Accredited HVAC Schools in Long Island, NY
Multiple pathways exist for aspiring HVAC workers to obtain the necessary education and training to begin a career in this field. For example, these individuals may choose to complete an apprenticeship, enroll in a formal program, or obtain training in another way.
Apprenticeship programs vary but typically require a three- to five-year commitment. All provide on-the-job training averaging 2,000 hours annually, and an average of 144 hours of classroom work each year.
Examples of associations offering apprentice programs include, but are not limited to:
- Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
- Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
- Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC)
- Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA)
- Associated Builders and Contractors
In addition to apprenticeships, aspiring HVAC professionals in Huntsville can pursue a degree or training program. When choosing a school, it is essential to determine if it is accredited, and if so, what agency accredited it.
Two organizations evaluate and award accreditation to HVAC programs:
- HVAC Excellence
- Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA)
As of Semptember 2020, there are no programs in Long Island that are accredited by these two organizations. However, the WSWHE BOCES is included in the list below as it is the only program accredited by HVAC Excellence in New York State.
Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
One source for education for HVAC workers in Long Island is the Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), which provides a host of different courses covering various subjects.
The Eastern Long Island Academy of Applied Technology of Eastern Suffolk BOCES offers an HVAC program that includes training in the installation, service and repair of air conditioning, cooling, heat pump systems, and electrical theory and service. The program has strong emphasis on green technology such as indoor air quality and HEPA filtration, solar and geothermal hot water heating, and air sealing.
The curriculum of the program includes courses such as residential air conditioning, marketing, electrical theory, indoor air quality, freezers and freezing systems, cooling and heat pump systems, efficiency rating, service procedures and troubleshooting, commercial refrigeration, air and duct sealing, alternative energy, energy efficiency, ice machines, air conditioning systems, and controls, circuits and instruments.
Upon graduation, students can take up roles such as service technician, service manager, installer’s helper, parts manager, air quality control specialist, heating and air conditioning mechanic/installer, manufacturer’s representative, and labor union apprentice, among others. Students will also have the opportunity to earn national licensing and certification in refrigerant handling from the EPA as well as gas and oil heat servicing certifications from NATE and NORA.
- Location: Long Island, New York
- Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Expected Time to Completion: One to two years
- Estimated Tuition: $12,000
Suffolk County Community College
Those looking for HVAC training also have the option of pursuing HVAC programs at Suffolk County Community College, which prepares graduates for a career in the field. It offers both a certificate and an associate of applied science (AAS) degree program in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. These programs prepare students for challenging and rewarding positions in an ever-changing and growing HVAC/R industry.
The heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) technology certificate is made up of 34 credit-hours and all credits earned in this certificate program can be applied towards the associate degree. The curriculum includes courses such as refrigeration and air conditioning systems, standard freshman composition, technical writing, computer applications for technology, technical mathematics I, interpersonal communication, heating systems, HVAC/R control systems, HVAC/R diagnostics and servicing, and electricity for HVAC/R.
The heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) technology associate degree consists of 64 credit-hours. It includes all courses from the certificate program with the addition of technical physics I, HVAC/R commercial systems, HVAC/R system design, and HVAC/R internship, among others.
At the end of the program, graduates will be able to effectively design, diagnose and service HVAC/R products and systems, communicate effectively, interpret, analyze and evaluate technical materials, and identify and explain industrial safety issues related to the HVAC/R field.
- Location: Long Island, New York
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificate (one year)
- Estimated Tuition: Residents ($2,735 per semester); non-residents ($5,470 per semester)
WSWHE BOCES
Career and Technical Education – a division of the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES – offers an HVAC program, with a current curriculum that meets the industry demands and needs. The program trains students in areas such as installation, servicing and repairing of HVAC/R equipment, and systems in both residential and commercial applications. The program also focuses on safety and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and regulations.
The curriculum includes topics such as safety and environment, blueprint reading, electrical principles, electric motors, piping principles and practices, refrigeration principles and practices, heating principles and practices, air conditioning principles and practices, commercial refrigeration, residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, residential wiring, and trade-related carpentry, among others.
Students completing the program successfully qualify to work as entry-level electricians, HVAC technicians, HVAC installers, and plumbers.
- Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
- Accreditation: HVACExcellence
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
- Estimated Tuition: $16,940
These are only a few of the HVAC training programs open to people in Long Island, NY. Please note that there are also accredited online HVAC programs available, which can accommodate geographical or time-related difficulties of attending an on-campus program.