Accredited HVAC Schools in New York (NY)
One way to distinguish between programs is by examining a program’s accreditation status. Accreditation indicates that an objective accrediting body has evaluated its program for its curriculum, faculty, facilities, and learning outcomes. The two main accreditation organizations for HVAC training schools are HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).
WSWHE BOCES
One program in NY that aligns with HVAC Excellence modules is available at the WSWHE BOCES / Myers Education Center of Saratoga Springs. Combining classroom lectures with hands-on training, this two-year school provides competency-based certification training in the installation, service & repair, and routine maintenance of HVAC equipment.
With a unique emphasis on shop operations, customer service, and business ethics, coursework covers wide-ranging topics such as blueprint reading, planning and estimating jobs, refrigeration principles and practices, electrical motors, and trade-related carpentry. The curriculum also includes the Home Performance ENERGY STAR program and an internship.
This school offers various skill-based credentials, including multiple HVAC Excellence certifications, Fork Truck Licensure, and OSHA 10—and 30-hour certificates.
After successfully completing the program, graduates will qualify to work as HVAC installers, entry-level electricians, HVAC technicians, commercial technicians, plumbers, service managers, and job estimators.
- Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
- Accreditation: N/A
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Part-time (24 months); full-time (12 months)
Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning Inc.
There is also one PAHRA-accredited program in New York at Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. of Rochester. Isaac’s new training and education center in Rochester offers extensive HVAC training programs. The center’s new 30,000-square-foot lab includes all the equipment that its technicians install, service, or maintain.
The program comprises two years of HVAC education and two additional years of specialized training. Notably, this is the sole contractor-run training program with PAHRA certification, and the faculty includes 75 NATE-certified technicians with more than 400 specialties, more than any other program in the country.
Furthermore, Isaac received the 2003 Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) “Excellence in Training” Award.
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Accreditation: PAHRA
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: 48 months
Electrical Training Center Inc.
The Electrical Training Center Inc. of Long Island offers an HVAC certificate program, ideal for those with little or no experience in the HVAC-R industry who wish to begin a career in this field. The program also provides certifications in the EPA 608 Exam and OSHA 30.
Comprising 600 clock hours, the program includes courses in trade mathematics, introduction to hand tools, basic electricity, introduction to cooling, air distribution systems, soldering and brazing, metering devices, heat pumps, troubleshooting gas heating, commercial airside systems, and air quality equipment.
Students will progressively complete each course to acquire entry-level skills in each unit of the course. On successful completion, graduates will receive a certificate of completion. They will have the necessary knowledge and skills to start a career in the HVAC-R industry.
- Location: Copiague, NY
- Accreditation: Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Day sessions (20 weeks); evening sessions (27 weeks)
Suffolk Community College
Additionally, Suffolk Community College provides an associate of applied science (AAS) degree and certificate in basic HVAC theory, preparing students to enter the workforce as HVAC-R technicians. The certificate comprises 9 credits and is designed for part-time students wishing to join or rejoin the workforce. The curriculum includes HVAC system, electricity, and preparation for the EPA 608 exam. The AAS degree program comprises 64 to 66 credits. This competitive program includes internships, laboratory sessions, and didactic coursework in refrigeration & air conditioning systems; electricity for HVAC-R; technical writing; HVAC-R control systems; and interpersonal communication.
Students will develop the required knowledge and skills. They will also learn about basic refrigeration, fabrication and joining techniques, heating, commercial refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical fundamentals, design of HVAC-R systems, and HVAC-R controls.
- Location: Selden, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: AAS (24 months); certificate (less than a year)
Monroe Community College
Monroe Community College of Rochester also offers a certificate and an AAS degree in HVAC technology. Affiliated with the State University of New York (SUNY), Monroe Community College provides students with a thorough understanding of the applications and theory necessary for the system’s operation.
The certificate program comprises 31 to 32 credits, including coursework in heating systems, air conditioning theory, HVAC workplace training, preparatory physics, electric and motor controls, basic refrigeration theory, commercial air conditioning and heat pumps, a math elective, and additional HVAC electives.
The associate degree program consists of 60 to 65 credits including all courses mentioned above with additional coursework in introduction to technical mathematics; college composition; personal money management; introduction to sociology; and public speaking, among others.
The program graduates will be ready to take on roles such as preventative maintenance mechanic, installation or service technician, service representative, construction field estimator, sales representative, and systems detailer or designer.
- Location: Rochester, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Certificate (two semesters); AAS degree (four semesters)
Hudson Valley Community College
Hudson Valley Community College offers an associate in occupational studies program in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technical services, preparing students to enter the HVAC industry with a solid background in designing, installing, and servicing residential and commercial HVAC-R systems. Combining hands-on work experience with classroom lectures, the program offers students a unique educational experience that will provide them with the training necessary for successfully entering the workforce.
The program, which is made up of 63 credits, includes courses such as refrigeration principles, electricity for HVAC-R, HVAC-R electrical systems application, heat transfer systems, HVAC-R systems design, refrigeration and AC systems applications, diagnosing and servicing, and HVAC-R control systems.
- Location: Troy, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters
Dutchess Community College
Dutchess Community College offers an air conditioning and refrigeration technology certificate program that prepares students for HVAC employment. The College’s new Mechatronics Lab has a dedicated HVAC Lab that focuses on heat pump systems and refrigeration, so students can graduate with the experience they need to start their careers.
This certificate will equip students with the specialized knowledge needed for entry-level employment in the commercial HVAC-R field. Graduates will be qualified to install, repair, and maintain HVAC equipment and will be prepared for positions in offices, food markets and processors, manufacturing plants, apartments, schools, and more. Comprising 24 credits, the program includes air conditioning and refrigeration; fundamentals of electricity; technical math; and technical drawing.
- Location: Fishkill, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
SUNY Erie Community College
SUNY Erie Community College offers a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology certificate program that prepares graduates to apply technical skills and knowledge in installing, servicing, repairing, and maintaining the equipment used in HVAC-R systems.
The program consists of 31 credits and includes courses such as tools, equipment, and materials, refrigeration principles, electricity for HVAC-R, heating systems, energy management, plumbing systems, industrial refrigeration, commercial air conditioning systems, and air conditioning and ventilation.
- Location: Williamsville, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Two semesters
Mohawk Valley Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College offers an associate in occupational studies program in air conditioning technology preparing students to meet the growing needs of the commercial, industrial, and residential HVAC-R industries. Graduates will be prepared for careers such as heating and cooling service technicians, lab technicians, installers, and facilities maintenance mechanics.
The program comprises 64 credits and includes courses such as refrigeration; air conditioning principles; proper refrigerant usage; systems diagrams; air conditioning systems; commercial-industrial wiring; systems design; HVAC diagnostics; and AC motors and controls.
Mohawk Valley Community College also offers a 34-credit heating and air conditioning certificate.
- Location: Utica, NY
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Format: On-campus
- Expected Time to Completion: Certificate (two semesters); AAS degree (four semesters)
To learn more about training available specifically in New York City, check out the NYC HVAC programs page.
Lastly, on-campus programs may only be convenient for some, particularly those with unbreakable time commitments or those who live in more rural regions of the state. Luckily, there are some high-quality, accredited online HVAC programs as well. Please visit the online HVAC programs page to learn more about these options.