HVAC Schools

Overview

HVAC denotes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC is very important in industries like skyscrapers and marine environments, such as aquariums, where the building conditions need to be regulated for temperature and humidity. The HVAC is one of the most popular methods for climate control used in buildings. Therefore it is a highly sought after career, especially in the maintenance area. In order to get trained in HVAC, you can opt for schools that specialize in this field. The HVAC technician's role involves installing, modifying, inspecting, troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, and plumbing HVAC systems.

HVAC training is often pursued either as an associate degree or a diploma. Certain colleges also provide bachelor's degree in the field. The HVAC is a sub course in mechanical engineering which is based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. The curriculum includes: fundamentals, safety, electrical theory, residential and commercial air conditioning, control systems, heating systems, indoor air quality, piping skills, and pneumatic skills. The duration of a diploma in HVAC ranges between three months and one year.

Benefits

HVAC schools prepare you for a great career in a field that offers you ample scope for growth and development. The United States Department of Labor Bureau predicts that the HVAC industry will be one of the fastest growing in terms of occupation in the next decade. The work area is quite broad and provides many job profiles. Apart from regular technician jobs, the HVAC graduates can be employed as a maintenance supervisor, field supervisor, building automation supervisor, superintendent, installer, fire alarm field supervisor and so on. The average salary of HVAC personnel is about $61,538. They earn a starting salary of $54,302 and can earn up to $70,146 annually. The installers are paid well and those who maintain systems have the prospect of assured work in larger areas.

Costs

The expenses involved to earn a degree in HVAC are now reasonable. The cost of an associate degree in HVAC is $8,000 per year on an average, while the cost of getting a diploma in HVAC will cost around $3,300 for 14 credit hours. There might be additional costs to get certifications.

Schools

There are many schools and colleges in the United States which offer HVAC programs and courses. The Arizona Automotive Institute, Ferris State University and College of the Desert are a few of the colleges that offer HVAC degrees.

Training & Preparations

The basic requirement of pursuing the HVAC degree is to get the necessary skills and problem solving intelligence.For an associate degree in HVAC, you must have a completed high school certificate and take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), American College Test (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a reasonable score. Check your school's requirement before taking any tests. And, if you are an international student, you are also required to take up the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to students from their respective colleges. You can also approach Scholarship Experts and Scholarship America for financial aid and scholarships. The Student Loan Network is another source for a wide range of loans for students. Certain companies also sponsor their employees for specialization courses and certifications.