Accredited HVAC Schools in New Orleans, LA
Another option is to pursue more formal classroom training, ideally provided by an accredited program or institution. Accreditation is a process by which an independent agency evaluates the quality of an educational institution’s program. The evaluation includes both the curriculum and the instructors. When choosing a school, it is essential to determine if it is accredited and which organization granted accreditation.
Two main organizations accredit and evaluate HVAC programs: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). While the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) has not awarded accreditation to a Louisiana school, HVAC Excellence has approved the following Louisiana schools:
- Baton Rouge Community College, Baton Rouge, LA
- Baton Rouge Community College, San Gabriel, LA
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Alexandria, LA
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College, Natchitoches, LA
- Delgado Community College, Metairie, LA
- Delgado Community College, New Orleans, LA
- Fletcher Technical Community College, Thibodaux, LA
- ITI Technical College, Baton Rouge, LA
- Louisiana Delta Community College, West Monroe, LA
- Northshore Technical Community College, Bogalusa, LA
- River Parishes Community College, Reserve, LA
- South Louisiana Community College, Lafayette, LA
- South Louisiana Community College, Morgan City, LA
Due to their accreditation, a selection of these schools is included in the profiles below, although attending them would require New Orleans students to commute.
Delgado Community College
Delgado offers a one-year HVAC/R certificate program and a two-year HVAC/R technician diploma program. Both programs are taught through hands-on training in a lab combined with classroom lectures. Day and evening classes are available.
Students in the certificate program begin with building codes and licensing. They then learn tubing fabrication and fitting, the principles and fundamentals of refrigeration and electricity, electrical components and motors, and residential system design. They also learn technical skills through the NCCER Technical Core, computer applications, internet literacy, and first aid. The program takes 30 credit-hours to complete.
Students enrolled in the diploma program complete all the certificate program coursework, then continue with building science, hydronics, residential air conditioning and gas heating, heat pumps, and commercial air conditioning and refrigeration. They also take accounting and other business-related courses. The program takes 57 credit-hours to complete.
The primary goal of both programs is to prepare students for a successful career in HVAC/R. Students in the HVAC/R technician diploma program are trained to be HVAC technicians in a hands-on lab environment and are offered the opportunity to earn the EPA 608 license.
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), HVAC Excellence
- Tuition: Resident ($169.96 per credit-hour); non-resident ($348.66 per credit-hour)
- Program length: Nine months for the certificate; 18 months for the diploma
ITI Technical College
ITI Technical College offers an air conditioning and electrical technology certificate program and an air conditioning, refrigeration, and electrical associate degree program. Both programs include hands-on training in fully-equipped labs combined with formal classroom work. Students learn HVAC fundamentals, such as heat transfer, refrigerants, electricity, load calculations, and troubleshooting. They also learn job safety practices.
Those enrolled in the degree program complete additional coursework that includes electrical circuitry, motor controls, programmable logic controllers, computer networking, technical writing, and workplace communications. Students may qualify for relevant certification exams and may take optional elective courses.
Graduates are prepared to take up roles such as heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers, refrigeration mechanics and installers, electrician, security and fire alarm systems installers, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration engineering technology/technician.
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), HVAC Excellence
- Tuition: Associate in occupational studies degree ($32,855); certificate ($23,398)
- Program length: Associate in occupational studies degree (24 months); certificate (12 months)
L. E. Fletcher Technical College
L. E. Fletcher Technical College offers an HVAC diploma and several certificate programs, which are awarded as specified portions of the diploma curriculum are completed. The full curriculum includes:
- Introduction to HVAC
- Principles of refrigeration I, II and III
- Electrical fundamentals, components, and motors
- Applied electricity
- Domestic refrigeration
- Room air conditioning
- Central air conditioning
- Residential HVAC design
- Residential heating and heat pumps
- Career preparation
Students may choose from electives that include solar fundamentals and applications, commercial air conditioning, or special projects. Graduates must complete a minimum of 45 credit-hours to receive their diploma. Students earning certificates are qualified to seek employment as helpers. Those who earn a diploma are qualified to seek employment as HVAC technicians.
Students who successfully complete this program will be thorough in their understanding of the refrigeration process, be able to install and troubleshoot electrical circuits and devices, and install and troubleshoot domestic A/C and refrigeration systems. They will also have knowledge of designing and troubleshooting residential air conditioning systems, electric heat, gas heat, heat pumps systems according to industry practices and standards.
- Location: Thibodaux, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and HVAC Excellence (Thibodaux campus only)
- Tuition: $219.96 per credit
- Program length: Varies by certificate; 18 months for the diploma
Northshore Technical Community College
Northshore has several HVAC options providing students with specialized instruction and practical experience, preparing them for employment as entry-level air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Students completing the minimum introductory courses may receive a certificate as a helper. If they complete additional specific courses, they may receive a certificate as a commercial, residential, or refrigeration technician. They may apply the certificate credit-hours toward an air conditioning and refrigeration technical diploma.
