Reddit mentions of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology: 25th Anniversary

RSES has some great instructional stuff. The study materials for the NATE tests are also good. I feel it's really important to actually understand the refrigeration cycle and the physics behind heat movement.

If you can find a copy or PDF of this book it's the main text for most HVAC programs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1111644470/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1488250772&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=hvac+book

Well I'm guessing you are probably going to learn about residential systems first. Easy to learn. I learned out of this book.http://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration-Conditioning-Technology-Bill-Whitman/dp/1111644470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418598491&sr=8-1&keywords=air+conditioning+textbook
The instructor will have his own choice of book though....First things you learn are principles of pressure and temperature, and then the basic refrigeration cycle, and then basic electricity...I would say getting a head start is great but the on hands with the teacher is really going to be what sticks with you....Some of the guys in this sub might agree that after you have read or been taught a little bit about it, it will stick better when you do it yourself

Large text book, covers everything you could ever want to know.

https://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration-Conditioning-Technology-Bill-Whitman/dp/1111644470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500075961&sr=8-1&keywords=modern+refrigeration+and+air+condition



This book is amazing, it will talk about everything refrigeration based, has a chapter on everything, lots of great pictures, dumbs down every peice of equipment. you will look like a pro if you read this book a few times.

its always in my van, most questions i can answer with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Refrigeration-Air-Conditioning-Technicians/dp/1428335269/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500075993&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=refrigeration+for+airconditing+technicians

Go get yourself this book. Read.

You can find a free PDF file if you know where to look.

https://www.amazon.com/Refrigeration-Conditioning-Technology-Bill-Whitman/dp/1111644470

I did that test (ua787?) right out of college, it's not an easy one. The science is based around refrigeration theory and the math gets quite challenging without a calculator. The mechanical aptitude is easy enough if you're familiar with the questions. I recommend picking up "Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology" and study at least the first few chapters. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.ca/Refrigeration-Conditioning-Technology-Bill-Whitman/dp/1111644470