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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 Granite State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in New Hampshire, including HVAC apprentices, HVAC and HVACR technicians, HVAC installers, and licensed HVAC contractors who own their own businesses, 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 6% growth rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Hampshire, and a 5% growth rate nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. There are hundreds of HVAC jobs in New Hampshire and the New England area posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
We’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started.
Accredited New Hampshire HVAC Training Programs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVAC/R 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 6 months to 2 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.
The State of New Hampshire does not license HVAC service technicians. Instead, municipalities are responsible for oversight. At the state level, New Hampshire regulates gas fitters and oil heating technicians, but does not mandate HVAC licenses for apprentices, technicians, or contractors who work on air conditioning or heating systems. However, HVAC contractors who own their own businesses must obtain a state mechanical business license.
While HVAC workers do not obtain state licensing, many New Hampshire cities, such as Manchester and Nashua, require trade permits for commercial and residential mechanical or heating work for new or renovated structures, or for equipment installation or replacement. In each city, HVAC workers must fill out a permit application and pay the appropriate fee. Check your locale for specific regulations.
Most people entering the HVAC industry in New Hampshire learn on the job as an apprentice or by working for an HVAC contractor and taking classes at a local trade school or community college. There is no state-mandated minimum age to get started on your HVAC career path in New Hampshire, however, most employers seem to expect job candidates to be at least 18 years old and have either a high school diploma or GED.
The following community colleges and trade schools offer HVAC classes in New Hampshire:
Manchester Community College in Manchester
New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades in Hampton
Granite State Trade School in Raymond
Advanced Trade School in Brentwood
The Peterson School in Haverhill
New England Institute of HVAC in Lowell, MA
New Hampshire Apprenticeships
New Hampshire has many local and national industry association chapters that offer HVAC apprenticeships, including:
ApprenticeshipNH lists HVAC mechanics, installers, and technicians in its construction and infrastructure category.
The NH School of Mechanical Trades posts apprenticeship opportunities.
UA Local 131’s apprenticeship program is a five-year working regimen of classroom study and on-the-job training.
Job-search websites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter also show multiple local HVAC employers hiring HVAC apprentices.
Apprenticeship.gov allows candidates to search by state and job category.
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. The licensing requirements vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of education, such as New Hampshire.
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 with field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
Most New Hampshire-based community colleges and technical schools offer various HVAC certification programs as opposed to advanced HVAC degrees. However, Manchester Community College offers an associate of applied science heating, ventilation & air conditioning degree program, which takes four semesters and is 67 credits.
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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 for 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 systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
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
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
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 New Hampshire community colleges is approximately $6,952 per year for in-state students and $15,095 for out-of-state students.
However, the cost of various technical programs varies depending on the type of certification being obtained.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your chosen occupational field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and any state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
The length of HVAC programs depend on which technical school you attend and the certifications you obtain. Since New Hampshire does not require HVAC licenses, the amount of time to complete education or training varies. For state-regulated fuel gas licenses, fuel gas installation techs need 100 hours of educational training and a minimum of 1,000 hours (about six months) of work experience. Fuel gas service techs need 140 hours of educational training and 2,000 hours (about one year) of work experience. Prior to enrolling in most technical programs, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED.
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 New Hampshire HVAC industry offers many types of certifications. Some community colleges offer apprenticeship programs in addition to formal classwork. Picking a school largely depends on your areas of interest and how much time and money you’re willing to dedicate to a certain program. Selecting a school also depends upon your ultimate career goals.
Some HVAC contractors may allow you to get hands-on training 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.
For instance, the tuition and fees at Manchester Community College are $215/credit for New Hampshire residents, $323/credit for New England regional students from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont, or $490/credit for out-of-region students. This school offers five different HVAC programs, including the associate of applied science heating, ventilation & air conditioning degree, requiring 67 credits.
Another option is the New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades. They have six different programs for HVAC that range in price from $2,300 to $4,200.
The Granite State Trade School offers a two-year HVAC certificate course that costs $6,800.
Steps for Enrollment in New Hampshire
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with visiting the school’s website and applying for admission online. 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 New Hampshire
To recap, New Hampshire does not license HVAC professionals. Instead, municipalities are responsible for oversight.
New Hampshire regulates gasfitters and oil heating technicians, but does not mandate HVAC licenses for apprentices, technicians, or contractors providing air conditioning or heating services.
If you own your own business in the HVAC field in New Hampshire, you’ll need a state-issued mechanical business license from the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). For all licensees (except apprentice and trainee registration licenses) you will need to show proof of three hours of code update every year totaling six hours per two-year renewal cycle. According to the OPLC website, board-approved programs for educational instruction for fuel-gas licensing are:
National Propane Gas Association-CETP (Certified Employee Training Program)
For a detailed explanation of New Hampshire’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your New Hampshire HVAC License.
No matter what state you live in, there are Environmental Protection Agency requirements at the federal level for technicians who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere. According to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, this applies to any professional who conducts refrigerant line-pressure tests or handles or adds refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems. EPA certification is often part of HVAC degree programs. If you choose a shorter certificate program, you may need to get EPA certification on your own. Your employer should be able to guide you to resources, or you can find them in our New Hampshire HVAC License guide.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in New Hampshire for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $52,900
Intermediate 2-4 years: $60,600
Senior 4-6 years: $69,200
Supervisor > 7 years: $89,900
For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
New Hampshire does not register apprentices or license HVAC technicians. However, having apprenticeship experience can increase your skills and help you further your career, especially if you hope to one day own your own business.
There are two main organizations that accredit HVAC programs, schools, and apprenticeships nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). While several schools offer HVAC education and training for forced-air and hydronic systems in and near New Hampshire, neither organization offers accredited programs in the state.
At Apprenticeship.gov, applicants can search by state and job category for the best HVAC apprenticeship program.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers throughout the New England area, including:
New England Institute of HVAC in Lowell, MA
Northeast Technical Institute in Scarborough, ME
Technology Learning Center in Oxford, MA
Industrial Management & Training Institute in Waterbury, CT
You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in New Hampshire. The opportunities are all around you.
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