Trade Schools
The field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning is worth exploring if you have good dexterity and troubleshooting skills.
Before being ready to look for your first job in this field you have to complete specialized training at a community college or trade school.
Pennsylvania is home to many institutions that offer career-oriented programs designed to prepare students for licensure and employment right after graduation.
This list compiles information about the top HVAC schools in the region and the programs they offer.
1Rosedale Technical College
About the School
Rosedale Technical College offers training programs that prepare students for future careers through hands-on training programs in a wide range of fields.
Students can earn an associate degree in specialized technology in as few as 16 months.
Rosedale Technical College is a non-profit Pennsylvania Corporation.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Courses Offered
The HVAC Technology program teaches students how to replace air conditioning units, repair refrigeration systems and diagnose common problems that occur with this type of equipment.
The curriculum focuses on basic refrigeration, electrical troubleshooting, heating systems, air conditioning maintenance, and sheet metal applications.
This program can lead to an Associate in Specialized Technology or Diploma.
Students also have the opportunity to earn an EPA Section 608 – a certification required for refrigerant handling.
During training, students get to work with different types of equipment and tools and may have the opportunity to participate in live assignments on campus and in the community.
Contact Information
- Address: 215 Beecham Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15205
- Phone: 800-521-6262
- Website: https://www.rosedaletech.org
2Pennco Tech
About the School
Pennco Tech offers flexible training programs that prepare students for careers in a variety of fields.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Pennco Tech’s Pennsylvania campus is located in Bristol.
Courses Offered
The school’s catalog includes a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Program that can be completed in 35 weeks.
During this time, students learn and practice HVAC&R installation, repair, maintenance, basic design, and troubleshooting skills.
The HVAC&R curriculum includes classes in system circuits, soldering, and pipefitting, principles of electricity, gas, oil, heat pump systems, installation, and maintenance practices.
The school also provides certification testing for EPA 608.
Day and evening classes are available to accommodate different types of schedules.
Tuition is $23,316 for the 1,200-hour day program and $20,285 for the modified evening program.
Contact Information
- Address: 3815 Otter St, Bristol, PA 19007
- Phone: (215) 234-1177
- Website: https://www.penncotech.edu
3Orleans Technical College
About the School
Orleans Technical College offers building and construction trades training programs.
The College is a nonprofit, post-secondary school that provides career and technical education programs designed to help students learn new skills and become successful in the workforce.
Orleans Tech is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Orleans Technical College catalog includes an Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating program that can lead to a Diploma in just six or 13 months.
The program teaches students how to diagnose, maintain and repair residential air conditioning and commercial air conditioning systems.
Students also learn about refrigeration, federal environmental refrigeration, and recycling standards.
The air conditioning and heating part of the course covers central air conditioning, heat pumps, gas and oil furnaces, and ductwork.
After completing the certification exams, students are ready for industry-recognized certifications from NOTI.
This program prepares students for careers as technicians or mechanics ready to provide solutions to climate control and energy efficiency.
Contact Information
- Address: 2770 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114
- Phone: 215-728-4700
- Website: https://orleanstech.edu
4Penn Commercial Business | Technical School
About the School
Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, Penn Commercial prepares students for in-demand careers.
Penn Commercial Business | Technical School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges- a recognized accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
Courses Offered
Penn Commercial’s catalog includes an HVAC program.
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program can be completed in 18 months and leads to a Specialized Associate Degree.
The curriculum covers topics on:
- Fundamentals of Electricity
- System Components, Sealed Systems, and Electrical Circuits
- HVAC Controls and Diagrams
- Gas Heating
- Heat Pumps and Applications
- And more
The program prepares students for HVAC-related work in homes, office buildings, health care facilities, and many other settings.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED certificate to qualify for admission.
The HVAC-R program costs $27,760 in total, which includes tuition, registration and application fees, books, and additional fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 242 Oak Spring Road, Washington, PA 15301
- Phone: (724) 222-5330
- Website: https://penncommercial.edu
5Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
About the School
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center offers training programs for high school students and adults who want to learn new skills or prepare for a new career.
