ACCREDITED HVAC AND HVAC/R SCHOOLS IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
HVAC and HVAC/R technicians can begin their careers as helpers and learn the trade on-the-job, but many workers now attend classes or participate in an apprenticeship program. Coursework and apprenticeships can open up more employment opportunities.
The State of California Department of Industrial Relations maintains a database of apprenticeship programs. As of mid-2018, four programs are available in Los Angeles County; however, not all programs are accepting apprentices at all times.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Fitters Local 250, located in Los Angeles, sponsors joint journeyman HVAC and HVAC/R apprenticeship programs. Apprentices attend evening classes twice a week for a total of 216 hours per year for five years. During the five years, they also complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. Graduates are qualified to receive their journeyman certificates.
When choosing a school, it is essential to determine if it is accredited and by which organization. Accreditation is a process in which an independent agency evaluates the quality of the program, which includes both the curriculum and the instructors.
Two organizations evaluate and certify HVAC programs. HVAC Excellence has accredited five California schools, including three within an hour’s drive from San Fernando Valley. The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) has accredited one California school, which also has the HVAC Excellence accreditation. The schools are included in the following profiles.
Brownson Technical School
Brownson offers two HVAC and HVAC/R technology tracks. Both feature “blended” curricula. Hands-on training in a fully-equipped lab and some coursework are completed on-campus. The remaining coursework is taught online. One track is designed to teach core skills to those new to the trade. The other is for students already working as technicians who wish to obtain further training and certification. Graduates receive an undergraduate certificate and are prepared to take industry competence tests. They are prepared to work as technicians on residential, commercial, and industrial installations.
- Location: Anaheim, CA
- Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- Format: On-campus and online
- Tuition: $17,200
- Program length: 40 weeks for the day and blended programs; 88 weeks for the evening program
Cypress College
This school offers several HVAC and HVAC certificates as well as a degree program. Students may take some coursework online. The resource center has computers for use in online studies for students without computers or internet access at home. Students complete 22 to 39 credit-hours, depending on the certificate chosen. Certificate programs include air conditioning and refrigeration, air conditioning building commissioning, commercial air conditioning, air conditioning customer service, and green air conditioning, among others.
Students may complete advanced work to earn their associate degree. The degree requires the completion of the air conditioning and refrigeration certificate program and additional general education for a minimum of 60 credit-hours for graduation. All coursework is divided between classroom lectures and hands-on training. Students also complete several special projects.
Coursework includes the basics of refrigerants and lubricants, sustainable systems, thermodynamics, electrical theory and safety, duct sizing and sheet metal techniques, air distribution, gas and electrical heating, soldering and wiring, piping, hydronics, solar technology, blueprint reading, and trade math. As students advance, they learn about refrigeration technology, absorption systems, chillers and cooling towers, air handlers, energy management, and direct digital controls.
- Location: Cypress, CA
- Accreditation: HVAC Excellence
- Format: On-campus and online
- Tuition: $46 per credit for residents; $190 per credit for non-residents
- Program length: One year for the certificate; two years for the degree
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
LATTC offers a certificate and an associate degree in refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. Students may meet the requirements of either program by attending day classes or evening classes. Some coursework is available online. The certificate program requires the completion of 48 credits, while the associate program requires at least 60 credits.
Students in both programs complete coursework covering the fundamentals, principles, and mechanics of air conditioning and refrigeration; trade math; pipe and tube joining; electrical circuits and controls; refrigeration service; refrigerants; gas heating; and indoor air quality. Electives include contractor’s license law, project management, HVAC/R mechanical codes, refrigeration efficiency, gas heating, and industry exams preparation. Students wishing to earn an associate degree must complete additional courses in general education electives. Graduates are prepared to seek employment as residential, commercial, and industrial technicians.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Format: On-campus and online
- Tuition: $1,827 per year
- Program length: 12 to 18 months for the certificate; two years for the degree
Mt. San Antonio College
Mt. San Antonio offers air conditioning and refrigeration technology certificate and degree programs. Classes are available days and evenings and are designed to prepare students for employment within one year. Some coursework may be completed online.
Students enrolled in the certificate program complete 31.5 credit hours of coursework in technical math, welding, codes and standards, fundamentals of refrigeration and electricity, gas heating, heat load calculations and design, the properties and measurement of air, and the mechanics of refrigeration. Students seeking a degree can complete the same coursework, as well as general education electives.
Students in both programs spend time in labs learning how to read schematic drawings and circuits, operate equipment, and use computer software to design duct systems, perform load calculations, and building automation mockups.
- Location: Walnut, CA
- Accreditation: HVAC Excellence, PAHRA, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
- Format: On-campus and online
- Tuition: $46 per credit for residents; $288 per credit for non-residents
- Program length: Certificate one year; degree two years
Newport International United College
This private college offers three programs: HVAC technician, advanced HVAC technician, and HVAC/R technology. All programs combine classroom lectures with hands-on training.
HVAC technician students learn basic safety, piping practices, basic electricity, air distribution systems, and introductory refrigeration, cooling, and heating practices. They also complete the OSHA 10-hour training course and the EPA certificate study course and are qualified to take the EPA 608, R-410 A Safety, and OSHA certification exams.
Students in the advanced HVAC technician program complete the same introductory coursework, with the addition of soldering and brazing, HVAC theory, air conditioning systems and components, troubleshooting, heat pump cycles and controls, and reading schematic drawings. Graduates are qualified to take the EPA 608, R-410 A Safety, OSHA, and HVAC Excellence Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump certification exams.
The HVAC/R technology program includes tool, equipment, and shop safety practices, system controls, heat theory, electric motors, commercial refrigeration, heating, cooling, and humidification, domestic appliances, chillers, and career development. Students may complete an externship at an approved site for additional hands-on experience. Graduates receive a diploma and are prepared to take industry certification exams.
- Location: West Hills, CA; Woodland Hills, CA
- Accreditation: N/A; approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
- Format: On-campus
- Tuition: $9,994 for the HVAC technician program; $12,993 for the advanced HVAC technician program; $17,575 for the HVAC/R technology program
- Program length: 18 days for the HVAC technician program; 5.5 weeks for the advanced HVAC technician program; 44 weeks for the HVAC/R technology program