HVAC Training Schools in Louisiana

Louisiana (LA) is a prime location for those pursuing a career in heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC). HVAC professionals install and maintain climate-control systems, which are present in commercial and residential buildings across the state. Climate control is essential in the Bayou State where hot and humid summers reign.

The U.S. Climate Data reported that the average high temperature in July and August was 91 degrees Fahrenheit and the average low in January was 45; this broad temperature range encourages many residents to head indoors and take advantage of A/C or heat. In short, the Louisiana climate feeds the demand for skilled HVAC workers.

Additionally, numerous professional organizations and unions offer member benefits to workers in the area. For example, the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 60 operates in New Orleans and supports HVAC workers and other skilled tradespeople. Members can access hands-on training and education, community service efforts, healthcare plans, networking opportunities, and much more. This organization also maintains an apprenticeship program for aspiring professionals covered at length in a section below.

Similarly, the Local Union 198 is headquartered in the Baton Rouge area, offering apprenticeship and journey-level preparation, safety training, testing, certification, and access to benefits obtained through collective bargaining efforts. Ultimately, these unions are only two of many that provide professional representation and advocacy for HVAC workers throughout Louisiana.

So what do HVAC professionals in Louisiana do? While the responsibilities vary by employer and level of training, the following is a list of the typical duties held by many HVAC professionals:

Offer education to customers on how to conserve energy
Test circuitry and components of HVAC equipment
Verify compliance with all local and federal regulations
Perform heat load and loss calculations
Braze and solder parts
Calibrate all controls to manufacturer specifications
Maintain all necessary credentialing
Keep service records
Read and interpret blueprints
Travel to job sites

Also, all aspiring HVAC professionals in Louisiana should be aware that people who handle refrigerants need to maintain active EPA Section 608 Certification; failing to maintain this certification is against the law.

Overall, beginning a career in the HVAC industry requires a solid understanding of the field through some form of skills education or training. The following guide explores HVAC programs in Louisiana, including discussions of salary prospects, career outlook, and local credentialing.

Occupational Demand for HVAC Technicians in Louisiana

Between 2022 and 2032, job openings for HVAC professionals are expected to grow nationwide. For illustration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted that HVAC positions in the country would increase by 6 percent during that decade, which is faster than the average growth expected across all occupations (3 percent). The HVAC industry is already fairly strong, with 374,770 workers nationwide earning an average annual salary (mean wage) of $57,460.

The estimates were even better for Louisiana. Projections Central reported that there would be an 11 percent increase in HVAC positions across Louisiana between 2020 and 2030.

Several reasons exist for the expected growth in the HVAC industry over the coming years. For one, nearly all new buildings constructed in Louisiana include climate-control systems, the installation, and maintenance of which requires skilled professionals. These systems also need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. Finally, climate-control technology laws and regulations are subject to change; to comply with evolving regulations, HVAC workers must routinely update equipment and systems.

One of the easiest ways to visualize this high demand for HVAC professionals in Louisiana is through a simple online job search. For example, a search for “HVAC jobs in Louisiana” on Indeed (2023) yielded 674 opportunities with companies such as Johnson Controls, Ward Mechanical Contractors, Star Service Inc, and BGIS, among others; a similar search on Monster (2023) brought up several results with organizations including City Facilities Management, Amtec Human Capital, United Rentals, and Army National Guard, among others.

HVAC Worker Salary in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2022), HVAC mechanics and installers enjoy good wages around the country, particularly in an occupation that generally requires just six months to two years of postsecondary education. Among the 374,770 HVAC workers around the US, the BLS (May 2022) found an average annual salary (annual mean wage) of $57,460.

In Louisiana, the 3,920 HVAC professionals working there earned an average of $52,880, putting them below average for the country. In more detailed terms, here were the salary percentiles in this occupation in the US and Louisiana specifically:

	United States	Louisiana
Number of HVAC professionals employed	374,770	3,920
Annual mean wage	$57,460	$52,880
10th percentile	$36,170	$35,220
25th percentile	$44,100	$39,530
50th percentile (median)	$51,390	$48,750
75th percentile	$65,630	$60,460
90th percentile	$82,630	$79,740

Salary figures do vary slightly by another source of data. Payscale—an aggregator of self-reported salaries—found the following percentiles among its HVAC respondents nationwide in September 2023:

10th percentile: $36,000
50th percentile (median): $54,628
90th percentile: $84,000

As noted above, the average salary for HVAC workers in Louisiana is higher than the nation’s average salary. As with any salary projections, considering the cost of living is also important. As such, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2023) found that LA had the 17th lowest cost of living in the United States.

