HVAC Schools in North Las Vegas, NV

Like other cities in the Las Vegas Metropolitan area, North Las Vegas is growing. According to the City’s mayor, “North Las Vegas has emerged as the e-commerce capital of the West and has become known internationally as a top destination for industrial and manufacturing development.” Millions of dollars have been spent recently on public projects, including transportation, and millions more are budgeted. Unimproved land is also being developed into commercial centers and residences, with plans for “5,200 new housing units approved in 2018.”

Additionally, Amazon just completed a new logistics center, creating new jobs in the process. Manufacturing and warehouse distribution centers have long been a part of North Las Vegas, and now high-tech, solar, and green technology businesses are making significant contributions to the economy.

North Las Vegas, Nevada (NV) experiences the hot summers and cool winters that are typical for its Mojave Desert location. Summer months see temperatures regularly exceeding 100 degrees F during daylight hours. Evenings cool off by about 30 degrees, giving residents a respite from the heat. Although rainfall is slight, with most months receiving less than an inch, summers are a time of monsoonal thunderstorms and sometimes heavy rainfall. Temperatures in the winter months fluctuate between the high 50s and low to mid-60s during the day. Winter nighttime temperatures are in the 30s and 40s but rarely drop below freezing. Snowfall is rare.

The blazing sun keeps many residents of North Las Vegas indoors, as too much outdoor time can lead to skin damage. The summer heat and humidity and winter chill also keep individuals indoors where they rely on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) for comfort in their homes and workplaces. Industrial facilities and technology industries often require the addition of large-scale refrigeration (HVAC/R) to keep equipment operating correctly.

According to the most recent statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2019), 1,140 HVAC mechanics and installers were employed in the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV area, which includes North Las Vegas, as of May 2018. Technicians and their employers received training and support for industry organizations that include:

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Nevada Contractors Association
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Nevada
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society
Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association
Southern Nevada Air Conditioning Refrigeration Service Contractors Association
Southern Nevada Home Builders Association
UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians

Associations such as these work with governmental and regulatory agencies to establish educational, training, and safety standards designed to protect the environment and the health and safety of workers and the public.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in North Las Vegas, NV

The BLS (2019) estimates that the demand for workers in all occupations in the US will increase by 5 percent between 2018 and 2028. They anticipate an increase of 13 percent for HVAC and HVAC/R technicians during the same decade. The demand for new technicians in Nevada is more than double the national demand. Projections Central predicts an increase of 31.8 percent, which is 610 new positions, by the end of 2026.

North Las Vegas is experiencing explosive growth. The construction of commercial structures and the thousands of residences being built mean new HVAC or HVAC/R systems must be installed. These developments also include the remodeling or renovation of existing structures, which requires the installation of new equipment and systems that meet current energy efficiency and pollution reduction standards.

The complexity of the new equipment and systems requires trained technicians to install and maintain. “Smart” buildings and technology that need special climate-controlled facilities require technicians proficient with electronics and computerized systems. The same workers are also expected to be skilled at troubleshooting.

Technicians who specialize in new installations traditionally experience unemployment, but the growth and construction activity in North Las Vegas make that unlikely in the near future. Technicians who concentrate on maintenance and repair services can expect continuous employment as homeowners and businesses need to keep their climate-control systems operating year-round regardless of the economy.

HVAC Salaries in North Las Vegas, NV

According to BLS (May 2019), HVAC mechanics and installers nationwide earned a median salary of $47,610 during as of May 2018. Technicians in the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV area, including North Las Vegas, earned an annual median salary of $52,840. The difference in the pay rate isn’t as favorable as it appears because the cost of living in Nevada is higher than the national index.

The table below compares national, state, and regional salaries of HVAC professionals:

	United States	Nevada	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV
Number of HVAC Professionals Employed	324,310	1,860	1,140
Average Annual Salary	$50,160	$51,590	$50,150
10th Percentile	$29,460	$30,000	$28,980
25th Percentile	$36,520	$41,800	$40,190
50th Percentile (Median)	$47,610	$53,690	$52,840
75th Percentile	$60,900	$61,620	$60,670
90th Percentile	$76,230	$70,460	$65,920

HVAC Apprenticeships in North Las Vegas, NV

Untrained workers seeking employment as HVAC and HVAC/R technicians have few job opportunities. Climate-control systems are complex and require specialized training to install and maintain. Workers who complete an apprenticeship or obtain formal training typically have the most employment opportunities.

As apprentices, workers receive paid, on-the job training while attending school for a specified number of hours each year. Apprenticeships usually take four to five years to complete. A list of registered apprenticeships is available from the State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry.

For example, five-year HVAC apprenticeships are offered by UA Local 525 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Technicians at their Las Vegas training center. Contact the training center for information regarding hours, scheduling, and fees.

Workers can also obtain training from industry organizations, such as the following:

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCCA)
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA)

Their websites contain the details of curriculum, availability, and fees.

Accredited HVAC Schools in North Las Vegas, NV

Aspiring technicians should ensure that the school they select for training is accredited. Accreditation is a process of evaluating a school’s curriculum and instructors. The evaluation is conducted periodically by independent agencies.

Two industry organizations evaluate HVAC and HVAC/R programs. HVAC Excellence has accredited the Advanced Training Institute, in Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada, in Henderson. The Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) has also accredited the College of Southern Nevada.

