Commercial Refrigeration Program

HVACRedu.net Online Course Package
83 Instructional Hours

The Online Refrigeration Training Program is an advanced program, perfect for HVACR technicians and contractors who want to better understand refrigeration systems used in commercial applications like stores, warehouses, restaurants, and product and food services.

These advanced commercial refrigeration training courses are designed for HVACR technicians and contractors, facilities managers, and commercial maintenance technicians who have already completed an educational program for HVACR and/or have current working knowledge of HVACR fundamentals. It will build on your existing knowledge.

Each course includes interactive activities, knowledge checks, and an exam. Students who complete each course with a score of 70% or higher will receive a Certificate of Completion for that course. Further, at the end of the program, if all courses are passed with a score of 70% or higher, students will receive a Certificate of Completion for the HVACR Commercial Refrigeration Program.

Students are enrolled as online asynchronous independent study on the HVACRedu.net platform. This access allows students to login at their convenience 24/7/365. 

The courses making up the program are:

  • 141 HVACR Refrigeration I
  • 142 HVACR Refrigeration II
  • 441 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration I
  • 442 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration II
  • 245 HVACR Compressor Failure Analysis with Bob Feathers

This course is NATE recognized.

Note: You can enroll in this package here on the HVACR Learning Network.  You will  receive instructions on how to access your courses via email from HVACRedu.net.

Individual Course Descriptions

 The following courses are included in this course package:

141 HVACR Refrigeration I (18 hours / 60 days) - Advanced      Written by Chris Compton

HVACR Refrigeration 141 provides a thorough examination of the refrigeration cycle as it is applied to both air conditioning and refrigeration purposes, and presents a practical and systematic method to diagnose problems in the refrigeration cycle. If you understand the parameters governing the operation of the refrigeration cycle, you will be able to diagnose any piece of equipment. 

Prerequisite: It is recommended that you have a good understanding of HVACR Fundamentals, or have a working knowledge of them, prior to enrollment into this intermediate course. Instruction aligns with ACCA Quality Installation and  ACCA/ ASHRAE Standard 180.


142 HVACR Refrigeration II (18 hours / 60 days) - Advanced       Written by Chris Compton

This course is a continuation and elaboration of HVACR Refrigeration I. Presentations describe the application of common accessories found in a system, piping arrangements, sizing considerations and system operation. Instruction aligns with ACCA Quality Installation and ACCA/ ASHRAE Standard 180. 

Prerequisite: You will want to have completed 141 HVACR Refrigeration I, or have a working knowledge of the content of that course prior to enrollment into this advanced course. 


441 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration I (24 hours / 60 days) - Advanced       Written by Dick Wirz

We will compare things you’re already familiar with like space temperatures and common components of basic AC systems to those of commercial refrigeration systems. We will examine evaporators, condensers, compressors, metering devices, controls and accessories, and the refrigerants commonly used in commercial refrigeration. We will review the important terminology. At the end of this course we will cover some system troubleshooting, giving you a chance to put your knowledge to work on the 9 most common system problems. And you will understand when to apply TROT (The Rule Of Thumb) in the absence of a manufacturer’s recommendation. 

Prerequisite: You will need a strong working knowledge of HVACR Fundamentals prior to enrollment into this course. 


442 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration II (18 hours / 60 days) - Advanced       Written by Dick Wirz

This course is a continuation of 441 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration I. Again, we will compare things you’re already familiar with like basic AC systems to those of commercial refrigeration systems. We will examine compressor motor controls, retrofitting, recovery, evacuation, and charging; various supermarket refrigeration systems, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, and commercial ice machines so you can identify the components, their functions, and the refrigerants belonging with each application. After you have a good understanding of the equipment, we’ll explore appropriate temperatures for products kept in that equipment. And finally, you will understand when to apply TROT (The Rule Of Thumb) in the absence of a manufacturer’s recommendation. 

Prerequisite: You will need a strong working knowledge of HVACR Fundamentals prior to enrollment into this course.


245 HVACR Compressor Failure Analysis w/ Bob Feathers

This is an 11 video / 5 hour series of compressor tear downs performed by and commented on by Bob Feathers, also known as “Mr. Compressor”. He dissects a range of manufacturer’s reciprocating semi-hermetic commercial compressors that have failed and points out the clues that point to the reason for failure.

“A Compressor Doesn’t Fail, A System Fails”! – Chris Compton

Prerequisite:   Because of the advanced topics discussed in this video series, it is recommended that you complete the first four courses of the Commercial Refrigeration Program.

Course Instruction & Textbook Details

The online refrigeration training begins with the Fundamentals of Refrigeration with Chris Compton and moves into the advanced courses with Dick Wirz. The first time the 441 and 442 courses were offered in a webinar, Dick’s lectures were recorded. Those recordings are included in the asynchronous delivery so you feel like you’re sitting in his classroom. He covers everything you need from refrigeration principles through evaporators, condensers, compressors, metering devices, controls, accessories, motors, and the various refrigerants used so you can service walk-in refrigerators and freezers, and commercial ice makers with confidence. He also describes the most common service issues and troubleshooting procedures.


The REQUIRED TEXTBOOK, “Cengage: Commercial Refrigeration for Air Conditioning Technicians, 3rd Edition” (ISBN 978-1305506435), is included in the tuition for this program and will be shipped to the student.

    Module Topics Covered By Course

    Module topics covered per course include:

    141 HVACR Refrigeration I

    • Basic Refrigeration Cycle Physics
    • Condensation and Condensers
    • Expansion and Metering Devices
    • Evaporation and Evaporators
    • Compression and Compressors
    • Measure the Normal Cycle

    142 HVACR Refrigeration II

    • Refrigerants
    • Common Compressor Accessories
    • Common High-Side Accessories
    • Common Low-Side Accessories
    • Piping System Sizing
    • Common System Control Arrangements

    441 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration I

    • Refrigeration Principles
    • Evaporators
    • Condensers
    • Compressors
    • Metering Devices
    • Controls and Accessories
    • Refrigeration System Troubleshooting Part 1
    • Refrigeration System Troubleshooting Part 2

    442 HVACR Commercial Refrigeration II

    • Compressor Motor Controls
    • Retrofitting, Recovery, Evacuation, and Charging
    • Supermarket Refrigeration
    • Walk-in Refrigerators and Freezers
    • Ice Machines
    • Product Temperatures for Preservation and Health – Refrigeration Business Tips

      $1,850

      • Program Intended For: Experienced HVACR Technicians & Contractors, Facilities Managers, Commercial Maintenance Technicians
      • Commercial Refrigeration
      • English
      • 83 Instructional Hours
      • 83 NATE CEHs
      Additional Details:
      • Payment plan option available.
      • This program is NATE recognized.
      • Certificate of Completion.
      Order Now Payment Plan