HVAC Apprenticeships in Louisiana

Those interested in pursuing a career in the HVAC industry in Louisiana can complete various training programs; there are not only traditional degree and certificate programs available, but also a wealth of apprenticeships.

As mentioned in the introduction, the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 60 offers an apprenticeship program for aspiring professionals, which many consider an excellent way to develop skills while earning a salary. The apprenticeship program lasts for five years, during which the participant works and attends classes, earning a wage that is a percentage of that earned by the journey-level supervisors on the job. The apprentice can emerge from this program with an associate degree and the high-quality training provided by this organization is one of the reasons this program is competitive.

Accredited HVAC Schools in Louisiana

A growing number of HVAC workers choose to enroll in accredited programs evaluated by industry accrediting agencies for their curriculum, faculty, and facilities. For a complete explanation of the accreditation process, visit the website for either agency listed below.

Two main organizations accredit HVAC programs: the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA), and HVAC Excellence. As of September 2023, there were no PAHRA-accredited programs in the state, although there were several with approval from HVAC Excellence. Here are the HVAC programs in Louisiana that have been accredited by HVAC Excellence:

Baton Rouge Community College (Baton Rouge, LA)
Central Louisiana Technical Community College (Alexandria, LA)
Bossier Parish Community College (Natchitoches, LA)
Delgado Community College (Metairie, LA)
Fletcher Technical Community College (Thibodaux, LA)
ITI Technical College (Baton Rouge, LA)
Louisiana Delta Community College (West Monroe, LA)
Northshore Technical Community College (Bogalusa, LA)
Northshore Technical Community College (Hammond, LA)
River Parishes Community College (Reserve, LA)
South Louisiana Community College (Lafayette, LA)
South Louisiana Community College (Morgan City, LA)

Some of these are mentioned in the list below.

Delgado Community College

Delgado Community College offers a certificate of technical studies in HVAC-R and a technical diploma in the master HVAC-R technician program. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in a lab studying industrial, commercial, and residential HVAC-R equipment. Students in these programs receive the required training needed for a successful career in this HVAC-R field.

The certificate is made up of 30 credits including courses such as building code and licensing; electrical fundamentals; NCCER technical core; tubing fabrication and fitting; principles of refrigeration; residential system design; electrical components and motors; a survey of computer applications; computer and internet literacy; and first aid.

The technical diploma comprises 57 credits. All courses mentioned above are included in this curriculum with additional coursework in the theory of residential air conditioning; residential air conditioning: theory and practice; introduction to commercial air conditioning; introduction to commercial refrigeration; fundamentals of accounting; building science for HVAC; building engineer hydronics; residential gas heating; and residential heat pumps.

Location: Metairie, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Certificate (nine months); diploma (18 months)
Estimated Tuition: $133.93 per credit

Blue Cliff College

Blue Cliff College offers an HVAC technician diploma. Preparing students for entry-level employment in the HVAC industry, this diploma program helps students learn about installing, maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing HVAC systems. Upon completion, graduates will be prepared to take the EPA Clean Air Act, section 608, Type I certification exam.

Consisting of 900 clock hours, this diploma includes courses such as basics of electricity and electrical systems; HVAC-R fundamentals; professionalism for HVAC technicians; blueprint reading; commercial HVAC-R systems; and residential HVAC technology, among others.

The program teaches students about the basics of inspecting, repairing, and maintaining HVAC-R systems, connecting systems to air ducts, water supply lines, and other components, and installing electrical wiring and controls for proper operation.

Location: Lafayette, LA
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
Expected Time to Completion: Day program (nine months); evening (12 months)
Estimated Tuition: $15,525 total tuition

Central Louisiana Technical Community College

An HVAC-R technical diploma offered at the Central Louisiana Technical Community College is available at the Alexandria campus. Providing classroom experience combined with hands-on training, this diploma prepares students for entry-level employment in a variety of jobs in this HVAC-R. Students will receive a competency certificate after each semester completed in this program.

The diploma comprises 45 credits including courses such as HVAC introduction; principles of refrigeration; electrical fundamentals; electrical components; electric motors; domestic refrigeration; residential system design; residential heating; and residential heat pumps, among others.

Students through this program learn about the basics of installing, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining the operating condition of residential, commercial, and domestic HVAC-R systems.

