Trade Schools
If you’re contemplating starting a rewarding career in mechanics, the HVAC field is worth exploring.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.
Employment in this field is projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, resulting in 38,500 new jobs in the United States each year over the decade.
Before being ready to start applying for jobs in the HVAC field, you have to start by earning a certificate, diploma, or degree in the field.
Programs are usually less than two years long and are available at trade schools or community colleges.
To help you choose the format that best meets your needs, on this page we have compiled information about the best programs in South Carolina.
1Fortis College
About the School
Fortis College provides educational programs that prepare students for employment in healthcare and skilled trades.
The programs are designed to help students advance in their careers or start new ones.
Fortis College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
The total cost of the HVAC program is $19,202 and includes tuition, enrollment fee, textbooks, uniform, student kit, and credential examination.
Courses Offered
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning classes are available at the Fortis campus in Columbia, South Carolina.
This program prepares students for entry-level employment in HVAC technician positions.
Graduates are ready to apply theory and principles learned in the classroom and laboratory to develop, select, test, and operate HVAC equipment.
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and they have to complete a personal information sheet.
A personal interview with school staff is also part of the admissions process.
During this interview, candidates will receive help in finding the program that best meets their needs.
Contact Information
- Address: 246 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29210
- Phone: (803) 678-4800
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
2Piedmont Technical College
About the School
Piedmont Technical College offers job-ready programs and more than 80 courses that allow students to transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
Students can earn a diploma, certificate, or degree in a variety of fields.
Tuition is $184.25 per credit hour for residents of Greenwood, McCormick, Newberry & Saluda Counties.
Residents of Abbeville, Edgefield & Laurens Counties pay $205.75 per credit hour.
Out-of-region students pay $216.25 per credit hour.
A no-cost tuition option is available for South Carolina residents who want to begin or continue their education.
All college-eligible students are eligible for this no-cost option for the fall 2022 term.
Courses Offered
The college’s catalog includes the following HVAC-related programs:
- HVACR Installers, Certificate- this program can be completed in two semesters
- Heating Fundamentals, Certificate- a two-semester program
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology, A.A.S.- a five-semester program
- Introduction to HVAC, Certificate- this program is one semester-long
- Refrigeration Applications, Certificate- a three-semester program.
Contact Information
- Address: 620 N. Emerald Rd., P.O. Box 1467, Greenwood, SC 29648
- Phone: 800.868.5528
- Website: https://www.ptc.edu
3Aiken Technical College
About the School
Aiken Technical College provides a variety of educational programs in health sciences, nursing, as well as technical and continuing education.
The college’s catalog includes a manufacturing pathway that prepares students for careers as technicians in different industrial maintenance fields.
Aiken Technical College offers no-cost tuition for the fall of 2022 for eligible South Carolina students.
Aiken Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Courses Offered
The Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program is available at Aiken Technical College.
Students learn how to install and repair residential equipment or plan, install and maintain large-scale commercial systems.
The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training.
The program includes the following credential options:
- Associate of Applied Science- General Technology (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
- Certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration
Contact Information
- Address: 2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829
- Phone: 803-593-9231
- Website: https://www.atc.edu
4Horry Georgetown Technical College
About the School
Horry Georgetown Technical College offers educational programs in a variety of academic departments.
Tuition is $171 per credit hour for Horry or Georgetown County Residents for 1-14 credit hours.
For 15 or more credit hours, Horry and Georgetown residents pay flat tuition of $2,565 per semester.
Out-of-county residents pay $212 per credit hour or $3,180 per semester for 15 or more credits.
A free tuition option is available for classes at Horry Georgetown Technical College until 2023.
Courses Offered
An HVAC Service Technician program is available at the Conway and Georgetown campuses.
This program includes 32 total credit hours and classes on subjects such as:
- Tools and Service
- Refrigeration Fundamentals
- Automatic Controls
- Heating Fundamentals
- Service Customer Relations
- Heat Pumps
- Duct Fabrication
- And more
A Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certificate is also available in Conway.
This program includes ten credit hours in total and covers classes on:
- Commercial Refrigeration
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- Advanced Refrigeration Electricity
Contact Information
- Address: 2050 Highway 501 East, Conway, SC 29526
- Phone: (843) 347-3186
- Website: https://www.hgtc.edu
5AC & Refrigeration Training Center
About the School
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Training Center offers a technical program of study that prepares students for EPA certification exams and a career in the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration industry.
The classes are kept to a maximum of 16 students per session.
The center is located in a commercial shop of 1500 square feet.
The school has more than 20 workstations equipped with complete sets of tools and test equipment.
AC & Refrigeration Training Center is licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
The college provides a program in Basic Training and Troubleshooting.
This weekend program is designed to be completed in 20 weeks.
Students attend classes at the center Friday evening and Saturday, all day.
EPA Certification Testing takes place Saturday by appointment.
New students are accepted every 10-12 weeks.
This program costs $6,800 in total and includes tuition, books and handouts, and a tool kit.
Contact Information
- Address: 9616 Hwy 78, Ladson SC
- Phone: 843-240-2004
- Website: https://acrtrainingcenter.com
6Williamsburg Technical College
About the School
Williamsburg Technical College offers training programs that can lead to Diplomas, Degrees, or Certificates in a variety of fields.
Dual enrollment is also available for high school students who want to earn college credit.
These programs are available at WTC, on high school campuses, and at other locations across the country.
To qualify for dual enrollment, students must be at least 16 years of age and enrolled in high school courses.
Students need a GPA of at least 2.5.
