Nobody likes living in a home that is too hot or too cold. With the effects of global warming, the climate all around the world is changing. In order to make our homes and workplaces more comfortable, we invest in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner systems. These are better known as HVAC installations and are regulated and maintained by technicians that receive special education in the field. It is a growing career trend these days as the demand is ever-increasing without any chances of saturation in the near future.
Cleveland is the 52nd largest city in the US. It is situated in the state of Ohio and is a popular tourist destination. The weather here is known for its crazy patterns. It is mostly cloudy throughout the year, with temperatures reaching high 70s and low 80s with high humidity in summers. Winters here are windy and snowy, with the temperature falling to single-digit numbers. No wonder the demand for HVAC installations in Cleveland is never ceasing.
To fulfill the demand, a number of educational institutes offer HVAC courses to their students so they can go on to build a successful career for themselves. There is a lot of scope for success in Cleveland because the extreme climate offers a great opportunity to students, aspiring to become HVAC technicians. If you are amongst them, we have rounded up the best HVAC schools in Cleveland, OH, to help you choose a successful one for yourself. Read on to find out more.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Cleveland, OH
People who are aspiring to work in the HVAC field have to fulfill the requirements of Ohio. There are two ways to stay working as an HVAC technician in Cleveland. You can attend an HVAC course at a school or join an apprenticeship program.
Apprenticing means completing 2000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 classroom hours every year for up to three to five years. Then, you can get yourself registered at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services with the Apprentice Ohio program.
To receive your formal HVAC education in Cleveland, OH, you need to enroll in a school that is accredited by either HVAC Excellence or Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). Both these organizations are responsible for evaluating the standard of the program, including the course and the instructors.
Accredited institutions provide you with all the knowledge about the field to obtain your accredited certification. The programs include computer diagnostics, fundamental electricity, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and mathematics. You can enroll in such an institution and complete your education and know the ins and outs of the HVAC field.
Ohio does not require HVAC technicians to obtain licenses. But self-employed technicians are considered contractors and they need to be licensed.
Additionally, HVAC technicians can obtain further training and certification from industry organizations. These include:
- Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
- North American Technicians Excellence (NATE)
- HVAC Excellence
Salary and Job Outlook in Cleveland, OH
According to the Bureau of Labor Services, the median annual salary of HVAC technicians nationwide is $47,080. In Cleveland, this annual median wage rises to $50,680. The salary usually depends upon the kind of experience you have.
For example, a level one technician has an annual salary of $41,000 in Cleveland, Ohio. While the lowest annual salary in this city is $30,000, HVAC technicians may also receive bonuses and benefits that further increase their annual salary.
The need for trained and educated HVAC technicians is constantly on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand is expected to increase by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026 throughout the US. This is much faster growth as compared to all other occupations that are projected at seven percent.
Ohio is expected to achieve the same percentage of growth in the HVAC field. Projections Central has predicted a statewide 15 percent increase in the demand of HVAC technicians. Hence, more jobs will be open than ever before. Hence, if you opt for this career path in Cleveland, you are bound to be very successful.
The reasons for this surge is the increasing sophistication of climate control systems that require regular maintenance, retrofit, replacement, and upgrades. The greener approach of energy efficiency and pollution management combined with the thriving construction industry in Cleveland are all responsible for the increase in demand of the HVAC technicians in this city.
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Cleveland, OH
Cleveland exhibits a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Each season calls for its own HVAC management, which is a job for an HVAC technician. Living in Cleveland has its perks. Not only do you get to experience all four seasons, but you can also make a successful career in the HVAC industry for yourself. Here is a detailed review of some of the best HVAC schools in Cleveland, OH.
Remington College
Contact Info
Address: 14445 Broadway Ave, Cleveland, OH 44125
Phone: 800-208-1950
List of Programs
HVAC Associate Degree
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Diploma
Our Review of the Program
Remington College received its accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). It is a great educational institution with a very calm and friendly environment. The faculty here is very supportive and serious about their student’s education. They strive very hard to help them achieve their aim, even if that means teaching after class.