Location: Alexandria, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Estimated Tuition: $2,133 per semester

Louisiana Delta Community College

Louisiana Delta Community College offers two technical diplomas in HVAC/R (a technical diploma in commercial refrigeration technician and a technical diploma in residential A/C and refrigeration) providing specialized classroom experience and practical lab experience preparing students for entry-level employment in the HVAC/R service repair industry.

Both programs consist of 45 credits with common courses such as HVAC introduction; principles of refrigeration; electrical fundamentals; electrical components; electric motors; applied electricity and troubleshooting; and job-seeking skills.

The commercial refrigeration diploma includes additional coursework in commercial refrigeration and commercial refrigeration controls. The residential diploma involves additional courses such as domestic refrigeration; room air conditioners; residential central air conditioning; residential system design; residential heating; and residential heat pumps.

Graduates of these programs will clearly understand designing, troubleshooting, and installing residential gas heat, air conditioning, electric heat, and heat pump systems. They will learn about the proper safety procedures, principles of refrigeration, and proper techniques of refrigerant handling.

Apart from the diploma, the college also offers a 28-credit certificate of technical studies in domestic A/C and refrigeration technician and a 24-credit certificate of technical studies in refrigeration helper II.

Location: Monroe, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Estimated Tuition: $133.92 per credit

Fletcher Technical Community College

The HVAC-R program at Fletcher Technical Community College provides practical shop experience and specialized classroom instruction preparing graduates for employment in various jobs in the HVAC-R field. Graduates will learn about installing, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining the operating condition of residential, commercial, and domestic HVAC-R systems.

Students who complete 45 credits, receive a technical diploma in air conditioning & refrigeration technology. The curriculum includes courses such as principles of refrigeration; domestic refrigeration; room air conditioners; electrical fundamentals; electrical components; electrical motors; applied electricity & troubleshooting; residential central air conditioning; residential system design; and residential heat pumps.

Fletcher Technical Community College also offers a 12-credit HVAC-R certificate of technical studies in helper I, a 24-credit HVAC-R certificate of technical studies in helper II, and a 28-credit certificate of technical studies in domestic air conditioning & refrigeration.

Location: Thibodaux, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Estimated Tuition: $133.92 per credit

River Parishes Community College

River Parishes Community College’s air conditioning and refrigeration program prepares students to install, diagnose, repair, and maintain the operating condition of residential, commercial, and domestic heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

Students completing 29 credits will earn a certificate of technical studies (CTS) in domestic air conditioning and refrigeration. This two-semester certificate includes courses such as electrical fundamentals; electrical components; electric motors; applied electricity and troubleshooting; core industry safety; HVAC introduction; principles of refrigeration; and domestic refrigeration.

Those who complete 18 additional credits will be awarded a 47-credit technical diploma in AC & refrigeration: commercial refrigeration. Courses include residential central air conditioning; residential air conditioning; residential system design; residential heating; residential heat pumps; and room air conditioners.

Location: Reserve, LA
Accreditation: HVAC Excellence; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Estimated Tuition: $133.92 per credit

HVAC Certification and Licensing in Louisiana

As mentioned in the introduction, all Louisiana HVAC workers who handle refrigerants must obtain the EPA Section 608 Certification. There are four subtypes: type 1 (small appliances), type 2 (high-pressure appliances), type 3 (low-pressure appliances), and type 4 (universal). Nearly all educational HVAC programs prepare graduates to pass at least one of these examinations.

Additionally, various other skill-specific certifications are available for Louisiana HVAC workers. These are offered through HVAC Excellence (e.g., Heating, Electrical, Air Conditioning Technology Plus); North American Technician Excellence (e.g., Industry Competency Exams or ICE); the Refrigerating Engineers and Technicians Association (e.g., entry-level Certified Assistant Refrigeration Operator); and more. These employment-ready certifications can be useful when searching for a job or when negotiating for higher pay.

Check out the HVAC certifications page for a detailed breakdown of national credentialing.

Finally, aspiring HVAC workers in the state should know all regional credentialing requirements to ensure they have proper licensure before starting work in this field. Specifically, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires HVAC applicants to complete a 100-question multiple-choice test, the outline of which is available online.

Commercial HVAC contractors must also show a minimum of $10,000 net worth; this specific license covers commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more. Residential licenses are also required for residential projects worth $75,000 or more, although the application is the same.

Above all, HVAC professionals in Louisiana should perform due diligence when researching the licensure requirements. By obtaining all required certifications and licenses, HVAC workers can stay within the bounds of the law as they advance in their careers.

Jocelyn Blore

Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.