competitive advantage through certification while fulfilling entry level requirements to enter the HVAC/R industry.
AIRE 100 Basic Refrigeration & AC Theory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 103
This course is a study of elementary thermodynamics as applied to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems, including molecular theory of temperature, pressure and heat. Emphasis is placed on the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle, HVACR system components, their thermal performance and applications. Discussions include historical to modern systems, with emphasis placed on new energy-saving technologies and methods being employed in this dynamic industry. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 103 Basic Refrigeration & AC Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 100
This course is a hands-on, project-oriented study of the tools, materials, methods and equipment used in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR). Emphasis is placed on projects related to heat transfer and the refrigeration cycle, system evacuation, charging, and refrigerant recovery and leak testing as they apply to normal HVACR industry activities. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 122 Construction Drawings and Estimating
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 123
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the generation, reading and interpretation of construction drawings from initial concepts to actual building construction. Emphasis is placed on how the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) systems are integrated into the structure by architects, engineers and ultimately the construction contractors and subcontractors. Course content includes architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings, and also covers job planning, sources and use of pricing guidelines, municipal, county, state and federal codes, energy codes and standards, specifications and computer software programs used in the development of construction drawings and used for construction estimating. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 123 Construction Drawings and Estimating Lab
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 48-54 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 122
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This laboratory course provides practice in the reading of construction drawings and plans for structures and building components. Students use pricing guides for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR), computer-aided drafting software, engineering and architectural scales, and elementary sketching and drawing techniques to complete laboratory projects. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 124 Power & Control Systems Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 125
- Advisory
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of electrical power and control systems for Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR). Subjects include Ohm's Law and Kirchoff's Law for direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits, series and parallel power and control circuits, electrical schematic and wiring diagrams, and motor theory. Emphasis is placed on the operational theory and application of components commonly encountered in modern HVACR systems, electrical controls, and circuits for compressors, pumps and fans. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 125 Power & Control Systems Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 124
- Advisory
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 103 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course utilizes a series of laboratory projects that provide hands-on student training with test and measuring tools, benchtop trainers and actual heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. Projects include the use of digital-volt-ohm-meters (DVOM), in-circuit and clamp-on ammeters, meggers, and other modern tools in analyzing HVACR power and control circuits. Logical troubleshooting and diagnosis methods are demonstrated and utilized with computer simulation software and in laboratory projects. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 126 Fluid Flow Dynamics
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- Completion of or concurrent enrollment in: AIRE 127 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of the fundamental laws governing airflow in ducting systems. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of fans, fan and system curves, common methods of air distribution, air psychrometrics, and friction losses in ducts as well as on the laws of hydronics, pipe and pump sizing, pressure losses in hydronic systems, and water treatment and air filtration systems.
AIRE 127 Fluid Flow Dynamics Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 126
This laboratory course provides practice in fluid measuring methods and instrumentation. Emphasis is placed on working with instruments such as pitot tube devices and velometers to illustrate the interaction of fluid systems curves. Course content also includes air psychometries, air and hydronic system balancing and measurement of sound.
AIRE 132 Advanced Refrigeration & AC Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 133
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 103 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of air conditioning and refrigeration systems using Mollier diagrams and mathematical system process calculations. Topics include heat exchanger design, condensers, evaporators, cooling towers, evaporative condensers, metering devices, compressor design and performance, system piping and lubrication. Studies include multi-evaporator vapor-compression, cascade, cryogenic, and absorption systems. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 133 Advanced Refrigeration & AC Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 132
This course is a rigorous series of projects encompassing the operation and servicing of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. Projects include taking pressure, temperature and airflow readings on normal and malfunctioning systems, thermodynamic analyses using Mollier diagrams, troubleshooting, diagnosis and repair. Tasks involve the use of various refrigerants and secondary control devices such as pressure regulators and head pressure controls and the use of modern industry-standard tools and test equipment. This course is intended for students interested in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, and solar energy.
AIRE 140 HVAC System Design
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 141
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 126 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 132 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course provides a comprehensive study in the design and operation of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for buildings, including comfort heating equipment. Topics include building envelope, heating and cooling load calculations, vapor-compression system selection and optimization, combustion analysis, hydronic system design, conservation techniques, and the integration of alternative energy solutions. The course also covers the safe operation and troubleshooting of heating systems, including forced-air fuel-fired furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and hydronic heating. This course is intended for students pursuing certificates or an associate degree in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Solar Energy.
AIRE 141 HVAC System Design Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 140
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 127 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 133 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course provides hands-on training in the design, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Topics include system component identification, combustion analysis, HVAC system design techniques, heating and cooling load calculations, equipment selection, and energy conservation strategies. This course is intended for students pursuing certificates or an associate degree in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Solar Energy.
AIRE 144 Direct Digital Controls Theory
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 64 - 72 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 145
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 124 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 132 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course is a study of Direct Digital Control (DDC) theory: rationale, DDC system design, DDC system sensors, DDC controllers and advanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, network architecture, Internet protocol (IP) addressing and interoperation, open and non-proprietary systems, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) BACnet, and the LonWorks platform. The course examines BACnet DDC hybrid control strategies using various analog and binary system actuators. Specific emphasis is placed on developing student skills using networks that are built into the AIRE Program DDC lab equipment and utilized throughout the world. This course is intended for students in the air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technology program and professionals who want to update their skills.
AIRE 145 Direct Digital Controls Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 144
- Advisory
- AIRE 125 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course applies Direct Digital Control (DDC) theory to laboratory projects: system design, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) BACnet DDC controller selection and integration with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system components, BACnet network architecture, development of graphical views and hierarchical database tree, logical BACnet program development, and construction of DDC system operator machine interface graphics. Course projects include the development of a facility graphical view and control hierarchy tree, setup of a control logic diagram using blocks, symbols and wires, and construction of an operator graphical interface. Laboratory training simulations are compared to actual DDC HVAC control strategies used throughout the world. This course is intended for students in the air conditioning, heating and refrigeration technology program and professionals who want to update their skills.
AIRE 160 Solar Energy Utilization Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 48 - 54 hours lecture
- Corequisite
- AIRE 161
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 124 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course studies solar-thermal and photovoltaic (PV) systems, siting considerations, types of collectors and systems, operating efficiencies, building codes and solar rights. Topics include: passive and active solar thermal systems; residential and commercial systems for water heating, space heating, space cooling, process heating, swimming pool heating, and hybrid systems. Study of photovoltaic technologies includes the solar cell, independent, grid-connected, hybrid systems and electric bill reduction strategies. This course is intended for students interested in solar energy.
AIRE 161 Solar Energy Utilization Lab
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 96-108 hours lab
- Corequisite
- AIRE 160
- Advisory
- AIRE 100 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and AIRE 125 with a Grade of "C" or better, or equivalent
This course includes a series of solar thermal and photovoltaic (PV) laboratory projects. Solar collector and system performance data are recorded and analyzed and efficiencies calculated. Topics include collector/module azimuth and tilt, thermal open and closed loop systems, freeze protection, stagnation; stand-alone, grid-connected and hybrid photovoltaic systems are studied. This course is intended for students interested in solar technology.
AIRE 270 Work Experience in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Environmental Control Technology
- Units
- 1-4
- Hours
- 54 - 216 hours other
A program of on-the-job learning experience for students employed in a job related to their major or their educational goal. One unit of credit may be earned for every 54 hours of work experience. A maximum of fourteen credit hours for all work experience subject areas may be earned during one enrollment period.
AIRE 290 Independent Study in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Environmental Control Technology
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 48-162 hours other
For students who wish to study special problems.