Field-Tested Training Books for HVACR Technicians and Managers

Authority

Scott Oakley has spent more than 50 years in the field — not theorizing about commercial refrigeration from a classroom, but diagnosing ice machine failures under pressure, training technicians who needed answers that actually worked, and building the curriculum that fills the gap between trade school theory and real-world service.

He holds the Certified Master HVACR Educator (CMHE) designation from HVAC Excellence-ESCO and has authored eight-plus technical books covering commercial ice machines, commercial refrigeration, residential HVAC, and skilled trades career development. His training materials are used in continuing education programs, municipal facilities departments, and by independent technicians across the United States and the European Union.

Every book on this page is manufacturer-agnostic (independent). Every course at eTech Training Center is built around the same books you see here.

Training That Works for Technicians — and for the Programs That Train Them

Most commercial ice machine and refrigeration training falls into one of two categories: manufacturer-specific certification programs that only apply to one brand, or trade school curricula designed for students who have never touched a refrigeration system.

eTech Training Center exists because working technicians — and the organizations that employ them — need something different.

For individual technicians:

All courses are manufacturer-agnostic, built around system fundamentals that apply whether you’re working on a Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, Ice-O-Matic, Scotsman, or any other brand. Online delivery means you study on your schedule, not someone else’s.

For CE coordinators, continuing education programs, and facilities managers:

eTech’s online format is designed to fit the structures of non-credit continuing education programs. There’s no travel, no scheduling conflicts with shift work, and no brand-specific curriculum that only applies to part of your fleet. Each course includes the corresponding textbook. Bulk book purchases are also available separately.

→ Explore the Professional Ice Machine Technician Program  Link to Course Page

→ Also, explore the Commercial Refrigeration Program  Link to Commercial Refrigeration Courses

→ View All Online Courses at eTech Training Center  Link to Course Catalog

Using These Materials in a Training Program?

Scott’s books serve as the curriculum base for eTech’s online courses, which means your staff gets the textbook and training in one enrollment. Several continuing education programs, trade colleges, and municipal facilities departments have structured their ice machine and refrigeration training around this material specifically because it’s manufacturer-agnostic and available entirely online.

If you’re a CE coordinator, training director, or facilities manager:

• Bulk book orders are available for organizations building internal training libraries
• The Professional Ice Machine Technician Program includes the textbook with enrollment
• Online delivery requires no travel and no coordination with instructor schedules
• All content is manufacturer-agnostic — one program, any brand of equipment

→ Contact eTech Global HVACR Training Center about bulk orders and CE program integration  [Business Support]

Free Resources – Pick One That Fits Your Work

A good tech doesn’t wing it — they work a plan.

These are the same 8+ page maintenance checklists used inside the paid online training courses, now available free.

1. No course enrollment.
2. No phone call.
3. No Charge.

Just fill in your basic contact information, and download to your device.

📋 Residential HVAC Maintenance Checklist

Inverters, heat pumps, variable capacity, and legacy systems. Gas, electric heating, and heat pump systems included. Very comprehensive.