Call a community college in your area and inquire if it offers an HVAC program. Community colleges often offer vocational programs, including HVAC certificate and two-year programs.
Visit the community college and ask to speak to the director of the HVAC program. Interview the director and find out what the program teaches. A comprehensive HVAC program should cover electronic, mechanical and electronic components of HVAC systems, theory, equipment and repair, and electronics.
Ask the HVAC program director if the instructors have previous real-world experience installing and maintaining HVAC systems. If so, you will be able to obtain valuable knowledge that supplements the classroom and theory assignments.
Search online for “HVAC certificate or diploma programs” for your state and community. Visit the websites of HVAC schools and compare several schools, such as community college programs versus programs offered by for-profit programs. Look at the courses offered, along with course descriptions. The more in-depth a school’s HVAC courses, the better your education will be. The program you choose should have courses on thermodynamics; latter; chemistry of refrigerants; ozone depletion; electricity; gas laws; math; psychometrics; and piping for refrigerant, water and gas. The U.S. Army provides an online self-study HVAC program including several study modules.
Look for HVAC programs that have been accredited. Look for these accreditations: National Center for Construction Education and Research; HVAC Excellence; and Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Accreditation. Look for this information in the school’s catalog – it may be listed in the general information section for this program. Online programs should have the information printed where you can find it. The name of the accreditation organization should be included in the program’s background information; otherwise, ask the HVAC program director about all earned accreditations.
Ask program directors about any continuing education requirements for HVAC technicians. This means that your state may require you to take some courses annually to maintain your license and stay current with the newest HVAC technology.
Ensure that the programs you are interested in are true HVAC education programs. Ask the Better Business Bureau if it has received complaints about any “for-profit” schools you might be considering. Find the BBB listing in your telephone directory or visit the BBB website and search for any complaints lodged against the schools you are considering, as well as resolution of the complaints.