How Long is HVAC Schooling ?
How Long is HVAC Schooling ? To be clear, we’re talking about HVAC school. Yes, it’s a real thing and the people who go there are serious about a career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
HVAC school is actually a pretty sweet deal. It’s quick (6-12 months), it’s easy to get into (you usually need a high school diploma or GED), and the tuition is reasonable (around $15K). When you graduate from HVAC school, you have your choice of jobs in one of the fastest growing industries in America. The job market for HVAC technicians is predicted to grow 15% by 2024—that means an additional 61,300 jobs!
In order to become an HVAC technician, you have to attend a trade school that teaches you how to fix heating and cooling systems. There are schools all over the country with different curricula but most of them teach similar things: safety practices, mechanical principles like heat transfer and refrigeration cycle theory as well as basic electrical skills.
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Types of HVAC Certification
- EPA Section 608: The technician should be able to handle and recycle refrigerants. They should know about the potential hazards and how to work with a recovery machine that is needed for the process. This caters to both small split systems and appliance-based systems.
- NATE Certification: This certification is meant for technicians who have had several years of experience in the field. Through this, they can hone their skills further by being tested on a number of topics related to HVAC repair and installation.
- Certified HVAC Excellence: This certification validates that the technician has gained valuable knowledge on the HVAC system during school and training before they are allowed to take an exam that will allow them to receive their certificate.
- NCI Certification: With this certification, the technician has shown that they have undergone rigorous training and testing so that they can have all of the information required for handling ducts and also placing them in homes or businesses as needed. This course generally takes private investigators at least 2 years to complete so it is quite intensive but worth it if you want a career in this area of expertise.
- Refrigerant Handling Certification: A refrigerant handling certification means you were trained specifically for handling refrigerants which may include recycling or charging up AC units with freon gas after repairs are made by qualified experts like myself!
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You will probably earn a certificate or diploma in the studies that are specific to your chosen career path. These take about 4-9 months of schooling to complete, but you’ll have some choices to consider.
Your options include:
- A two-year associate degree, which you can get at a community college or technical school. This is only available if you choose the refrigeration option; it will not prepare you for commercial HVAC work.
- An HVAC Apprenticeship@http://www.hvacagent.com/hvac_apprenticeship_programs/. The benefit of this option is that you get paid for your training and do it under the supervision of a professional who is already working in the field, but this training takes four years to complete and has a very high entrance requirement since there are many more applicants than spots available each year.
- An HVAC Certification Program@http://www.hvacagent.com/hvac-certification/. This program provides in-depth training on all aspects of HVAC repair and maintenance, providing an entry level certification upon completion which will make it easier for you to find work after school as well as giving you further opportunities for advancement through additional certifications later on
HVAC Education and Training Requirements
As an HVAC technician, you must complete a career training program, pass a test and earn licensure. This can be done through an apprenticeship, certificate program or associate’s degree. Each option takes about two years to complete and involves the same curriculum and similar licensing requirements.
Where to Get Your HVAC Certification
In order to obtain your HVAC certification, you can choose between a few different methods. In most states, HVAC technicians must be licensed in order to work. There are a number of ways to get your HVAC certification, the most common of which is through an apprenticeship program. These programs usually require you to work at least 4,000 hours over the course of three years under a licensed technician, who will then sign off on your application for state licensure.
HVAC certification classes can also be found online and at local community colleges. The advantage of these programs is that they can be completed in less than 1 year and do not require that costly time spent working in the field under supervision. However, it’s important to make sure that any program you consider has been approved by your state’s licensing board as an acceptable route to obtain licensure.
How Long Will it Take to Obtain My HVAC License?
How long is HVAC training? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. There’s no single answer because there are different types of HVAC programs to choose from. How much time it takes to earn your certification depends on which program you enroll in and how often the classes meet.
Most trade schools offer two tracks: diploma or certificate programs.
Diploma programs take longer because they include other business-related courses in addition to HVAC training. These programs typically require a high school diploma or GED to apply and generally take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to complete. Certificate programs are more focused on the actual heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration training so they can be completed within 1-2 semesters, depending on your schedule. Some certificate programs allow you to complete fieldwork while taking classes. Others don’t offer that option so you may have to look for an apprenticeship after graduating if you want hands-on experience before getting certified as an entry-level technician.
