HVAC Training Programs in Elgin, Connecticut

If you are considering a career as a HVAC technician, you may be making an excellent choice. The HVAC field is growing by 22 percent through 2022, which means there will be many well-paying jobs opening up. Ever-expanding new technology is creating a need for skilled technicians who are able to keep up with the demand of installing and repairing necessary equipment. HVAC equipment is everywhere, homes, plants, hospitals, schools and other businesses, so there is a wide variety of work.

A great benefit of choosing an HVAC technician career is that training does not require a lot of money or time. A high school diploma or GED and technical training in the use of power tools is a must. Trade schools offer certificate programs in as little as six months up to two years. These will lead to entry position, but future jobs in sales, distribution and management are available for those with the proper skills. The State of Connecticut has several convenient options when it comes to HVAC training.

Lincoln Technical Institute in East Windsor and New Britain, Connecticut offers a 15-month certificate program that prepares students for certification. Classes are held both days and evenings. This program is unique in that it covers advanced environmentally-friendly solar and geothermal technologies, which will make students more marketable in the HVAC field. Lincoln Tech provides hands-on courses, labs that have real furnaces, freezers and central air conditioning systems to simulate actual conditions. Students will learn to locate sources of energy losses and how to provide repair solutions and determine overall energy efficiency.

The HVAC program at Lincoln Technical Institute is $27,000, with student loans available. For more information, contact Lincoln Technical Institute at 97 Newberry Road, East Windsor, CT 06088 – Telephone 844-348-0788. Or Lincoln Technical Institute at 200 John Downey Dr, New Britain, CT 06051 – Telephone (860) 225-8641.

The Porter and Chester Institute in Elgin, Connecticut has a one-year program in HVAC certification. Courses include learning the principles of air quality, techniques for wiring and piping, servicing thermostats and refrigeration systems, and preparation for the EPA certificate. Training is divided between classrooms and hands-on experience.The HVAC program at Porter and Chester Institute is $17,000, with student loans available. Contact the Porter & Chester Institute at 132 Weymouth Road, Enfield, Ct. 06082. Phone: (860) 741-2561.

EPA Certificate Program
Obtaining an EPA certificate will show prospective employers that you are serious about your career and that you have obtained the necessary training and skills to become a valued employee.

There are three levels to EPA certification. The more levels you complete, the better your job opportunities.

- Level I certification is certification to handle small appliances.
- Level II certification allows you to handle high pressure appliances.
- Level III certification allows you to handle low pressure appliances
- Level IV certification is a universal certification that includes all appliances.

Each test consists of 25 questions regarding regulations and 25 questions dealing with environmental recycling. The Level IV certificate includes 100 questions. A score of 70 percent is required in order to pass.

Licensing Requirement in the State of Connecticut
The State of Connecticut requires you to have a license from the Department of Consumer Protection before working as an HVAC technician. This license allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed contractor. The fee for the license examination is $62.00. A contractor’s license requires you to have two years of experience as a licensed journeyperson and training through a recognized program. You must also take a business and law examination.

Some of the topics covered on the HVAC licensing examination are:
1. Heating and cooling
2. Refrigeration and refrigerants
3. Pump equipment
4. Flues and vents
5. Air conditioning
6. Furnaces
7. Insulation
8. Ventilation
9. Oil burners
10. Ducts and Exhausts

The examination can last up to 3 hours and consists of 80 questions. You must pass with a score of 70 percent. For a Contractor’s Licensing, an additional examination in business and law is required.
Topics include:
1. Bidding process
2. Laws concerning liens
3. Labor and tax laws
4. Environmental safety issues
5. Business and risk management

For more information, contacts the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, 165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106. Telephone: 860-713-6135.

Salaries for HVAC technicians are excellent, more than 50 percent of many other skilled trades, and the need is expected to grow.
- Sr. HVAC Technician – Annual salary of $63,000 to $76,000.
- Experienced HVAC Technician – Annual salary of $26,000 to $54,000.
- Jr. HVAC Technician – Annual salary up to $43,000.
- Beginning HVAC Technician Starting Salary – Annual salary up to 35,000.

Pay increases are expected to go up by 40 percent in the next few years.
HVAC technician with both maintenance and installation skills, knowledge of computers and familiarity with “green” installation are in especial high demand and needed by employers. The trend toward environmentally-friendly and “green” is a major trend in the industry and crucial for future job requirements.

State of Connecticut Apprenticeship Program
The State of Connecticut offers paid apprenticeship programs for HVAC technicians who are attending a qualified HVAC program. You will need sponsorship from an employer. Training will be conducted by an accompanying journeyperson to any work site. This will be actual hands-on work.

Contact the State of Connecticut at (860) 263-6085 or email at dol.apprenticeship@ct.gov.

Recent HVAC Technician Jobs in the Enfield, Connecticut Area
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