Trade Schools
If you have good troubleshooting skills and dexterity and want to start a career in a high-demand field, the industry of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is worth exploring.
This trade can be learned during high school if dual credit programs are available or through a post-secondary education program at a community college or trade school.
On this page, we have compiled information about the top Ohio schools that offer HVAC training.
We invite you to read further and learn more about the options available in your region.
1Southern Ohio Technical Institute
About the School
Southern Ohio Technical Institute prepares students for rewarding careers in the HVAC/R industry through 200-hour programs.
Students learn from instructors with decades of experience in the industry.
The programs use a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training in the lab.
SOTI has relationships with many local contractors and helps graduates find employment in the field.
The tools, test equipment, materials, and processes used in the lab are similar to those that can be found in the industry.
The program can be completed in as few as ten weeks.
The curriculum follows the Esco Institute HVAC Excellence Employment Ready curriculum.
Students also complete the following certifications:
- OSHA 10-Hour
- HVAC Excellence
- EPA Section 608 Universal
- EPA R410A Safety and Training
- These certifications are required in the industry.
Graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence needed for employment in the industry.
Contact Information
- Address: 671 Ohio Pike, Suite I, Cincinnati OH 45245
- Phone: 513-753-7684
- Website: https://www.soti-hvac.com
2Portland Lakes Career Center
About the School
Portland Lakes Career Center provides career and technical education programs that prepare students for a wide range of in-demand careers.
The programs are designed for youth and adults.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning high school program.
This program teaches students how to design, install, maintain and repair equipment used in homes and other buildings.
Students enrolled at the Center have access to the following industry-recognized credentials:
- EPA Core+ Level 1
- EPA Core + Level 2
- EPA Core + Level 3
- EPA Universal (Refrigerant Recovery)
- CPR Certification
- OSHA 10
The curriculum covers the theories of heating and cooling processes, fundamentals of electricity, basic blueprint reading, installation and servicing skills, sheet metal fabrication, welding, soldering and brazing, and many other skills.
The program is available for high school juniors and seniors.
Program fees sum up to $100 per year.
During the senior year, students who qualify can participate in a school-to-work placement.
Contact Information
- Address: 4401 Shriver Rd, Uniontown, Ohio 44685
- Phone: 330.896.8200
- Website: https://plcc.edu
3ETI Technical College
About the School
ETI Technical College provides technical education programs and career-oriented courses that help students enter the workforce fast.
Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
A Diploma in Facilities Maintenance Technician is available at ETI Technical College.
This program covers the repair and troubleshooting of electric equipment, programmable logic controls, air conditioning, ventilation, appliance repair, welding, EPA, and OSHA industrial safety standards, and many other topics.
The college’s catalog also includes a Combination Welding and Fitting program that can be completed in as few as eight months and prepares students for careers in welding, construction, sales, and other related fields.
The curriculum teaches skills such as basic welding, oxy-fuel cutting, stick welding, blueprint reading, and plasma and welding fabrication, among other skills.
Students are ready to take certification exams such as EPA 608 CFC Universal Certification, EPA 609 Automotive Certification, and R410A Safety Certification.
This program can be completed in 45 weeks and includes 1,144 clock hours that translate into 45.5 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 2076 Youngstown-Warren Rd. Niles, OH 44446
- Phone: (330) 652-9919
- Website: https://eticollege.edu
4Eastland-Fairfield Career & Tech
About the School
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Tech provides training programs that prepare students for careers in a wide range of high-demand fields.
Courses Offered
Programs are available for high school students and adults and cover a variety of topics, from computer technology to skilled trades.
A full-time Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program is available through the school’s Adult Workforce Development division.
This Certificate program is available full-time and includes 900 hours of training.
Students who attend this program learn through a combination of classroom, laboratory, and work-based training.
The curriculum covers topics related to the installation, repair, and maintenance of commercial and domestic air conditioning systems.
Students learn the basic principles of air cooling, heating, filtering, and humidity control, the units and parts of the equipment, the use of technical manuals, malfunction diagnosis, repair of electric control systems, and plumbing, among other skills.
National Center for Construction Education & Research certifications are available as well as EPA-608, NATE Certifications, OSHA-10, RSES Hydrocarbon Refrigerant, and many other credentials.
An HVAC/R training program is also available for high school students.
Contact Information
- Address: 4300 Amalgamated Place, Groveport, OH 43125
- Phone: 614-836-4530
- Website: https://www.eastland-fairfield.com
5Penta Career Center
About the School
Penta Career Center provides a variety of high school and adult post-secondary programs.
Courses Offered
The center’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program.
HVAC programs are available both for high school students and adults.
Students enrolled in this program take a progression of classes designed to help them learn new skills and the credentials needed for the HVAC industry.
The curriculum includes classes in HVAC safety, Heating, Cooling, Venting, Refrigeration, Gas Piping, Plumbing, Sheet Metal, Customer Service, and HVAC codes.
Industry-recognized credentials, including an Ohio State Apprenticeship Council, Recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Program Certificate of Completion, EPA Certifications, and OSHA 10-hour training are available.
An Intro to HVAC program will begin in the Fall of 2022 and will cover tools and equipment, HVAC mathematics, print reading, basic sheet metal, and venting.
In the spring of 2023, the school will offer an HVAC Electrical & Service Maintenance program that teaches Schematics Reading, low voltage, electrical troubleshooting, and a variety of other skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 9301 Buck Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551
- Phone: 419-666-1120
- Website: https://www.pentacareercenter.org
6Ohio Business College
About the School
Ohio Business College offers two-year associate’s degree programs and diploma programs that last a few months up to a year.
The College has campuses in Sheffield Village, Sandusky, Dayton, Columbus, and an HVAC learning center in Lorain.
