Trade Schools
This page compiles information about the best HVAC schools in North Carolina.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for technicians in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning industry is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, resulting in 38,500 new openings each year across the country.
As more commercial and residential construction projects are developed, the need for technicians specialized in installing Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning will grow.
Before being ready for employment in the field, you have to complete a specialized high school or post-secondary education program.
This trade can be learned through post-secondary Diploma, Certificate, or Associate Degree programs that usually last less than two years.
Four of five years apprenticeships are also an option for students who want to combine classroom instruction with on-the-job learning.
It’s up to you to decide what format best meets your learning style and what institution will prepare you for employment.
1RightTek HVAC Training
About the School
RightTek HVAC Training offers training programs that prepare students for careers in the heating and cooling industries.
The school has training locations throughout North Carolina and Virginia.
Students enrolled at the school learn from instructors who are State Licensed Engineers or HVAC Contractors.
Courses are available for technicians and office staff in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning field.
Courses Offered
RightTek HVAC Training offers training courses on the following topics:
- Residential HVAC System Design- a four-part program that includes two-hour segments and covers real-world applications for a professional installation
- Residential Airflow & Zoning- a two-hour webinar that covers the air diagnostics and balancing techniques and system airflow optimization
- HVAC for Office and Sales Staff- a two-hour webinar designed for office staff employed in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning and teaches them terminology, components, system complaints, as well as customer inquiries.
Contact Information
- Address: 5448 Apex Peakway #108, Apex, NC 27502
- Phone: 919-475-2779 | 919-655-5828
- Website: https://www.righttekhvac.com
2Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
About the School
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College offers short-term training, certificates, diplomas, and degrees in a wide range of fields.
The college has campuses at four locations throughout North Carolina: two in Asheville, one in Candler, and one in Marshall.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a training program in Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology.
This program can lead to an Associate of Applied Science, Diploma, or Certificate, depending on the courses and the number of credits achieved.
Students learn the skills needed to work with residential and light commercial systems.
The curriculum covers topics on cooling theory, electricity, controls, safety, and other related topics.
Additional courses are included, depending on the pathway:
- Associate of Applied Science degree- this 68-degree program includes all the above courses plus residential building codes, residential system sizing, and advanced comfort systems
- Diploma- this 40-credit program also includes air conditioning, furnaces, heat pumps, tools, and instruments
- Cooling Certificate program- students enrolled in this 16-credit course learn the concepts and skills needed to install and service different types of domestic cooling systems
- Heating Certificate- a 15-credit program that covers the skills needed to service and repair domestic and light commercial heat pumps, air conditioning, and heating units
Contact Information
- Address: 340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
- Phone: (828) 398-7900
- Website: https://abtech.edu
3Durham Tech
About the School
Durham Tech offers training programs that prepare students for employment in a wide range of industries.
The college’s catalog includes a variety of building, engineering, and skilled trades programs.
Courses offered
The following HVAC-related programs are available at Durham Tech:
- HVAC-non-credit
- Industrial System Technology- an HVAC Certificate program
The non-credit program prepares students for the installation, repair, and maintenance of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning systems.
The program covers the fundamentals of heating, including gas and electrical heating systems, but also air conditioning heating and components.
Students work with real equipment in a lab environment and learn how to follow safety standards and protocols.
The cost varies depending on the pathway.
The HVAC Heating program costs $146.25 and includes 48 contact hours.
The HVAC Cooling program costs $131.25.
The Industrial Systems Technology- HVAC Certificate includes 13 credit hours and costs approximately $988.
Contact Information
- Address: 1637 East Lawson Street, Durham, NC 27703
- Phone: 919-536-7200
- Website: https://www.durhamtech.edu
4Technical Training Institute
About the School
Technical Training Institute prepares students for licensing exams and rewarding careers in the electrical HVAC, and plumbing trades.
The school works with the North Carolina licensing boards.
Custom training programs are also available off-site, in a classroom setting, or virtual format.
Before taking the licensing exam in the state of North Carolina, you have to apply to the Plumbing, Heating, Fuel Gas & Fire Sprinkler Board of Examiners.
Courses Offered
The following Heating-related courses are available:
- Duct-Design Fundamentals, Testing, and Performance
- NC H-1 Exam Prep Course
- NC H-2 Exam Prep Course
- H-3-I Prep Course
Costs vary depending on the course.
The Duct Design Fundamentals, Testing, and Performance course costs $295 per student and covers a variety of topics related to:
- Duct Design Requirements
- Room Air Distribution
- Duct Fittings and Equipment Connections
- Duct Design Methods and Air Balancing
The NC H-2 course costs $1,195 and covers Administrative Codes and Policies, Energy Code, Fuel Gas Code, Duct Calculator, Laws and Rules, and other related topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 5540 Centerview Dr, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606
- Phone: 800-317-7095
- Website: https://tti-nc.com
5Wake Tech
About the School
Wake Tech provides non-degree programs and programs that lead to a Degree, Diploma, or Certificate.
More than 200 programs are available in a wide range of fields.
The total per-credit cost is $139 for in-state students.
This cost includes tuition, computer/tech fees, student activity fee, and campus access fee.
Wake Tech Community College is Accredited by the Commission on Colleges and Schools of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Courses Offered
The following Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology programs are available:
- Building Automation
- Commercial A/C
- Commercial Refrigeration
The programs can lead to an Associate of Applied Science degree, a Diploma or Certificate and cover HVACR electricity and electrical equipment, HVAC controls, comfort cooling systems, oil, gas, and electric heating systems, maintenance and servicing, and schematics and diagrams.
Students can achieve an Associate of Applied Science degree by attending classes two days per week for two years.