Advanced Training Institute

ATI offers an HVAC/R technician diploma program. Students attend classroom lectures and practice what they learn with hands-on training in a modern lab. Their coursework includes the following: the principles of mechanics, electricity, gas-fired heating and heat pump systems, HVAC systems, boiler operations, commercial refrigeration, ice machines, troubleshooting, start-up, and installation.

Students are prepared to take industry certification exams including OSHA, EPA 608, and 410A. The cost of the exams is included in the tuition. Students are also expected to wear uniforms, the cost of which is also included in the fees. Graduates are qualified for entry-level employment as HVAC residential and commercial HVAC/R technicians.

Location: Las Vegas, NV
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCSC)
Tuition: $14,855
Format: On-campus
Program Length: 42 weeks

College of Southern Nevada

CSN offers four HVAC technology certificate programs:

Air Conditioning Technology – 40.5 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant – 46.5 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems – 44.5 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration – 46.5 credit-hours

Technical coursework includes the following: HVAC electrical and mechanical theory and application, residential gas heating and heat pumps, the fundamentals of copper, ductwork, controls, boiler and chiller operation and maintenance, commercial refrigeration, reading blueprints and specifications, and workplace safety. Students also complete classes in customer service, core computing competency, and information systems, as well as general education electives. Students may also serve an internship to earn their certificate.

Students choose the technical coursework relevant to the certificate they are seeking. They are not required to take every course. For example, only students seeking the food service certificate take the commercial refrigeration class.

The college also offers four HVAC technology degree programs:

Air Conditioning Technology – 63 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Central Plant – 62.5 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Critical Systems – 61.5 credit-hours
Air Conditioning Technology: Food Service Refrigeration – 61.5 credit-hours

Students who prefer to earn a degree complete the same technical coursework as those in the certificate programs. They also complete additional general education requirements that may include math, composition, human relations, science, humanities, and history, among other electives.

Students in all programs attend classroom lectures and receive hands-on training in the lab. The college is located in Henderson; however, the HVAC programs are taught at the Western Center in Las Vegas, in their new HVAC Center of Excellence facility.

Location: Henderson, NV
Accreditation: PAHRA; HVAC Excellence; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Tuition: Lower-division courses $102.75 per credit hour; upper-division courses $168.25 per credit hour
Format: On-campus
Program Length: Certificates one year each; degrees two years each

Quality Training Centers

The Center offers two programs: an HVAC technology diploma and a refrigeration technology diploma. Students enrolled in the HVAC program can complete their classwork during morning, afternoon, or evening hours. Refrigeration students complete their classwork during morning or evening hours. In addition to attending classroom lectures, students receive hands-on training in a fully-equipped lab.

The HVAC program curriculum includes the fundamentals of refrigeration, electricity and electric heating and cooling, heat pumps and gas heat, brazing, and troubleshooting. The refrigeration technology program coursework includes an introduction to refrigeration and low-temperature refrigeration, walk-in freezers, commercial refrigeration, and ice machines.

Location: Las Vegas, NV
Accreditation: Licensed by the Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
Tuition: HVAC technology, $6,280; refrigeration technology, $2,650
Format: On-campus
Program Length: HVAC technology diploma, 12 weeks; refrigeration technology, six weeks

North Las Vegas students who are unable to travel or don’t have the time to attend on-campus programs may find that an online institution best meets their needs. More information is available on the online HVAC training programs page.

HVAC Certification & Licensing in North Las Vegas, NV

Before beginning work, HVAC and HVAC/R technicians who deal with environmentally sensitive refrigerants must obtain Section 608 Certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as required by federal law. Certification requires passing an exam on the safe handling of refrigerants. The EPA designates four types of certification based on the size and type of equipment worked on. These are:

Type I – small appliances
Type II – high-pressure appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning
Type III – low-pressure appliances
Universal – all types of equipment

Practice exams are available on the website.

Industry organizations offer training, 608 certifications, and additional credentials that are designed to increase a technician’s knowledge and employability. A sample includes:

Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) – comprehensive, cutting-edge education and certification
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) – certification tests that represent real-world working knowledge
HVAC Excellence – validates that an individual has retained knowledge in a specific area of the HVAC/R industry

There is more information on the HVAC certifications page.

Finally, contractors, including those in HVAC, are required by the Nevada State Contractors Board to obtain a license if they work on projects valued at $1,000 or more. Licenses are classified as follows:

Class A – general engineering
Class B – general building
Class C – specialty (includes 36 specialties among which are the trades, each of which requires a separate license)

Applicants must submit proof of a combined four years of experience and education, pass the business and law exam, pass a trade exam, submit financial statements and a bond, complete the application, and pay the relevant fees. Additional information may be required from some applicants. The license fee is $600 and is valid for two years. Contractors working on residences may also need to pay a “recovery fund assessment” fee that varies from $200 to $1,000.

Clark County requires a business license for anyone conducting business within the county. The fee varies according to the type of business. The City of North Las Vegas requires anyone doing business within the City to obtain a license. The fee varies depending upon the classification of the business. Licenses must be renewed every six months.

Licensing agencies always have the option of modifying their guidelines. HVAC professionals are encouraged to ensure that they comply with all current requirements before starting a project.

Barry Franklin

Before co-founding Sechel Ventures Partners LLC, Barry Franklin was a VP at a Silicon Valley software company, and is an investor in and advisor for Impellia. Barry believes that education and lifelong learning are paramount. Barry met his wife at Carnegie Mellon University and they have two beautiful daughters. He also volunteers for various committees at his kids’ high school.