Accredited HVAC Schools in Kentucky
It is important to note that many aspiring HVAC technicians are choosing to pursue degrees or certificates through accredited programs. Accreditation from a recognized entity may serve as a proxy for program quality, as these programs have been evaluated by an external authority for their facilities, student resources, curriculum, student outcomes, and other measures.
Two organizations evaluate and approve HVAC programs. HVAC Excellence has certified one Kentucky school. The program has been profiled below. The other accrediting entity, the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA), has not approved any programs in the state. Please note that all programs below have been approved by reputable regional accreditation organizations.
Here is a guide to accredited HVAC training programs in Kentucky.
Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College
Aspiring HVAC technicians who wish to develop industry-specific skills may consider the HVAC programs offered at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College of Bowling Green. The program prepares students for employment in the HVAC/R industry and is designed to provide training in repair, installation, and maintenance. They learn about designing, building, and maintaining climate control systems. Along with technical knowledge, they will receive ample hands-on training to supplement their learning.
The college offers the following programs:
Environmental system repair helper certificate (nine to ten credit-hours): This certificate includes courses such as refrigeration fundamentals, refrigeration fundamentals lab, HVAC electricity and lab, electrical components, and electrical components lab.
Environmental control system repair certificate (24 to 25 credit-hours): This certificate involves all the above courses with additional coursework in cooling and dehumidification, cooling and dehumidification lab, heating and humidification, and heating and humidification lab.
Domestic air conditioner and furnace installer certificate (35 to 36 credit-hours): All courses from the two certificates mentioned above are included in this certificate with additional coursework in heat load/duct design, heat pump application, heat pump application lab, and journeyman prep.
Heating ventilation, and air conditioning mechanic diploma (47 to 56 credit-hours): This diploma program involves courses such as digital literacy, intro to industrial safety, basic blueprint reading, blueprint reading for construction, and general education 1 and 2, along with all courses mentioned above.
Air conditioning technology associate degree (60 to 66 credit-hours): All the above courses are involved in this air conditioning technology associate degree with additional courses such as quantitative reasoning, natural science, social/behavioral sciences, heritage/humanities, written communications, and oral communications.
- Location: Bowling Green, KY
- Accreditation: HVAC Excellence
- Expected Time to Completion: Associate degree (16 months); certificate or diploma (four months)
- Estimated Tuition: Environmental system repair helper certificate ($1,740); environmental control system servicer certificate ($4,350); Domestic air conditioner and furnace installer certificate ($6,264); heating ventilation, and air conditioning mechanic diploma ($9,744); air conditioning technology associate degree ($11,484)
Interactive College of Technology
The HVAC residential training program offered at the Interactive College of Technology provides training in many different aspects of residential HVAC systems. Students in this program are also prepared for EPA as well as NATE certifications. The program provides hands-on training to students preparing them for junior positions in the HVAC industry.
Comprising 36 credit-hours, the program includes courses such as residential heating systems, residential air conditioning systems, applied residential air conditioning systems, applied residential heating systems, principles of electrical circuits, applied principles of electrical circuits, and HVAC/R computer fundamentals among others.
Along with industry-required certifications, the program also provides students the opportunity to participate in an externship program. Graduates can take up positions such as maintenance technicians or residential HVAC technicians.
- Location: Newport, KY
- Accreditation: Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 45 weeks
- Estimated Tuition: $15,600
Maysville Community and Technical College
Maysville Community and Technical College offers an HVAC mechanic diploma program preparing students for designing, building, and maintaining climate control systems or a career as an HVAC technician. The program offers plenty of practical training in installing and servicing air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment.
Consisting 47 to 56 diploma credit-hours, the program includes courses such as refrigeration fundamentals and lab, HVAC electricity, electrical components and lab, cooling and dehumidification, and lab, heating and humidification and lab, heat pump application and lab, commercial HVAC systems.
Students through this program will have the opportunity to take up jobs as air conditioning or refrigeration contractors and eventually start their own HVAC business. Other than this, they can also take up jobs in areas such as appliance repair, duct installation, facilities air conditioning maintenance, and general servicing.
The college also offers several certificates such as environmental control system servicer certificate, environmental system repair helper certificate, domestic air conditioning and furnace installer certificate, refrigeration mechanic certificate, chiller maintenance certificate, and boiler maintenance certificate.
- Location: Maysville, KY
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: Four months
- Estimated Tuition: $179 per credit-hour