HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. This is an abbreviation usually used to describe heating or refrigeration systems. People who install, maintain, and repair such systems are called HVAC technicians, and you need to be qualified and licensed to be one of them.
These people are an important part of the workforce, as they make sure that our homes and offices are comfortable for us and that we are able to easily work there under different types of weather conditions.
In this article, we will describe different requirements to become an HVAC technician, along with some programs offered in it by schools.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in North Carolina
North Carolina is a great place to be an HVAC technician, as most of the country’s engineers and technicians flock here for the amazing job opportunities and rewards. It is regarded as one of the best states to work in as an HVAC technician.
Like most states, North Carolina also requires HVAC and refrigeration technicians to be state-certified. It all starts with you passing the Refrigeration Contractor’s Exam, upon which you will get a license. After this, the process of obtaining proper certification will start. This requires a few things that need to be fulfilled, which are:
- Eligibility criteria
- Application process
- Preparing for the exam
- Taking the exam
North Carolina actually separates heating and refrigeration licenses. There are mainly three groups of licenses, H1, H2, and H3. H1 is for wet or water-based heating systems, H2 is for forced-air heating and cooling for units larger than 15 tons, and H3 is for forced heating and cooling units smaller than 15 tons.
Under all of these groups, there is also a T-designation, which stands for technician.
Salary and Job Outlook in North Carolina
There are a lot of job opportunities for HVAC technicians in North Carolina. But the salary can vary based on your education, experience, and work.
There is a difference in salary between the maintenance workers, installation workers, supervisors, etc. as there is in every job because of hierarchies. The median income ranges from $50,000-$90,000 based on the factors mentioned above.
The more specific numbers of median incomes are $73,746 for a supervisor, $62,821 for a senior technician, $57,377 for an intermediate technician, $57,371 for a junior technician, etc. The income may also vary depending on the task you favor, such as installation, maintenance, repair, or diagnosis.
This is the general information gathered from statistics. As stated above, it may vary for every person.
Quick Take - Best HVAC Schools in North Carolina
Just looking for the top three schools in your area? Here are the best HVAC schools in North Carolina:
List of the Top HVAC Schools in North Carolina
Now that we have discussed some of the requirements as well as the job outlook and other factors, here are some of the schools that we think offer the best HVAC certification programs.
Best Overall:
Rockingham Community College
Address: Rockingham Community College, 215 Wrenn Memorial Road, Wentworth, North Carolina 27375
Phone: 336-342-4261
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology Diploma
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Basics Certificate
Our Review of the Program
Rockingham offers two programs under the category of HVAC, one is a diploma and the other is a certificate. Both of these have slight variations between them.
The diploma allows the students to develop the necessary skills to work on heating, cooling, refrigeration, and ventilation systems of different scales, as well as gain basic knowledge of their working.
The topics included in this are refrigeration, electricity, safety measures required to be taken for proper installation, repair and maintenance of the systems, heating and cooling theory, controls, etc. Furthermore, the program covers all things required as an HVAC technician, such as different types of air conditioners, heat pumps, instruments, how they work, and so on.
The students, after completion of this course, will be able to assist and take part in start-ups, preventative maintenance services, install, repair, and service residential or light commercial heating, cooling, and filtration systems.
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Basics Certificate is designed to provide students with the basic abilities in residential and light commercial HVAC and domestic refrigeration.
Upon the completion of this course, graduates would be able to do things such as charge a unit, pass the CFC certification exam, read wiring, etc. among others.
Both these programs are beneficial for anyone who is interested in becoming an HVAC technician.
Address: MCC Foundation, 1161 Kehukee Park Road, Williamston, North Carolina 27892
Phone: 252-792-1521
252-802-6116
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology - Diploma
Our Review of the Program
This is the perfect program for anyone who aspires to become an HVAC technician. It provides students with the required knowledge and working of heating, cooling, and filtration systems of residential and light commercial scales. It also gives them the practical skills and abilities to apply theories regarding such systems in their work life.
The topics included in this are refrigeration, safety measures required for proper installation, repair and maintenance of the systems, heating and cooling theory, electricity, controls, etc.
The systems that the program teaches include air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, the instruments that come with them, their maintenance, proper diagnosis of a problem pertaining to their function, etc.