Williamsburg Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The College’s catalog includes an HVAC/R Certificate program.
The program includes five credit hours of general studies and 25 credit hours of major courses.
The major courses cover topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Refrigeration
- Basic Electricity for HVAC/R
- Heating Fundamentals
- Basic Air Conditioning
- Automatic Controls
- Commercial Refrigeration
- EPA 608 Certification Preparation
Contact Information
- Address: 601 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, Kingstree, SC 29556
- Phone: 843.355.4110
- Website: https://www.wiltech.edu/
7Trident Technical College
About the School
Trident Technical College offers university transfer programs and technical degree programs.
Total Tuition and Fees with Lottery Assistance at the college sum up to $205.99 per credit hour.
Courses Offered
An Associate Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration pathway is available at Trident Technical College.
This degree requires between 60-64 credit hours.
Students learn the fundamentals of refrigeration, tools and service, gas and electric heat, heat pumps, air conditioning, and basic duct fabrication skills.
The following Certificate options are also available:
- Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics- this 14-credit program covers Commercial Refrigeration, Microcomputer Spreadsheets, Preventive Maintenance, and Mechanical Power Applications
- Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics- a 24-credit program with classes such as Basic Electricity for HVAC-R, Refrigeration Fundamentals, Gas Heating Principles, Basic Sheet Metal, Heat Pumps, and more
- Commercial and Industrial ACR Systems- this certificate program includes 36 credits and covers classes on Basic Electricity, Refrigeration Fundamentals, DC AC Drives, Industrial Electricity, Piping Systems, Preventive Maintenance, Mechanical Power Applications, and a variety of other skills
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 118067, Charleston, SC 29423
- Phone: 843-574-6111
- Website: https://www.tridenttech.edu
8Central Carolina Technical College
About the School
A public, two-year institution, Central Carolina Technical College offers more than 50 programs of study to students in Claredon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter counties.
The college provides associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a traditional and online format.
No-cost tuition is available for fall 2022.
Courses Offered
The school’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Technology pathway includes the following HVAC programs:
- Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate- 25 semester hours are included in this program
- Basic Air Conditioning and Heating Certificate- a 42-semester hour program
The programs are accredited for HVAC/Excellence.
The programs include both theory and practical projects in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning principles, calculations, electrical components, and programmable controls.
The Basic Air Conditioning and Heating program includes classes such as:
- Tools and Service Troubleshooting
- Basic Electricity for HVAC/R
- Heating Fundamentals
- Duct Fabrication
- Heat Pumps
- Introduction to Computers
- And many other topics
Contact Information
- Address: 506 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150
- Phone: (803) 778-1961
- Website: https://www.cctech.edu
9Technical College of the Lowcountry
About the School
Technical College of the Lowcountry offers student-centered learning programs in a real-world setting.
Training takes place in and out of the classroom, in-person and online.
The programs prepare students for transfer to a four-year university or employment right after graduation.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1.
Tuition for Fall 2022/Spring 2023 semester is $214 per credit hour for students in Beauford, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties and $239 per credit for in-state students in other locations.
Technical College of the Lowcountry is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The College’s Building and Construction division offers the following HVAC programs:
- Commercial Refrigeration: Certificate- a 31-credit hour certificate that can be completed in only two semesters and covers topics on tools and techniques, wiring, basic and advanced refrigeration, customer service, and many other skills
- Designing HVAC Systems: Certificate- a 20-credit-hour certificate program that teaches skills such as heating and air conditioning fundamentals, duct fabrication, residential load calculations, customer service, and more
- Heat Pump: Certificate- a 34-credit-hour certificate with classes on tools and techniques, wiring diagrams, refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning fundamentals, and many other topics
The programs teach the hands-on skills needed on the job.
Contact Information
- Address: 921 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC, 29902
- Phone: (843) 525-8207
- Website: https://www.tcl.edu
10Midlands Technical College
About the School
Midlands Technical College offers a variety of training programs at its seven campuses.
More than 150 programs are available in eight schools of study.
Tuition is $188 per credit hour for residents of Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield Counties.
Out-of-county students pay $235 per credit hour.
The college offers a no tuition and fees program for the summer and fall semesters.
Courses Offered
The following HVAC programs are available:
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning- a program that leads to a Training Certificate
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration- with the following credential options:
- Associate Degree
- Academic Certificate
- Diploma
The programs combine classroom training with hands-on instruction and prepare students for careers in the HVAC industry.
The College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Skilled Trades pathway also includes an Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning Repair course.
This program leads to a Certificate.
Students learn about electrical codes, ordinances, print reading, and electricity fundamentals, among other topics.
The courses can also be applied towards a Diploma in Industrial Electricity.
Contact Information
- Address: 423 College Street, Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070
- Phone: 803.604.1601
- Website: https://www.midlandstech.edu
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,100 | $55,370 | $26.62 | $74,150 | $38,250 |
| Columbia, SC | 1,100 | $52,060 | $25.03 | $67,330 | $36,170 |
| Florence, SC | 150 | $51,390 | $24.71 | $68,530 | $37,150 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 1,020 | $53,320 | $25.63 | $73,580 | $37,060 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 380 | $52,310 | $25.15 | $67,070 | $35,150 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 710 | $48,980 | $23.55 | $60,810 | $35,640 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 470 | $53,190 | $25.57 | $64,450 | $37,390 |
| Sumter, SC | 120 | $47,080 | $22.63 | $60,210 | $35,360 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of top South Carolina HVAC schools, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that is best suited for you.
Make sure you have all the information before making a decision.
