What Does Trident Technical College Offer HVAC Students?
Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina offers an associate degree, 3 certificates and one other award in HVAC through its Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program. Tuition and fees for 2024–25 were $4,546 for a full-time year (in-district). The school awarded 37 HVAC credentials in 2024–25. Best for earning an HVAC degree, not just a certificate.
HVAC Degree and Certificates at Trident Technical College
| Award | Type | Length |
|---|---|---|
| General Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, AAS | Associate | 60-61 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning - Refrigeration Mechanics Certificate | Certificate | 25 credit hours |
| Commercial and Industrial ACR Systems Certificate | Certificate | 25 credit hours |
| Advanced Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics Certificate | Certificate | 17 credit hours |
| Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Assistant Program (continuing education) | Other |
As listed on Trident Technical College's HVAC program page, reviewed September 26, 2026.
Trident Technical College HVAC Tuition: $4,546 a Year
- Tuition and fees
- $4,546 in-district, 2024–25
- Out of state
- $8,620 2024–25
- Books and supplies
- $1,495 2024–25 estimate
- HVAC certificates awarded
- 37 2024–25
- Graduation rate
- 30% school-wide, Fall 2021 cohort
- Students enrolled
- 13,552 school-wide, Fall 2024
Tuition and fees are for a full-time year. Awards count HVAC credentials conferred. Graduation rate and enrollment cover the whole school. Source: NCES College Navigator.
From Residential to Commercial Systems: What Trident Technical College Teaches
Applicants at least 18 with qualifying placement scores can enter the three certificates without a high school diploma or GED, and the General Technology AAS adds a 12-credit secondary technical specialty to the ACR courses.
- EPA 608 refrigerant certification
- Refrigeration systemscommercial refrigeration
- Electrical and wiringindustrial electricity
- Heating, furnaces and boilersgas heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps and geothermal
- Controls and building automation
- Ductwork, airflow and sheet metal
- Commercial and industrial systemscommercial refrigeration, industrial electricity, industrial pumps
Class Schedule and Certification Testing at Trident Technical College
Schedule. Credit programs run through the Manufacturing and Maintenance division; a non-credit Technician Assistant program is offered through Continuing Education, with sections listed as they open.
Testing. Continuing Education lists an HVAC refrigerant EPA certification exam.
Check start dates, admission steps and the current course list on Trident Technical College's own site.
Visit tridenttech.eduWhat HVAC Technicians Earn Around Charleston
HVAC technicians in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $58,410 a year. Across South Carolina, the median HVAC technician wage is $56,610 a year, from $39,170 at the 10th percentile to $75,530 at the 90th, with 6,920 HVAC mechanics and installers employed. The national median is $61,010. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
5 More HVAC Schools Within 89 Miles of Charleston
- Technical College of the Lowcountry52 mi · $6,156/yr
- Williamsburg Technical College52 mi · $4,488/yr
- Central Carolina Technical College72 mi · $5,715/yr
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College84 mi · $4,468/yr
- Savannah Technical College89 mi · $3,330/yr
Straight-line distance between campuses. All HVAC schools in South Carolina · HVAC schools in Charleston
Trident Technical College HVAC FAQ
Does Trident Technical College Have an HVAC Program?
Yes. Trident Technical College offers an associate degree, 3 certificates and one other award in HVAC. Training covers EPA 608 refrigerant certification, refrigeration systems, electrical and wiring, heating, furnaces and boilers, air conditioning.
How Much Does HVAC School Cost at Trident Technical College?
Trident Technical College's 2024–25 tuition and fees were $4,546 for a full-time year (in-district) and $8,620 out of state, with books and supplies estimated at $1,495. HVAC students also buy hand tools and meters.
How Long Is the HVAC Program at Trident Technical College?
General Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics, AAS: 60-61 credit hours. Air Conditioning - Refrigeration Mechanics Certificate: 25 credit hours. Commercial and Industrial ACR Systems Certificate: 25 credit hours.
Does Trident Technical College Offer Night or Weekend HVAC Classes?
Credit programs run through the Manufacturing and Maintenance division; a non-credit Technician Assistant program is offered through Continuing Education, with sections listed as they open.
Can You Get EPA 608 Certified at Trident Technical College?
EPA 608.
How Much Do HVAC Technicians Make in South Carolina?
The median HVAC technician wage in South Carolina is $56,610 a year, and the middle half earn between $46,560 and $62,990 (BLS, May 2025).
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