Once you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and cooling specialist, the next step is to choose an HVAC trade school near Olmsted Falls OH. But with so many to select from, how do you pick the best one to get the training that you require? A number of potential students will make their selection based exclusively on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. While these are relevant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to take into account. Some of the other details that you need to research are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other criteria will be discussed in more detail later in this article. But before we discuss how to pick an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling contractor does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

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

How to Become an HVAC Professional in Olmsted Falls OH

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though every state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Obtaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative means for Olmsted Falls OH HVAC technicians to demonstrate that they are highly qualified and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are a number of recognized certifications within the trade that are offered. Here are some of the important ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination and may be received in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be mandated in your area, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the program you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Training Programs

There are several choices available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the lesser amount of time, typically accomplished in as little as six months, though some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will provide more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each credential offered near Olmsted Falls OH.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more extensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally taking two years to complete, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the right credential program will be based on what your long term career objectives are, together with the time and money that you have to commit. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Olmsted Falls OH, subsequently returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Schools Online

Enrolling in an HVAC program online is one option in obtaining your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to complete practical training. Some also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended via the internet, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Olmsted Falls OH students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are more economical than other traditional options. Even travelling expenses from Olmsted Falls and study supplies can be minimized, helping to make education more economical. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family responsibilities have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses near Olmsted Falls OH

After you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you desire to attain, either online or on campus, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Olmsted Falls OH area and all over the Country to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school assessments. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial two variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade schools in the Olmsted Falls OH area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Confirm that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you acquire a superior education, it can assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, many states require that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate may indicate that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could 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 graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Olmsted Falls OH HVAC employers to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC training programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have working relationships with local Olmsted Falls OH HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC technician you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Olmsted Falls OH HVAC contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Olmsted Falls OH home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in 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 difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Olmsted Falls OH, confirm that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Olmsted Falls OH?

Select the Right HVAC Training Classes near Olmsted Falls OH

Picking the right HVAC training course is an important beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling trade. As we have addressed in this post, you need to pick a trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC trade. Other factors to look for are plenty of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect 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 night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the proper questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC technician in Olmsted Falls OH.

More Fabulous Cities in Ohio

Business Results 1 - 10 of 160

All In Mechanical

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair

Phone:

300 N Rocky River Dr, Ste D, Berea, OH 44017

Climate-Tech

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

7900 Root Rd, Ste A, North Ridgeville, OH 44039

Portman Mechanical

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Home Automation, Plumbing

Phone:

25381 Tyndall Falls Dr, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138

Kuna Heating and Air Conditioning

4 Reviews

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

Phone:

18248 Meadow Ln, Strongsville, OH 44136

Slife Heating & Cooling

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

13729 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107

K & K Heating & Cooling

13 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Parma, OH 44134

Huge Heating & Cooling

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Home Energy Auditors

Phone:

711 W Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017

Budget HVAC

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

15700 Brookpark Rd, Cleveland, OH 44135

Viccarone Heating & Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

33549 Royalton Rd, Ste 12, Columbia Station, OH 44028

Sal's Heating & Cooling Showroom

21 Reviews

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

Phone:

11701 Royalton Rd, North Royalton, OH 44133

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Olmsted Falls OH 44138 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.