HVAC Book

An HVAC book or HVAC textbook will be a constant companion when you start your HVAC training.

Thanks to the different technical fields involved in our trade, the variety of material we need to be familiar with fills up some pretty hefty textbooks.

These textbooks contain a lot of information that we technicians can forget over time, and I found myself re-learning some basic material when I had to review a textbook to prepare for a class I taught at the local community college.

I own a few HVAC textbooks and manuals, and I'll review some of them on this page.

If you're looking for an HVAC book to study on-line, you might want to visit our Marine Refrigeration Manual page.

It describes the Marine Refrigeration Manual we have available in pdf format, and explains how to access it on-line at your convenience.

You're also welcome to download the free digital edition of our Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System Evaluation Manual, which discusses the pressures, temperatures, superheat, and subcooling readings you can expect to find when air conditioning, refrigeration, and reciprocating chiller systems are running normally.

They're all in pdf format so you can open and read them on-line easily.

If you're looking for electrical textbooks, you might want to take a look at our Electrical Textbooks page, where we describe 5 electrical textbooks we have available that you can open and study on-line at your convenience.

Moving on to traditional HVAC Books:

"Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning" by Althouse, Turnquist, and Bracciano, is an HVAC book that is used to teach in vocational and technical schools.

I own the edition printed in 1996.

It is 1199 pages, with 31 chapters: 1-fundamentals of refrigeration, 2-refrigeration tools and materials, 3-basic refrigeration systems, 4-compression systems and compressors, 5-refrigerant controls, 6-electrical-magnetic fundamentals, 7-electric motors, 8-electric circuits and controls, 9-refrigerants, 10-refrigerant recovery/recycling/reclaiming, 11-domestic refrigerators and freezers, 12-servicing and installing small hermetic systems, 13-commercial systems, 14-copmmercial systems-applications, 15-servicing and installing commercial systems, 16-commercial systems-heat loads and piping, 17-absorption systems-principles and applications, 18-special refrigeration systems and applications, 19-fundamentals of air conditioning, 20-basic heating and air conditioning systems, 21-heating and humidification systems, 22-cooling and de-humidifying systems, 23-air distribution, measurement, and cleaning, 24-heat pumps and complete air conditioning systems, 25-solar energy, 26-air conditioning and heating control systems, 27-air conditioning systems-heat loads, 28-automotive air conditioning, 29-servicing and troubleshooting simplified, 30-passing EPA exams, 31-technical characteristics.

This HVAC book contains a lot of good fundamental information, has a lot of photographs, drawings, and charts, and if this is the type of general educational HVAC information you're looking for, this book is loaded with it.

You can find it on-line at Amazon.com.

Another HVAC book I own that is used as a textbook is "Refrigeration and Air Conditioning", by ARI, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute.

I own the second edition, printed in 1987.

It is 779 pages, with 52 chapters: R1-introduction to refrigeration, R2-matter and heat behavior, R3-fluids and pressure, R4-refrigeration technician's hand tools and accessories, R5-refrigeration piping materials and fabrication, R6-compression cycle components, R7-refrigerants, R8-pressure-enthalpy diagrams, R9-evaporators, R10-refrigerant control devices, R11-compressors, R12-condensers, R13-refrigeration piping, R14-accessories, R15-absorption refrigeration, R16-basic electricity, R17-electrical generation and distribution, R18-electrical components, R19-electrical testing devices, R20-electrical circuits and controls, R21-solid state electronics, R22-refrigeration measuring and testing equipment, R23-installation and start up, R24-troubleshooting, R25-troubleshooting:refrigeration, R26-troubleshooting:electrical, R27-refrigeration load, R28-refrigerated storage, A1air conditioning introduction, A2-air conditioning benefits, A3-psychrometrics, A4-basic airflow principles, A5-winter comfort, A6-mechanical and electronic filtration, A7-unitary packaged cooling, A8-unitary combination heating and cooling equipment, A9-central station systems, A10-controls, A11-typical residential control systems, A12-commercial and engineered control systems, A13-heating, measuring, and testing equipment, A14-heating stratup, checkout, and operation, A15-heating service and problem analysis, A16-air conditioning measuring and testing equipment, A17-air conditioning startup, checkout, and operation, A18- air conditioning service and problem analysis, HP1-heat pump basic principles, HP2-controls, HP3-heat pump equipment, HP4-heat pump measuring and testing equipment, HP5-heat pump startup, checkout, and operation, HP6-heat pump sevice and problem analysis.