The programs are designed to prepare students for employment in the career of their choice.
Students learn from instructors who have valuable real-world experience.
Ohio Business College is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education to grant degrees and diplomas.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes an HVAC/R program that prepares students for careers as installation, repair, or maintenance professionals.
The program can be completed in 12 months and leads to a diploma.
Day and evening programs are available.
The program includes 64 credits and includes information about the HVAC industry as well as hands-on learning.
The curriculum includes courses on Residential Heating and Cooling, Commercial Heating and Cooling, Customer Service, and many other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 5075 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, OH 44055 (HVAC Learning Center)
- Phone: 888-514-3126
- Website: https://ohiobusinesscollege.edu
7Career & Technology Education Centers
About the School
Career & Technology Education Centers provide students with academic and technical skills needed for employment.
According to their website, the center has a 99 percent high school graduation rate.
99 percent of adult education students earned an industry credential.
Courses Offered
The Center’s Adult Education division offers a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program.
The course combines theory with hands-on training that takes place in an onsite lab.
Students become ready for entry-level employment as residential and light commercial HVAC installers/technicians.
The program also provides OSHA 10-Hour and EPA Section 608 certification.
R-410 EPA certification is also available.
Students can graduate in one year.
The program has an ongoing open admission.
The HVAC training curriculum is affiliated with the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.
This program includes 900 hours of training.
Students enrolled in this program pay $9,108 in total.
The HVAC curriculum includes topics such as:
- Heating Module
- Employability
- Cooling Module
- Air Distribution Module
- Air Pumps Module
- Refrigeration Module
- Installation Procedures
Contact Information
- Address: 150 Price Rd, Newark, OH 43055
- Phone: 740-364-2832
- Website: https://www.c-tec.edu
8Polaris Career Center
About the School
Polaris Career Center offers training programs for adult students and students in grades 7-12.
The center’s adult education division offers programs in 14 in-demand career fields.
Courses Offered
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program is designed to prepare students for employment in this growing field.
The program includes 600 hours of training and can be completed in 20 weeks by day students and in 36 weeks by evening students.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Safety, tools, and equipment
- Theory of heat
- Heating and humidification
- Air conditioning and distribution
- Ductwork
- Mechanical maintenance
- Electrical code and electrical controls
- Air properties and balancing
- And many other HVAC-related topics
The program includes 608 EPA Refrigerant Recovery Universal, OSHA 10-Hour, Industry Competency Exam- Residential Air Conditioning & Heating, and HC/HFO- Hydrocarbon/Hydrofluoroolefin.
This program costs $10,495 and includes tuition, books, supplies, materials, and assessments.
Contact Information
- Address: 7285 Old Oak Blvd., Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
- Phone: 440.891.7600
- Website: https://www.polaris.edu
9Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute offers diploma and degree programs at its four campuses in Ohio: Centerville, Cincinnati, Cuyahoga, and Columbus.
A Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program is available in Columbus.
Courses Offered
The program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment as HVAC technicians or installers.
The course combines classroom instruction, small group learning, and hands-on projects.
Students are ready to repair and service today’s complex HVAC systems.
Fortis Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Applicants need a high school diploma or its equivalent, and they are required to complete a personal information sheet.
A personal interview with the admissions staff will also take place.
During the interview, the school staff will help applicants find the right program.
As part of the enrollment process, applicants also tour the facility to meet with Financial Aid staff and enroll in the next available class.
Fortis is eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid programs.
Contact Information
- Address: 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 120, Westerville (Columbus), OH 43081
- Phone: (614) 882-2551
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
10Pike County Career Technology Center
About the School
Pike County Career Technology Center provides a variety of high school and adult education programs.
Pike County Career Technology Center is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.
Courses Offered
The high school career tech division includes a Heating and Air Conditioning program.
This program is designed to provide students with the hands-on skills needed for a career in this field.
During the first year, junior students learn about basic electricity, gas, and electric heating, the refrigeration cycle, aid conditioning troubleshooting, brazing, and soldering.
Students also learn the importance of safety and good work ethics as well as customer relations.
Senior students continue their studies with topics on safety, brazing/soldering, troubleshooting, system design, and installation.
Students have the opportunity to participate in on-the-job training programs.
The program prepares students for EPA 608 Refrigerant Handling Exam and HVAC Excellence H.E.A.T. Exam.
The curriculum includes lab activities on troubleshooting gas and electric furnaces, preventive maintenance, air distribution systems installation, green energy and heating technology, OSHA training, and many other skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 175 Beaver Creek Rd Piketon, OH 45661
- Phone: 740-289-2721
- Website: https://www.pikectc.org
Regional Salary in Ohio
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 800 | $54,950 | $26.42 | $81,420 | $35,540 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 480 | $51,800 | $24.9 | $72,240 | $33,850 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 2,940 | $56,320 | $27.08 | $78,530 | $36,400 |
| Cleveland-Elyria, OH | 2,660 | $57,280 | $27.54 | $79,600 | $36,200 |
| Columbus, OH | 2,710 | $57,600 | $27.69 | $79,550 | $36,210 |
| Dayton, OH | 1,050 | $53,650 | $25.79 | $75,480 | $35,020 |
| Lima, OH | 160 | $55,400 | $26.63 | $79,230 | $35,590 |
| Mansfield, OH | 130 | $54,700 | $26.3 | $71,020 | $36,440 |
| Springfield, OH | 90 | $60,180 | $28.94 | $93,920 | $45,120 |
| Toledo, OH | 620 | $58,420 | $28.09 | $95,480 | $35,210 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 410 | $52,510 | $25.25 | $72,830 | $33,740 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Ohio is home to many schools that prepare students to become successful HVAC technicians.
Now that you have read our list it’s time to continue the research and find the program that best meets your learning style and career aspirations.
