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2nd Chance University

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2nd Chance University

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2nd Chance University’s alternative to incarceration, youth empowerment, and adult pre-post release courseware.

10/15/2026

HVACTA and Mini Split Action

Over the past couple days all participants took part working with mini-split systems. Our goal at HVAC Technical Academy is to introduce first year on the job experience… all in six weeks. As a result, we work on mini-splits, heat pumps, straight cool systems, package units, and portable system.

Heavy hands-on learning… progressing every day, every moment.

HVACTA and Mini Split Action

A mini-split HVAC system is a heating and cooling system that does not require ductwork. In Florida, many homes and commercial businesses take advantage of this cooling (or heating) option.

For those considering a mini split over a traditional AC system, here’s a few things to consider:

* Mini split: do not require ductwork and each indoor unit can control its own room or zone. Overall, it is efficient, especially in homes with duct losses

* Traditional central AC: one central system cools the home through ducts while one thermostat typically controls the whole house. Overall, central filtration and whole-home air distribution are convenient.

Which AC system is best for you? Good question but there is no single answer as multiple factors such as budget, architectural design, specific needs, and if you have existing duct system need to be considered.

HVACTA is dedicated to building YOUR HVAC knowledge, skills, and abilities, all in six weeks! Interested in getting into the HVAC industry, consider HVAC Technical Academy.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
Certifications and Safety
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

10/14/2026

HVACTA and the HVAC Industry

Our mission at HVAC Technical Academy is to closely match work environments, expectations, and challenges HVAC Service Technicians will face on a day-to-day basis. There is no more effective and efficient way to learn than by DOING.

Truth is, either you love HVAC or you don’t. For those who enjoy working outside (oftentimes in the most challenging weather conditions), doing something different every day, identifying problems and then resolving problems, HVAC may be your career choice.

HVACTA and the HVAC Industry

When it comes to knowledge, skills, and abilities, HVAC service technicians do it all. We are talking about plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and air conditioning / heating, there’s no other industry like it. With so much to learn, our principle is straight forward: learn by doing.

To eliminate any misunderstandings: Working as an HVAC service technician in Florida means dealing with extreme heat, high year-round demand, and heavy physical labor… are you ready for a life-changing career and a path to get you on your ride in less than two months? HVAC Technical Academy is the best option.

Looking forward to being part of this journey. For those interested in HVAC as a career, give me a call.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
Certifications and Safety
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

10/13/2026

HVAC is what we do

Today marks the last day of week five… and talk about progress. With one full week to go, all will concentrate on homing in their knowledge, skills, and abilities when it comes to hands-on applications. Over the past weeks all have working hard and riding the HVAC track inside and outside… and it is going to be a steady and progressive ride for the final week.

HVAC is what we do

For those following our posts, it’s easy to get the picture of what HVAC Technical Academy is all about… all participants work hard… every day.

To be clear, the HVACTA track is designed for those individuals who learn best by doing. If you are looking for an easy and slow ride, no need to punch your ticket here. In other words, get ready to learn and work from week one.

Looking forward to being part of this journey. For those interested in HVAC as a career, give me a call.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
Certifications and Safety
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

10/09/2026

HVACTA: Working in the rain

Though the week has been more than downright rainy, all remained true to continuing their HVAC journey. Truth is, nothing like hands-on learning to keep the blood ready for action.

Safety comes first, especially during the rainy season.

HVACTA: Working in the rain

With safety on our minds and hands-on experience in our heart, a few rules need to be addressed:

* Water plus electricity can cause shock, short circuits, or damage equipment
* When moisture is around, techs must keep tools, meters, recovery machines, pumps, and all electrical connections dry
* Never stand in puddles which troubleshooting
* Keep hoses and refrigerant connections clean and protected from water

I know the above listing is common sense, but sometimes it is nice to get a refresher or two.

One more suggestion: If there is heavy rain, lightning, or standing water around the equipment, wait until conditions are safe… nothing is more important than YOUR safety.

Ultimately, rain itself usually not the problem, the problem surfaces from the combination of water and electricity.

HVACTA is a hands-on adult workshop facility located in Sanford, Florida, where “Learn by Doing” defines our approach to get YOU on a path to personal AND professional success. Interested in pursuing a high in demand career in just six weeks, HVACTA may be the path.

Danny
407-878-0474

10/07/2026

HVAC Refrigerant Recovery

As part of EPA preparation and hands-on knowledge, all participants experience the thrill surrounding the refrigerant recovery process.

To clarify, recovery is simply removing refrigerant from the system and storing it in a recovery cylinder.

HVAC Refrigerant Recovery

A few further details about the recover process and what each participant gets their hands on…

The HVAC refrigerant recovery process involves setting up equipment, purging air from hoses, activating the recovery machine to pump refrigerant into a dedicated recovery cylinder, monitoring the process, and then safely shutting down and storing the cylinder.

Recovering refrigerant is required when an EPA Universal Technician performs a major operation such as:
* Replacing a compressor
* Replacing an evaporator or condenser coil
* Opening the sealed system
* Repairing a leak

Key steps include checking service valve positions, purging hoses to prevent contamination, connecting hoses to the system, recovery cylinder, and recovery unit, and using a digital scale to monitor the recovered refrigerant.

