HVAC is a growing profession, and more and more people have started to turn towards it for a better future ahead. But before someone starts enjoying the perks of the job, they have to get adequate education and training and a license to get appointed.
Atlanta is one of the most populous cities in Georgia and offers a vast number of opportunities in the field and a great demand for technicians. To fulfill this demand, many HVAC schools are providing extensive courses.
If you’re also looking to start a career in HVAC here, here’s everything you need to know.
How Long is HVAC School?
HVAC school may take up to two and a half years to complete, but there are some programs that you can complete in a lesser time. The certificate can also be acquired in one or two-semester, depending on the type of the course. Regardless of the course, you have to fulfill a couple of requirements before you can apply for a job.
The most mandatory certificate for anyone who handles refrigerants is the EPA Section 608 certification. There are also four other categories of credentials that vary according to the equipment you use. There is a small appliance or type one certificate. Then there are the high pressure or type two certificates and the type three or low-pressure appliance certificate. Lastly, there are the type four certificates that are universal.
The minimum requirements you need to enroll in a school are either a high school diploma or a GED. This is because the high school curriculum not only enhances your math but also helps you perform better in reading and writing. As for the school itself, you may be given the option to complete the entire program on campus or have some virtual classes online. The duration for an apprenticeship program is also relatively longer as compared to a normal HVAC program.
Moreover, anyone looking to get enrolled should know that Georgia is relatively strict when it comes to HVAC credentialing. Anyone who doesn't fulfill the school's requirements may not be allowed to enroll.
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How Much Does HVAC School Cost?
HVAC schools aren't as expensive as people make them out to be. You can attend a good school by paying half of what you pay for other vocational training education or other career-oriented fields. But before you choose the school to enroll, there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind. There are many options when it comes to pursuing an education in HVAC, and the cost of each differs.
HVAC Trade School
Despite being the most expensive, trade schools offer the most diversity in terms of programs. These colleges offer one-to-three-year degree programs and may require you to complete five to six semesters for an HVAC degree. They cost around $1,200 to $15,000. The actual figure depends on the college and the duration of the course.
Community Colleges
Community colleges provide vocational training to students. One of the best things about community colleges is that they are relatively affordable and offer educational opportunities to a wide range of students without discrimination. You can get both a degree and several diplomas at community colleges. There are also a wide number of certifications that you can get in six to twelve months. The cost of tuition for this duration may vary from $4,800 to $8000.
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Apprenticeship
Most colleges don’t really give this option, but you can get into an apprenticeship program and pay half or even less of what you would normally pay a school. Such a program may take around three to five years to complete and can cost around $500 to $2000 for the entire duration.
In such a program, you will get to work with professionals whilst also getting your education. This type of training is best for people who want to get their education whilst also earning a living.
Quick Take - Best HVAC Schools in Atlanta
Just looking for the top 3 schools in your area? Here are the best HVAC schools in Atlanta:
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Atlanta
Atlanta is known for offering some of the best schools in all of Georgia, and the schools reviewed below are proof of that. All the schools that we have reviewed are top-notch and can pave the way for a fruitful career.
Address: 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
Phone: 1-404-225-4400
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning Technology Diploma
- Air Conditioning Technician Assistant TCC
- Heating and Air Conditioning Installation Technician TCC
Our Review of the Program
Atlanta Technical College is by far one of the most desirable HVAC colleges in the country and is known for its unparalleled reputation. The technicians learn to install, maintain and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment in both commercial and residential buildings. These are the main responsibilities if you opt to become an HVAC technician.
The program in itself takes nine months to complete, and you can start earning in no time. The focus, along with hands-on training, is also specially designed to help you land a job easily.
As a student, you will have a mixture of both online and on-campus training, so you can attend classes without compromising on your busy schedule. You can attend two to three classes on campus, and the rest of the classes can be taken online. All this helps you learn at your own pace and comfort.
Your coursework will also integrate professional skill development that will help you gain employment. You will not only gain proficiency in communication and self-management but will also gain much-needed emotional intelligence. As a student, you will get to enhance career-building competencies that will make you just the right fit for any job.
You will be able to learn how to work with HVAC refrigeration systems, energy conservation equipment, and dual layout and fabrications. Prep and testing are already included in the program, and no extra charges will be taken for NCCER credentials, OSHA Safety orientation, and Universal R410A.
