Residential HVAC In-Person Certificate Program

Residential Design for a Quality Installation

In-Person Residential HVAC Certificate Program

If you are a contractor, technician, design or utility personnel, wholesaler, energy commission official, licensing or code official, or anyone keen on understanding the crucial aspects, including the economic and environmental advantages, of precise residential load calculation methods for system design, this in-person training session is designed specifically for you.

This in-person course covers residential HVAC design using industry-standard ACCA Manuals J®, S®, T®, and D®. Participants will gain hands-on experience in load calculations, equipment selection, and duct system design while adhering to industry standards and best practices. The course is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in designing efficient, reliable, and safe HVAC systems.

In-Person Residential Class

$1595
Non-Members
$1275*
Members

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* Additional discounted pricing available to Silver & Gold Members. Pricing may be different when booking with outside groups.

Expectations and Goals

ACCA’s Residential HVAC System Design course focuses on applying residential design principles to reduce company liabilities and enhance sales opportunities. It imparts essential skills for testing and designing ductwork tailored to real-world situations and equips participants with increased competence in designing residential HVAC systems. The course covers residential HVAC duct design, load calculations, and equipment selection, preparing students to tackle modern HVAC system design challenges with best practices.

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Who Should Attend

  • Service Technicians
  • Comfort Advisors with HVAC Field Experience
  • Installers
  • Field Service Supervisors
  • Production Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Sales Managers with HVAC Field Experience

What You Will Learn

Embark on a journey to master residential HVAC system design, enhancing your performance and professional value. This course, crafted per ACCA guidelines, provides comprehensive technical training on residential systems. You’ll learn the critical skills of performing accurate load calculations and designing efficient ductwork. Additionally, we cover the essential techniques for choosing and sizing the right home cooling equipment. By the end of this course, you’ll be equipped to improve service quality, minimize liabilities, and seize new business opportunities in the HVAC industry.

These critical takeaways will be reinforced through real-world examples and hands-on exercises to ensure that participants can apply what they learn directly to their work in the field.

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  • Understand the fundamentals of Manual J calculations for accurately determining heating and cooling loads.
  • To inform precise load assessments, learn to evaluate building characteristics, insulation levels, and local climate data.
  • Gain proficiency in utilizing software tools for streamlined and accurate load calculation processes.
  • Master the art of selecting the right HVAC equipment based on calculated loads, ensuring efficiency and comfort.
  • Explore the various types of HVAC systems and components suitable for residential applications.
  • Acquire knowledge of Manual D® principles for the design of effective and efficient duct systems.
  • Learn to create duct layouts that optimize airflow, reduce energy loss, and maintain indoor air quality.
  • Develop skills to troubleshoot common ductwork problems and implement solutions for improved system performance. 

DAY 1:
ACCA Manual J® - Residential HVAC Design Class Overview

This first day will lay the foundation for understanding residential HVAC load calculations, ensuring participants are well-equipped to proceed with more advanced concepts in the following sessions.

DAY 2:
ACCA Manual S® - Residential HVAC Equipment Selection

The second day’s session will ensure that participants are proficient in selecting and sizing residential HVAC equipment and know how to make decisions based on accurate performance data and home-specific considerations. Some Manual D® content may be introduced on day two as well.

DAY 3:
ACCA Manual D® - Residential Duct System Design

This session ensures participants can design efficient and effective duct systems for residential HVAC applications. By the end of the day, students can apply Manual D® principles to real-world scenarios, ensuring they can deliver top-quality ductwork designs.

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About the Instructors

Ed Janowiak

Ed Janowiak
ACCA Manager of HVAC Design Education

Ed comes to ACCA with over thirty-five years of HVAC experience, and more than twenty years, delivering technical topics from his time as the technical director at Eastern Heating and Cooling Council based out of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Janowiak has over fifteen years of practical experience in the field as a service manager, technician, and installer – working at various companies, and as the owner and president of Bramante Energy, Inc.

Matt Akins

Matt Akins
ACCA Manager of HVACR Technical Education

As ACCA’s Manager of HVACR Education, Matt Akins oversees technical education materials, collaborates with certified educators, and provides support to members. With over eighteen years of industry experience, he has excelled in roles such as technical trainer, shaping HVAC curriculum nationwide. Matt’s dedication to education and his adept management skills underscore his vital role in advancing ACCA’s mission.

In-Person Residential Class

Why You Should Attend

Elevate your HVACR company above the competition by closing the skills gap with ACCA’s premier technical education. Our programs, rooted in industry-leading practices, are designed to cultivate a workforce adept in residential HVAC design, ensuring quality installation and fostering business growth. Learn from experienced instructors who bring field-tested expertise to the classroom, enhancing your professional acumen. Adopting and correctly implementing ACCA’s proven strategies will streamline operations, saving time and money and strengthening enduring customer relationships.


Upcoming Schedule

Residential Design for Quality Installation
Hosted by ACCA

January 21-23, 2025
8:00am - 5:00pm
Sacramento, CA
2345 McCellan Park Dr, Sacramento, CA 95652

Residential Design for Quality Installation
Hosted by ACCA

April 15-17, 2025
8:00am - 5:00pm
Johnstown, CO
4151 Ronald Reagan Blvd Suite 120, Johnstown, CO 80534

Materials Students Should Bring to the Class:
• Notepad & Pens    • Laptop (laptop is preferred over a tablet)    • Access to Microsoft Excel    • Manual J®, S®, and D® Excel Speed Sheets

 

In-Person Program Details

Each day of the Residential Design for a Quality Installation (RDQI) In-Person Residential HVAC Certificate Program focuses the topics on a specific manual and its corresponding accompaniments. A detail of the sessions included are listed below.

If you have any questions about the program and sessions, see our frequently asked questions or submit your own question.

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ACCA Manual JDAY 1:
ACCA Manual J - Residential HVAC Design Class Overview

This first day will lay the foundation for understanding residential HVAC load calculations, ensuring participants are well-equipped to proceed with more advanced concepts in the following sessions.

Introduction to Heat Transfer:
  • Understanding how heat moves in residential environments.
  • The principles of conduction, convection, and radiation.
Measurement Essentials:
  • Critical measurements for load calculations.
  • Tools and techniques for accurate data gathering.
Guidelines and Limitations:
  • Overview of ACCA Manual J guidelines.
  • Recognizing the limitations of load calculations.
Design Conditions:
  • Determine design conditions for various climates.
  • Importance of selecting appropriate design temperatures.
Fenestration Analysis:
  • Impact of windows, doors, and skylights on heating and cooling loads.
  • Methods for evaluating fenestration contributions to load.
Opaque Surfaces:
  • Calculate the effects of walls, floors, and roofs on thermal loads.
  • Insulation properties and their significance in load calculation.
Duct System Loads:
  • Identifying and calculating ductwork contributions to the overall load.
  • Strategies for duct system load reduction.
Manual J Speed-Sheet Walk-Through:
  • Step-by-step guidance on using the Manual J speed sheet for block load calculations.
  • Hands-on practice to reinforce learning outcomes.

ACCA Manual SDAY 2:
ACCA Manual S - Residential HVAC Equipment Selection

The second day’s session will ensure that participants are proficient in selecting and sizing residential HVAC equipment and know how to make decisions based on accurate performance data and home-specific considerations. Some Manual D content may be introduced on day two as well.

Overview of Manual S:
  • Introduction to the purpose and scope of ACCA Manual S.
  • Understanding the role of Manual S in the HVAC design process.
Cooling and Heating Equipment Selection:
  • Criteria for selecting residential cooling equipment, including air conditioners and heat pumps.
  • Procedures for sizing equipment based on performance data and home requirements.
Electric Heating Coils and Furnaces:
  • Steps for choosing the correct electric heating coils and furnaces.
  • The importance of sizing for efficiency and comfort.
Boilers and Hydronic Systems:
  • Critical considerations in the selection and sizing of residential boilers.
  • Integration of boilers into hydronic heating systems.
Dehumidification and Humidification Equipment:
  • Determining the need for ancillary dehumidification and humidification.
  • Evaluating equipment options and sizing for optimal indoor air quality.
Performance Data Analysis:
  • How to interpret and apply performance data for sensible and latent cooling capacities.
  • Understand the variables affecting HVAC equipment performance.
Applying Principles to Heat Pumps, Furnaces, and Boilers:
  • Similarities in the principles of selection and sizing across different types of equipment.
  • Practical examples and exercises for applying Manual S procedures.

ACCA Manual DDAY 2:
ACCA Manual D - Residential Duct System Design

This session ensures participants can design efficient and effective duct systems for residential HVAC applications. By the end of the day, students can apply Manual D principles to real-world scenarios, ensuring they can deliver top-quality ductwork designs.

Significance of Duct Design:
  • Explore the importance of a well-designed duct system for efficiency and comfort.
  • Impact of duct design on overall HVAC system performance.
Duct Materials and Types:
  • Overview of common duct materials and their applications.
  • Comparison of different duct types and their suitability for specific installations.
Duct Sizing Fundamentals:
  • Calculating duct sizes based on required airflow and desired velocity.
  • Understanding and applying the principles of friction rates in duct design.
Duct Layout Considerations:
  • Calculating the effects of duct length and fittings on airflow.
  • Strategies for minimizing the impact of turns and transitions.
Duct Installation Best Practices:
  • Guidelines for proper duct installation to ensure durability and performance.
  • Address common installation challenges and solutions.
Whole Home Duct Design Walk-Through:
  • Step-by-step instructions on creating complete multiple home duct designs.
  • Hands-on practice with the ACCA Duct Wheel to reinforce concepts.

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Have a Question? We Have an Answer

See our Frequently Asked Questions below. If you still have a question, send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

No, all meals, lodging and other expenses are the learner’s responsibility. Please check your confirmation email or contact training@acca.org for suggestions about nearby lodging.

Certificates are emailed to attendees who successfully participate in an ACCA in-person class at the conclusion of the class. If you lose your certificate and require a replacement, or if someone needs to verify your successful participation in the class, call 703-575-4477.
No, the in-person class registration always includes the required materials.
We restrict class size to ensure a high level of interaction. Typically there are fewer than 20 learners in a class.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing to training@acca.org. If you must cancel your attendance, you will be moved to the next available class. Requests for refunds will be handled on an individual basis. Any cancellations received under one month prior to the start of the class will not be considered for a refund.

For more information, contact training@acca.org or call 703-575-4477.

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Membership

It Pays to Be a Member! Discounted Pricing for Educational Training is Just One of the Many Perks of ACCA Membership

Learn about all the benefits of being a member of ACCA and save with all our available education tools. From online to in-person, training from ACCA will keep your business at the forefront of the HVACR industry.

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