HVAC Training (Air Handling Units, Chillers and Heat Pumps Theory & Practice)
Develop the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to operate, maintain and troubleshoot commercial and industrial HVAC systems. This comprehensive two-day HVAC Training Course combines classroom learning with practical demonstrations, giving participants a solid understanding of Air Handling Units (AHUs), chillers, heat pumps, refrigeration principles, psychrometrics and HVAC maintenance.
Designed for professionals responsible for maintaining building services and critical plant equipment, the course explains how HVAC systems operate, how individual components work together, and the maintenance practices that improve reliability, energy efficiency and system performance.
Throughout the course, participants will gain practical insights into common faults, preventative maintenance techniques and best practice for maintaining HVAC equipment across manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, commercial and industrial environments.
Who Should Attend?
This course is suitable for:
- Maintenance Technicians
- Facilities Engineers
- Mechanical Technicians
- Electrical Technicians
- Building Services Engineers
- Reliability Engineers
- Maintenance Supervisors
- Facilities Managers
- Anyone responsible for the operation or maintenance of commercial and industrial HVAC systems
No previous refrigeration experience is required. Participants should have a National Vocational Certificate Level 1, Leaving Certificate (or equivalent), or relevant industry experience. A mechanical or electrical trade background is beneficial but not essential.
Meet Your Trainer
Training is delivered by an experienced HVAC and refrigeration specialist with extensive industry experience across Ireland and the UK.
Throughout his career, he has worked in refrigeration and air conditioning as a distributor, Technical Support Manager for a leading air conditioning manufacturer, and consultant on major HVAC projects. Alongside delivering specialist HVAC training, he provides consultancy services to organisations operating within the Irish and UK air conditioning sectors.
He is a member of both the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), bringing current industry knowledge and practical experience to every course.
Course Content
Unit 1: Chillers, Heat Pumps & Installation Best Practice
Gain a practical understanding of refrigeration and vapour compression systems used in commercial and industrial HVAC applications. This unit explains how chillers and heat pumps operate, how to interpret system readings and the principles behind efficient installation and commissioning.
Topics covered
- Personal safety requirements and first aid when working on refrigeration and vapour compression systems
- Pressure and temperature relationships
- Latent heat and sensible heat
- Vapour compression cycle and refrigerant flow
- Refrigerant fractionation and glide
- Reading and interpreting refrigerant gauges
- Practical refrigeration demonstrations
- Direct expansion chillers
- Liquid overfeed chillers
- Refrigerant-to-water evaporators
- Chilled water systems and safety devices
- Capacity control
- Heat pump operation and theory
- Coefficient of Performance (COP) calculations
- Heat pump installation and commissioning techniques
Unit 2: Psychrometrics & Air Properties
Understand the behaviour of air and humidity within HVAC systems. Participants will learn how psychrometric principles influence system performance, occupant comfort and environmental control in commercial and industrial buildings.
Topics covered
- Psychrometric definitions
- Humidity control in electronics and manufacturing environments
- Basic psychrometric calculations
- Humidification and dehumidification
- Mixed air calculations
- Air Handling Unit (AHU) processes
- Airflow measurement
- AHU balancing techniques
Unit 3: Air Handling Units (AHUs): Operation & Maintenance
Learn how Air Handling Units operate and the maintenance activities required to improve reliability, air quality and energy efficiency.
Topics covered
- AHU operating processes
- Air filtration principles
- Fan operation and design
- Cooling and heating systems
- Humidification and dehumidification
- Air cleanliness requirements
- Filter types and classifications
- HEPA filter integrity testing
- Pressure drop across filters
- Magnahelic gauges
- Air pressure differential switches
Unit 4: Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Learn how effective Standard Operating Procedures improve consistency, safety and equipment reliability. This unit provides practical guidance on developing maintenance procedures for Air Handling Units.
Topics covered
- SOP fundamentals
- Using SOPs to improve maintenance performance
- Developing safe maintenance procedures for AHUs
- Course review and discussion
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Explain the vapour compression refrigeration cycle and how it applies to commercial and industrial HVAC systems.
- Understand the design and operation of Air Handling Units (AHUs).
- Apply health and safety best practice when operating and maintaining HVAC equipment.
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Air Handling Units.
- Carry out basic inspection and maintenance procedures on AHUs.
- Understand the operation and key components of chillers and heat pumps.
- Interpret psychrometric principles and understand the properties of air.
- Understand cleanroom classifications and their HVAC requirements.
- Explain room pressure regimes used to maintain cleanroom environments.
- Recognise the importance of preventative maintenance in improving HVAC reliability and energy efficiency.
