Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. HVAC technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair systems such as air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, ventilation systems, refrigeration equipment, and indoor air quality systems. HVAC professionals work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

South Piedmont’s HVAC program teaches the skills needed to work with residential and light commercial HVAC systems. Coursework includes refrigeration, heating and cooling theory, HVAC electricity, heat pump technology, HVAC controls, system diagnostics, refrigerant certification, indoor air quality, residential system design, and HVAC safety.

The time required depends on the credential you choose. Students can pursue HVAC certificates, diplomas, or an Associate in Applied Science degree. Short-term HVAC credentials can help students quickly gain skills and enter the workforce, while degree programs provide more advanced training in HVAC system design, calculations, building codes, and duct systems on a wide variety of comfort systems

Many HVAC employers value industry certifications, including the EPA Section 608 Certification. South Piedmont students receive training in refrigerant handling and HVAC industry best practices that support preparation for certification and employment opportunities. Certain HVAC classes at South Piedmont will also offer students the EPA Certification exam, which will be a good start for them in the HVAC work place.

HVAC graduates may pursue careers such as:

· HVAC service technician

· HVAC installer

· Refrigeration service technician

· Building maintenance technician

· Commercial HVAC technician

· Facilities maintenance specialist

HVAC professionals are employed by wide range of employers, including mechanical contractors, construction companies, manufacturers, school systems, hospitals, and facility management organizations.

Yes. HVAC is an essential skilled trade because homes, businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and manufacturing plants all rely on heating and cooling systems. Skilled HVAC technicians are needed to install new systems, maintain existing equipment, improve energy efficiency, and keep facilities operating safely.

HVACR stands for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. While HVAC focuses primarily on climate control systems, the “R” (refrigeration) focuses on commercial refrigeration equipment such as walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machines, and refrigerated display cases.

No. Many students begin HVAC training with little or no prior experience. South Piedmont’s program starts with foundational concepts such as refrigeration, HVAC electricity, heating technology, safety procedures, and tools before progressing to advanced topics.

South Piedmont provides hands-on HVAC training, experienced instructors, industry-relevant equipment, and affordable pathways to HVAC careers. Students gain practical skills in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, electrical systems, troubleshooting, maintenance, and installation while preparing for entry-level employment in the HVAC industry.

Yes. South Piedmont’s HVAC program includes training in refrigeration technology, which focuses on the systems used to keep food, beverages, medicine, and other products cold. Refrigeration technicians install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment such as walk-in coolers, freezers, ice machines, refrigerated display cases, and commercial refrigeration systems.

Because refrigeration systems operate using many of the same principles as air conditioning systems, refrigeration training helps students develop a broader skill set and qualify for a wider range of careers. Graduates with HVAC and refrigeration skills may find opportunities in restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores, warehouses, healthcare facilities, manufacturing plants, and commercial service companies.

Learning both HVAC and refrigeration can increase your job opportunities and prepare you to work on a variety of heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration systems.