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Heating and Refrigeration (HVACR) Schools Directory
Training in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration
Any building - home, office or factory - that utilizes climate control equipment will need an HVAC and refrigeration technician at some point. That's good news for HVACR professionals who provide system installation, maintenance and repairs.
The work an HVACR mechanic (or technician) performs isn't always the most comfortable - although the result of their work will be increased comfort for a building's occupants. They work outdoors in any weather, and even when working indoors may experience discomfort due to malfunctioning heating and cooling equipment. They have to perform work at any height and in cramped spaces and awkward positions, while trying to avoid injury due to electrical shocks and burns. Heavy lifting is often unavoidable.
The most dangerous part of an HVAC mechanic's job has to do with the use of refrigerant compounds. These substances can cause injury if they are inhaled or come into contact with skin. Good thing decent wages and job stability are benefits of the HVACR technician's job.
How long will it take?
An HVAC mechanic apprenticeship can last between three and five years, by which time most technicians have become competent enough to work alone.
Many trade schools offer students educational jump-start programs that last between six months and two years. The shorter programs may be enough to prepare for a position as an apprentice, while more comprehensive programs can qualify graduates for entry-level jobs. Those who choose a technical school course over apprenticeship will likely still require up to several years of on-the-job experience before they'll be considered a skilled professional.
Some people choose to forgo either of the recommended options and learn the trade while working under a professional HVACR technician. This route can lead to the same outcome, but it takes a lot longer and might not be enough to qualify applicants for a job with many employers.
Skills and requirements
Depending on the program, students in HVACR schools learn blueprint reading, mechanical drawing, proper use and care of tools and how to use testing equipment such as voltmeters and pressure gauges.
They may also be instructed in theory, codes and regulations and the design and construction of HVAC and refrigeration equipment. Knowing the basics of electronics is becoming increasingly important as they are used in newer equipment controls. Those entering a program or apprenticeship will do well if they have some knowledge of electricity and plumbing as well as good people skills.
Any technician working with refrigerants has to become certified in handling and disposal. Groups offering this certification must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
HVACR jobs
Most HVAC and refrigeration technicians are trained in both installation and repair but specialize in one or the other. Some may also specialize in certain equipment such as oil furnaces or commercial refrigerators. Technicians working for smaller companies often install and repair a number of different systems and equipment.
Arizona
Arizona Automotive Institute
In Glendale, Arizona, offering Automotive & Diesel, Heating & Refrigeration curricula.
California
Institute for Business and Technology
Located in Santa Clara, California, offering Heating & Refrigeration, Electrician & Energy Trades, Medical & Healthcare, Massage Therapy and Office Professional curricula.
San Joaquin Valley College - Bakersfield
Offering Business, Medical & Healthcare, Criminal Justice, Dental, Management, Heating & Refrigeration and Office Professional curricula.
Other campuses:
San Joaquin Valley College - Fresno
San Joaquin Valley College - Rancho Cordova
Colorado
IntelliTec College - Colorado Springs
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado offering Drafting & Architecture, Computer and Heating & Refrigeration curricula.
Connecticut
Baran Institute of Technology
Located in Bloomfield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks, offering Automotive & Diesel, Trucking & Transportation, Heating & Refrigeration, Motorcycle & Small Engines and Welding & Machine Trades curricula.
Florida
ATI Career Training Center - Miami
Offering Diesel & Automotive, Computer, Drafting & Electronics and Heating & Refrigeration curricula.
Other campuses:
ATI Career Training Center Oakland Park
Lincoln College of Technology - West Palm Beach
Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, offering Drafting & Architecture and Heating & Refrigeration curricula.
Southern Technical College
Located in Orlando, Florida, offering various curricula including HVAC.
see also:
Southern Technical College - Auburdale
Illinois
Vatterott College - Quincy
Offering Drafting & Architecture, Computer, Cosmetology & Barbering, Electrician & Energy Trades, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Iowa
Vatterott College - Des Moines
Offering Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Maintenance Technicician, Diesel Mechanic and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Kansas
Vatterott College - Wichita
Offers Computer, Electrician & Energy Trades, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Wichita Technical Institute - Wichita
Offers Computer, Electronics & Computer Repair, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Other campuses:
Wichita Technical Institute - Topeka
Louisiana
Ayers Career College
Located in Shreveport, Louisiana, offering Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Maine
Northeast Technical Institute - Scarborough
Located in Scarborogh, Maine, offering various curricula including Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning.
Missouri
Vatterott College offers Office Professional, Electrician & Energy Trades, Drafting & Architecture, Computer, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula. Campuses:
Vatterott College - O'Fallon
Vatterott College - Springfield
Vatterott College - Sunset Hills
New Jersey
Pennco Tech - Blackwood
Offering Heating & Refrigeration, Automotive & Diesel, Drafting & Architecture, Electrician & Energy Trades and Motorcycle & Small Engines curricula.
Ohio
Vatterott College - Broadview Heights
Situated in greater Cleveland, offering Construction, Computer, Electronics & Computer Repair, Heating & Refrigeration curricula.
Oklahoma
Vatterott College-Oklahoma City
Offering Accounting & Finance, Construction, Computer, Office Professional, Electrician & Energy Trades, Heating & Refrigeration, Engineering, Medical & Healthcare and Legal & Paralegal curricula.
Other campuses in state:
Vatterott College-Tulsa
Omaha
Vatterott College - Omaha
Offering Accounting & Finance, Construction, Computer, Office Professional, Electrician & Energy Trades, Heating & Refrigeration, Engineering, Medical & Healthcare and Legal & Paralegal curricula.
Pennsylvania
CHI Institute - Broomall
Offering Computer, Electrician & Energy Trades, Dental, Engineering, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
New Castle School of Trades
In Pulaski/New Castle (just east of Youngstown), this school offers Automotive & Diesel, Construction, Electrician & Energy Trades, Heavy Equipment Operations, Heavy Equipment Operations with CDL, Heating & Refrigeration, Trucking & Transportation and Welding & Machine Trades curricula.
Penn Commercial Business & Technical School
Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, Penn Commercial Business & Technical School offers Accounting & Finance, Business, Heating & Refrigeration, Electrician & Energy Trades and many other curricula.
Pennco Tech - Bristol
Offering Heating & Refrigeration, Automotive & Diesel, Electrician & Energy Trades, Computer and Education & Childcare curricula.
York Technical Institute
Offers Business, Custom Electronics Installation, Golf Course Management, Computer, Electronics & Computer Repair, Heating & Refrigeration and many other curricula.
Rhode Island
New England Institute of Technology - Warwick
Found in Warwick, Rhode Island, offering Drafting & Architecture, Engineering, Automotive & Diesel, Management, Construction, Electrician & Energy Trades, Business, Medical & Healthcare, Arts & Design, Electronics & Computer Repair, Heating & Refrigeration, Fashion & Interior Design, Welding & Machine Trades, Computer and Massage Therapy curricula.
Tennessee
Miller-Motte Technical College - Nashville
Located in Goodlettsville,Tennessee, offering Electrician Technology, HVAC & Refrigeration and Welding curricula.
Vatterott College - Memphis
Offers Electrician & Energy Trades, Heating & Refrigeration and various other trades-related curricula.
Texas
ATI Career Training Center - Hurst
Located in North Richland Hills, ATI Career Training Center offers Dental, Heating & Refrigeration, Automotive & Diesel, Massage Therapy, Medical & Healthcare and Office Professional curricula.
ATI Technical Training Center
Located in Dallas, Texas, offering Automotive & Diesel, Heating & Refrigeration and Welding & Machine Trades curricula.
Career Centers of Texas - Brownsville
Offers Computer, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Vatterott Education Center - Dallas
Offering Cosmetology & Barbering, Heating & Refrigeration and Medical & Healthcare curricula.
Virginia
Advanced Technology Institute- Virginia Beach
Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Advanced Technology Institute offers Auto, Heating & Refrigeration and Trucking & Transportation curricula.
Entire US and Regional schools
Baran Institute of Technology
Located in Bloomfield, East Windsor and Windsor Locks, Connecticut accepting applicants from Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia, offering Automotive & Diesel, Trucking & Transportation, Heating & Refrigeration, Motorcycle & Small Engines and Welding & Machine Trades curricula.
Advanced Technology Institute- Virginia Beach
Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Advanced Technology Institute accepts applicants from Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, offering, Auto, Heating & Refrigeration and Trucking & Transportation curricula.
Ashworth University - Diplomas
Located in New York, New York, accepting leads throughout the United States, offering various curricula including heating and refrigeration (HVAC, HVACR).
Canada
Ontario
North American Trade Schools - Ontario
Located in London, Ontario, Canada, offering various trade school curricula including HVAC (Heating and Refrigeration) and more.
