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Atlanta is one of the many economically stable cities in the United States.
Situated in Northwest Georgia, the city experiences mild temperatures in the winter and hot, humid summers, with afternoon temperatures regularly above 90 degrees.
Therefore, it’s of little surprise that Atlanta boasts growing employment for those in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC) industry.
Georgia boasts above-average national growth in the HVAC industry with a generous salary.
However, candidates must complete training and an apprenticeship to enter the industry.
If you’re interested in an HVAC career, keep reading to learn more about the training programs around Atlanta!
Schools
Given the current and growing population of Atlanta, plenty of schools, community colleges, and trade schools offer HVAC training, including:
1 Georgia Piedmont Technical College
About
Featuring campuses in Covington and Clarkston, Georgia, Piedmont Technical College is accredited by PAHRA (Partnership for Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Accreditation).
The tuition costs $100 per credit hour, regardless of if the student is in-state or out-of-state.
In addition, the various programs the school offers prepare students to apply HVAC principles and practices in a real-world setting.
Programs / Courses
The school offers four training opportunities, including:
- A/C technology associate degree – 66 credit hours
- A/C technology diploma – 51 credit hours
- A/C technician assistant certificate – 12 credit hours
- A/C electrical technician certificate – 12 credit hours
Courses in each curriculum include HVACR electrical components and control, HVACR electrical motors, HVACR electrical fundamentals, refrigeration systems components, refrigeration principles and practices, and refrigeration fundamentals.
The associate degree is more comprehensive than the diploma and certificate offerings.
Contact Information
Admissions can be contacted through Kelly Pollard at 404-297-9522.
Address: 495 N Indian Creek Dr, Clarkston, GA 30021, United States
2 Gwinnett Technical College
About
With two locations in Lawrenceville and Alpharetta, two Atlanta suburbs, Gwinnett Technical College are an accredited HVAC school with an estimated tuition of $518 per credit hour and $618 per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students.
The typical completion time for an associate degree is five semesters, four for a diploma and two for a certificate.
Programs / Courses
Gwinnett Technical College offers several HVAC-focused programs, all of which help students enter the industry.
These include:
- Associate degree in air conditioning technology – 65 credit hours
- Diploma in air conditioning technology – 51 credit hours
- Certificate to become a refrigeration system service technician – 20 credit hours
- Certificate to become an air conditioning electrical technician – 12 credit hours
- Certificate to become an air conditioning maintenance technician – 12 credit hours
Students in any of these programs learn to install, repair, and maintain the program-related systems.
This includes optimizing operational efficiency with routine adjustments, keeping tools and supplies, conducting emergency repairs, testing the functionality of systems, and reviewing blueprints.
Other topics include recording data like equipment temperature, operational hours, and fuel consumption and inspecting systems.
Contact Information
To apply at Gwinnett Technical College, create an account HERE or call 678-226-6616 for more information about the school.
Address: 1130 Northchase Pkwy SE Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30067, United States
3 Lanier Technical College
About
Located in Oakwood, an Atlanta suburb, Lanier Technical College received an excellent HVAC award for accreditation.
The estimated tuition is around $100 per credit hour.
The school offers diploma programs, which can be completed in three semesters, and certificate programs, which can be completed in one semester.
Programs / Courses
Lanier Technical College offers three HVAC training programs:
- Air conditioning technology diploma – 51 hours
- Basic residential air conditioning systems design certificate – 12 hours
- Basic residential gas heat design certificate – 12 hours
Each program comprises lecture topics like foundations of mathematics, heat pumps/related systems, gas heat, troubleshooting air conditioning systems, HVAC/R electrical motors, HVAC/R electrical fundamentals, and refrigeration fundaments.
Since the diploma program is one year longer, it goes into greater detail about these essential topics.
Contact Information
The Lanier Technical College admissions office can be contacted by emailing admissions@laniertech.edu or making an appointment.
Address: 2535 Lanier Tech Dr, Gainesville, GA 30507, United States
4 Southern Crescent Technical College
About
Southern Crescent Technical College is a standout option with two campuses near Atlanta in Griffin and Thomaston.
Like Lanier Technical College, Southern Crescent has received an HVAC excellence accreditation award.
Tuition varies based on numerous factors, so contacting the school for a customized quote is advised.
Programs / Courses
Southern Cresence offers an air conditioning technology associate degree, which prepares students in the HVAC industry by covering theoretical topics and implementing practical skills.
With 66 credit hours required to complete the program, topics include gas heat, air conditioning systems installation and application, HVACR electrical fundaments, refrigeration systems components, and refrigeration fundaments.
Contact Information
The admissions group at Southern Crescent can be contacted at admissions@sctech.edu or by calling 770-228-7348.
Address: 501 Varsity Rd, Griffin, GA 30223, United States
5 West Georgia Technical College
About
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredit the West Georgia Technical College in Carrollton.
Training tuition costs $100 per credit hour; the diploma program can be completed in three semesters, and the certificates in two semesters.
Students must hold a high school diploma, submit an official transcript, and be at least 16.
Programs / Courses
West Georgia Technical College offers five program options, including:
- Certificate to become an A/C electrical technician
- Certificate in A/C repair
- Certificate to become an A/C technician assistant
- Certificate to become a heat and A/C installation technician
- Diploma in air conditioning technology – 51 credit hours
Contact Information
The school can be contacted at 844-280-0100 or by emailing admissions@westgatech.edu.
Address: 1 College Circle, 1302 Orchard Hill Rd, LaGrange, GA 30240, United States
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Georgia Piedmont Technical College |
|
#2 | Gwinnett Technical College |
|
#3 | Lanier Technical College |
|
#4 | Southern Crescent Technical College |
|
#5 | West Georgia Technical College |
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State