Trade Schools
If you’re a good problem solver and you enjoy working with your hands, a career in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning it’s worth considering.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, this profession will grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, with 38,500 additional openings projected each year over the decade.
Before being ready to apply for your first HVAC job, you have to complete a specialized post-secondary program at a community college or trade school.
Most programs are less than two years in length and lead to a diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree, depending on the path you choose.
To help you choose the program that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the best HVAC schools in New Hampshire.
1The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades
About the School
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades offers Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing, and Electrical courses.
The school provides licensing requirements courses, exam preparation courses, as well as continuing education seminars to help those who already work in the field stay up to date with the latest advancements.
Training is available at the school’s two New Hampshire locations: Manchester and Hampton.
The programs prepare students for the EPA certification exam.
The exam fee is $50.
The certification exam is optional, but this credential allows technicians to carry, purchase, and dispose of the chemicals needed for air conditioning systems and refrigerants.
Courses Offered
The following Heating and Air Conditioning courses are available:
- Air Conditioning Technician
- Oil Heat Technician
- A/C & Oil Heat Combo
The programs take between eight and 25 weeks to complete, depending on the curriculum and the schedule.
Costs also vary depending on the program.
Tuition is $2,300 for Air Conditioning Technician and Oil Heat Technician programs and $4,200 for the Combo program.
Contact Information
- Manchester Campus 7 Perimeter Rd, Manchester NH 03013
- Phone: (603) 622-6544
- Hampton Campus: 109 Towle Farm Rd, Hampton, NH 03842
- Phone: (603) 622-6544
- Website: https://nhtradeschool.com
2New England Institute of HVAC
About the School
New England Institute of HVAC provides training programs that prepare students for careers in the fields of electricity, oil heat, gas heat, commercial and residential refrigeration, central air conditioning, and heat pumps.
Classes are available in day and evening schedules and can be completed in 13 weeks.
The courses cover National Electrical Code and are recognized by the Department of Public State Licensing Program.
The school’s instructors have more than 40 years of combined experience in service, installation, and teaching.
The Institute’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program includes test preparation for the EPA exam- which is a requirement for HVAC technicians before performing service and repair on air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
The school’s facility is located in a commercial park with a small office area, a break area, a classroom, and a laboratory within 2,300 square feet.
The laboratory is equipped with appliances and training materials.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the HVAC curriculum:
- Basic Electricity
- Oil Heat
- Gas Heat
- Miscellaneous Heating
- EPA Certification and Testing
- Residential Refrigeration
- Commercial Refrigeration
- Central A/C and Heat Pumps
Contact Information
- Address: 240 Smith Street, Lowell, MA 01851
- Phone: 978-735-4979
- Website: https://newenglandhvac.com
3Granite State Trade School
About the School
Granite State Trade School offers training programs in the oil, gas, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical fields.
Students who attend classes at the school learn from experienced instructors who help them achieve their educational and professional goals.
The training takes place in a school with spacious classrooms and state-of-the-art lab facilities that provide students with the hands-on experience that prepares them for real job projects.
A variety of class times are available to accommodate different schedules.
Courses Offered
HVAC online and hybrid certificate programs are available.
The online programs include 300 hours in total and cover topics on:
- Heat Pump Systems and Components
- Air-Source Heat Pumps
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
- Cooling Towers and Evaporative Condensers
- Indoor Air Quality
- Systems and Components
- Fundamentals
- Energy Efficiency
- Selling and Customer Service
- And more
The online program curriculum is divided into four sections, 75 hours each.
Each one of the four sections costs $1,779 for non-members and $1,479 for members.
Textbooks are not included in the course fees and may be purchased separately by students.
Contact Information
- Address: 42 Old Manchester Road Raymond, NH 03077
- Phone: 603-895-4444
- Website: https://granitestatetradeschool.com
4Advanced Trade School
About the School
Advanced Trade School offers training for fuel gas licensing, gas continuing education, EPA testing, OSHA-10, plumbing continuing education, and welding.
Courses Offered
Among the classes available at the school, there is a Gas Pipe Installer class that runs for eight days and includes 60 hours of training.
