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We all want to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When our furnaces or air conditioners break, we rely on a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic, installer, or technician to fix them. There’s a lot to learn if you want a job in this essential workforce, and training is available throughout the Palmetto State.
The growing demand for HVAC professionals in South Carolina, including HVAC technicians, commercial refrigeration contractors, and licensed HVAC contractors, means you can feel confident that the time you put into training will pay off.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s job search website, CareerOneStop, projects a 6% growth rate for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in South Carolina and nationwide over the next decade.
There’s definitely evidence to support this on job boards. For instance, there are hundreds of HVAC technician jobs posted on Indeed.com and ZipRecruiter.com.
In this complete guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about HVAC trade schools and apprenticeships to get started as an HVAC professional in the state of South Carolina.
South Carolina HVAC Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Many HVACR technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”
The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years. Apprenticeship programs include learning about safety practices, blueprint reading, how to use tools, and gaining knowledge about the various systems used to heat and cool buildings.
Generally, HVAC license requirements vary from state to state and in some cases from locality to locality. South Carolina HVAC contractor licenses are issued on a statewide level through two different entities. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation oversees both the Contractor’s Licensing Board, which licenses commercial HVAC technicians, and the Residential Builders Commission, which licenses residential HVAC technicians.
The following South Carolina trade schools offer HVAC programs:
Aiken Technical College in Graniteville
Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter
Florence-Darlington Technical College in Florence
Fortis College (Stoneridge Drive) in Columbia
Greenville Technical College in Greenville
Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway
Midlands Technical College (Airport Campus on Lexington Drive) in West Columbia
Piedmont Technical College (Lex Walters Campus) in Greenwood
Spartanburg Community College in Spartanburg
Technical College of the Lowcountry in Beaufort
Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton
Trident Technical College in North Charleston
Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree
York Technical College in Rock Hill
HVAC Degrees & Certificates
As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. Licensure requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state, and some, like the state of South Carolina, don’t require advanced education.
Yet, because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.
There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:
Certificate Program – three to six months
Associate’s Degree – two years
Bachelor’s Degree – four years
Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in South Carolina such as:
Typical Courses in Technical College Programs
HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.
HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.
To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA) or HVAC Excellence.
Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:
Safety
Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)
Heat pumps
Commercial HVAC and refrigerators
Basic electricity for HVAC
Basic refrigeration
Gas heating
Air conditioners
Refrigeration equipment
HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills
Refrigeration applications
Residential HVAC applications
Troubleshooting ventilation systems
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School Selection Criteria
There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.
Cost
Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at South Carolina community colleges on average is $5,692 per year for in-state students and $10,568 for out-of-state students. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.
However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer.
You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.
Program Length
Program length varies depending on the school and degree or certificate earned. Central Carolina Technical College offers an Advanced Air Conditioning and Heating certificate, which can be obtained in one year, or 25 credit hours. Several of the South Carolina technical colleges offer an Associate of Applied Science degree in HVAC studies, which takes approximately two years to complete.
Level of Difficulty
HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. The BLS says technical instruction for apprentices includes safety practices, schematics and blueprint reading, how to use tools, commercial refrigeration, and understanding control systems that heat and cool buildings.
School Comparison: At a Glance
The South Carolina training centers listed below offer HVAC programs to prepare students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:
Aiken Technical College
Offers an associate’s degree in General Technology with an HVAC emphasis
Offers an HVAC-R certificate
Central Carolina Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Offers an Essentials of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning certificate
Offers an associate’s degree in HVAC Technology
Fortis College
Offers an HVAC-R training program
Greenville Technical College
Offers an Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technician certificate
Offers a Beginning Electricity and Refrigeration certificate
Horry-Georgetown Technical College
Midlands Technical College
Offers an Entry Level HVAC Technician certificate
Offers an associate’s degree in HVAC-R
Offers an HVAC-R Mechanics certificate
Offers an HVAC-R Technician diploma program
Piedmont Technical College
Offers a Heating Fundamentals certificate
Offers an associate’s degree in HVAC Technology
Offers an HVAC-R Installers certificate
Offers an Introduction to HVAC certificate
Spartanburg Community College
Offers an HVAC-R Technology certificate
Offers an associate degree in HVAC-R Technology
Technical College of the Lowcountry
Offers a Commercial Refrigeration certificate
Offers a Designing HVAC Systems certificate
Offers a Heat Pump certificate
Tri-County Technical College
Offers an HVAC Apprentice certificate
Offers an HVAC Installer certificate
Offers an associate’s degree in HVAC Technology
Trident Technical College
Offers an associate’s degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Offers an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics certificate
Offers an Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics certificate
Williamsburg Technical College
Offers an HVAC-R certificate
York Technical College
Steps for Enrollment in South Carolina
Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:
Complete your application.
Pay the application fee (if applicable).
Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.
Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.
Submit placement test scores.
If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.
If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.
Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.
HVAC Career Requirements in South Carolina
The state of South Carolina issues two statewide licenses for HVAC contractors.
Mechanical Contractor — This license is required for anyone performing commercial construction work over $5,000 and is issued by the South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board. To qualify, you must pass a required technical examination and Business Management and Law exam and be able to document two years of experience within the last five years.
Residential Specialty Plumbing Contractor — This license is required for anyone performing residential installations and repairs that exceed $200. It is issued through the Residential Builders Commission. To qualify, you must pass a required technical examination, Residential Business Management and Law exam, and be able to document one year of experience within the last five years.
South Carolina does not have continuing education requirements for either of the South Carolina HVAC licenses.
HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including South Carolina, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.
For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and South Carolina’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your South Carolina HVAC License.
Salaries for HVAC Technicians in South Carolina
Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in South Carolina? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in South Carolina for 2023 is:
Entry level <2 years: $49,200
Intermediate 2-4 years: $56,600
Senior 4-6 years: $64,600
Supervisor > 7 years: $84,100
For more information about HVAC salaries, visit this state-by-state guide.
Industry Apprenticeships
While South Carolina doesn’t require apprenticeships, obtaining one allows HVAC professionals to gain the experience needed for licensure and shows their commitment to the field. Apprenticeships are typically offered directly by employers. UA Local 421 offers union apprenticeships in the Carolinas.
Other School Options
In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby North Carolina and Georgia:
Cleveland Community College in Shelby, North Carolina
Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, North Carolina
Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins, Georgia
You can find the training you need to excel in a HVAC industry career in South Carolina. The opportunities are all around you.
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