Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Air conditioning and refrigeration systems are an intricate part of the success of almost every business.  Air conditioning systems are responsible for controlling the temperature, humidity, and total air quality in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Refrigeration systems allow storing and transporting food, medicine, and other perishable items.   This skilled occupation requires qualified technicians to install, maintain, and repair such systems.  

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at Trenholm State Community College is designed to teach a student the basic principles involved in installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.  Through the various courses, a student will gain technical knowledge and practical hands-on experience in servicing, troubleshooting, and maintaining these systems.

Occupational Choices

Employment of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 37,700 openings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from replacing workers who transfer to different occupations or exiting the labor force, such as to retire.

Commercial and residential building construction is expected to drive employment growth. The growing number of sophisticated climate-control systems is also expected to increase demand for qualified HVACR technicians. Repair and replacement of HVACR systems is a large part of what technicians do. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and pollution reduction is likely to increase the demand for HVACR technicians as climate-control systems are retrofitted, upgraded, or replaced entirely. Job opportunities for HVACR technicians are expected to be good. Candidates familiar with tablet computers and electronics and those who have developed troubleshooting skills will have the best job prospects.

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 (visited January 30, 2024).

Average Full-Time Wage

The median annual wage for an air conditioning and refrigeration technician is $51,390 in May 2022. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,630.

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 (visited January 30, 2024).

Awards Available

Associate in Applied Science Degree
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Refrigeration

Certificate
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
HVAC Technician III
HVAC Technician IV

Short Term Certificates
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
HVAC Technician I
HVAC Technician II
Advanced A/C and Refrigeration

Program Contact

Jaime Junco
Program Coordinator/Instructor
334-420-4276
Location:  Patterson Site - Bldg. E

The College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program as part of ongoing planning and evaluation.

Estimated Program Length & Cost *

Award Length Credit Hours Tuition/Fees Books Tools Supplies
Associate Degree 1 6 Terms 69 $11,799  $500  $970  $300 
Associate Degree 2 6 Terms 60 $10,260  $500  $970  $300 
Certificate 4 Terms 43 $7,353  $500  $970  $300 
Certificate 4 Terms 55 $9,405  $500  $970  $300 
Short Term Certificate 1 Term 13 $2,223  $500  $970  $300 
Short Term Certificate 2 Terms 25 $4,275  $500  $970  $300 
Short Term Certificate 2 Terms 28 $4,788  $500  $970  $300 

* Tax not included.  Prices are subject to change without prior notice; the cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers.  The cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above.  The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term.  Enrollment in transitional-level general education courses will alter the length of the program.

Degrees