Once you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning technician, the next step is to look for an HVAC trade school near Saunderstown RI. But with so many to select from, how do you choose the best one to get the training that you need? A number of potential students will make their decision based solely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Even though these are significant considerations, they are not the only ones to investigate. Just some of the other details that you need to research are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other criteria will be discussed in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to choose an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

[campusexplorer header_text=”Find HVAC Training Schools Near You!” aos=”53237562″ concentration=”16D42C74″ tracking=”HVAC-D”]

Becoming an HVAC Specialist in Saunderstown RI

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, however each state and local municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an optional way for Saunderstown RI HVAC technicians to prove that they are exceptionally proficient and knowledgeable in their area of specialization. There are a number of respected certifications within the field that are offered. Following are some of the important ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a competency exam and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience together with passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience along with a passing result on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for techs that handle refrigerants. There are three types of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing could be mandated in your area, and you may also intend to obtain certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you pick readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Training Programs

There are a variety of options offered for HVAC training in a trade or technical school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the least amount of time, typically achieved in just 6 months, although some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will furnish more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short description of each option offered near Saunderstown RI.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more comprehensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually taking two years to complete, many degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the right credential program will be dependent on what your long term career aspirations are, along with the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the trade in Saunderstown RI, subsequently returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Courses

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one possibility to attaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. Many also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes can be attended online, this approach may be a more convenient solution for some Saunderstown RI students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are more economical than other on campus options. Even travelling expenses from Saunderstown and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more economical. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family obligations have left you with little time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your active lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses near Saunderstown RI

After you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you wish to earn, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Saunderstown RI area and across the Country to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs in the Saunderstown RI area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Make certain that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you receive a quality education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Saunderstown RI HVAC employers to assist graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with local Saunderstown RI HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Saunderstown RI HVAC contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Saunderstown RI home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Saunderstown RI, verify that the programs you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending HVAC School near Saunderstown RI?

Enroll in the Right HVAC Training Course near Saunderstown RI

Choosing the ideal HVAC training course is a crucial beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. As we have discussed in this article, you should pick a trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC field. Other things to search for are ample practical training and modern facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC professional in Saunderstown RI.

More Fabulous Cities in Rhode Island

Business Results 1 - 10 of 223

Buckley Heating & Cooling

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Generator Installation/Repair

Phone:

1632 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879

The Plumber Company

2 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

181 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840

T Gomes Heating & Cooling

17 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

Warwick, RI 02888

Cmags HVAC

8 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

Warwick, RI 02887

Wakefield Fireplace & Grill

1 Reviews

Fireplace Services

Phone:

591 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, RI 02879

Riley Wm J Plumbing & Heating

22 Reviews

Backflow Services, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

15 New England Way, Warwick, RI 02886

R B Queern

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

200 High Point Ave, Unit B-7, Portsmouth, RI 02871

J & B Refrigeration

1 Reviews

Appliances & Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

31 Grove Ave, North Kingstown, RI 02852

Valcourt Heating

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

410 Fish Rd, Tiverton, RI 02878

Gino's Plumbing and Heating

9 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair

Phone:

1837 Post Rd, Warwick, RI 02886

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Saunderstown RI 02874 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.