Students attend the school two days per week and complete six months of on-the-job training.
After this training period, they are ready to achieve their gas license.
An evening class option is also available.
The Gas Piping Installer program costs $1,600.
Gas Equipment Installer and Gas Technician classes are also available.
The Gas Equipment Installation license requires 40 hours of classroom instruction and 1,000 hours of field experience.
The Gas Service Technician License requires 40 hours of instruction and 2,000 of field experience.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age to be eligible for admission.
The Plumbing License program takes four years to complete and covers many different topics, including Plumbing Safety, Math, Pipe and Fittings, Plumbing Fixtures, Portable Water Treatment, and more.
During the fourth year of training, students also take classes in Hydronic and Solar Heating Systems and Codes.
Continuing education classes are also available to help workers maintain their gas and plumbing licenses.
Contact Information
- Address: 335 Route 125, Unit 1C, Brentwood, NH 03833
- Phone: 603-785-2491
- Website: https://www.advancedtradeschool.com
5Lakes Region Community College
About the School
Lakes Region Community College offers flexible hands-on training for students who want to improve their skills or prepare for a new career.
The college offers Associates in Science and Certificate programs.
Apprenticeship NH is also available and focuses on Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Information Technology sectors.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Building Operator Certification- a program that prepares students for careers managing large commercial, institutional and industrial facilities
- Advanced Automotive- a program taught by Master Certified Technicians with experience in engine performance, emissions, steering, suspension, braking systems, and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Electrical Systems Installation and Maintenance- an Associate of Applied Science program that prepares students for employment in residential, commercial, and industrial environments
- And more
The curriculum includes an HVAC Systems course that prepares students who can diagnose, evaluate, and service heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system using the latest technology and equipment.
Contact Information
- Address: 379 Belmont Rd Laconia, NH 03246
- Phone: (603) 524-3207
- Website: https://www.lrcc.edu
6Huot Technical Center
About the School
Huot Technical Center is a regional program for students at Laconia, Gilford, Belmont, Inter-Lakes, Franklin, and Winnisquam high schools.
Students have the opportunity to experience a wide range of career choices.
During the instruction, trainees use up-to-date equipment.
Post-secondary options are also available.
High school technical education programs are available only for students in grades 11 and 12th.
Courses Offered
The Center’s catalog includes a Plumbing, Heating, and HVAC program.
This program introduces students to skills essential in plumbing, heating, and HVAC.
Students work with materials that are used in residential and commercial environments.
The first semester also includes OSHA-10 general construction certification.
This is a requirement before starting the Plumbing, Heating, and HVAC Technologies II- the second half of this program.
After completing the first part of this program, students continue their training with advanced piping techniques used in this field.
The program provides students with an understanding of state plumbing codes, blueprints, and equipment documents.
Students also learn how to install and service commercial and residential plumbing fixtures.
Contact Information
- Address: 26 Dewey Street, Laconia, NH 03246
- Phone: (603)528-8693
- Website: https://htclaconia.weebly.com
7NHTI- Concord's Community College
About the School
NHTI- Concord’s Community College offers more than 80 programs that combine practical discussions with hands-on and career training.
The campus spans 240 acres and is located just off corridor 93 in Concord, New Hampshire.
Tuition at NHTI is $215 per credit.
Financial aid, scholarships, and assistance is available for students who qualify.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog offers classes in a wide range of areas of interest, including:
- Building Inspector and Plans Examiner courses: this program features courses such as Introduction to International Code Council Codes, Construction Document Reading, State Construction Law, and more
- Electronic Engineering Courses: students learn about Electrical Circuits, Circuit Analysis, Electronics, Advanced Digital Electronics, and many other related topics
Students have many degree options, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing Process Technology- Associate in Science
- Advanced Manufacturing Processes- Certificate
- Career and Technical Education Alternative
- Electronic Technology- Certificate
- Mechanical Engineering Technology- Associate in Science
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 31 College Drive, Concord, NH 03301
- Phone: 603-230-4000
- Website: https://www.nhti.edu
8Technology Learning Center
About the School
TLC HVAC/R Trade School provides HVAC/R training programs in Oxford, Massachusetts.
