Associate of Science
HVAC Technology
HVAC technology program overview
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning professionals are well-trained in the installation, repair, and maintenance of HVAC systems—helping control air quality and temperatures within commercial and residential facilities.
Our 21-month associate degree in HVAC technology provides practical, hands-on learning experience as you work with heat pumps, high-efficiency and standard furnaces, refrigeration units, and air conditioning units. While you hone your craft, you’ll also develop critical thinking and personal finance skills that are valuable as you join the workplace.
You’ll put everything together during an internship with a local company, which prepares you to become the kind of trained professional and problem solver that today’s employers need.
HVAC program highlights
Gain immersive, hands-on training in the installing, troubleshooting, and repairing of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Our goal is the equip you with the knowledge and experience necessary to become a confident and successful HVAC professional, and at Pittsburgh Technical College, we do that through:
Top-notch facilities — Our degree in HVAC students learn within a dedicated lab in our Energy Tech Building, and industry partners provide students with equipment they’ll use in the workplace.
Industry-experienced faculty — You’ll learn in your HVAC classes from faculty who have more than 100 years of combined workplace experience and continue to stay up-to-date on changes in the field.
Small HVAC classes — We stand out compared with other HVAC schools because you’ll rarely have more than 10 individuals in a class, helping you to gain a more personalized learning experience.
HVAC technology career outlook: Employers that need your expertise
Commercial and residential HVAC companies continue to need well-trained professionals to enter an ever-growing profession. With an associate degree in HVAC from PTC, you can pursue a career as a controls technician, HVAC technician, installation technician, or refrigeration technician with employers such as:
- Allegheny Refrigeration
- Armstrong Group
- Climatech
- J.A. Sauer
- Lennox
- McCormick’s Heating & Cooling
- Tudi Mechanical Systems
Local employers recruit our students. Like you.
Get the support you need to launch your career with PTC’s Career Services staff. Our team will help you throughout your classes and to land your internship—a required part of the associate degree in HVAC program that makes us stand out compared to other HVAC schools.
Training that delivers
In 2021, the median pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers was $48,630 per year.*
96 percent of available 2022 graduates are working in their fields after graduation.** That means we measure success by our grads who are working in their chosen fields and not just “fully employed” like other HVAC schools.
What you’ll learn in our HVAC technology program
At PTC, our degree in HVAC technology will teach you more about both the theory and mechanics of residential and commercial equipment. Key skills that you’ll develop in our HVAC classes include how to:
- Assemble and install pipes, ducts, motors, compressors, electronics control devices, and thermostats.
- Braze copper tubing.
- Calculate heating and cooling loads and determine correct equipment size.
- Install, troubleshoot, and repair heat pumps, furnaces, refrigeration units, and air conditioners.
- Operate and maintain residential and commercial equipment.
- Recover, reclaim, and recycle refrigerant using proper techniques.
- Troubleshoot various HVAC problems.
HVAC technology curriculum
Our associate degree in HVAC technology program consists of six quarters of HVAC classes and an internship. For course descriptions, catalog.
*Successful completion of this course requires a grade of “C” or better.
**Students who complete the program in the evening will be scheduled for GSD015 Steps to Career Success Online and all General Education
courses are offered online.
+May be substituted with a different GES
Stories about the HVAC program
Meet Stacy M.
“Early in my third quarter, I was hired by a prestigious HVAC firm, the Donwil Company. They represent the world’s leading manufacturers of critical HVAC and AC/DC power systems. I thank the instructors, staff, and program for making this a wonderful experience.”
Testimonial
Johnson Controls
“HVAC and electronics students make connections for a bright future.”
Article
Tuition & financial aid
At PTC, we strive to provide a top-notch education that is also affordable. We offer a range of institution grants and scholarships, and we can help you find other outside resources to complete your package.
Re-entry application
We encourage students who have withdrawn from an academic program to reapply to complete an associate degree in HVAC and successfully graduate.
Tuition & financial aid
At PTC, we strive to provide a top-notch education that is also affordable. We offer a range of institution grants and scholarships, and we can help you find other outside resources to complete your package.
Re-entry application
We encourage students who have withdrawn from an academic program to reapply to complete an associate degree in HVAC and successfully graduate.
Programs related to HVAC technology
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
**Showcases graduates from January-June (or January, April & June) 2022 classes. Data includes those who were available for work and were offered and/or received career search assistance from 1/1/2022-12/30/2022. Includes full-time, part-time, or freelance positions. Visit https://ptcollege.edu/career-assistance-data/ to learn more.