Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Career Pathway

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R) students learn to work, install, and service all heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment types. Job sites may include sports arenas, shopping malls, theaters, private homes, apartment complexes, offices, industrial plants, schools, factories, grocery stores, and hospitals. The program provides practical experience utilizing real‐world operating equipment, including commercial refrigeration with display cases, R 22 and R 410A Heat Pumps, two‐stage high‐efficiency heat pumps and gas furnaces, and compressor racks like those used in grocery stores.

Learn more about the GTC Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program »

IN HIGH SCHOOL

With this Career Pathway, students will earn the Beginning Electricity & Refrigeration Certificate to learn the basics of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R), and related fields to serve as an HVAC helper and/or mechanic.

Eligible students:

Open to students in 11th and 12th grade.

Recommended courses:

ACR 101, ACR 102, ACR 106

When:

Courses are offered at various times of day, Monday through Thursday.

Where:

High school students take dual enrollment classes at Greenville Technical College's Barton Campus.

Result:

High School Graduation + students can obtain certifications in:

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 608 Technician certification
• HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification: “Electrical”

Graduates are qualified for entry-level positions in commercial/industrial areas, with an average salary of $16.87.

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

After high school, students may want to continue to the Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technician Certificate program or pursue an Associate Degree in General Technology or one of these programs at Greenville Tech. The Primary Technical Specialty requires a minimum of 21 credit hours in a single content area from an approved degree, diploma, or technical education certificate program offered at the college, such as:

• Electrical Controls Technology
• HVAC/R Technology
• Industrial Electricity Technology
• Mechatronics Technology
• Welding

The credit hours earned in high school may reduce some of the requirements or may count as an additional minor program.

Result:

Graduates of the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning & Refrigeration certificate program also have the opportunity to earn additional certifications, including:

• Industry Competence Core “Exam”
• 410a Refrigerant certification
• HVAC Excellence Employment Ready Certification: “Air Conditioning and Heating”, Green Energy Certifications

Graduates are qualified for positions at sports arenas, shopping malls, theaters, private homes, apartment complexes, offices, industrial plants, schools, factories, grocery stores, and hospitals, with average salary of $24.32.