HVAC Schools in Houston
Traditionally, the two main accreditation agencies for HVAC training schools are HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). While HVAC Excellence has accredited programs in Laredo and Grand Prairie and there’s one PAHRA-accredited program in Wichita Falls, there were no programs approved by either of these entities in the Houston area.
That said, since graduating from a program accredited by a specific entity is not a prerequisite for state licensure or employment, there’s a wealth of alternative, affordable training options in the Houston area. Additionally, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) provides institutional accreditation. More than 130 community colleges and universities in Texas are SACSCOC accredited, and some of these are located in Houston.
Houston Community College
Houston Community College provides two one-year certificate programs for aspiring HVAC workers and an associate of applied science degree in heating, air conditioning & refrigeration. These unique programs introduce students to emerging and new technologies in HVAC/R, allowing systems and buildings to operate efficiently.
The basic certificate in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration consists of 21 credit-hours. Students are introduced to topics such as electrical calculations I, basic electricity for HVAC, EPA recovery certification preparation, air conditioning control principles, refrigeration principles, residential air conditioning, and gas & electric heating.
The advanced HVAC/R certificate comprises 42 credit-hours and includes all the above courses, with the addition of advanced air conditioning controls, commercial refrigeration, commercial air conditioning, heat pumps, air conditioning troubleshooting, commercial air conditioning system design, and residential air conditioning systems design.
The AAS in HVAC/R program is made up of 60 credit-hours. It covers coursework from the two certificates discussed above, as well as building control systems and many other electives.
All programs prepare students for the mandatory EPA Section 608 certification. Students may also have the opportunity to receive OSHA 10 certification. Through these programs, students will gain proficiency in maintaining, servicing, repairing, and troubleshooting HVAC and refrigeration equipment, refrigeration controls, and also learn about regulations and safety rules surrounding the industry.
- Location: Houston, TX
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC)
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (two years); certificates (one year each)
- Estimated Tuition: In-district ($84.50 per credit-hour); out-of-district ($180.50 per credit-hour); out-of-state ($227.00 per credit-hour)
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center
The Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center has a location in Houston with a seven-month refrigeration technologies program for aspiring HVAC and refrigeration technicians. The school boasts flexible course scheduling and provides hands-on training. Students will gain instruction in the basics of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, climate control, and refrigeration technologies (HVACR). The school also has a welding specialist program with an option to learn pipefitting.
The curriculum is heavily focussed on hands-on refrigeration & HVAC training, offering courses such as fundamentals of refrigeration; comfort systems – residential; fundamentals of electricity; comfort systems – commercial; advanced troubleshooting techniques, refrigeration systems & practices; and fundamentals of solar.
Upon graduation, students will be well-equipped to handle HVAC projects, as well as the latest refrigeration technologies such as green tech and solar. They can take up roles such as refrigeration technician, commercial transportation refrigeration troubleshooter, commercial refrigeration installer/technician, HVAC/R service technician, refrigeration service technician, and HVAC/R installation technician.
- Location: Houston, TX
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: Seven months
- Estimated Tuition: Non-military students ($16,020); military students ($14,568)
San Jacinto College
San Jacinto College also has certificate and degree programs available to prepare HVAC professionals in Houston. In addition to its 16-week HVAC-R certificate program, SJC offers a two-year AAS in air conditioning technology. The program trains students with entry-level HVAC/R skills required in the field of commercial and industrial air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating. Training includes the repair, installation, and maintenance of industrial and commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating equipment.
The associate of applied science degree consists of 60 credit-hours. Some of the courses included are basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; gas and electrical heating; commercial air conditioning; advanced electricity for HVAC; air conditioning troubleshooting; air conditioning and refrigeration codes; commercial refrigeration; and industrial air conditioning, among others.
Graduates of this program will have the opportunity to take up lucrative opportunities in this booming field. They can take up positions such as residential or commercial technicians, independent business contractors or owners, refrigeration technicians, and maintenance or industrial technicians.
- Location: Pasadena, Texas
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: 4 semesters
- Estimated Tuition: In-district ($78 per credit-hour); out-of-district ($135 per credit-hour); non-Texas resident or international student ($210 per credit-hour)
Lone Star College
Lone Star College offers the following HVAC programs in Houston:
- HVAC Occupational Entry Certificate Level I
- HVAC & Refrigeration Residential Servicing Certificate Level I
- HVAC & Refrigeration Commercial Servicing Certificate Level I
- HVAC & Refrigeration AAS Degree
These programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the technical service of residential or light commercial climate control systems. Individuals will be prepared for basic, entry-level employment in the residential or light commercial HVAC/r service industry.
The occupational entry certificate is made up of 15 credit-hours. It includes courses such as basic electricity for HVAC; refrigeration principles; gas and electric heating; residential air conditioning; learning framework.
The HVAC/R residential servicing certificate consists of 30 credit-hours. Students will study all of the above-mentioned courses, with the addition of EPA recovery certification preparation; residential air condition systems design; air conditioning troubleshooting; heat pumps; and advanced electricity for HVAC.
The HVAC/R commercial servicing certificate comprises 36 credit-hours. It includes all courses from the two certificates mentioned above. In addition, students will also receive instruction in advanced air conditioning controls; commercial air conditioning; commercial refrigeration; industrial air conditioning; and special topics in heating, air conditioning & refrigeration technologies/technician.
Finally, the AAS degree is made up of 60 credit-hours and includes all courses from all the certificates mentioned above. The additional courses included in this program include principles of sociology; composition & rhetoric I; college algebra; and creative arts/language, philosophy & culture.
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Expected Time to Completion: Occupational entry certificate (nine months); HVAC/R residential servicing certificate (one year); HVAC/R commercial servicing certificate (one year); AAS degree (two years)
- Estimated Tuition: $862 per semester
Lastly, for students residing in rural regions of Texas or who have commitments that prevent them from attending an on-campus program, there are distance-based HVAC training programs available. In addition to online coursework, students typically receive some hands-on training and testing at various sites close to their homes.
To learn more about the web-based training for HVAC workers, check out the online HVAC programs page.