What Are the Best HVAC Schools in Connecticut?
- Porter & Chester Institute (Bridgeport) offers HVACR Program.
- Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor (East Windsor) offers Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology Diploma.
- Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain (New Britain) offers Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Technology Diploma.
- Tuition and fees run from $14,337 to $14,349 a year (2024–25).
- 5 of 6 Connecticut programs name EPA 608 preparation or testing.
- Connecticut HVAC technicians earn a median $76,610 a year (BLS, May 2025).
Porter &Amp; Chester Institute Leads the Connecticut HVAC School Rankings
| # | School | Tuition and fees | HVAC awards | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porter & Chester InstituteBridgeport | $14,349 | 140 | 45% |
| 2 | Lincoln Technical Institute-East WindsorEast Windsor | $31,607 program | 106 | |
| 3 | Lincoln Technical Institute-New BritainNew Britain | $33,253 program | 50 | |
| 4 | Porter & Chester Institute of HamdenHamden | $14,337 | 49 | 32% |
| 5 | Industrial Management Training InstituteWaterbury | $23,163 program | 14 | |
| Bristol Technical Education CenterBristol |
Tuition is the 2024–25 full-time rate (in-district where published) and graduation rate is school-wide (NCES College Navigator). HVAC awards are credentials conferred in HVAC. Blank cells mean no federal figure for that school.
How We Ranked Connecticut HVAC Schools
Each Connecticut school with a verified, current HVAC program and federal figures gets a percentile score among its in-state peers: program size (35%, HVAC awards conferred), cost (25%, lowest tuition and fees), completion (25%, school-wide graduation rate) and credential ladder (15%, both certificates and associate degrees awarded). Federal data can't measure instructors or lab equipment, so visit the lab before you enroll.
Best HVAC Schools in Connecticut by Goal
HVAC Programs in Connecticut Near Bridgeport, Bristol and East Windsor
Lab days are easier to keep up with at a campus you can reach, so start with the city you can commute from. Each program is grouped with the nearest city guide within 45 miles.
- BridgeportPorter & Chester Institute
- BristolBristol Technical Education Center
- East WindsorLincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor
- HamdenPorter & Chester Institute of Hamden
- New BritainLincoln Technical Institute-New Britain
- WaterburyIndustrial Management Training Institute
HVAC Schools in Connecticut, School by School
1Porter &Amp; Chester Institute
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $14,349 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 140 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
2Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 106 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
3Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 50 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Heat pumps
4Porter &Amp; Chester Institute of Hamden
Offers a diploma in HVAC
- Tuition / year
- $14,337 all students, 2024–25
- HVAC awards
- 49 conferred 2024–25
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Heating · Air conditioning
5Industrial Management Training Institute
Offers a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
- HVAC awards
- 14 conferred 2024–25
Covers Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Controls
Bristol Technical Education Center
Offers a certificate in HVAC
- HVAC awards offered
- 1 certificates and degrees
Covers EPA 608 · Refrigeration · Electrical · Heating · Air conditioning · Ductwork
Tuition and HVAC awards: NCES College Navigator. Programs and topics: each school's own HVAC page, reviewed September 2026.
Evening HVAC Classes in Connecticut: 4 Programs
Schedules as each school publishes them. Ask about start dates and evening sections before you apply.
- Bristol Technical Education CenterFull-time adult education programs run from September to June; HVAC is the one two-year program, and each year is a 900-hour program running from late August to June. Evening apprenticeship and extension courses in heating/cooling and sheet metal are also offered for registered apprentices.
- Industrial Management Training InstituteDay classes run 8:00 am to 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday and finish in 10 months. Evening classes run 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday through Wednesday and finish in 20 months.
- Lincoln Technical Institute-East WindsorDay, afternoon and evening sessions are offered. The catalog lists residential delivery for the afternoon session and blended delivery (part online) for day and evening sessions, each about 57 weeks including breaks. Student housing options are available.
- Lincoln Technical Institute-New BritainDay and evening programs are offered; the day schedule takes about 52 weeks and the evening schedule about 80 weeks, including breaks. Courses may be delivered residentially, blended or online.
HVAC Technician Salary in Connecticut: The Bridgeport Area Pays the Most
| Metro area | Median pay | Top 10% earn more than | HVAC jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury | $77,490 | $100,360 | 1,050 |
| New Haven | $76,880 | $101,930 | 550 |
| Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford | $76,180 | $100,430 | 1,320 |
| Norwich–New London–Willimantic | $74,990 | $94,130 | 250 |
| Waterbury–Shelton | $72,710 | $94,390 | 390 |
Annual wages for HVAC mechanics and installers in Connecticut (3,800 jobs); U.S. median $61,010. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
HVAC Schools by City in Connecticut
HVAC Schools in Nearby States
HVAC Schools in Connecticut: FAQ
How Much Does HVAC School Cost in Connecticut?
Full-time tuition and fees for 2024–25 at the Connecticut schools on this page run from $14,337 to $14,349 a year, before tools and books. Community colleges publish their in-district rate.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in Connecticut?
BLS estimates a median of $76,610 a year for HVAC mechanics and installers in Connecticut (May 2025), across 3,800 jobs. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,280 and the top 10% more than $100,160.
What Is the Best HVAC School in Connecticut?
On federal data for program size, cost and completion, Porter & Chester Institute ranks first among Connecticut schools with verified HVAC programs, followed by Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor. The best fit depends on the credential you want and the campus you can reach.
How Many HVAC Schools Are in Connecticut?
6 schools have a current HVAC program in Connecticut, each checked against the school's own program page. IPEDS counts 4 Connecticut schools that awarded HVAC credentials in 2022–23.
Are There Evening HVAC Classes in Connecticut?
Yes. 4 HVAC programs in Connecticut publish evening classes, including Bristol Technical Education Center, Industrial Management Training Institute and Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor.
Where Can You Get EPA 608 Certified in Connecticut?
Bristol Technical Education Center, Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor and Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain and 2 other Connecticut schools name EPA 608 preparation or testing on their HVAC program pages. The certification itself comes from an EPA-approved certifying organization.
Do I Need a License to Work in HVAC?
EPA Section 608 certification is required nationwide for refrigerant work. Some states and localities also require HVAC technicians to be licensed, so check with Connecticut and your city.
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More on HVAC Training in Connecticut
Sources
- Official HVAC program pages of the 6 Connecticut schools above (each profile links to its page), reviewed September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS completions 2022–23 and College Navigator.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. EPA, Section 608 technician certification.