NATE Approved Continuing Education Units and HVAC/R Technical Training Classes

Potter’s HVAC/R Concepts provides seminars and technical training for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industries. The training classes developed by Potter’s HVAC/R Concepts are condensed versions of the courses that Andy Potter created when he started the HVAC Training Center, Inc in Hockley, Texas. The HVAC Training Center, Inc was a state-approved HVAC training center that helped several hundred technicians acquire their air conditioning and heating license in the state of Texas.

A list of the HVAC training classes taught by Potter’s HVAC/R Concepts’ is listed below. In addition, Potter’s HVAC/R Concepts can develop custom training classes for large contractors and HVAC wholesalers.

NATE Approved Classes

Improving Compressor Longevity
This class covers lubrication, cooling, line sizes and electrical component application as related to the life of the compressor. Electrical components in the circuitry to the compressor will be covered to show their importance in the long life of the compressor. We will also discuss the capacitor's role in the compressor's efficiency and longevity. Hands on task sheets will be provided and covered. Knowledge to safely test run capacitors under load will be presented as a way to improve the efficiency of the compressor.
2 hr class

Recovery and Evacuation (Approved #5301-0001)
This course covers intro to refrigeration cycle and importance of proper evacuation for preparing a system for charging. The evacuation procedure will be covered step by step. We will discuss the low side evacuation in a new system installation verses a whole system evacuation during a major repair to the refrigeration system. The technician will understand the importance of a true evacuation over the purging process sometimes thought to be acceptable during a new start up. The course will discuss the importance of recovery as well and show how to use the training as a tool in service.
2 hr class

Using Superheat and Sub Cooling as a Tool
This course reviews the refrigeration cycle and shows the importance of the saturated refrigerant in both the evaporator and condenser. It relates S/H and S/C to both flooded and starved refrigerant heat exchangers. The thermodynamic value of superheated and sub cooled refrigerant will expose the importance of the amount of saturated refrigerant in both the evaporator and condenser coils. We will discuss the importance of the saturated condition verses the superheated and sub cooled condition. By the end of the class the technicians will place a higher value on the importance of taking super heat and sub cooling readings as it relates to the efficiency and longevity of the system. Covering both refrigeration and electrical conditions, it will be my intension to give the students an insight into actual field related examples used in troubleshooting techniques that have proven to be successful.
2 hr class

Improving profits without compromising Integrity
This class motivates the attendee to use the science of the trade to test the performance of the system. The need to offer add-on components to improve profits is better accepted using science based troubleshooting.
2 hr class

Fundamentals of Refrigeration
This class will cover each of the major components in the refrigeration cycle in a way that it will interest both new comers to the trade as well as seasoned technicians. Everyday language is used to describe the process in a way that it can be remembered. Basic thermodynamics will be covered to show the importance of the three physical changes the refrigerant passes through during the complete cycle. The attendees will leave with a greater understanding of the importance of testing the performance of the system after a repair has been made.
2 hr class

Electrical Application
This class covers the basics of electrical circuitry. It uses ohm’s law to show the value of locating failed components that create a resistance to the flow of current to the compressor during its in-rush amperage start-up period.
2 hr class

Compressor Start Components
This class covers the electrical design of the compressor motor. The use of start kits will be covered. Hard and soft start kits will be compared. The importance of testing circuitry components before adding start components is covered.
2 hr class

Air Flow
This class will cover the importance of air flow in a HVAC system and how it is more critical with R410a systems. Both return air and supply air will be covered. We will also include charts that will help you design systems and balance the air flow more efficiently.
2 hr class

Better Business Practices
This class will cover the practices that Coleman has to offer their dealers. Topics include flat rate pricing, services agreements, financing, and credit cards. Attendees will learn how to implement these practices into their business in order to help them close more sales at higher margins and increased profits.
2 hr class

Alternative Refrigerants
The use of alternative refrigerants will be covered in a practical way. This class covers the use of the new refrigerants including 410a and other blends. This class will compare both the efficiency values of 410a to R-22 systems and the expected pressures of 410A verses R22 as well as introduce the advantages of 410A over R22. This class will show the importance of proper procedure to insure the safety and longevity of the higher pressures of a 410A system. Hands on task sheets will be provided and covered.
2 hr class

Electrical Trouble Shooting
The importance of proper electrical activity will be shown. Each component in the electrical circuit will be discussed showing its role to the life of the compressor. Testing proceeds will be discussed and the hop scotching method for troubleshooting the electrical system will be demonstrated. Task sheets for testing the capacitors while the compressor is running will be handed out and covered. The information covered in this class will save the technician time during a diagnosis and should result in increased revenues as practice brings on confidence.
2 hr class