Address: 1750 Beaver Ruin Rd #500, Norcross, GA 30093
Phone: 1-833-692-4264
List of Programs:
- HVAC technician
- HVAC refrigeration technician
Our Review of the Program
Altierus Career College aims to make its students successful HVAC refrigeration technicians, and you will have a chance to maintain both commercial and residential equipment that people rely on in their daily lives. You can also become an HVAC technician by availing of three extra months of the HVAC program.
The program is also accredited by the Esco group. This is an independent third-party that not only regulates studies but also ensures that students meet the skills that will help them comply with the standards of the HVAC industry. Not only that, but you will also receive certification preparation for the EPA 608 universal certification. Moreover, you will be certified with the OSHA 10-HOUR basic safety orientation along with the universal R410A and the NCCER credentials.
This program can be completed in only nine months. The HVAC diploma can be completed by a student coming to campus for three days only. The rest of the days, the students are allowed to attend classes online and hence complete their coursework virtually. This is majorly for the betterment of the students who do part-time jobs. In total, a student has to complete 380 hours of classroom hours and around 340 lab hours.
You also get real hands-on training from excellent instructors that help prepare you for the real-world experience. You learn the art of installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC refrigeration equipment. You will use tools such as commercial walk-in refrigeration, rack compressor system, low-temperature condenser, and commercial ice machine in the lab. Exposure to diverse equipment will help you become a much better technician.
Address: 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: 1-678-341-6600
List of Programs:
- Air conditioning technology
Our Review of the Program
This college is known for providing an excellent diploma course in air conditioning technology, and it also provides certification in basic residential air conditioning systems. There are also certifications for basic residential gas heat design. These programs help students become successful HVAC and refrigeration professionals in the future. Moreover, the skills and knowledge that they acquire through these programs help them land much better jobs in the future.
For this college, the age limit for students is at least 16 years of age, and all the applicants need a high school diploma or at least a GED prior to their admissions. The school also requires students to show their official transcripts and any SAT or ACT scores before they get admitted into the HVAC program.
This diploma course consists of around 51 credit hours, and a student needs to complete the full number of lab and classroom hours to be considered for the license at the end. Meanwhile, the two certification programs are made of 16 credit hours only and take relatively less time to complete.
The coursework for both the diploma and some certificates include topics like refrigeration fundamentals and fundamentals of HVAC. It also involves knowledge related to gas heat, electrical motors, heat pumps, and related systems. The coursework also highlights the foundations of mathematics, so you understand your practical work in a much better way.
The expected time that you require for the completion of the diploma is around three semesters. However, you can complete the certificate programs in one semester or even less. Moreover, the estimated tuition is around $100 for every credit hour. The smaller certificate courses may act as refresher courses for anyone looking to return to HVAC work after a small break.
Address: 2359 Windy Hill Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30067
Phone: 1-844-675-1109
List of Programs:
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Program
Our Review of the Program
With the rapid increase in the HVAC industry, schools need to keep up to meet the job requirements, and Lincoln Technical Institute is best at doing exactly that. It prepares hundreds of students every year so that they can become amazing professionals and make a living out of their passion. The program is not only one of the most affordable ones but also one of the most revered ones in Atlanta.
For starters, the program introduces students to green technology. This is a green alternative to comfort cooling and heating systems as well as to the advanced geothermal and solar thermal technologies. The school is also the first of many in the country that successfully incorporated energy auditing courses from the Green Mechanical Council, thus ensuring learning advancements in technology. This helps enhance a student’s heating and air conditioning training and helps them stand out.
The school has also been granted six-year HVAC Excellence accreditation for its outstanding work in the field. Additionally, out of the 114 certified master educators for HVAC, 26 of them teach at Lincoln schools. This means that studying at Lincoln Technical Institute will allow you to engage with the most competent, committed, and dedicated professionals in the field.
The program is as diverse as the college itself. Some of the highlights include flexible schedules that allow students to opt for day or evening classes. Moreover, most of the courses include energy auditing, thus ensuring students know the source of energy losses in the system and know how to effectively deal with them. Furthermore, the classes include hands-on exercises that take place in a mini greenhouse where students learn practical work.
The classrooms are set up with lecture-based equipment, such as walk-in freezers, central air systems, and household furnaces that help students apply theoretical knowledge in the field. They also learn to troubleshoot using SimuTech software. This features a computer-based simulation that identifies all the possible problems you might encounter on the job.
