Course
HVAC from beginner to expert: Innovative solutions for a sustainable future!
The HVAC industry is growing rapidly and requires highly qualified personnel. At the same time, companies find that new employees often lack a solid foundation to get started right away. This training responds to this with a series of practice-oriented modules that you can follow separately, depending on your prior knowledge and needs. This makes this course suitable for a wide audience: both starting and experienced engineers, as well as salespeople, control technicians, installers and other professionals who want further training.
What can you expect from this course?
We start with fundamental thermodynamic concepts and move on to the importance of comfort and energy efficiency. We then dive into the various HVAC systems and their applications in heating, cooling and air handling. In addition, we go through the entire design process, including hydronics and air handling. And for those who want to go a step further, there are in-depth modules in which we focus on refrigeration technology (the basis of electrification of heating and cooling) and the optimization and digitization of thermal systems.
What makes this course unique? We combine theory with practice, allowing you not only to understand the material, but also to apply it immediately. Thanks to the hands-on approach with exercises, lab tests and component analyses, you will get a realistic picture of the practice. The limited group size ensures that there is plenty of room for interaction and customization. This intensive bootcamp format means that you gain a lot of knowledge in a short period of time, without losing depth. Moreover, the training is based on the academic course that engineers at the University of Antwerp take throughout their bachelor and master years. All this helps you maintain an overview in an industry that is becoming increasingly complex with the rapid emergence of new technologies and components.
Program
Preparation course - Online in self-study
To ensure that everyone starts with an equal level of knowledge, we offer a free online preparation course when registering for a module.
- Basic thermodynamics concepts: log ph diagram, general gas law, phase transitions, sensible and latent heat, ...
- Introduction comfort
Module 1: HVAC concepts - 2 days
This module provides a thorough introduction to HVAC systems and their applications. We cover the fundamental principles of heating, domestic hot water, refrigeration and air handling, and show how building conditions affect the choice of systems. The morning will cover theoretical principles, while the afternoon will be devoted to hands-on exercises and lab sessions. The focus is on the fundamental operation and interrelationship of HVAC systems, giving you a solid foundation to build on.
- Classification of HVAC systems and their areas of application
- Heating systems: production, distribution and dispensing
- Domestic hot water: generation, storage, distribution and legionella prevention
- Refrigeration: compression and absorption chillers, freecooling, VRF/VWF systems, etc.
- Air treatment: air handling units, distribution systems, ventilation concepts, etc.
- Combined applications including combilus and change-over systems
Module 2: HVAC calculation - 3 days
This module focuses on the calculation and sizing of HVAC systems. The design process and technical specifications of heating, cooling and air handling systems are discussed in depth and applied in calculation and lab sessions. You will learn how to translate functional requirements into concrete technical parameters and make optimizations using software.
- Comfort parameters and the design process
- Calculations and sizing of heating systems
- Hydronics: heat distribution, components, control strategies and optimizations
- Air treatment: selection and sizing of air handling units and distribution networks
- Control strategies and energy recovery within HVAC systems
Module 3: Deepening in refrigeration technology - 2 days
This module focuses on refrigeration engineering principles within HVAC and the integration of heat pumps and chillers into existing systems. Theory is covered in the morning, followed by exercises and lab sessions in the afternoon, where specific phenomena from refrigeration engineering are demonstrated. Due to the limited group size, there is room to respond to the specific questions of the participants and to tailor the lesson content.
- Basics: chillers and heat pumps
- Refrigerants + legislation
- Cooling technology applications: integrating heat pumps and chillers into HVAC concepts
Module 4: Deepening in thermal system optimization and digitization - 4 days
This module provides an in-depth understanding of the optimization and digitization of HVAC systems, with a strong hands-on approach. The focus is on mapping, analyzing and optimizing energy flows in an HVAC system. Theory lessons in the morning are complemented by practical exercises and lab experiments in the afternoon, where participants work on concrete projects such as analyzing and optimizing an air group. Thanks to the small group size, there is room for customization and an optimal response to participants' specific learning needs.
- Set up and configuration of data networks (Modbus, BACnet, etc.)
- Sensors and data acquisition
- Introduction to building management systems
- Smart-energy sensors: overview and implementation
- Control strategies for pumps and fans in HVAC
- Visualization and monitoring of energy flows
- Energy analysis and identification of optimization potential
Additional information
Level and capacity of different modules:
- Preparation course: basic knowledge to follow 'Module 1' and 'Module 2'.
- Module 1: beginner - 20 participants
- Module 2: beginner - 20 participants
- Module 3: expert - 12 participants
- Module 4: expert - 12 participants
Organization
This course is organized by the University of Antwerp, research group EMIB - Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings.
Academic coordinator: Prof. Ivan Verhaert
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Date
- Module 1:
- May 12, 2025
- May 19, 2025
- Module 2:
- May 21, 2025
- May 26, 2025
- May 27, 2025
Module 3 and Module 4 we expect to schedule in the fall of 2025. Please leave your information and we will contact you soon about the exact timing of these modules.
Interested in new dates for this course? Submit your details via the interest form and we will contact you as soon as new dates for this course are known.
Location
University of Antwerp
Campus Groenenborger
Building Z, room g.Z.543
Campus Groenenborger is easily accessible with various transportation options.
Price
- Preparation course: free with participation in one of the following modules
- Module 1: € 700.00
- Module 2: € 1000.00
- Module 3: € 900.00
- Module 4: € 1800.00
All prices are exempt from VAT.
If you register with several people within the same company, you will enjoy a 15% discount on the registration price from the second participant onwards (subject to joint invoicing). Please contact us for this at engineersoftomorrow@uantwerpen.be. This training is eligible for the SME portfolio. More info via www.kmo-portefeuille.be and in the confirmation email after registration.
After registering for this course, our cancellation policy apply.
This course something for you?
Interested in this course? Register using the button below.
Good to know
Engineers of tomorrow has more to offer than the annual job and networking event.
What
Engineers of Tomorrow aims to support the ecosystem of future industrial engineers, (alumni) engineers, the Faculty of Applied Engineering and technology and innovation-driven companies in their broader professional and personal development.
Who
We welcome future (graduate) industrial engineers and companies driven by technology and innovation.
Where
Engineers of Tomorrow's job and networking event takes place at Bluepoint in Antwerp.
Why
EoT is a sustainable, enabling platform that connects stakeholders with increasing focus on broader societal issues. Fundamentally, each stakeholder contributes to the platform and also has the opportunity to use it.