As the construction industry gets back on its feet, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians are set to be in high demand. The relatively short educational preparation needed to become an HVAC technician has also drawn those who possess the technical savvy and interest to work in this profession. Before you can become one, however, you need to go to HVAC technician school to get the necessary training and preparation. A certificate or associate’s degree program will teach you how to read blueprints to install, maintain or repair HVAC systems, connect wirings and controls and repair defective parts. It will also prepare you to take the certification exams that will measure your competencies and skills so that you can become certified or licensed. Just like going to college, HVAC technician school is going to cost money. You need to prepare funds for tuition, fees, books and supplies as well as the expenses associated with room and board. How much you pay for college will depend on where you go to school and whether you attend a public or private school and the kind of degree that you will be taking.

It will also matter if you will be taking your degree online or on-campus. Attending a public school as an in-state student will help you save money because of the substantial discounts that are usually given by public colleges to residents. Needless to say, out-of-state students won’t receive this benefit. Private colleges, on the other hand, charge the same fees to all students regardless of residency. Certificate programs that last for only a year or less will certainly be cheaper compared to associate and bachelor’s degrees in HVAC technology. Getting your degree online will also be more cost-effective since the flexibility will provide you with the opportunity to work while you’re studying. To give you an idea of the kind of costs that you will be spending to get this degree, let’s take a look at the costs charged by some schools. At Greenville Technical College in South Carolina, an undergraduate certificate program in air conditioning/refrigeration technician has a total cost of $6,036 and $490 for books and supplies.

This is assuming that the program can be completed within the normal completion time of five months. Bathroom Faucets Ebay CanadaAshworth College, meanwhile, offers online professional certification training in heating and air conditioning which can be completed in as short as six months. Jacuzzi Hot Tub 200 SeriesThe cost of the course ranges from $698 to $898 depending on the payment plan you choose. T-Shirts That Fit Like HollisterPenn Foster Career School also has HVACR Technician School which offers an HVAC & Refrigeration career diploma online which can be completed in as short as five months. The cost is from $699 to $899 depending on the payment plan chosen. An associate’s degree in heating, air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration maintenance technology is going to be more expensive.

The cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies and housing and food to obtain this degree can vary but the range can go from about $4,000 to a little over $30,000 a year. On the average, however, students can expect to spend about $16,000 a year to pay for the program. Not many schools offer a bachelor’s degree in this field. No matter which kind of program you choose or where you intend to study, do make sure to ask the financial aid advisor of your school about financial aid opportunities that could lower your college costs. Scholarships, grants and student loans are just some of the options that will help you finance your HVAC technology degree. However, make sure that you avail of student loans judiciously since you will have to pay for these later on. Moreover, don’t forget to ask if there are discounts available for certain groups like the military. If you’re an active member or a military spouse, for example, you could eligible for tuition-lowering benefits from an HVAC technician school.

Popular Hvac Technician Schools Penn Foster Programs HVACR Technician NATE distributes its tests exclusively through authorized testing organizations, which set their own pricing. Click here to locate a testing organization near you and contact a few to ask for their test schedules and testing fees. If you are interested in recertification fees using CEHs Click here Obtaining Your HVAC Certification From HomeHVAC technicians install and repair cooling units. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician is a skilled tradesman who installs, repairs and maintains heating and cooling systems in residential and commercial facilities. These individuals also sell service contracts to new and existing clients. In 2008, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that HVAC technicians earned a median hourly salary of $19.08. Although specific requirements vary from state to state, HVAC technicians must typically obtain a license to work in the field. The steps in getting an HVAC license are relatively standard across all jurisdictions.

EducationA candidate for an HVAC license must first receive his proper education. The prospective HVAC technician must successfully matriculate from high school or receive a general equivalency diploma. He should participate in any industrial arts related coursework available during this time, such as mathematics, mechanical drawing, physics and electronics. This will help him better prepare him his post graduate studies. Following secondary school, the soon-to-be HVAC technician may enroll in an accredited HVAC training program. HVAC training programs offer a curriculum consisting of the principles of HVAC installation and repair, taking classes in blueprint reading, construction, temperature control and equipment design. Programs such as these are offered at junior colleges and proprietary schools across the country, taking six months to two years to complete. Graduating students receive a certificate or associate degree, depending upon the length of the program. In lieu of attending post secondary school, students may obtain specialized HVAC training in the U.S. Armed Forces.

ApprenticeshipMany states require those who wish to become licensed HVAC technicians to participate in an apprenticeship program. Lasting from three to five years, formal apprenticeship programs allow prospective HVAC technicians to blend practical and theoretical learning practices. During this program, an apprentice HVAC technician shadows a licensed HVAC technician, while simultaneously receiving classroom training. Apprenticeship programs are often administered by professional unions. Licensing ExaminationOnce a student HVAC technician has completed her studies, she is ready to sit for her HVAC licensing examination. Although the length and content of the test differs depending upon location, those who sit for it must exhibit knowledge regarding all aspects of HVAC installation and repair. In addition, some examinations assess the applicant’s knowledge of electrical codes. HVAC technicians who wish to work with refrigerants must gain an additional certification. To accomplish this task, she must take a second written examination that focuses upon the area in which she will be working.