Online education and onsite corporate training are available.
The school offers flexible class schedules that allow students to keep a job while preparing for a new career.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- HVAC Technician
- Welding Technology
- Facilities Technician
The HVAC technician program provides students with the hands-on training, practical experience, and industry support needed for a rewarding career in this field.
Students learn by doing in an 8,000-square-foot TLC facility.
The following HVAC/R programs are available:
Technician Program- with classes in:
- Residential Oil Heat Technology
- Industrial & Commercial Refrigeration Theory and Lab
- Air Distribution & Quality
- Refrigerant Transition Recovery EPA Certification
- Residential Gas Heat Technology & Services
HVAC/R and Facility Maintenance Program- which covers courses on:
- Residential Oil Heat Technology
- Residential Gas Heat Technology & Services
- Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration Theory and Lab
- Electricity & Electrical Code for Registration License
- Air Distribution & Quality
- Refrigerant Transition Recovery EPA Certification
The following stand-alone HVAC/R programs are also available:
- Combined Residential Gas & Oil Heat
- Industrial & Commercial Refrigeration Theory & Lab
- HVACR Electricity & Electrical Code for Registration License
Contact Information
- Address: 11 Buffum Dam Rd. Oxford, MA 01540
- Phone: 508-987-1852
- Website: https://www.tlcedu.com
9New England Tractor Trailer Training School
About the School
New England Tractor Trailer Training School provides CDL and HVAC classes in North Andover, Massachusetts.
The school has been providing training programs since 1965.
The programs are available for students from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and part of Maine.
Students enrolled at NETTS learn from experienced instructors.
NETTTS financial aid is available for students who qualify.
The first step in the admission process consists of submitting the application information online or by calling the school to discuss it with an Admissions team member.
Courses Offered
The school’s HVACR program prepares students for rewarding careers as heating and cooling equipment technicians.
The curriculum covers refrigeration and electricity, heating, humidifying, air-conditioning, residential heat pumps, heat-load calculations, and duct sizing, among other topics.
The program has a hands-on approach to learning.
Students learn how to repair and install residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.
New England Tractor Trailer Training School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 Osgood St. #1570 North Andover, MA 01845
- Phone: (978) 965-2969
- Website: https://nettts.com
10Manchester Community College
About the School
Manchester Community College offers a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program that prepares students for careers as climate control technicians.
Two and three-year tracks are available.
Students learn through problem-solving, inquiry, and analysis the skills needed for this profession.
The curriculum also teaches how to read and interpret electrical diagrams, design control systems, and repair electrical control systems.
Trainees learn how to properly size HVAC systems, how to operate these systems, install HVAC systems following relevant codes, and a variety of other skills.
Before admission, students are recommended to complete courses in Algebra I, Algebra II, and science.
Courses Offered
Students enrolled in this program take classes such as:
- Introduction to HVAC Systems
- Related Electricity
- Fundamentals of Refrigeration
- Fundamentals of Heating
- Commercial Refrigeration Theory
- Hydronic Systems Theory
- And more
A total of 67 credits is required for an Associate Degree.
Certificate programs are also available and require between 20-48 credits, depending on the credential.
Those who complete all the HVAC courses included in the Associate Degree program also receive 500 hours towards the required total of 1000 hours of the OJT to obtain a Gas Fitter license in New Hampshire.
Contact Information
- Address: 1066 Front Street, Manchester, NH 03102
- Phone: (603) 206-8000
- Website: https://www.mccnh.edu
Regional Salary in New Hampshire
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover-Durham, NH-ME | 150 | $61,290 | $29.47 | $74,720 | $48,180 |
| Manchester, NH | 540 | $58,600 | $28.18 | $79,830 | $40,160 |
| Portsmouth, NH-ME | 260 | $62,120 | $29.87 | $78,190 | $43,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
New Hampshire is home to many schools that offer training programs designed to prepare students for careers in the field of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
Before deciding where to enroll, take the time to complete thorough research and gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you.
