Are you looking for a career that allows you to build meaningful business relationships? Have you always been fascinated with how machines work and troubleshooting issues? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about how to find and choose the best HVAC program for your needs.
Doing so can help you learn all about how to kickstart your HVAC technician career. With the right HVAC training program, you can get the experience and knowledge to fix any issue you’ll come across.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to find the best HVAC programs for your needs.
1. EPA Certification
You wouldn’t attend a college that didn’t have any accreditation towards your future career, why do any differently for the HVAC training program you invest your time and money into?
Believe it or not, there are training programs out there that don’t contain the proper exams for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification. To go through one of these would be a massive waste of time.
If you’re going to become EPA certified, then you need to pass certain specialized exams. These exams are spread into three different types.
The first type of exam covers small appliances, such as dehumidifiers, refrigerators, and small air conditioner units. The second type of exam covers high-pressure appliances such as any high-pressure air conditioning or heating unit.
The third type of exam consists of any low-pressure appliances, such as low-pressure refrigerants. If you go after a universal EPA certification, then you will have mastered all three of the different types of exams.
Your qualifications for becoming an HVAC technician depend on the state that you live in. Currently, 35 states require MVAC licensing to become a technician. Knowing the specifics of those state requirements will help you carve out a path to your future career.
2. Find a Trusted Program
If you’re going to prepare for all that an HVAC career has in store for you, you need to find trusted HVAC programs to build up your experience. But how do you know when a program fits you?
First, make sure the program can accommodate your schedule. Some of you may have to fit the program into your full-time work schedule, so make sure the program has a track record of being flexible.
Next, look into the curriculum of the HVAC program. Do they cover critical topics of the job in detail? How does their curriculum set you up for success in your career?
You will also want to find a program that can help you get hands-on experience. Trust us, you don’t want your first day on the job to be one of the first times you’re laying your hands on equipment. You want to be street smart, not book smart.
Lastly, do they help you with finding a job after the fact? How are they able to ensure that all of your training will lead to a job? Here at HVAC Training HQ, we’ll help you find a program that leads to a full-time job or apprenticeship after your training.
3. Training Through the Responsibilities
A proper HVAC program will help you understand all of the duties of the job. Both residential and commercial clients will depend on your HVAC knowledge to oversee things like:
- Installation of HVAC systems
- Ensuring that all HVAC installations abide by local HVAC codes
- Troubleshooting dilemmas and providing prompt solutions
- Emergency repairs, whenever necessary
The list goes on and on. There is also a communication aspect to the job, as you’ll be the liaison between the customer and the engineer to make sure the HVAC products answer their biggest pain points.
A true HVAC program isn’t just focused on teaching you how to fix things. It also gives you sage advice on how to communicate with customers, how to build relationships, ways to put HVAC jargon in terms the customer will understand, and more.
4. Know the Process
Before you can find the right HVAC program, you need to know where it fits into your path. We consider the program to be step two of a five-step process:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Find and complete an accredited HVAC program
- Perform 2,000 hours of a hands-on HVAC apprenticeship (advised, but not mandatory)
- Work in the field for a contractor to gain experience
- Become professionally certified within your state
This is why it’s so important to find a strong program. Find one with a curriculum that’s focused on preparing yourself for the future, not just the equivalent of a dating app for connecting you with a job.
5. Look for HVAC/R Certified Programs
For those of you that are unfamiliar, HVAC/R stands for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. To ensure that you know all of these key aspects, you’ll want to pursue an HVAC/R certified program.
But where do you go to find one? Not to worry! Simply use the home page on our website to search for the one nearest you. All you need is to punch in your zip code to find ones within your area.
This will ensure that you’ve found a trusted program that can help you fit your training into your current daily agenda.
Invest in a Trusted HVAC Program Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to find and choose the best HVAC program for your needs, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to browse our website for all the information you will need while looking for trusted HVAC programs. Start by punching in your zip code to find an HVAC/R accredited program near you!