Contact Information
- Address: 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
- Phone: 919-866-5000
- Website: https://www.waketech.edu
6Robeson Community College
About the School
Robeson Community College offers a variety of degree, diploma, and certificate programs as well as continuing education classes.
The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Diploma program designed to equip students with the skills needed for work with residential and light commercial systems.
The curriculum covers topics such as mechanical refrigeration, heating, and cooling theory, electricity, controls, and safety.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for admission as well as satisfactory scores on college placement tests, and a minimum GPA in English and mathematics.
In total, the diploma program includes 46 credit hours.
The following Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology Certificate programs are also available:
- Air Conditioning Control Systems
- Air Conditioning Installation and Maintenance
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Introduction
Contact Information
- Address: 5160 Fayetteville Rd. PO Box 1420, Lumberton, NC 28360
- Phone: 910.272.3700
- Website: https://www.robeson.edu
7Fayetteville Technical Community College
About the School
Fayetteville Technical Community College offers a variety of degree and non-degree programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of in-demand industries.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes an A/C, Heating, & Refrigeration Technology program that covers topics on electricity controls and safety, heating and cooling theory, and mechanical refrigeration.
This program can lead to a diploma or an associate degree in applied science.
The diploma program covers air conditioning, furnaces, heat pumps, tools, and instruments, while the Associate in Applied Science program also includes residential building codes, residential system sizing, and advanced comfort systems.
A Basic Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Certificate and a High School Connections Basic Air Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Certificate are also available.
Applicants for the post-secondary programs need a high school diploma and a placement test equivalent.
To qualify for admission to the high school program, applicants need to take a placement test equivalent.
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
- Phone: (910) 678-8400
- Website: https://www.faytechcc.edu
8Carolina's Electrical Training Institute
About the School
Carolinas Electrical Training Institute offers apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and continuing education programs.
Apprentices learn how to layout, assemble, install and hook up electrical apparatus, fixtures, and wiring.
The training programs are available in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Courses Offered
The Institute provides apprenticeships that last up to five years, depending on the program.
Apprenticeships combine classroom training with hands-on on-the-job instruction.
The on-the-job training part is provided by the Electrical Contractors.
Classroom instruction takes place one evening per week and one Saturday per month.
Training takes place in a modern facility.
Students have to buy their work clothes, shoes, textbooks, workbooks, and tools.
Apprentices prepare for careers as Professional Electricians.
A program is also available for Journeyman Wireman.
During the apprenticeship, students earn a salary while preparing for a Journeyman career.
OSHA-10 classes are also available.
Contact Information
- Address: 13530 South Ridge Drive Charlotte NC 28273
- Phone: (704) 523-7001
- Website: http://carolinaseti.org
9Forsyth Tech Community College
About the School
Forsyth Tech Community College offers educational programs in a variety of industries.
Tuition is $76 per credit hour for North Carolina Residents.
Additional costs include student activity fees- $35 per semester, technology fees, books and supplies, digital content, or electronic text fee.
Forsyth Tech Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes an Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration program.
This program teaches students how to replace equipment, components, or wiring in residential or commercial settings.
The following degree pathways are available:
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology- Diploma- a day program
- Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology- Comfort Systems- an evening program that leads to a Certificate
The programs offer classes such as:
- Introduction to Refrigeration
- HVACR Electricity
- Heating Technology
- HVACR Customer Relations
- HVACR Electronics
- Indoor Air Quality
- HVACR Maintenance
- And more
Students need 36 credit hours in total to achieve a Diploma and 16 credits for a Certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
- Phone: 336.723.0371
- Website: https://www.forsythtech.edu
10Rockingham Community College
About the School
Rockingham Community College offers training programs for students who want to begin a new career, change jobs, obtain a certification, or take courses that allow them to transfer to a four-year college or university.
The College provides in-person and online classes.
In total, 61 programs are offered at the College.
Programs are available in a variety of fields, including career technical, healthcare, public safety, public services, business technologies, and industrial technologies.
The programs can lead to a diploma, certificate, or Associate of Applied Science, depending on the curriculum and the number of credits achieved.
Courses Offered
An Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Basics program is included in the College’s catalog as part of their career-technical pathway.
Also available is a Certificate program in Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Technology.
Other programs, such as Commercial Wiring Certificate, Electrical Systems Technology, Troubleshooting Certificate, and many more are also available at Rockingham Community College.
Contact Information
- Address: 215 Wrenn Memorial Rd. Wentworth, NC 27375
- Phone: 336-342-4261
- Website: https://www.rockinghamcc.edu
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 560 | $49,530 | $23.81 | $61,810 | $37,140 |
| Burlington, NC | 200 | $49,290 | $23.7 | $74,600 | $35,100 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,860 | $52,220 | $25.11 | $74,860 | $35,640 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 740 | $50,740 | $24.39 | $63,150 | $35,980 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 440 | $45,350 | $21.8 | $59,490 | $30,090 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 140 | $42,570 | $20.47 | $56,720 | $28,200 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 1,350 | $50,210 | $24.14 | $72,980 | $34,460 |
| Greenville, NC | 250 | $47,280 | $22.73 | $62,750 | $32,660 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 290 | $45,870 | $22.05 | $59,630 | $30,150 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 210 | $47,880 | $23.02 | $70,160 | $28,430 |
| New Bern, NC | 140 | $45,310 | $21.78 | $65,190 | $30,350 |
| Raleigh, NC | 2,520 | $51,420 | $24.72 | $67,030 | $36,230 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 110 | $47,510 | $22.84 | $63,620 | $31,100 |
| Wilmington, NC | 480 | $45,770 | $22 | $61,850 | $30,000 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 750 | $46,620 | $22.41 | $62,050 | $31,930 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
North Carolina schools offer a variety of training options for students who want to start careers in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
Take your time and gather information about all the relevant factors before making this important step.
