HVAC Training Programs in New Hampshire

With the cold winters of the Granite State comes a thriving demand for workers in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R). According to the New Hampshire Board of Safety, boilers and water heaters have a relief valve, which requires annual testing and needs to be replaced every five years. To meet this requirement and other HVAC needs, the Plumbers, Fuel Gas Fitters and HVAC Association of New Hampshire support these skilled professionals in their line of work, offering legal advocacy pertinent to issues in the industry and other resources.

So what can an aspiring HVAC mechanic or installer expect to do in New Hampshire (NH)? These workers must understand the basic heating & refrigeration cycles; calculate heat loads & losses; install, troubleshoot, or repair HVAC systems & components (e.g., metering devices, ductless splits, motors, humidifiers, temperature controls, electrical wiring, economizers, pumps, valves, fans); interpret mechanical drawings & blueprints; solder & braze parts; maintain detailed client service records; keep up-to-date on latest advances in the industry; and give customers recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of systems.

Additionally, some of these workers choose to pursue voluntary credentialing through the NH Department of Safety, and others may achieve national certification through entities such as HVAC Excellence or North American Technician Excellence (NATE), both discussed below in the licensure section of this page.

Some HVAC workers choose to specialize in a type of equipment or method, while others have more broad-based skill sets. Regardless of the specialty, contracting company, or equipment focus, all people nationwide who handle refrigerants must get the EPA Section 608 certification, also discussed below in the credentialing section.

Read on to discover the bright career outlook for HVAC professionals in New Hampshire and beyond, as well as to learn about the salary prospects in the industry, accredited training programs, and licensing information.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Workers in NH

As mentioned above, the future looks bright for HVAC professionals in the US. By illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025) predicted an 8 percent explosion in HVAC job openings between 2024 and 2034, nearly triple the average growth projected across all occupations during that time (3 percent). With the expected addition of 34,500 fresh openings in this industry around the country—some of them in NH and surrounding states of the northeast—the employment climate looks promising for the coming decade.

That said, the demand for HVAC technicians in NH is also growing. Projections Central predicts a 6.7 percent statewide increase in employment opportunities by the end of 2034.

There are varied forces contributing to the booming HVAC industry. First, these systems typically need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years, producing a relatively steady stream of work for the professionals who know how to do this. Second, regular service contracts and manufacturer recommendations for maintenance lend themselves to a thriving employment landscape for HVAC workers. Lastly, NH has very cold winters and as a result, there is typically a seasonal boom during those months in the installation and repair of equipment.

While some HVAC professionals work normal business hours, others will be called upon to work weekends, holidays, or evenings, especially during the busy winter season in NH. It’s important to note that people in this industry suffer a higher-than-average rate of injury compared to other American occupations. This is due to the type of equipment used and the physical nature of the job, demanding the lifting of heavy loads, dealing with sensitive chemicals such as refrigerants, and reconfiguring electrical wiring.

These activities put workers at a higher risk for muscle strains and tears, as well as burns, electrical shock, and lesions. While these threats loom, they can generally be kept to a minimum with adequate training and the donning of proper safety equipment.

As further proof of the growing market for HVAC workers in NH, an analysis of common job post websites yielded some promising results. For example, Indeed (July 2026) had relevant job openings in HVAC at places such as Pro HVAC LLC, Strongpoint Talent, Heritage Home Service, and Alliance Group. Monster (July 2026) boasted additional openings with employers including US AMR-Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc, EMCOR Group Inc, and New England Mechanical Services. In sum, there’s ample evidence that opportunities in this field are on the rise in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire (NH) HVAC Tech & Installer Salaries

Not only is there a booming market for HVAC services in New Hampshire and across the country, but it is also one of the highest-paying fields for people with one to two years of postsecondary training. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025, the latest data available) reported that the 409,670 HVAC mechanics and installers around the country had an annual average salary (annual mean wage) of $64,780, only slightly lower than the average salary for all occupations (including people with bachelor’s degrees and beyond) at $69,770 (BLS May 2025).

The following are the more detailed salary percentiles for HVAC professionals nationwide as compared to New Hampshire (BLS May 2025)—the latest figures available as of August 2026:

	United States	New Hampshire
Number of HVAC professionals employed	409,670	2,560
Annual mean wage	$64,780	$71,490
10th percentile	$40,050	$47,520
25th percentile	$48,360	$59,540
50th percentile (median)	$61,010	$73,850
75th percentile	$77,060	$80,090
90th percentile	$95,210	$97,140

The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, Payscale (August 2026), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the HVAC workers reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles:

10th percentile: $41,000
50th percentile (median): $64,913
90th percentile: $97,000

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in New Hampshire is slightly higher than that of the rest of the nation. As with any salary projections, taking into account the cost of living is also important. As such, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2026) found that NH was ranked 39th in affordability, making it more expensive than the majority of states. For HVAC technicians this means relatively high salaries may still not go as far as lower salaries in other states, so that is something to keep in mind.

