Excerpt
The refrigeration and air conditioning industry today presents a continually growing and changing series of opportunities for skilled technicians. Despite economic ups and downs, there is always a positive job outlook in the HVAC/R market. Because of new technologies and steady growth, the demand for technicians grows ever greater. In addition, our health and comfort depend on new developments in the refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heating fields.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning: An Introduction to HVAC/R, Fourth Edition, is an excellent resource for beginners and apprentices to start and pursue a pleasant and profitable career in the HVAC/R field.
Refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heating have dramatically expanded in the variety of available equipment and applications. This text contains all the most recent information and the advances necessary to prepare the technician for today's world. It incorporates the latest technical changes and EPA rulings, covers the newer refrigerants, and provides current information on the recovery, reclaiming, and recycling of refrigerants. It also contains basic information on the many certification exams. Material is presented in an easily understood format intended for use in HVAC/R, classes in high schools, technical schools, and community colleges, or for those just wanting current information. This book will give students a solid foundation for success in the HVAC/R trades and serve as a great reference source for technicians in the field.
A thorough study of this book in a classroom setting will help students prepare for the many career opportunities in HVACIR,, from installation and servicing to maintaining air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. The extensive descriptions of equipment and supplies with in-depth explanations of their operation and function will familiarize students with the tools of the trade. The text also discusses occupational opportunities in the field and explains the training required. Students preparing for a career in HVAC/R will need not only technical skills, but also need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions, work with or without supervision, read and interpret diagrams and formulas, work well with tools and equipment, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, be alert to possible problems and safety issues, and be able to keep up with the latest HVAC/R, technologies. This book addresses all of these requirements.
ORGANIZATION OF THIS TEXT
The chapters are logically organized into sections that include:
- Fundamentals (Introduction; Tools, Meters, and Measuring Devices; HVAC/R, Practices)
- Refrigeration Principles (Principles of Matter and Thermodynamics; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System Components; Refrigerants)
- Electricity (Basic Electricity; Electrical Diagrams and Controls)
- Residential Systems (Central Residential Air Conditioning; Central Residential Gas Warm Air Heating; Central Residential Oil Warm Air Heating; Central Residential Electric Warm Air Heating; Central Residential Heat Pump Systems)
- Indoor Air Systems (Air Distribution; Indoor Air Quality; Load Calculation)
- Commercial Systems (Packaged Heating/ Cooling Systems; Commercial Refrigeration; Central Plant Hydronic Systems)
- Unitary Systems (Appliances)
- Employment Skills (Job Skills)
- Appendices (Temperature Conversions; Properties of Refrigerants; Commonly Used HVAC/R Formulas; and Tables and Figures with Useful HVAC/R Data)
At the beginning of each chapter is a list of objectives. These objectives identify the topics covered and goals to be achieved in the chapter. All the chapters contain boxed features on Tech Tips, Service Tips, Safety Warnings, Tech Talk, and facts that are just Nice to Know. All chapters end with review questions to determine how well the student is learning the material. There are many tables that contain technical data and troubleshooting information throughout the book. These tables contain information that will help the reader diagnose and repair common problems. A list of these helpful tables is provided in Appendix D so they can be easily referenced once you have finished your studies of this book. Color is used extensively in this edition to enhance understanding and highlight important information. Hundreds of bright and clear color photographs help students grasp the subject material. Finally, both English- and Spanish-Language glossaries are provided at the end of the book.
ANCILLARY MATERIALS
- Student CD with full motion animations of many of the basic HVAC/R concepts.
A comprehensive instructor package is available free when the text is adopted for classroom use from Prentice Hall (call 1-800-526-0485 or visit online at www.prenhall.com). This instructor package includes the following:
- PowerPoint® presentation on topics covered in the text.
- Instructor CD with suggested student activities, a test bank, photo library with hundreds of digital color photos, as well as many other useful elements for the classroom.
- Answers to all questions in the textbook.
- Computerized test generator.