This HVAC book is well written, and is a fine textbook.

There are plenty of photos, drawings, and charts, and it covers the same range of material as "Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning", although it's arranged differently, and has slightly less of the detailed scientific and engineering information.

It's available on-line at Amazon.com.

The third HVAC book I'll review here is "Refrigeration and Air Conditioning" by Billy C. Langley.

I own the third edition, printed in 1986.

It is 596 pages, with 23 chapters: 1-fundamentals of refrigeration, 2-compression refrigeration systems, 3-refrigeration materials and hand tools, 4-compressors, 5-condensers and receivers, 6-evaporators, 7-flow control devices, 8-accessories, 9-refrigerants, 10-introduction to electricity, 11-test equipment, 12-electric motor theory, 13-electric motor controls, 14-domestic refrigeration, 15-room air conditioners and dehumidifiers, 16-commercial refrigeration, 17-commercial ice machines, 18-air conditioning(heating), 19-air conditioning(cooling), 20-cooling and heating with water, 21-automotive air conditioning, 22-solar energy, 23-human relations.

This HVAC book is also well written, with photos, drawings, and charts, but doesn't cover quite as much of the industry as the previously mentioned texts.

It would be fine for use as a textbook to introduce new technicians to the fundamentals of the service aspect of the industry without going deep into the scientific theories.

I've recently received "Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology", 5th edition, written by William C. Whitman, William A. Johnson, John A. Tomczyk.

This is the table of contents: 1-Theory, 2- Matter and Energy, 3- Refrigeration and Refrigerants, 4-General Safety Practices, 5- Tools and Equipment, 6-Fasteners, 7-Tubing and Piping, 8-System Evacuation, 9-Refrigerant and Oil Chemistry and Management--Recovery, Recycling, Reclaiming, and Retrofitting, 10-System Charging, 11-Calibrating Instruments, 12-Basic Electricity and Magnetism, 13-Introduction to Automatic Controls, 14-Automatic Control Components and Applications, 15-Troubleshooting Basic Circuits, 16-Advanced Automatic Controls, 17-Types of Electric Motors, 18-Application of Motors, 19-Motor Controls, 20-Troubleshooting Electric Motors, 21-Evaporation and the Refrigeration system, 22-Condensers, 23-Coompressors, 24 Expansion Devices, 25-Special Refrigeration System Components, 26-Application of Refrigeration Systems, 27-Commercial Ice Machines, 28-Special Refrigeration Applications, 29-Troubleshooting and Typical Operating Conditions for Commercial Refrigeration, 30-Electric Heat, 31-Gas Heat, 32-Oil Heat, 33-Hydronic Heat, 34-Indoor Air Quality, 35-Comfort and Psychrometrics, 36-Refrigeration Applied to Air Conditioning, 37-Air Distribution and Balance. 38-Installation, 39-Controls, 40-Typical Operating Conditions, 41-Troubleshooting, 42-Electric, Gas, and Oil Heat with Electric Air Conditioning, 43-Air Source Heat Pumps, 44-Geothermal Heat Pumps, 45-Domestic Refrigerators, 46-Domestic Freezers, 47-Room Air Conditioners, 48-High Pressure, Low Pressure, and Absorption Chilled Water Systems, 49-Cooling Towers and Pumps, 50-Operation, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting of Chilled Water Air-Conditioning Systems.

It is 1234 pages of study material with plenty of photographs, illustrations, charts, and tables, followed by appendixes and an index.

It comes with a CD that covers alternative heating, Sec. 608 rules, the refrigerant numbering system, and refrigerant changeover guidelines.

A lab manual/study guide is also available.

This is the best textbook I've seen so far.

It doesn't bog the student down with the basic science the way some other texbooks do.

It starts with enough science so the student will have a practical understanding of heat, power, mechanics, and electricity, then builds on that foundation with good explanations of each topic covered.

