For professionals in the HVAC and electrical trades, the right training resource depends on your immediate goal: pass an exam, learn the trade from the ground up, design a system, or diagnose a specific vehicle. The four options here range from a $10 CD for GM mechanics to a $45 textbook used in trade programs. We'll help you match the right one to your goal.
Quick Take
- For a comprehensive technician education: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology, 6th Edition.
- For HVAC system design reference: Handbook of HVAC Design.
- For career exam preparation: HVAC Technician (Career Examination).
- For GM vehicle HVAC diagnostics: 2001 GM Service Mechanics Repair Training Course CD.
Price Comparison Table
| Product | Listed Price | Relative Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Handbook of HVAC Design | USD 13.58 | |
| HVAC Technician (Career Examination) | USD 42.22 | |
| Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 6th Edition | USD 45.00 | |
| 2001 GM Service Mechanics Repair Training Course CD | USD 10.37 |
Decision Matrix
| If your goal is... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| A complete HVAC education for students and apprentices | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 6th Edition |
| HVAC system design and engineering reference | Handbook of HVAC Design |
| Passing a HVAC technician career exam | HVAC Technician (Career Examination) |
| Diagnosing HVAC systems in GM vehicles | 2001 GM Service Mechanics Repair Training Course CD |
Product Notes
Handbook of HVAC Design
This hardcover engineering reference by Nils R. Grimm gives you the principles behind HVAC system design rather than a step-by-step repair manual. It is listed as Very Good condition with normal use and some light wear, so you are getting a working reference for a modest price. If you are an engineer, architect, or advanced technician who needs to understand load calculations and system layouts, this book belongs on your shelf. The limitation is that it is not a training course or an exam guide, and a used copy may have limited notes or markings from the previous owner.
HVAC Technician (Career Examination)
This Passbooks trade paperback is aimed at job candidates taking a HVAC technician career exam. It is in Like New condition, clean and unmarked, so you can write in it as you prepare. The book is structured around the type of questions you will likely encounter on a civil service or licensing exam, making it a focused drill tool. On the downside, it is not a general textbook, so if you need to learn the science of HVAC from scratch, this will not give you the full picture. At its price, it is an investment for someone who already has some training and needs to pass a test.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology 6th Edition
This hardcover textbook, written by Bill Whitman, Bill Johnson, John Tomczyk, and Eugene Silberstein, is designed for students and apprentices in HVAC training programs. The revised 2009 edition is aimed at adult and further education, covering both theory and practical service techniques. It is the most expensive option here, but it is also the most comprehensive single volume for someone entering the field. The main drawback is that a used copy often comes with normal wear, so the binding and pages may show use even if the content is intact.
2001 GM Service Mechanics Repair Training Course CD
If you are a mechanic who works on General Motors vehicles, this CD-ROM from GM's own training program is a targeted resource for diagnosing HVAC systems. Released in 2001, it is a low-cost way to get manufacturer-specific diagnostic guidance without paying for a full service manual. The media type is CD-ROM, so you will need a computer with a CD drive. Because it is a used copy and over two decades old, it may not cover the latest GM models or technologies, but for older vehicles it is a bargain-priced training aid.
Final Recommendation
If you are a student enrolled in a formal HVAC program, the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology textbook is the anchor you will want, despite the $45 price. For working engineers and designers, the Handbook of HVAC Design at $13.58 is a low-cost reference that earns its space. Exam candidates should pick the HVAC Technician Career Examination guide, and GM mechanics looking for a shop-only training tool can grab the GM CD for a little more than $10. No single item covers every need, but each one does its specific job well.