Address: 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Phone: 1-770-962-7580
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning Technology, AAS
- Air Conditioning Technology, Diploma
- Air Conditioning Electrical Technician, Certificate
- Refrigeration System Service Technician, Certificate
- Air Conditioning System Maintenance Technician, Certificate
Our Review of the Program
Of all the colleges on the list, this is probably the one that offers the most diversity in HVAC courses. There are mainly five important programs that you might be interested in. The first is the Air Conditioning Technology, AAS that is the longest. It requires you to complete 65 credit hours to get the certificate. There is also an air conditioning technology diploma that requires completing 51 credit hours.
Next is the air conditioning electrical technician certificate that is of 12 credit hours and can be completed easily within a few days or weeks. You may also be interested in getting the air conditioning maintenance technician certificate in 12 credit hours or the refrigeration system service technician certificate in 20 hours.
Although there is a lot of diversity in these courses, the one thing common is the focus on practical knowledge. Students learn the many ways to install, maintain, and repair heating equipment used in residential and commercial buildings. Not only that, but they also learn how to review certain blueprints and test systems. Moreover, they get to perform emergency repairs and maintain tools to ensure optimum functioning.
Students in these courses learn how to record data like fuel consumption, the temperature of equipment, and hours of operation. They also learn how to inspect systems, thus ensuring a complete grip on their subject. Lastly, the college has accreditation from the PAHR and is well-reputed for its HVAC programs.
HVAC Schools in Atlanta Comparison Table
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What Makes Atlanta a Great Place to Start an HVAC Career?
When it comes to an HVAC career, Atlanta is one of the best places to start your career. It is not only a very lively city that offers comfortable and affordable housing, but it is also full of life. Moreover, for students interested in HVAC, there are a great many incentives to look out for. Here are the top reasons that make Atlanta a great place to start your career.
Reputable Schools
Lack of good education can hinder you from being a good technician. Luckily, Atlanta is known for offering some of the best educational opportunities to students. The colleges here aren't only great in terms of their curriculum and their learning experience, but they are also relatively affordable and offer diversity in their courses. All this makes getting an education much easier than it is in other states.
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Rapid Industrialization
Atlanta has seen a sharp rise in industrialization. There has been a steady growth in the number of buildings and construction sites built every day. This leads to extensive use of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment. This translates to more work for potential employees. All this guarantees that people working in the industry get to earn at a steady rate for a long time to come.
Comfortable Housing and Commute
A great issue that many people face when they start a new career is accommodation and commuting. People need a good yet affordable place to live and an easy way to commute daily. Atlanta has laws in place that ensure people get access to good housing. Moreover, the transport systems are well-built that ensures people get to and from their jobs easily and in relatively less time.
Job Outlook and Salary For HVAC Techs in Atlanta
Atlanta is not only the capital of the state of Georgia, but it also one of the most appealing cities in terms of the HVAC industry. It is a high paying and high-growth occupation in Georgia and offers many career opportunities for deserving candidates.
The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) projected a 13 percent increase in the job openings in the HVAC industry between 2018 and 2028. This is relatively much faster than other job growth statistics in the country. This figure roughly translates into around 46,300 HVAC positions all around the country.
This industry is also attractive because people in the field can expect to work for a long time to come. Almost all modern structures, especially those that ensure climate control, require HVAC maintenance. Moreover, with the rise in construction and rural-to-urban migration, the HVAC industry is sure to rise. All these guarantees that people in the field are likely going to earn a steady income.
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Moreover, the salary of HVAC workers is satisfactory. It was reported that, on average, the HVAC workers in the capital make up to $45,520 a year. Here is a breakdown of the salary according to the experience level.
Entry Level: If you are an entry-level worker who has just started working in the city, you will earn around $33,330. This figure is much higher as compared to what workers in other cities make.
Mid-Level: People with a little bit more experience get to earn around $45,000 on average. This is because these people have relatively more experience and often have an advanced license.
Master-Level: This is the category that all HVAC workers aspire to reach. People at the master level tend to earn close to $56,000 to $64,000 yearly.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the HVAC industry is booming, and anyone aspiring to become an HVAC technician is surely making a good decision. There can only be one hurdle to your progress, your education. However, you can get over it easily. All you have to do is enroll in a good school in Atlanta so you can kickstart your career as soon as you can.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states:
