Construction companies are offering higher wages to attract skilled laborers like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC/R technicians. If you’re looking for an in-demand career that is financially rewarding, a career as an HVAC technician might be a good fit. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be an additional 15,100 jobs added to the sector in the next decade. Considering the low interest in skilled trades, you might consider filling the need in your community. HVAC programs provide the opportunity to earn a decent living without completing a four-year degree. In fact, basic training can be completed in just 3 to 4 months and more advanced training covering 6 to 12 months.
An HVAC career can be personally fulfilling if you like working with your hands and take pride in build and repairs. You’ll also enjoy flexibility, independence, high wages, job security, and career advancement. Choosing the right school is critical to your success. The cost of the training might be a deciding factor, but you should also consider what’s included in the cost, the curriculum, hands-on training opportunities including those offered in the school’s lab and externships at affiliate partners, and finally the experience of the instructors – if you learn from the best, you’ll have a good head start in the industry. Check reviews from previous graduates, tour the school’s lab, and consider the employment statistics of graduating students. The best programs will include intensive preparation for national certification exams.
Orleans Technical College
The Air Conditional, Refrigeration and Heating program at Orleans Technical College is offered as part of the Trades Diploma. Students will learn how to implement solutions for climate control and energy efficiency as they learn to install, diagnose, service, and repair air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment in residential and commercial settings. They will learn primarily by doing. They will have opportunities to work with freezers, cold rooms, and ice machines. Course titles include an introduction to safety in A/C, refrigeration and heating, fundamentals of mathematics for A/C, refrigeration and health, basic tools, measurements, electrical theory and applications, heating theory and applications, basic compressions refrigeration, tubing, piping and soldering, condensing units, air conditioners, heat pumps, ductwork application, and professional development. Classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:15 am to 2:55 pm for 24 weeks. The evening class meets Monday through Friday from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm for 52 weeks.
Program overview:
Air Conditional, Refrigeration & Heating Diploma
Credit hours: 24
Clock hours: 720
Duration: 6 months (full-time) 13 months (part-time)
Prerequisites:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must take and pass the entrance test – the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test comprising of two sections – Verbal and Quantitative. Applicants must earn a minimum of 150 on the verbal section and 165 on the quantitative section
- Must attend a Student Services interview before the start of the program
- Must pass the criminal history check
- A valid driver’s license is required by employer partners who hire graduates
Program cost:
The total program cost of $17,187 includes tuition, technology fee, books, tools, registration fee, and graduation fee.
Website: https://orleanstech.edu/
Address: 2770 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114
Phone: 215-728-4700
Community College of Philadelphia
The HVAC Level I program at the Community College of Philadelphia provides students with an understanding of the heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation industry. Students will learn how to maintain and repair residential and commercial systems at the entry-level. The training will include preparation for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 608 Core and 608 Small Appliances (Type 1) Certification. Instructors will use live, interactive webinars, graded discussion forums, assignments, and assessments, interactive activities, practical lab sessions, and follow established program schedules to deliver the content on-campus and in an e-learning environment. Graduates have the option to complete an externship with a local employer to apply their knowledge and skills in the real-world. An instructor will coordinate placement at the program’s conclusion.
Program overview:
HVAC Level I
Credit hours: N/A
Duration: 4 to 6 months
Prerequisites:
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have access to a computer and internet
- Provide health records, immunizations, criminal background check, and drug screen records to participate at the externship facility
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $2,599.
Website: https://www.ccp.edu/
Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-751-8000
TPC Training
TPC Training brings its full roster of training to Philadelphia up to three times a year. The classes are available at convenient, central locations or via a virtual platform. The HVAC program combines two courses into an intensive, 4-day workshop – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration course the Boiler Operation, Maintenance and Safety course. The program focuses on building, plant, and facility maintenance. Students will learn how to maximize air conditioning and refrigeration system and commercial, industrial, and utility boiler systems. The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration module will cover fundamentals of AC&R, regulation, codes and standards, compression refrigeration cycle, refrigerants, refrigerant oils, major AC&R components, system diagnostics, servicing and troubleshooting, refrigeration systems, and auxiliary system components. The Boiler Operation Maintenance & Safety module covers boiler types and configurations, fundamentals of combustion and heat transfer, burner operation and control, boiler operation and testing/standard operating procedures, boiler room safety, cause and effect case study, operation standards, controls and safety devices from automatically fired boilers, inspection and maintenance of commercial and industrial boilers, boiler and burner efficiency, and troubleshooting.
Program overview:
HVAC Workshop: Air Conditioning & Boilers Seminar
Credit hours: N/A
Duration: 4 days
Prerequisites:
- Provide a valid photo ID at the time of registration
Program cost:
The cost of the program is $2,390.
Website: https://live.tpctraining.com/
Address: 1301 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Phone: 877-978-7246
Delaware County Intermediate Unit
The HVAC and Plumbing Technology program offered by DCTS covers fundamentals of residential and commercial work with an emphasis on safety. Students will participate in hands-on work with copper, black pipe, electric, and full HVAC systems. Course topics include selecting and ordering materials, supplies, tools, codes, blueprint reading, and low voltage wiring. Other topics include residential work, basic HVAC systems, safety, and basic plumbing skills. The program complies with the International Code Council (ICC) Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas Code and the Residential Construction Academy industry standards. Graduates will be prepared for industry certifications including OSHA-10, Environmental Protection Agency Certification, and Universal R-410-A Safety & Training, Ladder Certifications provided by the American Ladder Institute.
Program overview:
HVAC & Plumbing
Credit hours: N/A
Duration: 6 months
Prerequisites:
- Meet DCTS admission criteria as it relates to grades, attendance, discipline and career readiness
- Submit an application for admission by the specified date
Program cost:
Students must purchase school uniforms.
Website: https://www.dciu.org/dciu25
Address: 200 Yale Avenue, Morton, PA 19070
Phone: 610-938-9000
Delaware County Community College
The HVACR course at Delaware County Community College is for adults who have a basic working knowledge of HVACR systems. It prepares students to sit for the NATE exam and covers various disciplines, core essentials, A/C service and heat pump service, and gas and oil service. Students can focus their study on a specific textbook in preparation for the NATE exam. The basic piping for contractors covers an introduction to piping principles and practices as they apply HVAC and plumbing. Students will develop skills needed to work with drawings and testing procedures.
Program overview:
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning/ Basic Piping for Contractors
Contact hours: 90
Duration: 6 months
Prerequisites:
- Submit an application for admission
- Must have a valid ID to register
Program cost:
Tuition for the program is $1114.
Website: https://www.dccc.edu/
Address: 901 S. Media Line Rd, Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-359-5298