Is There an HVAC School in Merced?
- Merced College in Merced, 2 miles away, offers HVAC Technician AS and Commercial Refrigeration Technician AS.
- DeHart Technical School in Modesto, 40 miles away, offers HVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 (Hybrid or In-Person) and Facilities Maintenance HVAC Course 1 (Hybrid or In-Person).
- UEI College-Fresno in Fresno, 52 miles away, offers Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma.
- EPA 608: 3 of these 5 schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- HVAC pay in the Merced, CA metro area: a median $64,040 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Best HVAC Schools in Merced for What You Need
HVAC Schools in Merced and the Surrounding Area
Merced College
Offers 2 associate degrees and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,200 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 35 conferred 2024–25
The closest campus to Merced; the lowest tuition of the 2 HVAC schools here ($1,200); a degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Commercial
DeHart Technical School
Offers 2 certificates in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 69 conferred 2024–25
Evening or weekend classes; some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning
UEI College-Fresno
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 278 conferred 2024–25
The most HVAC awards nearby (278 in 2024–25); some coursework online.
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
Fresno City College
Offers an associate degree and 2 certificates in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $1,334 in-state, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 51 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers EPA 608 · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps · Controls
San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center
Offers an associate degree and a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 2 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 20 conferred 2024–25
A degree option on top of certificates.
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls · Ductwork
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026. Distances are straight-line from Merced.
Merced College and 4 More Programs Within 60 Miles
| School | Distance | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced CollegeMerced | 2 miles | $1,200 | 35 | 36% |
| DeHart Technical SchoolModesto | 40 miles | 69 | ||
| UEI College-FresnoFresno | 52 miles | 278 | ||
| Fresno City CollegeFresno | 53 miles | $1,334 | 51 | 24% |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education CenterFresno | 55 miles | 20 |
HVAC programs near Merced, sorted by straight-line distance. Tuition: 2024–25 full-time rate. Awards: HVAC credentials conferred (NCES College Navigator). Graduation rate is school-wide. Blank cells have no federal figure.
HVAC Classes in Merced: DeHart Technical School Teaches Evenings or Weekends
- Merced CollegeThe HVAC program can be completed in two semesters and the HVAC/R (commercial refrigeration) program in three semesters.
- DeHart Technical SchoolClasses run Monday through Friday in morning (7:30-11:30), afternoon (12:15-4:15) or evening (5:00-9:00) sessions. The hybrid format holds lectures online Monday, Wednesday and Friday and on-campus labs Tuesday and Thursday; an in-person format is also offered. New programs start every month.
- UEI College-FresnoThe diploma is offered in hybrid (online classes plus on-campus labs) and in-residence formats, with new classes starting monthly; it can be completed in as few as 10 months.
Also publishing schedules: San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center (55 miles). See each profile for times.
Certificate or Associate Degree Near Merced?
DeHart Technical School and UEI College-Fresno offer certificates or diplomas only; Merced College, Fresno City College and San Joaquin Valley College-Trades Education Center also award an HVAC associate degree, which adds general education and usually takes about two years full time.
- Merced CollegeHVAC Technician AS: 60 units (19-unit program core); Commercial Refrigeration Technician AS: 60 units (31-unit program core); HVAC Technician Certificate of Achievement: 19 units
- DeHart Technical SchoolHVAC/R Facilities Maintenance Course 3 (Hybrid or In-Person): 928 hours (48 weeks); Facilities Maintenance HVAC Course 1 (Hybrid or In-Person): 480 hours (24 weeks)
- UEI College-FresnoHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Diploma: 720 clock hours / 36 semester credit units (36 instructional weeks; 40 weeks normal time)
HVAC Technician Pay Around Merced
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in the Merced, CA metro area (190 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Questions About HVAC Schools in Merced
How Much Do HVAC Schools in Merced Cost?
Merced College charges the least, $1,200 a year full time in 2024–25 (in-state); Fresno City College charges $1,334. Tools and books cost extra (Merced College budgets $938 for books and supplies).
How Long Does HVAC School Take Near Merced?
It depends on the credential. At Merced College, the closest program that publishes lengths, HVAC Technician AS runs 60 units (19-unit program core). 3 of the 5 schools near Merced also offer an associate degree, which usually takes about two years full time.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Merced?
HVAC mechanics and installers in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median $64,040 a year (BLS, May 2025), 5% above the U.S. median of $61,010. The top 10% earn more than $97,930.
What Is the Best HVAC School Near Merced?
UEI College-Fresno scores highest on program size, cost and completion among the HVAC schools within 60 miles, with 278 HVAC awards in 2024–25. Merced College ranks second.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified Near Merced?
DeHart Technical School, UEI College-Fresno and Fresno City College name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages.
Are There Night HVAC Classes Near Merced?
Yes. DeHart Technical School (40 miles) publishes evening or weekend classes. Each school profile has its full schedule.
Latest Posts From the Blog
All posts
California · Training
Where Can You Train for Commercial Refrigeration in California?
California schools that teach commercial refrigeration, from Merced College's Commercial Refrigeration AS to Mt. SAC's supermarket refrigeration degree.
California · Cost
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in California?
California HVAC costs by school: community colleges charge $1,124 to $1,696 a year in state, while private schools price whole programs at $10,388 to $26,444.
California · Salary
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in California?
California HVAC technicians earn a median $72,560 a year ($34.88 an hour), per May 2025 BLS data. See pay by metro, from Napa and San Jose to Fresno.
Guides, Careers and Pay
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 5 schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (IPEDS).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.