The HVAC industry has grown a lot in the states in recent years and is considered to be one of the most highly rewarding careers. Arizona, in particular, is a great place to reap the benefits that come with this opportunity.
Due to the climatic conditions of Arizona, the HVAC industry has gained great popularity and continues to grow. Thus, it is a great place to become an HVAC technician or an HVAC engineer.
The institution you get your degree from can have a great impact on your career. Thus, opting for a good educational institution is crucial. To help the matter, we have made a list of the best HVAC schools in Arizona alongside all the information you need.
To find out more, keep on reading!
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Arizona
In order to become a practicing HVAC technician, one must have an EPA section 608 certification, which allows one to be able to work with refrigerants. You will have to take this state exam by preparing for it via a community college or institution offering an HVAC program.
In order to own your business, you will require a license by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and in order to get this license, you need to have a working experience of four years or more. This is called the CR-39 specialty license issued for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
In addition to this, the technicians are expected to clear a business management and a Refrigeration Trade exam. Arizona also has a solar industry, where in order to work, a technician needs to clear the solar exam as well. The duration of the preparatory programs may vary according to the institution. Some institutions offer a 10-12-month course whereas others offer a 3-4-month course.
Salary and Job Outlook in Arizona
Arizona is the golden state for HVAC technicians due to a great number of reasons. Firstly, it has dry and hot weather, which automatically sparks the need for maintenance of safe and comfortable air conditioning. Furthermore, it is home to a solar industry, which further opens up opportunities.
The point simply is that it is a rewarding industry in Arizona, given the conditions. Furthermore, it has an annual median salary of $43, 533, which is greater than the national average by 3%. Generally, the wages start from about $29,840 and can go as high as $64,130. However, all these figures are affected by variables such as experience, certifications, etc.
The future also looks bright for HVAC technicians as the U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) anticipates a 13% growth rate in the HVAC industry in the coming years.
Quick Take - Best HVAC Schools in Arizona
Just looking for the top three schools in your area? Here are the best HVAC schools in Arizona:
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Arizona
There are plenty of Institutes offering HVAC training and degree; however, not all of them are great. It’s important to opt for an institution that allows you to fully develop all skills necessary to have a successful career in HVAC. We have compiled a list of a few institutes situated in Arizona which are worthy of your time and investment and provide great results:
Best Overall:
Arizona Automotive Institute
Address: 6829 N. 46th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301
Phone: 888 419 9440
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Basic Refrigeration
Our Review of the Program
As commercial and residential real estate grows, so does the need for skilled, professional HVAC technicians to tend to the need for maintenance of air conditioning systems. Arizona Automotive institute realizes this and encourages the students to gain the experience and skills required to ace their HVAC career.
It isn’t a job that just requires knowledge, but it also promises hands-on experience and keen observation for problem-solving. The stand out feature of Arizona Automotive Institute is how they not only offer hands-on experience but also provide quality classroom education, all of which together is the best combination for skilled personnel.
Another excellent feature of the courses offered by the Arizona Automotive Institute is how they have as many designated lab hours as lecture hours. When it comes to learning, it should be coupled with hands-on experience, so one is skilled enough to tackle real-life experiences.
This program also includes learning the use of specialty tools and education on all the safety procedures involved. Furthermore, it allows you to develop the skill set required to solve complex problems and tackle unconventional decisions.
The institute does not offer third-party certifications, but by the end of the program, one should be skilled enough to take the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Technician certification exams (RSES) and the EPA section 608 certification as well.
Best HVAC School in Phoenix, AZ:
GateWay Community College
Address: 1245 East Buckeye Road Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602 238 4378
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
- Air conditioning/ Refrigeration/ facilities program
Our Review of the Program
GateWay Community College is one of the best institutes to get your training from due to the approach they have and the execution of their program to instill all the necessary skills in the students to aid in their career. This institute realizes how HVAC technicians are highly in demand, given the climate of Arizona; thus, they cover both the practical and theoretical aspects of learning.
The school has an applied technology focus and provides a Certificate of Competency (CCT) in HVAC Residential Installation and Service Technician. The main focus of this program is to provide basic learning and understanding of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Furthermore, it covers general repairs, electronic controls, and electricity in its courses.
This program gives the students an opportunity to learn not only the theoretical aspects but also the practical side of things. It also gives students the skill set required to tackle real-life situations and learn problem-solving.
Upon completion of the Certificate of Competency (CCT) successfully, you may get credits in the industry by the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research), which will greatly help you in the future.
Best HVAC School in Mesa AZ:
East Valley Institute of Technology
Address: 1601 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: 480 461 4000
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning
Our Review of the Program
Arizona has climatic conditions that enable the HVAC industry to really flourish. East Valley Institute of Technology is perhaps one of the best places to get your HVAC training from. The place isn’t just well-equipped with all the facilities required but also has a solid curriculum that covers the wide spectrum of skills and theoretical knowledge required to become a good HVAC technician.
Another excellent feature of this program is how it provides the skills required for different real-life situations. With this course, you should expect to learn about the workings in residential, commercial as well as industrial settings. It extends theoretical and practical knowledge in electrical control, wiring, repairing appliances, etc. By the end of this program, you are expected to know how to repair, maintain, and install air conditioning, heating, or refrigeration paraphernalia.
This program completely prepares you to ace the state exam for refrigeration licensing. It has a 620 hours duration.
Address: 3660 E Wier Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85040
Phone: 480 360 0550
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Course
Our Review of the Program
There are many institutes out there offering various programs related to HVAC, but National Technical Institute is one of the highly esteemed establishments offering the course. It is considered to have a top-notch curriculum which is fit to prepare one for the real-life situations an HVAC technician may face. In conjunction with theory, it offers a hands-on experience, which is why this institute produces some of the best HVAC technicians in the state.
A lot of times, good institutes are worth an arm and a leg; however, that isn’t the case with this one. It offers an affordable tuition fee and the choice between night and morning classes. Furthermore, you will be taught by experienced instructors who prepare you for not just the state certification exam but also the real-life problems which may arise once you start working in the field.
The flexibility of the course makes it a great option. Furthermore, this program can be completed in a short duration of 3-4 months.
Address: 4905 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85709-1010
Phone: 520 206 4500
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Course
Our Review of the Program
Theoretical knowledge isn’t enough for a field like HVAC, where you are constantly dealing with new technology and complex situations. This is well understood by Pima Community College. It deals with not just theoretical knowledge but also enables students to develop the skills required to diagnose and maintain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment in conventional and unconventional situations. You learn not just about commercial but also the residential and industrial way of things.
In the grand scheme of things, it is important to realize how important your practical skills are. HVAC is a highly rewarding industry with an annual median wage of $ 43,533. The courses offered in the program are perfect for developing all the essential skills of a good HVAC technician. Furthermore, with this course, you require a grade of C or better to graduate, and you will be receiving an associate’s degree.
HVAC Schools in Arizona Comparison Table
There are many schools in Arizona that offer HVAC programs, yet not all are worthy of your time. Thus, let’s take a look at the side by side comparison of what some of the best HVAC schools offer with respect to the others so you can make the right decision when it comes to choosing one:
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Our Top Pick  |
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Conclusion
HVAC is a growing industry with great earning opportunities, especially in a place like Arizona, where the weather is hot and dry. Furthermore, it is an important place for solar energy production, which further adds to the importance of an HVAC technician in Arizona.
Considering all these aspects and how rewarding being an HVAC technician in Arizona can be, we decided to compile a list of some of the best institutes one can get their training and certificate from. The institute you pick to get your training from largely factors in how skilled you’ll be once you get in your professional career, thus making the right choice is important.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states:
