The capital of Virginia, Richmond, is considered one of the oldest cities in the United States of America. Among many other attributes, this city is also famous among its residents because of the contribution it makes to the American economy. Its residents are extremely friendly, and its climate is humid subtropical; if you are thinking about getting an HVAC job here, then we assure you that you will have a stable career here.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Richmond, VA
In the state of Virginia, as an HVAC technician, you can attain three different levels of licensing: journeyman, master, and contractor. Then there are there different levels of contractor licenses, which are categorized as A, B, and C. Before you go through the licensing process, you need to have pre-approval from the board.
If you are targeting a journeyman license, then you have to fulfill at least one from a couple of requirements. These requirements include:
- Trade experience of at least two years
- Trade experience expanding to four years
- Must have a record of at least five years of trade experience and 240 hours in vocational training
- Vocational training of at least 80 hours and approximately six years of trade experience
- Proven experience of ten year supported by affidavits, or
- A bachelor’s degree in engineering
On the other hand, if you wish to obtain a license in masters, you have to fulfill the criteria of either a one-year experience as an in-state licensed journeyman or have the evidence of 10-year experience in the form of affidavits.
Lastly, requirements for contractor licensing depends on the different classes. With a Class A contractor, you as a certified HVAC can be easily hired to work on any project. If you have a Class B contractor license, then you can be assigned on big projects that go as far as $120,000. On the other hand, if you have a Class C license, you won’t be allowed to work on projects that value more than $10,000.
Salary and Job Outlook in Richmond, VA
Simply put, highly qualified HVAC technicians are paid exceptionally well here, although some of them are then further divided into different categories. These include installation technician (three different levels) and maintenance technician (three different levels). Salary and job outlook would vary from each level to the other level; all in all, HVAC technicians are very well paid in Virginia.
When calculated per hour, median technician wages averaged out to be $22.77. Their average yearly salary would come out to be $48,560; usually, the salary can go up to $69,660. On the other hand, if we are talking about an entry-level technician’s salary, it is nearly $47,330. As compared to other states, you will see that numbers are high here.
A simple rule applies here: the more experienced and more qualified you are, the higher your salary will be. Moreover, if you are more qualified, you will have access to better projects. So, if you like to get a job as an HVAC technician, then you should pay attention to getting as many certificates as you can. In a nutshell, the future is bright!
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Richmond, VA
If you’ve decided to pursue HVAC, the next step is to find the right institution to study from. The following are some great options:
Fortis College
Our Review of the Program
Fortis College, spread over different locations, is one of the well-known colleges for any HVAC technician course. After the completion of this training, students and graduates will be able to easily mend technical components of heat pumps, ACs, and even fridges.
In addition to this, this also enables students to maintain and troubleshoot commercial, residential, and industrial HVAC systems. The education system here is not solely based on theory; the students are provided with an elaborate platform in the form of a lab setting to apply theory in the class.
This institution aims to enrich children with the ability to develop, select, operate, and test a wide range of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment. With experienced and well-trained professionals, students have best-in-class resources at their disposal.
If you get yourself enrolled in this program, you will be prepared for entry-level employment. After succeeding in obtaining this certificate, the certified students or graduates can apply for jobs that are titled as HVAC mechanic or technician.
If you have any questions or any confusion regarding this college and it departments, you have to option to either visit the department or give them a ring.
Centura College
Our Review of the Program
Centura College Heating is one of the best-known colleges for offering hands-on career training. It accommodates general, military, and international students. The Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) diploma last for at least 12 months. Students have the option to choose between day courses and night courses. They can also apply for an online application.
The syllabus for this diploma includes:
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Controls I
- Commercial Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Controls II
- Heating Systems
- Comfort & Psychrometrics
- Heat Pumps
- Air Conditioning & Refrigeration II
- Advanced Troubleshooting & Service
All of these courses are worth four credits each, making the total credit hours to be 36 hours.
The developers of this course have designed it such that it clearly explains the refrigeration cycle step by step. In addition, it includes content explaining detailed procedures on copper tubing. After graduating from this course, students would be able to use this information to pinpoint technical errors and malfunctions in heaters, air conditioners, air pumps, and other electrical equipment.
Overall, the area of study will be focusing on the fundamentals of air conditioning, electrical theory, heat pumps, heating system, icemakers, and a wide range of other equipment of this very nature.
Richmond Adult Technical Center
Our Review of the Program
Richmond Adult Technical Center believes in building your own legacy in education. With its wide range of programs, it encourages students to pursue their dreams by emphasizing that it is never too late to chase what you are passionate about.
This technical center has a long list of other departments. This institute offers four different types of HVAC&R. These courses are categorized as HVAC&R I 1st Semester, HVAC&R I 2nd Semester, HVAC&R II 1st Semester, HVAC&R II 2nd Semester, HVAC&R III 1st Semester, HVAC&R III 2nd Semester, and HVAC&R IV 1st Semester.
The beginning course will include details regarding thermodynamic principals, tools and equipment systems, soldering technique, brazing technique, and various other. As you move ahead, the course you will be exposed to will be more technical and advanced concepts.
You can easily register for this course by accessing their online link. Most of these classes require at least ten students, which means that if strength is less than ten, this course might get dropped. Pay attention to all these factors before registering.
Lord Fairfax Community College
Our Review of the Program
This Lord Fairfax Community College offers a 13-month HVAC technician program. This program aims to offer all entry-level skills that are the utmost necessity to apply for HVAC technician jobs. With this program, the students have the opportunity to benefit from three national credentials.
The program focuses on the job duties of HVAC technicians. It is their responsibility to use electrical test equipment to test electrical circuits or components. They are also responsible for testing pipes or tubing joints.
Reassemble or test equipment, repair or replace defective equipment, install, connect, adjust and maintain thermostats, humidistats, timers, and hand tools, and a very long list of multiple other tasks fall under the category of the job description of this position.
Business and professional development, computers and technology, healthcare and wellness, industry, manufacturing and construction tools, transportation, customized training for business and organizations, career coaching, and youth camps in digital arts and STEM are other programs that are offered at Lord Fairfax Community College.
Virginia’s Community College
Our Review of the Program
This institution offers degree, diploma, and certification in numerous disciplines. HVAC is offered both as a diploma and a certificate at this institution. The certificate consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours, and it is mandatory to cover 15% of the course work in general education, which must consist of four credit hour English class.
On the other hand, the diploma must be focused on the two-year curriculum with a strong emphasis in a career and technical area. Moreover, this university also offers a non-transfer, applied technology degree as well.
Depending on your area of interest, affordability, availability, and job focus, you can choose your preferred option.
Conclusion
Virginia is full of multiple good schools, especially if you are looking for an extraordinary program in engineering. If you are looking for a school that can offer you a degree in this field, then have a look at the above-mentioned list. It is a good place to start!