Courses Offered
The HVAC with related Plumbing & Electrical program is part of the center’s adult education division.
The program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed for employment in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning industry.
The program covers topics on air conditioning, electrical and automated control practices, electrical controls, building circuits, piping practices, commercial refrigeration, oil and gas boiler, efficiency testing, energy management, and many other subjects.
This 900-hour program costs $13,300 in total and includes tuition, fees, and a laptop.
Students enrolled in this program can earn certification from Refrigeration Service Engineers Society EPA 608, North American Technician Excellence CORE Certification, and OSHA 10-hour certification.
An HVAC/R program is also available for high school students who want to earn college credit.
Students have access to the following industry credentials: Aerial Platform, EPA 608 Refrigeration, Gastite, OSHA 10, and PA Builders Association Skills Certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 1500 Fourth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602
- Phone: 814-941-TECH
- Website: https://www.gactc.edu
6Monroe Career & Technical Institute
About the School
Monroe Career & Technical Institute provides tuition-free career and technical education for high school students in Monroe County.
Students enrolled in one of the Institute’s programs attend a half-day at their school and a half-day at the Monroe Career & Technical Institute.
Courses Offered
The HVAC Technology program available at the Institute combines classroom instruction with practical learning.
Students learn how to install and maintain commercial and domestic heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Among many other topics and skills, the curriculum also covers filtering and controlling humidity, operating characteristics of different units and parts, blueprint reading, malfunction diagnosis, and repair and adjustment of units and parts.
Students who attend this program can earn the following industry credentials:
- OSHA Certification via CareerSafe
- PBA Skills Certificate offered by the Pennsylvania Builders Association
- EPA 608 Certification via Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute
Graduates are prepared for careers as helpers in the field of installation, maintenance and repair, refrigeration mechanics, air conditioning and heating mechanics, and other related positions.
Contact Information
- Address: 194 Laurel Lake Rd, Bartonsville, PA 18321
- Phone: 570.629.2001
- Website: https://www.monroecti.org
7New Castle School of Trades
About the School
New Castle School of Trades offers training programs in a variety of industries.
The school’s main campus is located in New Castle, Pennsylvania, seven miles east of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border.
The campus includes specific shops, classrooms, labs, and offices.
Each program has its own shop/lab equipped with tools and equipment.
The school also has a campus in East Liverpool, Ohio.
Courses Offered
The New Castle School of Trades catalog includes a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Technology program.
The program provides students with knowledge and skills about how to install and repair heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment in commercial and residential settings.
The program is available for day and evening training.
Students graduate in 60 weeks.
The program leads to an Associate of Specialized Technology Degree.
The curriculum covers troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair, as well as electrical work related to climate control systems.
In the lab, students learn how to use walk-in coolers and freezers, central A/C units, ice-making machines, oil and electric furnaces, two-stage and modulating furnaces, sheet metal brakes, and other standard equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 4117 Pulaski Rd, New Castle, PA, 16101
- Phone: (724) 788-4417
- Website: https://www.ncstrades.edu
8North Montco Technical Career Center
About the School
North Montco Technical Career Center provides educational programs for high school students.
The center is authorized by the North Montco Joint Operating Committee.
The school serves around 1100 high school students from five surrounding school districts.
Continuing education courses are also available for adult students who want to keep up with the latest advancements in their profession.
Courses Offered
The Center’s catalog includes a program in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
The program includes basic to advanced instruction in the installation and servicing of residential HVAC systems.
The curriculum covers subjects such as electrical principles, oil and gas heating, plumbing, air conditioning, heat pumps, and basic refrigeration systems, among other topics.
This program is accredited by HVAC Excellence.
Students pay a $20 activity fee.
Third and fourth-year students also pay a $30 fee for EPA 608 Certification of Refrigeration.
