HVAC schools in Indianapolis offer short courses, college credentials and apprenticeship training. Compare local labs, evening schedules and published costs below, then check how each option prepares you for EPA 608 certification.
Refrigerant credentialPass an EPA-approved Section 608 test
Metro median pay$29.89/hour, BLS May 2025
Compare HVAC training around Indianapolis
You can compare college, adult education and apprenticeship routes here; blank fields mean a figure was not published in the sources reviewed. The check line under each school names its institutional accreditor, official provider listing or apprenticeship sponsor source, with school statements identified as such.
Indianapolis offers all three HVAC awards. Eligible certificate students may receive Next Level Jobs funding. Admissions address shown; confirm your lab building. College states it "is accredited" by the Higher Learning Commission. Checked October 27, 2026.
In-person or hybrid learning plan; hands-on courses require campus attendance
Fall 2025-Summer 2027 tuition page: Indiana residents pay $178.38/credit below 12 credits or $2,577.11/semester for 12 or more; $18/credit textbook fee for eligible students; other fees extra
Indianapolis offers the HVAC AAS. Admissions address shown; confirm your lab building. College states it "is accredited" by the Higher Learning Commission. Checked October 27, 2026.
Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
60 credits; 4 semesters
In-person or hybrid learning plan; hands-on courses require campus attendance
Fall 2025-Summer 2027 tuition page: Indiana residents pay $178.38/credit below 12 credits or $2,577.11/semester for 12 or more; $18/credit textbook fee for eligible students; other fees extra
Program page lists November 2 as its next start when checked October 27, 2026. Campus states: "institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges".
Includes EPA Section 608 exam preparation. Catalog addendum lists November 24, 2026 as the next start. Accreditation page lists Indianapolis among campuses that "are accredited by ACCSC". Checked October 27, 2026.
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology
Diploma
Approximately 52 weeks; 1,200 instructional hours; 50.0 semester credits
Hybrid; Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1-5:15 p.m. or 6-10:15 p.m., per 2026 catalog addendum
Lincoln fee sheet, enrollments on or after October 15, 2026: $31,550 tuition; $35,159 estimated total including books, uniforms, fees and tools; subject to change
Current Indianapolis catalog lists this degree separately from the diploma. Catalog addendum lists November 24, 2026 as the next start. Accreditation page lists Indianapolis among campuses that "are accredited by ACCSC". Checked October 27, 2026.
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology Service Management
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Approximately 77 weeks, including holidays and scheduled breaks; 1,425 instructional hours; 65 semester credits
Hybrid; Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1-5:15 p.m. or 6-10:15 p.m., per 2026 catalog addendum
Lincoln fee sheet, enrollments on or after October 15, 2026: $35,225 tuition; $39,040 estimated total including books, uniforms, fees and tools; subject to change
School lists $500 for tools, equipment and textbooks separately from tuition. EPA certification requires passing the exam. Indiana OCTS directory lists Temporary Authorization; school says: "This institution is regulated by: Indiana Department of Workforce Development Office for Career and Technical Schools". Checked October 27, 2026.
Spring registration is open. Field experience runs April 26-May 14; certification dates are May 24, 25 and 27. Admission includes a TABE assessment and interview. DWD lists Wayne Township as an adult education provider, not an HVAC licensing approval. Checked October 27, 2026.
Official site accepts applications year-round and lists the 2026-2027 program year, but its assessment deadline is January 31, 2026. Ask which intake your application will enter. DOL lists the Local 440 Apprenticeship Education Trust as a RACC sponsor. Checked October 27, 2026.
School marks Spring 2027 HVAC full but publishes February 9-May 5 dates; ask about later availability before paying. Course sheet includes study guide, certification costs and some supplies. DWD lists this provider for HVAC Technician. Checked October 27, 2026.
In-person or hybrid learning plan; hands-on courses require campus attendance
Published cost
Fall 2025-Summer 2027 tuition page: Indiana residents pay $178.38/credit below 12 credits or $2,577.11/semester for 12 or more; $18/credit textbook fee for eligible students; other fees extra
Address
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46208
The Indianapolis HVAC associate degree combines technical training with general education and includes work with furnaces and air conditioning equipment.
Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC)
Credential
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Length
60 credits; 4 semesters
Schedule
In-person or hybrid learning plan; hands-on courses require campus attendance
Published cost
Fall 2025-Summer 2027 tuition page: Indiana residents pay $178.38/credit below 12 credits or $2,577.11/semester for 12 or more; $18/credit textbook fee for eligible students; other fees extra
Address
50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Fortis teaches installation, maintenance and repair of heating, cooling and refrigeration systems through hands-on training at its northwest Indianapolis campus.
Lincoln's HVAC diploma combines campus practice with online coursework covering climate control equipment, electrical troubleshooting, airflow and refrigerant recovery.