After completing this, the students will be able to work by themselves or with a team or group of people to take care of different types of heating and cooling systems. They will also be able to manage things, such as taking preventative measures against possible malfunctions, maintenance, repairs, installation, services, etc.
Plus, the Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree is a great addition to your professional repertoire as it includes things like residential building codes, system resizing, advanced comfort systems, etc. The students, if they choose this, will be able to display efficiency when working with all kinds of systems, including during their selection and while checking their balance.
Address: Wake Technical Community College, 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Phone: 919-866-5000
List of Programs:
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) – Spanish
- EPA Refrigerant Recovery/ Recycling Certification Exam Preparation
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- HVAC and Duct Leakage – Proper Evaluation and Sealing
- HVAC Apprenticeship Level 1
- HVAC Apprenticeship Level 2
Our Review of the Program
The EPA Refrigerant/Recycling Certification Exam Preparation Program offered by the school includes the basics of HVAC and its practical applications for becoming a technician.
It covers heating and air conditioning, their equipment and components, such as condensers, metering devices, refrigerants, compressors, evaporators, mechanical and electrical circuits, etc.
Students are taught the necessary safety measures and precautions as well, as you will have to follow these necessary protocols and measures in your practical work or job.
This program is best for an entry-level job in an HVAC company. And it will also make you eligible for the Section 608 EPA certification exam, which will help you move up in the job hierarchy.
They also offer an AAS degree program for HVAC technicians, which consists of more advanced things, such as practical working related to the field, learning maintenance, repair and installation processes of heating and cooling systems of different scales, etc.
Address: Guilford Technical Community College, 601 E Mainstreet Jamestown, North Carolina 27282
Phone: 336-334-4822
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology - AAS Degree
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology - Diploma
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
- Basic Air Conditioning Certificate
Our Review of the Program
The program offered by this school consists of courses that put students on the path to becoming an HVAC technician.
Every home and commercial building nowadays has air-conditioning, filtration, and heating systems, so you will be very happy to know that your career choice is quite in demand, and you will be needed for a long time because there is a constant need for skilled technicians.
Students have the option of choosing a diploma, degree, or basic certification course, as all three are available. This readies them for an entry-level job in HVAC companies and firms.
The emphasis in this program is on a combination of things, including air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration theory, as well as practical applications that would make you successful in finding employment.
This is a well-respected program and the only one in North Carolina that is accredited with HVAC excellence, which is sure to put it in the top picks as it makes sure the education quality is not compromised.
Address: Omitt Trade School, 101 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28213
Phone: 704-248-0837
List of Programs:
- HVAC
Our Review of the Program
This program offers a lot of things, such as theoretical and practical knowledge of the field of an HVAC technician. It covers almost all the bases and prepares one fully for an entry-level job in HVAC companies.
The program consists of air-conditioning, heating and ventilation theories, the proper use of the equipment required for maintenance, repair, and installation of residential and light commercial cooling and heating systems, as well as working with teams for all these tasks.
The things they teach, though being theoretical, have practical value, as they will definitely come in handy for your future career, and you will be able to apply them out in the field.
Address: Forsyth Technical Community College, 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103
Phone: 336-723-0371
List of Programs:
- HVAC Technician Service Level 1 & 2
- Technical Standards for Economic Workforce Development: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Our Review of the Program
The HVAC Technician Service program of this college comes with two levels, both of which have slight variations in what they cover.
In Level 1, students are taught Introduction to Refrigeration, HVAC Electricity, Oil, Gas, and Electric Furnaces, and Heat Pump Service.
These include their units, components, theories, and uses as well, such as refrigeration components, operation of a walk-in cooler, compressor replacement, ohms, amperes, volts, ohm's laws, diagrams, oil burners, furnace operation, and repair, properties of natural gas/LPG, components of a heat pump, sub-cooling, superheat, etc.
In Level 2, students learn about Mechanical Cooling, PLCs/CFC, HVAC Controls, and HVAC Troubleshooting.
These include further things such as refrigeration cycle, refrigerant charging, duct design, digital logic, CPU operation, ladder logic basics, CFC certification, metering devices, electronic control boards, thermostats, refrigerants, diagrams, etc.
This is a beginner’s course that puts the students on the right path towards CFC certification. The option of taking all the classes together in one semester is also possible, and without completing level one, you cannot advance to level two.
There is another course available under the Workforce Development Section, which is also an HVAC program.