Why is it Important to go Through a State Licensed Training Program?
- To get a good paying job.
- To be better qualified to get the job you want.
- To be able to fix people’s HVAC units correctly the first time.
- To have a better chance of getting hired.
- To have a better chance of advancing in your career.
- To have more opportunities for advancement and higher pay than you would without any training or schooling at all.
What Should I Look for When Choosing an HVAC School?
Everyone’s situation is unique, so the best HVAC school for you might be different from the one that was best for some of your friends. The most important thing to remember when choosing a school is that you should pick a school based on your own circumstances, rather than assuming that what worked for someone else will work for you. Look at things like location, cost, duration and career placement assistance (if offered).
Some other things to consider when choosing an HVAC school include:
- Accreditation—The best schools are accredited by third parties like the ACCSC. This isn’t mandatory but it does demonstrate that a school meets or exceeds standards in terms of curriculum and training.
- Reputation—When choosing a school, look at how their past students have fared in the real world after graduating. A program with good outcomes is much more likely to benefit your future success.
- Job placement assistance—While this isn’t available everywhere, many good HVAC schools offer some type of job placement assistance after graduation.* Financial aid—Don’t rule out a particular program just because tuition seems high. Many schools offer financial aid in various forms including grants and scholarships as well as payment plans and student loans.* Career focused curriculum—Hands-on experience matters! Make sure that any prospective programs have plenty to offer in this area.
The length of time it will take you to complete HVAC training depends on the type of program you enroll in. Some programs can be completed within a few months while others could take many years to complete.
HVAC training can take anywhere from a few months to many years, depending on the type of program you choose. A six-month program, for example, can train you for entry-level jobs. On the other hand, a seven-year apprenticeship program could qualify you for more advanced HVAC positions.
- Six-month certificate programs: Certificate programs typically focus on one area of HVAC and prepare students to perform specific duties in their chosen field. For instance, some schools offer certificates that teach students how to install HVAC systems while others offer certificates that train technicians to work with refrigeration units and other cooling systems.
- Four-year bachelor’s degree programs: Bachelor’s degree programs are another option for aspiring HVAC techs who want to advance their career prospects right away. Although these programs are much longer than certificate or diploma programs, they offer more comprehensive training than most certificates do and prepare students for work as generalists instead of specialists in one particular area of the field. Students enrolled in these four-year programs gain an understanding of how different systems work together and learn about a variety of equipment used throughout the industry. They also get an opportunity to develop skills related to management and problem solving that may be beneficial later in their career.
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Apprenticeship Programs
The HVAC/R Certification is a credential that verifies you have specialized skills in the area of HVAC/R. This certification is an industry standard, proving to potential employers that you have the knowledge and skill set needed to get the job done right.
HVAC/R Contractors make up much of the workforce in this field. They are responsible for hiring workers, estimating material costs, securing installation locations, and creating contracts with customers.
HVAC/R Service Technicians work on heating and cooling systems in order to keep them running smoothly all year round – especially during times of extreme heat or cold. These technicians can be found working at gas stations as well as large industrial facilities such as factories and power plants where there is often a need for constant temperature control measures throughout summer months so production can run efficiently without interruption from outside temperatures changing too drastically throughout the day (24 hours).
HVAC Schools Online
Online programs are a great option for students who may have family or job commitments. Online programs can also be more convenient than traditional programs, but that isn’t always the case. This depends on each person’s individual situation and learning style. Online programs are often cheaper than traditional programs, as well.
However, some students may not do well in an online program because of their lack of motivation or self-discipline. If you aren’t a motivated student who requires a structured environment to succeed, then you should probably steer clear of the purely online HVAC schools and instead opt for a traditional program with face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers that can help keep you engaged throughout your coursework.
The best online HVAC school will likely be one offered by an accredited college or university that also has a traditional campus presence and offers on-campus courses in addition to any distance education classes they provide. This way, if you end up wanting to continue your studies beyond what is available through distance education with them, you will already know where to go!
Here’s what you should know about HVAC programs and how to get your certifications.
HVAC programs are typically offered through community colleges or technical schools. However, you can also find HVAC programs online.
HVAC programs may prepare students to work in maintenance, installation and repair of heating and cooling systems.
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