The BLS designated four regions within New Hampshire for which employment data is available. The 870 HVAC workers in the Manchester-Naushua, NH area earned the highest average salary (annual mean wage) in the state, with a reported average of $69,370 per year.

HVAC Training in New Hampshire

Prior to beginning work as an HVAC technician, mechanic, or installer in NH, a person must receive appropriate training. Currently, there are two main entities who are responsible for accrediting HVAC schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). There are no programs in NH accredited by either of these two organizations as of August 2026.

Manchester Community College

Manchester Community College offers an associate of applied science (AAS) degree program in HVAC technology. As part of the curricula, students receive preparation for several certifications such as the EPA Section 608, NORA Bronze, OSHA 10, and NH Gas Piping Installation. Apart from an associate of applied science (AAS) degree, Manchester Community College also offers the following certificates: advanced HVAC certificate, air conditioning/refrigeration certificate, heating services certificate, and HVAC certificate.

The advanced HVAC certificate is made up of 20 credit-hours. It includes courses such as testing and balancing, DDC and building automation controls, gas equipment installations and service theory, and advanced HVAC.

The air conditioning/refrigeration certificate consists of 26 credit-hours. Courses include electricity (theory and lab), the fundamentals of refrigeration (theory and lab), residential and commercial air conditioning and heat pumps (theory and lab), and commercial refrigeration (theory and lab).

The heating services certificate comprises 30 credit-hours. Coursework includes topics such as related electricity, fundamentals of heating, fundamentals of gas heating and piping installation, hydronic systems, and warm air and steam systems.

The HVAC certificate program requires the completion of 48 credits. The curriculum of this program includes courses from all the certificates mentioned above and takes five semesters to complete.

Finally, the AAS degree comprising 66 credit-hours includes coursework similar to that of the air conditioning/refrigeration and heating services certificate, with the addition of introduction to HVAC systems, MCC essentials, college composition, and other electives.

Students who graduate from this program will be able to read and interpret electrical diagrams, design and install HVAC systems, diagnose, repair faults and perform maintenance on HVAC systems, and demonstrate positive work traits and good customer skills. They can take up opportunities as HVAC contractors, fuel providers, property management companies, gas utilities, manufacturers, hospitals, and system design.

Location: Manchester, NH
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education
Expected Time to Completion: AAS degree, air conditioning/refrigeration certificate, and heating services certificate (two years); advanced HVAC certificates (one year)

New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades

The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades—also in Manchester—provides several certificate courses. For example, one of its 120-hour HVAC courses focuses on residential and commercial air conditioning units with preparation for the EPA Section 608 certification; another 120-class focuses on becoming an oil heat technician and provides preparation for the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) certification exam.

For a more comprehensive course, aspiring HVAC workers might consider the 120-hour HVAC/R program or the 240-hour HVAC and oil heat technician combo course.

The air conditioning course focuses on residential and light commercial air conditioning units and is designed for students who have little or no experience but desire a career in the HVAC industry.

The HVAC equipment installation course trains students in how to install leading industry AC equipment. The fully functional lab includes a variety of equipment and systems and students practice skills such as soldering, brazing, measuring and cutting piping, wiring systems, using metering devices, and choosing materials for ductwork. The course takes 120 hours to complete and students are expected to have their Section 608 certification before beginning it.

The oil heat technician course has been developed over several years to provide students with the necessary knowledge and understanding required towards becoming qualified technicians in the oil heat industry. This course is designed to instruct students in the proper and safe operation of the equipment.

Location: Manchester, NH; Hampton, NH
Expected Time to Completion: Air conditioning technician course and oil heat technician course (15 weeks); air conditioning tech, day course and oil heat technician, day course (8 weeks); A/C and oil heat combo (25 weeks); A/C and oil heat combo, day course (14 weeks); HVAC equipment installation (15 weeks)

Granite State Trade School

The Granite State Trade School in Raymond not only provides distance-based learning but also has a two-year, on-campus evening course comprising 300 hours. Course content includes installation and repair of HVAC/R equipment, thermodynamics, maintenance practices, meters, tools, and measuring devices, refrigerant cycle, control systems, furnaces, condensers, heat pumps, general customer service, split systems, and more. It is one of the more affordable four-semester programs in the country.

This in-person 300-hour certificate includes topics such as introduction to HVAC/R trade, energy efficiency, fundamentals, basic sizing techniques, commercial air conditioning and refrigeration, psychometrics, systems and components, adjusting and balancing techniques, heat pump systems and components, geothermal heat pumps, and air-source heat pumps, among others.

The highly experienced skilled instructors can help students achieve their career and educational objectives, whether they are licensed professionals looking for continuing education classes, or wish to start a career in the field. They will train with the best lab facilities, and also be provided with valuable on-the-job training that prepares them for real role challenges.

Location: Raymond, NH
Expected Time to Completion: Two years

New Hampshire Training Institute

The New Hampshire Training Institute (NHTI) offers an HVAC/R technician program and an HVAC/R certified technician program. Both are fully online. Coursework is presented via videos, reading assignments, service call simulations, and practical applications.

The HVAC/R technician prepares students for entry-level positions. Coursework includes topics such as heat, temperature, and pressure; matter and energy; refrigeration and refrigerants; safety practices; basic electricity and magnetism; comfort and psychometrics; and residential energy auditing, among many others. Graduates are qualified to sit for exams, including EPA 608 certification, HVAC Excellence employment-ready certificates, and NATE ready to work certificate.

The certified technician program is designed for technicians with a year or more of experience. A sample of the coursework includes calibrating instruments; advanced automatic controls-digital direct controls and pneumatics; troubleshooting electric motors; special refrigeration systems; and others. Graduates are qualified for industry certifications such as HVAC Excellence core and professional exams and NATE core and speciality exams.

Location: Concord, NH
Expected Time to Completion: One year

New England Trade School

The 72-hour HVAC program at the New England Trade School is fully online and makes use of hands-on virtual reality (VR) training. Graduates are skilled in HVAC safety and OSHA compliance; HVAC fundamentals and electrical work; refrigeration principles and evacuation techniques; and HVAC troubleshooting and order of operations.

Coursework includes trades math; heat transfer; evaporators; meters, circuits, loads, and switches; compressor relays and capacitors; troubleshooting motors; and gas furnace troubleshooting, and others. Students also complete coursework that prepares them for the EPA certification exam, at the end of which they take the exam. They also receive OSHA certification and NATE ready to work certification.

Location: Keene, NH
Expected Time to Completion: 3 to 6 months

For some prospective HVAC students in NH, attending an on-campus program can be difficult, particularly for people living in more remote regions of the state. Luckily, there are some e-learning opportunities available, in addition to the online schools profiled above. To learn about the distance-based training options available, check out the online HVAC schools page.

New Hampshire HVAC Licensure & Certification

In addition to getting the proper training, HVAC professionals in New Hampshire are strongly advised to seek out proper credentialing prior to beginning work as well. There is one mandatory certification for all people nationally who work with refrigerants: the EPA Section 608 certification, with subtypes: type 1 (small appliance), type 2 (high-pressure appliances), type 3 (low-pressure appliances), and type 4 (universal). Most HVAC-R training courses will include the training necessary to earn the 608 certification.

Several other organizations offer national credentialing in this field as well. For example, HVAC Excellence has two main programs—Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology (HEAT) and HEAT Plus—as well as other more specialized certifications in areas such as heat oil combustion and systems diagnostics troubleshooting.

North American Technician Excellence (NATE) also has specialized certifications which vary by proficiency level and subfields. In its installation-specific certification program, for example, there are five subfields: air conditioning, air distribution, heat pump, oil heating, and gas heating.

Additionally, the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) has specialized credentialing in commercial refrigeration, domestic service, and dynamic compression, to name a few areas.

In short, there is a wealth of national credentials available, and interested HVAC professionals are advised to check out the main HVAC certifications page for all of the details.

Lastly, as mentioned in the introduction, the New Hampshire Department of Safety has a voluntary certification for oil heating technicians. The application requires:

Completed application (DSFM 87 form)
Proof of identity
Proof of field experience
An affidavit signed by one’s employer
Copy of at least one qualifying certificate (e.g., NORA, NATE, etc.)
Application fee

To maintain these voluntary licenses, HVAC workers must complete six hours of code update during every two-year renewal cycle. Also, since local ordinances and permitting may vary between cities, HVAC workers should check with local authorities to ensure that they have all necessary regional registrations, licenses, or other necessary credentialing.

Farheen Gani

Farheen is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).

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Manchester, NH