Many chapters also have service calls where the chapter topic is put to use troubleshooting a real world type of problem.

I definitely recommend this HVAC book.

Shop for it on-line safely and securely at Amazon.com by clicking on the link below.

I've recently been able to read "Troubleshooting and Servicing Modern Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems", written by John Tomczyk.

The topics the chapters cover are: 1. Refrigerant Pressures, States, and Conditions, 2. Subcooling and Superheat. 3. Compression System. 4. Metering Devices. 5. System Charge. 6. Diagnosing Air Conditioning Systems. 7. Systematic Troubleshooting. 8. Alternative Refrigerants, Refrigerant Blends, and oils. 9. Leak Detection, Evacuation, and Clean Up Procedures. 10. Ozone Depletion and Global Warming. Appendix A. Alternative Refrigerant and Oil Retrofit Guidelines. Appendix B. Alternative Refrigerant Guidelines.

This HVAC book is excellent in my opinion.

It isn't a school type of textbook that starts out with basic theory.

It seems to be written with the assumption that the reader has already studied basic theory and is working in the field.

It covers critical topics in a way that helps the reader understand them, and introduced me to some technology that I haven't worked on yet: LPA subcooling pumps.

What else can I say?

I definitely recommend this book.

It's available on-line at Amazon.com.

I realize some of the textbooks I've reviewed are 10 to 20 years old.

I have no doubt that the newer editions will cover the changes that have taken place in the industry, and I think the list of chapters will give you a good idea of the scope of information these books cover.

Another good HVAC book is "Doolin's Troubleshooters Bible".

He describes the basics of how refrigeration and electrical systems work in easy to understand, everyday language, and provides service tips about some common appliances and air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

It would be a great HVAC book for someone who's interested in the details of how an air conditioner or refrigerator works, but doesn't want to wade through an ocean of scientific or engineering fundamentals.

You can find This book on-line at Amazon.com.

The last HVAC book I'd like to discuss is best for technicians who have completed a good course of training, and are already working in the trade.

T.E.C.H. Method is a great book that teaches you how to look at superheat, subcooling, air flow, temperature differences, and electrical operating characteristics in a way that pinpoints problems in a system quickly.

It covers cap tube and expansion valve systems, high temp/air conditioning, medium temp, low temp, and ultra low temp systems; and there is also a T.E.C.H. method for heating.

This is the HVAC book I would most highly recommend for technicians interested in sharpening their troubleshooting skills.

U S Government Self-Study HVAC Book

People from all over the world have e-mailed and asked where they can find affordable HVAC Books to study.

I've found a set of U S Army self-study HVAC books that introduce the fundamentals of the HVAC trade.

I think this HVAC course will help anyone who studies it seriously, and I'm glad to make the digital version available here free of charge.

There are self-test questions throughout the course to help evaluate how well the student is comprehending the material, and the answers to the questions are at the end of the modules.

Module 1 is 84 pages, and covers the following topics:
1 Principles of Electricity
2 Fundamentals of Gasoline Engines
3 Physics of Refrigeration
4 Refrigerants

Module 2 is 95 pages long, and covers the following topics:
1 Commercial Refrigeration Systems
2 Commercial Refrigeration Systems (Continued)
3 Cold Storage and Ice Plants
4 Special Application Systems
5 Vehicle Refrigeration Units

Module 3 is 143 pages long, and covers the following topics:
1 Undesirable Properties of Air
2 Temperatures, Airflows, and Their Measuring Devices
3 Design and Installation Factors
4 Self-Contained Package Air-Conditioning Units
5 Fresh Air and Air Duct Systems
6 Controls
7 Evaporative Cooling
8 Mechanical Ventilation
9 Heat Pumps

Module 4 is 151 pages long, and covers the following topics:
1 Direct Expansion Systems
2 Absorption Systems
3 Centrifugal Systems
4 Water Treatment
5 Centrifugal Water Pumps
6 Fundamentals of Electronic Controls
7 Electronic Control Systems

Let me know if this course helps.

I hope this page will help you find the type of HVAC book you're looking for, and please, feel free to contact us with any specific HVAC questions you might have, including questions about air conditioning on Guam, or refrigeration on Guam.

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