The OSHA 10-hour safety certification costs $25 while the HVAC Excellence (Heat Plus) costs $50.
HVAC System Performance certification costs $25.
Additional costs include work uniforms and safety equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 1265 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, Pa 19446
- Phone: 215-368-1177
- Website: https://www.nmtcc.org
9Johnson College
About the School
Johnson College offers educational programs in technology, health services, and the business field.
17 associate degrees and four academic certificate programs are available.
The programs offer small class sizes and hands-on learning, an industry-driven curriculum, and general education courses.
Courses Offered
The Johnson College catalog includes an HVAC program.
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program prepares students for entry-level positions in installing, repairing, and troubleshooting heating and cooling equipment.
During training, students work with industry tools and equipment, including gas furnaces, refrigeration units, air conditioning equipment, and more.
Students need a minimum of 64 credits to graduate.
The curriculum covers courses on:
- Introduction Pipefitting
- Introduction to Electricity for the Trades
- Construction Safety
- Motors and Controls
- Refrigeration Lab
- Air Conditioning Systems
- Heating System Design and Installation
- Applied Practice and Special Topics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3427 N. Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508
- Phone: 1-800-2WE-WORK
- Website: https://johnson.edu
10YTI Career Institute
About the School
YTI Career Institute offers training programs that prepare students with technical skills valued in today’s workforce.
Online, hybrid, and on-campus learning models are available.
YTI Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
The Institute’s catalog includes an HVACR program that prepares students for careers in the field of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration.
Students can graduate with a Diploma in as few as 12 months.
The curriculum covers HVACR electrical and mechanical principles.
Two delivery options are available:
- A hybrid program that combines online lectures with on-campus labs
- On-ground program- all lectures and labs take place on campus
The program also includes a 30-hour OSHA Certification and EPA Certification.
The HVACR program costs $24,848 in total and includes tuition, electronic device, books, tools, uniforms, materials, and student fees.
Students take classes on a variety of HVAC-related topics, including:
- Electrical for Gas
- Mechanical for Gas
- Trade Skills
- Electrical for Oil
- Mechanical for Oil
- Piping Principles
- Design Principles
- Core Air Conditioning
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1405 Williams Road, York, PA 17402
- Phone: (717) 757-1100
- Website: https://yti.edu
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,040 | $56,600 | $27.21 | $79,890 | $37,880 |
| Altoona, PA | 150 | $44,420 | $21.36 | $60,170 | $31,250 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 100 | $47,800 | $22.98 | $60,010 | $35,000 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 280 | $48,780 | $23.45 | $66,280 | $34,610 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 170 | $52,760 | $25.36 | $66,520 | $36,520 |
| Erie, PA | 270 | $52,240 | $25.12 | $76,050 | $36,210 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 100 | $50,450 | $24.26 | $64,380 | $33,100 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 1,020 | $58,670 | $28.21 | $81,560 | $37,600 |
| Johnstown, PA | 140 | $42,480 | $20.43 | $58,460 | $30,300 |
| Lancaster, PA | 1,210 | $53,720 | $25.83 | $74,150 | $37,060 |
| Lebanon, PA | 160 | $52,240 | $25.12 | $71,950 | $37,010 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 7,800 | $61,830 | $29.73 | $91,990 | $37,670 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 3,140 | $55,400 | $26.63 | $80,200 | $36,490 |
| Reading, PA | 600 | $52,140 | $25.07 | $68,700 | $36,830 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 730 | $51,330 | $24.68 | $69,760 | $36,080 |
| State College, PA | 310 | $48,100 | $23.13 | $60,360 | $32,910 |
| Williamsport, PA | 190 | $51,060 | $24.55 | $63,150 | $35,350 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 670 | $54,630 | $26.26 | $79,750 | $36,700 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to take action and apply for the program that best meets your needs.
This is an important step so make sure you complete your research and gather information about all the relevant factors.