It offers a number of support resources in the form of an eager-to-help admissions staff to help you through the admission process smoothly. It also has a team of financial aid representatives to walk you through the enrollment process and the student services that provide its students with all the necessary resources to be successful in their chosen career paths.
This institute offers an HVAC Diploma program and an HVAC associate degree program.
The diploma program focuses on giving students a minimum of 59 credit hours of classroom teaching, along with hands-on practical training in the lab. The course covers HVAC and HVACR fundamentals, motors, residential and commercial systems, and equipment, automated controls, heat pumps, troubleshooting, and career development principles and fundamentals.
Students have the option of continuing their diploma program and earn an HVAC associate degree. It teaches them business applications and small business principles and basics. This program prepares them for entry-level employment as HVAC technicians.
Polaris Career Center
Contact Info
Address: 7285 Old Oak Blvd, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Phone: 440-891-7600
List of Programs
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Certificate
Our Review of the Program
Polaris Career Center is a public school that is only a few years old. It offers 13 degrees, including the HVAC/R Certificate program. The school campus is very modern, with fully equipped labs and spacious classrooms to facilitate the student’s learning process.
The overall atmosphere of the building is very warm and welcoming. The faculty here means business when it comes to the student’s education. They have a friendly and professional attitude and do their best to make their students learn.
This institute offers its HVAC/R Certificate program through the adult education services. It follows the core curriculum of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). The students receive their education through classroom lectures and practical training in the lab under expert supervision.
Coursework includes basic HVAC installation, ducting, reading schematics, troubleshooting, airflow and balancing, electrical codes, controls, HVAC equipment, and systems as well as customer service. Students also acquire employability skills.
Graduates who complete this program can start working as entry-level HVAC technicians. They receive NCCER Certification and prepare for industry-level examinations like EPA section 608, apprentice PM tech, R-410A Safety training, OSHA 10 hour, and Industrial Competency Exam (ICE) for residential HVAC technicians.
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
Contact Info
Address: 8001 Brecksville Rd, Brecksville, OH 44141
Phone: 440-526-5200
List of Programs
HVAC Basic
Basic Electric
HVAC Cooling
HVAC Heating
HVAC – Certification Preparation
Our Review of the Program
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center is a public secondary school. It offers a comprehensive HVAC program as a part of its Adult Education Services. This school is an excellent step away from your average high school into an institution where you are treated as an adult.
The instructors here are absolutely amazing. They are really passionate about their work and pay special attention to the learning differences between different students. They push the students to bring out their best. They train them to love what they do and to be the best in whatever career they choose.
The HVAC Education offered by this institute is divided into five stand-alone courses. These include HVAC – Certification Preparation, HVAC Basic, HVAC Cooling, HVAC Heating, and Basic Electric.
The number of sessions in each course varies from one another. Each course is taught by a different instructor who is an expert in his or her field. Every course is taught as theory instruction in the classrooms and practical experience in the lab.
The graduates who pass out from this program are qualified for entry-level HVAC positions.
Lorain County Community College
Contact Info
Address: 1005 Abbe Rd N, Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 800-995-5222
List of Programs
Heating and Air Conditioning Program
Our Review of the Program
This educational institute is well-known for its nice campus and facilities. There is ample parking space, and stretches of grass and parks laid all around the campus. It is clean and well-maintained with a good food service if you care for it.
The faculty and staff treat their students with respect. They teach their students sincerely and strive to bring out the best in them.
Lorain County Community College prepares students for starting their career as HVAC Technicians in partnership with Lorain County Joint Vocational School. The program consists of junior and senior year courses.
In junior learning courses, students learn about installing heating and air conditioning systems at residential homes and workplaces. They also learn to repair and maintain such appliances. They practice layout, fabricate ductwork along with pipe fittings, and electrical components.
In the senior year course, students prepare to take the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test and receive EPA Certification for handling refrigeration.
Conclusion
HVAC is a risky yet fulfilling career with a lot of opportunities for growth. If you are a serious worker in this field, you are bound to get to the top in no time. The salary outlook is also increasing with time. So, if you choose to be an HVAC technician, you are ready to grow and succeed faster than any of your companions who opt for other fields. Cleveland is a great place to reside and work, so if you choose to study HVAC here, you have higher chances of success.
