Taking HVAC clases online

I am looking into taking online classes for an HVAC technician is it a good idea or a waste of money to take online classes for a trade thats hands on? They dont have any schools that offer that training near by.

I am wondering the same thing and I look forward to the responses.
My wife and I are in a position where we have sick family members to care for and other stresses. I want to become an HVAC tech.
Is the online program offered through Gatlin Education (through Ohio State) any good? Will it get me a job or not since it is online and not hands on? Could I get the online certificate then get a job and learn hands on there or doesn't that happen?
Should I go to a local career center? Though if I do that I'll lose my job for 8 months while I'm in school.
Just don't know what to do.

Penn Foster has one that is accredited and CHEAP. There is no substitute for experience BUT some will hire entry level.A better field pay wise is telecommunications. Follow your heart.

Frank in Chesapeake, Virginia said: Penn Foster has one that is accredited and CHEAP. There is no substitute for experience BUT some will hire entry level.A better field pay wise is telecommunications. Follow your heart.

steve from de.just told his nepheu the same thing but for elect. might save gas if he flunks any way ?

taking it on line is awast of your money you need the hands on

the kids doing that but they offer a journeymans cert. please correct me if I'm wrong but " you still need". what 600 hours to get that to right

I Have been in the HVAC field for 12 years, bottum line you cant learn to braze or solder online. Its something you have to do.You need a good hands on school, HVAC is a hands on buissness. if my boss hired someone from an online program I would refuse to work with him for saftey reasons. Alot of time these programs are a scam.

jay in Elmsford, New York said: I Have been in the HVAC field for 12 years, bottum line you cant learn to braze or solder online. Its something you have to do.You need a good hands on school, HVAC is a hands on buissness. if my boss hired someone from an online program I would refuse to work with him for saftey reasons. Alot of time these programs are a scam.

You are absolutely correct although these programs might at least get you enouph knowlege to begin a regular school so you would not be totally lost. but like you said you cannot learn to braze/solder online. And in school you dont have to crawl up in an attic or under a house or braze upside down with your head in a unit somewhere. School is a ide open controlled enviroment. School is a good place to start and good for credentials but the real tranning is in the field.

I m about to start school and wonder if this hvac will be the best way to have job security in this economy once your done with

A lot of the classes that i took were online and you just don't learn like you do in the field. Yeah taking some online classes may help but isn't exactly worth the money. Get into a good company that is willing to train you. My company trained me and when i got into this field i didn't even know the difference between a furnace and boiler. Thought they were the same thing hahaha.