As the construction industry gets back on its feet, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians are set to be in high demand. The relatively short educational preparation needed to become an HVAC technician has also drawn those who possess the technical savvy and interest to work in this profession. Before you can become one, however, you need to go to HVAC technician school to get the necessary training and preparation. A certificate or associate’s degree program will teach you how to read blueprints to install, maintain or repair HVAC systems, connect wirings and controls and repair defective parts. It will also prepare you to take the certification exams that will measure your competencies and skills so that you can become certified or licensed. Just like going to college, HVAC technician school is going to cost money. You need to prepare funds for tuition, fees, books and supplies as well as the expenses associated with room and board. How much you pay for college will depend on where you go to school and whether you attend a public or private school and the kind of degree that you will be taking.

It will also matter if you will be taking your degree online or on-campus. Attending a public school as an in-state student will help you save money because of the substantial discounts that are usually given by public colleges to residents. indoor stand alone ac unitNeedless to say, out-of-state students won’t receive this benefit. 4 ton ac unit house sizePrivate colleges, on the other hand, charge the same fees to all students regardless of residency. portable air conditioning units for trucksCertificate programs that last for only a year or less will certainly be cheaper compared to associate and bachelor’s degrees in HVAC technology. Getting your degree online will also be more cost-effective since the flexibility will provide you with the opportunity to work while you’re studying.

To give you an idea of the kind of costs that you will be spending to get this degree, let’s take a look at the costs charged by some schools. At Greenville Technical College in South Carolina, an undergraduate certificate program in air conditioning/refrigeration technician has a total cost of $6,036 and $490 for books and supplies. This is assuming that the program can be completed within the normal completion time of five months. Ashworth College, meanwhile, offers online professional certification training in heating and air conditioning which can be completed in as short as six months. The cost of the course ranges from $698 to $898 depending on the payment plan you choose. Penn Foster Career School also has HVACR Technician School which offers an HVAC & Refrigeration career diploma online which can be completed in as short as five months. The cost is from $699 to $899 depending on the payment plan chosen. An associate’s degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology is going to be more expensive.

The cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies and housing and food to obtain this degree can vary but the range can go from about $4,000 to a little over $30,000 a year. On the average, however, students can expect to spend about $16,000 a year to pay for the program. Not many schools offer a bachelor’s degree in this field. No matter which kind of program you choose or where you intend to study, do make sure to ask the financial aid advisor of your school about financial aid opportunities that could lower your college costs. Scholarships, grants and student loans are just some of the options that will help you finance your HVAC technology degree. However, make sure that you avail of student loans judiciously since you will have to pay for these later on. Moreover, don’t forget to ask if there are discounts available for certain groups like the military. If you’re an active member or a military spouse, for example, you could eligible for tuition-lowering benefits from an HVAC technician school.

NATE distributes its tests exclusively through authorized testing organizations, which set their own pricing. Click here to locate a testing organization near you and contact a few to ask for their test schedules and testing fees. If you are interested in recertification fees using CEHs Click hereWith an education from Penn Foster Career School, you can begin to pursue a career as an HVAC technician in as little as five months. Our online HVAC classes can help you pursue your HVAC/R Technician career diploma, teaching you to inspect, repair, and maintain heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems for homes and businesses. This online program is designed to help you prepare for HVAC certification online at a pace that’s right for you. The demand for HVAC and refrigeration professionals is expected to increase 14% through 2024, faster than average for all occupations.¹ Program Goal and Outcomes To prepare students for an entry-level career as an HVACR technician in the residential and light construction field.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to: Comprehend mathematical processes and use of formulas necessary for design, evaluation, and installation of HVACR systems Understand composition and usage of HVACR materials, equipment, and tools required for installation and diagnostic tasks Recognize safety procedures and established regulations related to workplace and job requirements Understand the refrigeration cycle, gas laws, and properties of refrigerants required for diagnostic and systems design Comprehend drawings, technical diagrams, and specification charts required for installation and repair of HVACR systems Understand theories and processes for evaluating and installing electrical systems and controls Comprehend procedures for installing, inspecting, testing, repairing, and maintaining HVACR systems Recognize procedures for following government regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants

Know procedures for following government regulations regarding the conservation, recovery, and recycling of refrigerants Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. Understand how to use your Student Portal, including your My Homepage and My Courses pages. Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers. Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites. Introduction to Comfort Control Learn about the uses, components, and types of indoor comfort-control systems. Explore the types of jobs and the pay scales for comfort-control employees. Math for the Trades Reinforce what you already know about math, and apply your math skills to solve real-world trades-related problems. Measure lengths and angles. Use formulas to solve problems. Describe the importance of electricity. Understand fundamental concepts relating to electricity. Understand the need for a broad range of technical skills to work with heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Develop the ability to recognize and correctly employ the tools, equipment, and common materials used by HVACR technicians. Textbook: Fundamentals of HVAC/R Learning Aid: Troubleshooting Guide for Compressors Learn system operations and the basic practices for maintenance and troubleshooting of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Know the law for handling refrigerants. Understand electrical power and the operating characteristics of equipment, circuits, motors, and control devices. Use schematics to determine the expected operation of an electrical system. Evaluate systems to identify problems. Determine a process you can follow to solve the problems you identify. Residential and Light Commercial HVACR Systems Describe how air-conditioning and heating systems are installed and serviced in residential and smaller commercial applications. Receive practical tips and instructions. HVACR System Design and Installation Describe building and duct design and HVACR system placement.

Explore the skills required to properly install an air distribution system. Learn about commercial-scale hydronic heating systems and the boilers that serve as their heat source, and identify common problems with these systems. Commercial Refrigeration and HVACR Maintenance Identify components used in commercial refrigeration systems. Understand the three categories of “everyday tasks” you’ll encounter while working in the field: installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Lithium Bromide Absorption Systems Understand what absorption refrigeration is and how lithium bromide acts as the absorbent. Know the recommended operation and maintenance of a lithium bromide absorption unit. When you graduate, you'll receive (Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.) EPA Certification Test Voucher EPA Certification Preparatory Manual and Exam Registration Troubleshooting HVAC/R Equipment Reference Text

You will need high-speed internet access to begin your program. You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows® based computer running Windows® 7 or later or an Apple® Mac® computer running OS X® or later, Microsoft® Office 2013, and an email account to complete your program with Penn Foster. To view a HVACR Technician training sample lesson, click here. Our online classes include an EPA certification exam voucher, prep materials, and registration. Please review state board requirements that are applicable to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements, which vary from state to state. Students enrolled in the HVAC technician online training program are eligible to participate in the Snap-on Student Excellence Program. This program allows students in trades and technology education programs to purchase high-quality Snap-on tools at a preferred student discount. Some restrictions may apply for total purchase and quantities of certain items.