The Role of Certified Technicians in Delivering Top-Notch Service
When it comes to ensuring a pleasant, eco-friendly home or business, nothing compares to working with a certified HVAC technician. These comfort Experts deliver professionalism, reliability and total peace of mind to every project, making sure your HVAC system runs smoothly. If you’re wondering what sets certified technicians apart, a great place to start includes their educational requirements, certification options and the benefits they bring over something like DIY.
Educational Requirements for HVAC Technicians
Extensive training and continuing education are necessary to become a certified HVAC technician. They can include some of the following stages:
- Formal training: Most HVAC programs start with a certificate or associate degree from a vocational school or community college. These courses usually take six months up to two years and provide information on the principles of HVAC products as well as electrical work and even refrigeration.
- Apprenticeships: Direct experience is essential for any trade. Apprenticeships, which may last three to five years on average, provide on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Apprentices work under the guidance of experienced staff to gain practical skills more quickly.
- Licensing exams: As soon as they finish a formal education and apprenticeship program, new technicians will next need to pass state or local licensing tests, putting their recent education of HVAC systems, safety protocols and building codes to the test.
HVAC Licenses and Certification Types
HVAC technicians may obtain various certifications that improve their skills and trustworthiness. Some of the most common and highly regarded options are:
- EPA certification: The Environmental Protection Agency requires all HVAC technicians who handle refrigerants to be certified. EPA certification ensures they understand how to properly and legally work with these potentially ozone-depleting substances.
- NATE certification: The North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification is a nationally known credential. It demonstrates a technician’s expertise in different HVAC areas, such as air conditioning, heat pumps and gas furnaces.
- HVAC Excellence certification: This program delivers a selection of credentials for different levels of experience, from entry-level technicians to senior-level professionals.
- RSES certification: The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society provides certifications focused on refrigeration and HVAC systems.
Benefits of Hiring a Certified HVAC Technician
Don’t fall into the trap of choosing an unlicensed contractor to repair or install your HVAC system. Here’s how you benefit from selecting a certified pro for the job:
- Higher level of expertise: Certified technicians have experienced years of training, apprenticeships and exams, enabling them to hone the knowledge and skills needed to manage every HVAC problem they face.
- Establishing industry standards: HVAC professionals are required by federal law to be EPA-certified if they manage refrigerants. Many states and employers also want these more experienced HVAC technicians to hold at least one other certification to verify their skills and knowledge. Make this a personal requirement when comparing local companies to ensure you hire a professional that matches or even exceeds industry standards.
- Safety and code compliance: Certified technicians are well-versed in safety protocols and commercial building codes. This important knowledge helps avoid expensive mishaps and ensures your system is always up to code.
- Warranty protection: Most HVAC manufacturers require certified technicians to perform installations and repairs to preserve warranty coverage. As a result, hiring a certified technician is an important part of protecting your home comfort investment.
- Reliable installation and repair work: With extensive industry experience and modern tools and techniques at their disposal, certified technicians have the expertise to install and service your HVAC system correctly. Their higher standards lower the risk of issues down the road, which can even stretch your equipment’s life span.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that a trained professional is managing your HVAC needs provides priceless peace of mind. You can rest easy that the work will be done right the first time, saving you time, money and trouble in the long run.
Call a Certified HVAC Technician Near You
At Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc., we make certification a requirement for joining our team. As a result, our technicians shoot for prompt, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems. We back our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning that if you’re not totally happy with our service, we’ll make it right.
You will always be able to trust us for a job well done. Contact us today to feel the difference a certified HVAC Expert can make in your home or business.