Above all else, NEVER vent refrigerant to the atmosphere… never!

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy

10/06/2026

Is there a doctor in the house

Welcome to the world of HVAC where accidents happen. In truth, cuts and bruises are part of the game, thus PPE is always stressed.

Personal Protective Equipment, though oftentimes a bit uncomfortable, is essential when it comes to safety. Items such as gloves, safety glasses, boots, and flame-resistant clothing (when required)

Is there a doctor in the house

Minor cuts and lacerations are among the most common workplace injuries in the HVAC industry. While usually non-life-threatening, if unmanaged, they can lead to infection, lost work hours, or bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Over the past few weeks we experienced a total of three medical emergencies… okay, not really an emergency but why not embellish a bit? Then again, the pain and agony detailed with each picture tells a story.

The enclosed photos showcase what can happen if one is not careful and not wearing appropriate gear. Fortunately, no emergency medical attention was needed.

For those looking for an exciting career, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you. To note, proper PPE is always recommended.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
Certifications and Safety
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

10/02/2026

Air Distribution: Building a Better Box

One of the most important skills HVAC technicians must possess is the ability to calculate, cut, put together, and complete a distribution box. So important, we spend multiple days developing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to a high standard.

Air Distribution: Building a Better Box

We begin with the basics… how to measure, how to cut, how to fold, and how to clean the existing air handler, all the to way air flow specifications. For many HVAC companies, having this skill is a must-have!

Though our first box building exercise concentrated on unused air handlers, this coming week we will continue by building boxes atop systems in use. Yesterday we continued the distribution box process and hoping by end of day the flex will be hung… check us out (comment and share) as the days progress.

HVACTA is dedicated to building YOUR HVAC knowledge, skills, and abilities, all in six weeks! Interested in getting into the HVAC industry, consider HVAC Technical Academy.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
Certifications and Safety
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

09/30/2026

Pizza and Plenum

Learning never stops but sometimes it is refreshing to take a break, a pizza break!

I’ve heard it said HVAC and pizza belong together like sun and shine. At HVAC Technical Academy we carry on the tradition of this partnership by way of appreciating the work and progress each participant experiences as their HVAC journey continues.

Pizza and Plenum

Thankful for Wacky Wednesday, today is not just a plenum day here at HVACTA. With a hands-one approach to learning (and enjoying pizza), we combine multiple learning styles to pave the path toward personal and professional success.

We are not just an HVAC six-week workshop, our methods are guided by building lasting relationships, personal growth, and practical knowledge while mixing hands-on, theory, and safety grounding each step in the path.

Interested in HVAC, our learning by doing approach may be the right for you.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

09/29/2026

HVACTA – Plenum Prep and Construction

Understanding the basic concepts of air flow, building distribution boxes, and running flex is a must know how to do when it comes to HVAC. Recognizing the importance of properly prepping plenum and air distribution… all get their share in the hands-on approach.

HVACTA – Plenum Prep and Construction

At our HVAC workshop facility, all work with duct board (building boxes), flex, mastic, tape, hangers, registers, and much more.

In case you are wondering: An HVAC plenum box is a critical, enclosed chamber connecting directly to your heating and cooling equipment to manage air distribution. Acting as the central "traffic director" or hub for your duct network, it stabilizes air pressure, reduces operational noise, and ensures conditioned air flows smoothly throughout your home.

If not completed properly, condensation and discoloration will occur sometimes within months of an installation. Take a look at your air handler, do you see any discoloration? If so, you may want to seek professional remedy… one of our partners, Tropical Air of Central Florida specializes in this.

We will follow-up on the groups progress, for now going to let them clean out an existing air handler and get their juices flowing.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

09/25/2026

HVACTA: All About Building Relationships

One of our goals is to build and retain HVAC relationships beyond our six-week program. Today we celebrated a surprise birthday with lunch (provided by Lelo’s BBQ in Orange City) and an ice cream cake.

Not only are we HVAC centered, but we also believe everyone (no matter their background and/or circumstance), is worthy of acceptance and personal/professional success.

HVACTA: All About Building Relationships

One of our former participants, Jose, secured lunch and had his son delivered to an eager group. Fifteen individual lunches from Lelo’s BBQ were quickly devoured… which goes to say how great the food was. Definitely a big shoutout to Jose, his son, and Lelo’s BBQ (and if you happen to be around Orange City, check out the place as I am sure you will be most pleased)!

After lunch and cake, we continued learning by doing. This week is dedicated to performing a complete system swap. We are talking from scratch all the way through building distribution boxes, running flex, and then performing preventive maintenances.

By the way, the birthday event was for an old man who turned 66 today… I was unable to take a selfie so will leave images to your imagination.

Our 6-week HVAC workshop gets results and gets participants prepared to enter a career quickly with the knowledge, skills, and ability for success, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
[email protected]
Sanford, Florida

Address

2175 Marquette Avenue
Sanford, FL

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14078780474

Website

http://www.2ndChanceUniversity.org/

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