Choosing a study set for the HVAC electrical trades often comes down to a simple problem: you need more than a single textbook. Air conditioning and refrigeration work demands a working knowledge of mechanical systems and the wiring that drives them. The VTG National Technical Schools Air Conditioning Refrigeration HVAC Course Books address that with a full home-study-style archive of manuals, and at USD 150.00, the question is whether the package earns a spot on your shelf.
Quick verdict
This is a comprehensive, paper-based fundamentals course rather than a quick pocket guide. The 81 core manuals cover mechanical schematics, wiring prints, electrical theory, and residential cooling and refrigeration systems, which makes it a strong match for adult learners and vocational students. The included student guide book and career-development booklets add structure that a loose stack of notes would not.
Who it suits
The set is aimed at adult and further education, vocational school-level study, and the language is English. If you are teaching yourself or following a structured trade program, this gives you a broad foundation. The format-pamphlets and paperbacks-does not require special equipment, only a methodical reading plan.
What stands out
- The 81 core technical course manuals combine schematics, wiring prints, and electrical theory, so you can study mechanical system behavior and the electrical side side-by-side.
- The original student guide book from 1978-1980 includes handwritten completion timelines and final test scores, giving a real example of how one learner worked through the material.
- The 7-booklet career development sub-set, titled "Self Advancement Through Service," covers customer service, professional ethics, and starting an independent trade business.
- The NTS trade dictionary booklet offers a quick reference for specialized engineering, electrical, and mechanical terms.
VTG National Technical Schools Air Conditioning Refrigeration HVAC Course Books
The strongest reason to choose this set is the combination of core technical manuals and a real study record: the student guide book shows the course could be completed with perfect scores by a past learner. The trade-off is the format-with 81 booklets plus the dictionary and career sub-set, this is a bulky paper collection, not a single concise handbook.
Meaningful trade-offs
At USD 150.00, you are paying for a full course library, not a single reference book. The 1971 publication year means this is a vintage curriculum; it is best used for fundamentals and structured review rather than as a current industry guide. If you prefer carrying one volume, the multi-booklet size could feel unwieldy. The career-development material is a nice extra, but the real value sits in the 81-manual core.
Bottom line
For a shopper in the HVAC electrical trades who wants a detailed, structured introduction to air conditioning, refrigeration, and electrical theory, the VTG National Technical Schools Air Conditioning Refrigeration HVAC Course Books deliver a lot of content for USD 150.00. The handwritten student guide adds a useful completion path, while the dictionary and business sub-set round out the package. Go in expecting a dated, paper-heavy archive, and you will find a solid fundamentals course.
