Now that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Gallaway TN. But with so many to select from, how do you pick the right one to receive the training that you require? Some prospective students will make their selection based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Although these are important concerns, they are not the only ones to investigate. A few of the other factors that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional benchmarks will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we discuss how to pick an HVAC vocational school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c contractor does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

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

Becoming an HVAC Specialist in Gallaway TN

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly mandated to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Obtaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative way for Gallaway TN HVAC techs to establish that they are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are multiple respected certifications within the field that are available. Following are some of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved 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 in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is required for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing could be mandated in your area, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s important that you choose an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make certain that the program you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree Classes

There are a variety of options offered for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, often achieved in as little as 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive edge in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short description of each option offered near Gallaway TN.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more extensive background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring two years to complete, a number of degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your long term career goals are, along with the time and money that you have to invest. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Gallaway TN, subsequently returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Classes

Attending an HVAC program online is one possibility in attaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Some also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes can be participated in online, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for some Gallaway TN students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are cheaper than other on campus alternatives. Even driving expenses from Gallaway and study materials can be lessened, helping to make schooling more economical. And a large number of online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your busy schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools near Gallaway TN

As soon as you have chosen the type of certificate or degree that you wish to earn, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Gallaway TN area and throughout the United States to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial two variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Gallaway TN area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you obtain a quality education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate may signify that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It may also signify that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to use 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 industry, but also that it has the network of Gallaway TN HVAC employers to assist graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC technical programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working relationships with local Gallaway TN HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Gallaway TN HVAC contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Gallaway TN home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Gallaway TN, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Gallaway TN?

Choose the Right HVAC Training Classes near Gallaway TN

Picking the ideal HVAC training course is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and cooling industry. As we have addressed in this article, you need to select a vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC community. Other factors to look for are plenty of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC specialist in Gallaway TN.

More Fabulous Cities in Tennessee

Business Results 1 - 10 of 72

Precision Air Conditioning & Heating

6 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Insulation Installation

Phone:

2099 Thomas Rd, Ste 23, Memphis, TN 38134

Conway Services

40 Reviews

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

Phone:

1220 Big Orange Rd, Cordova, TN 38018

At Home Heating and Air

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1367 Milestone Cir, Collierville, TN 38017

Steve Ray's Services

1 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

12029 Mott St, Arlington, TN 38002

Choate's Air Conditioning, Heating And Plumbing

15 Reviews

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

Phone:

820 Herbert Rd, Cordova, TN 38018

Shelby Heat And & Conditioning, HVAC

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

5700 Commander Dr, Arlington, TN 38002

Appliance Pro

1 Reviews

Appliances & Repair, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

9998 Cameron Ridge Trl, Cordova, TN 38016

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Insulation Installation

Phone:

7470 Bartlett Corp Cv W, Ste 101, Bartlett, TN 38133

MasterTechs

1 Reviews

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

Phone:

Oakland, TN 38060

Aire Serv of Tipton County

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

120 West Liberty Ave, Covington, TN 38019

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Gallaway TN 38036 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.