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology
Credential
Diploma
Length
Approximately 52 weeks; 1,200 instructional hours; 50.0 semester credits
Schedule
Hybrid; Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1-5:15 p.m. or 6-10:15 p.m., per 2026 catalog addendum
Published cost
Lincoln fee sheet, enrollments on or after October 15, 2026: $31,550 tuition; $35,159 estimated total including books, uniforms, fees and tools; subject to change
Address
7225 Winton Drive, Building 128, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Lincoln's HVAC associate degree adds English, speech, algebra, critical thinking and environmental science to its technical heating and cooling curriculum.
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating Systems Technology Service Management
Credential
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Length
Approximately 77 weeks, including holidays and scheduled breaks; 1,425 instructional hours; 65 semester credits
Schedule
Hybrid; Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1-5:15 p.m. or 6-10:15 p.m., per 2026 catalog addendum
Published cost
Lincoln fee sheet, enrollments on or after October 15, 2026: $35,225 tuition; $39,040 estimated total including books, uniforms, fees and tools; subject to change
Address
7225 Winton Drive, Building 128, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Local 440's training office accepts apprenticeship applications for pipe trades and HVACR service technicians at its Indianapolis union training center.
Central Nine Career Center Adult Education Greenwood, IN
Central Nine's adult HVAC class teaches refrigeration principles, system evacuation and recovery, and airflow calculations before certification testing in Greenwood.
Compare a college award with a shorter adult course. Ivy Tech offers Indianapolis certificates and an AAS; Wayne Township publishes evening classes with field experience.
2
Check entry and funding requirements
Wayne Township uses a TABE assessment and interview to select students. Before paying, complete WorkOne Indy's funding process if you want training assistance; approval comes before training starts.
3
Prepare for refrigerant testing
EPA Section 608 requires technicians doing covered refrigerant work to pass an EPA-approved test. The certification type depends on the equipment; Universal covers all three equipment types. Use EPA's certifying organization list to check who administers the exam.
4
Build supervised work experience
Indianapolis permits unlicensed employees to do heating and cooling work under a licensed contractor's direction and control. The city's 2026 HVAC packet separates that work from contracting independently.
5
Review contractor licensing later
For an Indianapolis contractor license, the 2026 city packet calls for five years of experience, which can combine related education and practical work. Board review, a Prov exam score of at least 70%, orientation and business documents follow.
HVAC employment and wages in the Indianapolis metro
The BLS May 2025 OEWS metro table reports 3,080 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (SOC 49-9021) in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area. Median wages were $29.89 per hour and $62,160 per year. These are regional occupation estimates, covering workers with different experience levels.
BLS defines the median as the point where half of workers earn less and half earn more. The employment count describes jobs held, rather than vacancies. When you compare training expenses with a job offer, ask about starting pay, overtime, travel time, benefits and who supplies tools. The metro median does not describe a particular school's graduates.
HVAC tuition, supplies and funding
Ivy Tech's Fall 2025-Summer 2027 rates list Indiana resident tuition at $178.38 per credit below 12 credits or $2,577.11 per semester for 12 or more. Eligible students pay a separate $18-per-credit textbook fee. Lincoln's fee sheet lists $31,550 tuition for the HVAC diploma, effective October 15, 2026. Central Nine's linked course sheet lists $1,800 for training, including certification costs; confirm that older sheet's price for Spring 2027.
Ivy Tech financial aid includes FAFSA-based aid such as Pell Grants for eligible students. Its HVAC certificates also list conditional Next Level Jobs funding. Wayne Township offers full scholarships to selected students. Ask WorkOne Indy about WIOA training funds before enrollment. For apprenticeship, ask the employer what it pays and review VA rules if you have GI Bill eligibility. Request a written bill for tuition, tools and tests.
The published options use different calendars. Fortis lists as little as 48 instructional weeks, and Lincoln lists approximately 52 weeks for its diploma. Ivy Tech's AAS takes four semesters. Check breaks, required labs and any field experience before comparing calendar time with instructional weeks.
Can I attend HVAC classes after work?
Yes. Wayne Township's Spring 2027 fact sheet lists Monday, Tuesday and Thursday classes from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Central Nine lists a February 9-May 5 course marked full, with Tuesday and Wednesday evening meetings in its linked description. Ask both programs whether field assignments or exam appointments require additional daytime availability.
Does finishing school give me EPA 608 certification?
You must pass a test administered by an EPA-approved certifying organization. EPA's requirements distinguish Type I, Type II and Type III certification; Universal covers all three. Section 608 credentials do not expire. Ask your course provider which test it includes and how it handles retakes. A school completion document alone does not establish that you passed the refrigerant exam.
Do I need an Indianapolis contractor license to begin working?
The city's HVAC licensing packet allows employees to perform heating and cooling work under a licensed contractor's direction and control. Those employees cannot independently contract for that work. EPA refrigerant rules still apply. If you plan to run a business later, discuss the required license type with the city and keep records of your training and employment.
Are tuition-free HVAC classes available locally?
Some routes have eligibility conditions. Wayne Township advertises full scholarships for selected students. Ivy Tech lists HVAC certificate funding through Next Level Jobs for qualifying applicants. WorkOne Indy also reviews requests for training assistance. Get written confirmation of covered costs before treating an application or scholarship interview as a funding award.