If you're shopping for adult-level HVAC and electrical trades training, you may be weighing whether to invest in a self-paced course from decades past. The VTG National Technical Schools Air Conditioning Refrigeration HVAC Course Books offer a complete home-study curriculum at a single price point-but will it serve your current goals or end up as a collector's piece? Let's break down what this set actually contains and who it makes sense for.
Quick Verdict
For a vocational learner who wants structured, foundational lessons in refrigeration, air conditioning, and electrical theory, this 81-manual package is a broad resource. The included student guide and career booklets go beyond simple technical text, giving you a self-paced structure and even some business advice. At USD 150.00, you're paying for a substantial curriculum bundle rather than a single textbook. But keep in mind that this is a vintage program, so it's best suited to someone who can connect older principles to modern practice.
Who It Suits
The course is aimed at Adult & Further Education and Vocational School levels, so it's designed for working adults or trade students learning on their own. If you're after a sequenced introduction to mechanical schematics, wiring prints, and electrical fundamentals, the 81 core manuals deliver that. It's also a practical fit for hobbyists or apprentices who want to see how earlier generations were taught before focusing on contemporary codes and equipment.
What Stands Out From the Listed Details
One of the most attractive parts of this set is its completeness. You get 81 core technical course manuals covering mechanical schematics, wiring prints, electrical theory, and residential cooling and refrigeration systems. That's not just a few pamphlets; it's a structured curriculum. Then there's the original student guide book from 1978 to 1980, with handwritten entries detailing text names, completion timelines, and successful test scores. It adds a genuine record of how a student progressed through the material.
Also included is a 7-booklet career development sub-set titled "Self Advancement Through Service." These pamphlets address customer service, professional ethics, and advice for starting your own independent trade business. That's a thoughtful addition for anyone who sees technical skills as the first step toward growing a company. Rounding it out is the NTS trade dictionary booklet, which compiles industrial engineering, electrical, and mechanical terminology-handy when you're hitting unfamiliar jargon.
VTG National Technical Schools Air Conditioning Refrigeration HVAC Course Books
The full package is offered at USD 150.00. According to the listing, the books are in Good condition, originally from the United States, and published in 1971 as paperback and pamphlet formats. The language is English and the educational level is technical, adult, and vocational. Considering that you're receiving the entire course in one purchase, it's a cost-effective way to build a library of peer-designed training materials.
Meaningful Trade-offs
As with any vintage course, you should be aware of the era. The publication year is 1971, and the student guide entries run through 1980. That means the content predates modern HVAC systems, digital controls, and today's refrigerants. While the foundational physics and electrical theory remain useful, you'll need to supplement this set with current manuals, code updates, and hands-on practice for modern installations. Also, the physical format is paperbacks and pamphlets-durable enough for reference but not a hardcover textbook.
Bottom Line
If you're looking for a structured, broad-spectrum introduction to air conditioning, refrigeration, and electrical trades, the VTG National Technical Schools Course Books offer serious value for your $150. The combination of technical manuals, a real student's record, career development booklets, and a trade dictionary makes it a rich historical learning package. Just go in with realistic expectations: this is a foundation from an earlier era, not a replacement for current training. For the right learner, it's a wise buy.