Address: Alamance Community College, 1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, North Carolina 27253
Phone: 336-506-4270
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology – Associate of Applied Sciences
- Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology - Diploma
- Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology - Certificate
- HVAC – Workforce Development/Continuing Education
Our Review of the Program
The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology program from this school is state-of-the-art and updated. They offer different courses for it.
The heating and cooling systems nowadays are highly developed and very energy-efficient. So to work as a technician in the HVAC field, one needs to be able to think critically and apply what they have learned practically.
In this program, students study Mechanical Refrigeration, Electricity, Heating, and Cooling Theory, Controls and Safety, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Furnaces, Tools and Instruments, Residential System Sizing, Residential Building Codes, as well as Advanced Comfort Systems.
There are three options for students in this program, associate, diploma, and certificate. And the learning outcomes will come in handy in their practical lives.
In addition, a new HVAC bilingual program has also been introduced.
Address: Western Piedmont Community College, 101 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, North Carolina 28655
Phone: 828-448-3500
List of Programs:
- HVACR Certificate
Our Review of the Program
The HVACR Certification program requires a few things in this college, especially the courses you have to pass for it.
Students are required to take Heating Technology, Comfort Cooling, Refrigerant Certification, Introduction to Wiring, Environmental Health, and Safety and Basic Welding Processes.
Each of the courses consists of different things that the student will be able to apply in their practical life once they get on with their job. These include fundamentals of heating including oil, gas, and electrical heating systems, safety procedures, system operations, installation procedures, maintenance of residential and light commercial comfort heating and cooling systems, high-pressure systems, techniques, terminology, prevention of injuries and illnesses, mild steel fillers, electrodes, etc.
After completing this program, students will be able to set up equipment, have an understanding of basic concepts and be able to practically apply them, identify wires and wiring tools, be prepared for the EPA Certification Examination, be able to use psychometrics, test instruments, and explain the basic oil, gas, and electrical heating systems along with so much more.
Address: Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, North Carolina 28253-5009
Phone: 704-330-2722
List of Programs:
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilation Technology
- Accelerated Career Training-Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Our Review of the Program
The development of critical thinking, articulation, and technical skills is highlighted in this program. It includes advanced topics such as residential and light commercial systems load design in accordance with efficient, balanced, and airside designs for ducts, filtration, and ventilation systems.
Through lectures and hands-on experience, students will explore advanced control systems for heating and refrigeration. They will also learn the efficiency of modern residential and light commercial systems by working together with new automation systems and wireless technology.
By completing this program, students will be able to efficiently and safely diagnose, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems of residential and commercial grade. They can practically apply different theories about heat and electro mechanism, and do appropriate ductwork.
They can also look forward to a lot of employment opportunities, and can assist in things like choosing equipment, load design, etc.
This is a great roundup of everything that an HVAC technician needs to learn in order to do his job properly. It consists of both theory and practical work and teaches you to apply those theories in your actual job.
10. Durham Tech
Address: Durham Tech, 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, North Carolina 27703
Phone: 919-536-7200
List of Programs:
- Industrial Systems Technology-HVAC Certificate
Our Review of the Program
The Industrial Systems Technology Program is an HVAC certification program offered by Durham Tech. It consists of quite a few important things, including training individuals to safely install, maintain, and repair heating and refrigeration systems.
The program includes theory as well as skill training required to inspect, test, and diagnose industrial systems. It also includes print reading, mechanical systems maintenance, welding, fabrication, electricity, and hydraulics, as well as different repair and diagnostic procedures. Practical application will be emphasized, and additional coursework may also be offered to students.
At the end of this program, students who have stuck by and made good use of it will be able to work by themselves, or in a group/with a team to safely inspect, install, maintain, and repair industrial heating and cooling systems, along with the supporting equipment.
This is a basic outline of the program they offer. It seems to cover all the bases for the most part, as well as being responsible for training you to become competent, have a good eye for solving technical issues, and be a team player.
HVAC Schools in North Carolina Comparison Table
Below, we have compiled information about different schools that offer programs for HVAC certification and basics about HVAC. This comparison table can help you make the right choice.
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Conclusion
All the schools discussed in this article are our own top picks for HVAC certification in North Carolina. All of them offer great programs and teach theory and practical applications, which will no doubt be great for your job. Anyone of them can meet your requirements, so be sure to check them out.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states: