We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout the Constitution State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in Connecticut, including HVAC technicians and licensed HVAC contractors, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 12% growth rate in Connecticut for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as compared with 6% nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence on job boards showing HVAC as an in-demand career path. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted for locations in Connecticut on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Connecticut HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started in the HVAC field.
Connecticut HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools, and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
Typically, HVAC license requirements vary from state to state, and in some cases, from locality to locality. The state of Connecticut requires licensure to perform all types of HVAC/R work. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) in Hartford issues trade licenses and oversees the Heating, Piping, Cooling, and Sheet Metal Examining Board. HVAC apprentices can pursue 20 different HVAC license types in Connecticut.
The following Connecticut trade schools offer HVAC programs:
Lincoln Technical Institute (Lincoln Tech) in East Windsor and New Britain
Porter and Chester Institute in Waterbury, Bridgeport, Stratford, and Hamden
ENTECH Advanced Training Center in Cromwell
Bristol Technical Education Center in Bristol
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. Licensure requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state.
Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while you attend a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Connecticut such as:
University of Connecticut in Storrs
Central Connecticut State University in New Britain
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Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and other heating technology.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Energy efficiency and air quality
HVAC controls
HVAC system design
Gas heating and oil burners
Air conditioning systems
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Connecticut community colleges on average is $5,329 per year for in-state students and $15,711 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies depending on the school and degree or HVAC certification earned. For example, Porter and Chester Institute’s HVACR program takes 12 months to complete.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The Connecticut training institutes listed below offer HVAC programs to prepare students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Lincoln Technical Institute:
Offers an HVAC Technology program, 1,320 credit hours
Porter and Chester Institute
Offers a 12-month HVACR program
ENTECH Advanced Training Center
Offers a 12-month HVAC Technician program
Bristol Technical Education Center
Offers an HVAC program
Steps for Enrollment in Connecticut
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website, in person or by mail. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in Connecticut
To recap, Connecticut offers 20 different HVAC licenses and each requires specific licensing requirements.
For instance, to become eligible for an S2 Heating, Piping & Cooling Unlimited Journeyperson License, candidates must demonstrate 8,000 hours of work experience (about four years) and complete 576 hours of classroom instruction.
To apply for one of several HVAC Contractor Licenses, one must work for a minimum of two years as a licensed journeyperson electrician.
All Connecticut HVAC licenses require annual renewal. The state doesn’t mandate continuing education for HVAC licenses.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Connecticut, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Connecticut’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Connecticut HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Connecticut
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Connecticut? According to the BLS, the mean HVAC technician salary in Connecticut is $68,930.
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships provide a path to experience and licensure in Connecticut. HVAC apprenticeship opportunities include:
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training schools in nearby New York and Massachusetts.
The Refrigeration Institute in New York City
Apex Technical School in Long Island City, NY
MassBay Community College in multiple cities in Massachusetts
You can find the training you need to excel in an HVAC industry career in Connecticut. The opportunities are all around you.
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