The curriculum begins with an introduction to the principles of HVAC. Students may then take courses in commercial refrigeration and controls; residential and domestic equipment and systems; or commercial air conditioning. Additional coursework to earn a diploma includes electrical fundamentals, components, and motors, as well as troubleshooting. Students may choose to complete one or more special projects, a practicum, or cooperative education. They must complete a minimum of 45 credit-hours to earn a diploma.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to evaluate refrigerant temperatures and pressure in an A/C system, measure the performance of residential A/C systems, troubleshoot residential heating systems, and adjust commercial A/C units.
- Location: Bogalusa, Hammond, Lacombe, LA
- Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education (COE), and HVAC Excellence (Bogalusa campus only)
- Tuition: $181.96 per credit
- Program length: Varies by certificate; 18 months for the diploma
Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College offers a certificate of technical studies in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning preparing students to take the EPA exam and apply for entry-level employment as HVAC technicians.
Consisting of 18 credit-hours, the certificate provides students with practical experience, as well as theoretical knowledge of HVAC principles. Courses in this program include an introduction to construction, NCCER HVAC level 1, and NCCER HVAC level 2.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of HVAC, demonstrate the ability to effectively and safely use equipment and tools required for installation and repairing of HVAC systems, and demonstrate an understanding of components used in refrigeration systems.
- Location: Chalmette, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Tuition: $184.96 per credit-hour
- Program length: One year
South Louisiana Community College
SOLA Community College offers an HVAC/R diploma program on two of its nine campuses. Students start with introductory coursework, math, and the fundamentals of HVAC and electricity. On completion of these, students can opt to receive a certificate as a helper. The remaining curriculum includes electric motors, troubleshooting, domestic refrigeration, room air conditioning, and residential air conditioning, heating, and system design. Students must complete a minimum of 45 credit-hours to earn a diploma.
The program provides students with the technical skills and knowledge for installing, servicing, repairing, and maintaining equipment used in residential HVAC/R systems. They develop knowledge about the refrigeration cycle, learn about the physics of heat, and how it is applied to the HVAC/R field, and also learn to diagnose and repair a variety of HVAC/R equipment.
- Location: Lafayette and Morgan City, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), HVAC Excellence
- Tuition: $188.96 per credit
- Program length: Three semesters
Central Louisiana Community College
Central Louisiana Community College offers a technical diploma in air conditioning (A/C) and refrigeration. Providing special instruction as well as a hands-on learning experience, this program prepares students to work in a wide range of positions in the HVAC/R field. They learn about installing, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining a satisfactory condition of residential, commercial, and domestic HVAC/R systems. Students pursuing this program have the opportunity to complete each semester with the following competency certificates:
- Career and Technical Certificate – Helper I
- Career and Technical Certificate – Helper II
- Certificate of Technical Studies – Domestic A/C Refrigeration Technician
Courses in this 45 credit-hour program include HVAC introduction, principles of refrigeration I, II, and III, electrical fundamentals, electrical components, electric motors, applied electricity and troubleshooting, domestic refrigeration, residential central air conditioning I, and II, residential system design, residential heating I, and II, residential heat pumps, and room air conditioners.
- Location: Alexandria and Natchitoches, LA
- Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education, HVAC Excellence
- Tuition: $8532 for the program
- Program length: 24 months
Louisiana Delta Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College offers the following programs:
- Technical Diploma in Commercial Refrigeration Technician – 45 credit-hours
- Technical Diploma in Residential A/C and Refrigeration – 45 credit-hours
- Certificate of Technical Studies in HACR Energy Systems Technician – 33 credit-hours
- Certificate of Technical Studies in Domestic A/C & Refrigeration Technician – 28 credit-hours
- Certificate of Technical Studies in Helper II – 24 credit-hours
These programs provide students with practical experience and classroom instruction. Students learn how to install, diagnose, and repair commercial, residential, and domestic HVAC/R systems.
Some of the courses involved in these programs include an HVAC introduction, principles of refrigeration I, II, and III, electrical fundamentals, electrical components, electric motors, applied electricity and troubleshooting, domestic refrigeration, residential central air conditioning I, and II, residential system design, residential heating I, and II, residential heat pumps, room air conditioners, job-seeking skills, commercial refrigeration I and II, commercial refrigeration controls I, solar fundamentals, and solar thermal applications.
Graduates of these programs will be well-prepared to install and troubleshoot HVAC systems, handle refrigerant properly, install electrical devices, troubleshoot residential air conditioners, heat pump systems, and gas and electrical heating systems, at par with industry best practices.
- Location: Monroe, LA
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), HVAC Excellence
- Tuition: Resident ($209.96 per credit-hour); non-resident ($353.83 per credit-hour)
- Program length: Varies by program