Now that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next step is to find an HVAC technical school near Silver Plume CO. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the ideal one to get the training that you require? Many potential students will make their selection based entirely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Although these are significant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to investigate. Some of the other things that you need to investigate 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 covered in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to select an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling specialist 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 Silver Plume CO

HVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, though each state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Obtaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an optional way for Silver Plume CO HVAC techs to demonstrate that they are highly qualified and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are several respected certifications within the field that are offered. Below are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is attained by passing a proficiency exam and may be received in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience along with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in various specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for specialists that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be required in your area, and you may also desire to acquire certification, it’s important that you choose an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be handling refrigerants, make sure that the program you pick preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Classes

There are several alternatives available for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the minimum period of time, typically completed in as little as six months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short explanation of each option offered near Silver Plume CO.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more exhaustive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Typically 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 towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the right credential program will be based on what your long term career objectives are, along with the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Silver Plume CO, subsequently going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

Attending an HVAC program online is one possibility to attaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. A number also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes can be participated in via the internet, this option may be a more practical solution for some Silver Plume CO students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even commuting expenses from Silver Plume and study supplies can be minimized, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family responsibilities have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your busy lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Training Classes near Silver Plume CO

As soon as you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Silver Plume CO area and throughout the USA to select from. That’s why it is essential to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school assessments. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the first two variables you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC trade schools in the Silver Plume CO area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Confirm that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you obtain a quality education, it can help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify 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 course. A lower completion rate might signify that students were dissatisfied with the course and quit. It may also suggest that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Silver Plume CO HVAC employers to help students obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC trade programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Silver Plume CO HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC technician you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Silver Plume CO HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Silver Plume CO residence. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized 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 see how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with a few of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the instructors and learn 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 reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Silver Plume CO, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Attending HVAC School near Silver Plume CO?

Pick the Right HVAC Training Course near Silver Plume CO

Choosing the right HVAC training program is a crucial beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling trade. As we have covered in this article, you should pick a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC trade. Other things to search for are sufficient 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 talk with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling options and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Silver Plume CO.

More Fabulous Cities in Colorado

Business Results 1 - 10 of 50

Precision Air

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

509 6th St, Georgetown, CO 80444

Mountain Country Plumbing & Heating

2 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Black Hawk, CO 80422

Meyers Heating & Air Conditioning

17 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

260 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Summit Professional Services

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

221 Warren Ave, Silverthorne, CO 80498

Dillon Plumbing & Heating

2 Reviews

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

Phone:

129 W 10th St, Silverthorne, CO 80498

Denver Heat

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2819 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs, CO 80452

Blue Sky Plumbing & Heating

3 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1524 Belford Ct, Ste 4B, Evergreen, CO 80439

Ponderosa Heating & Air Conditioning

7 Reviews

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

Phone:

1050 N Pine Dr, Bailey, CO 80421

Atlas Plumbing & Heating

3 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

167 Evergreen Dr, Evergreen, CO 80439

Alliance Heating & Plumbing

1 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

34282 Hwy 9, Silverthorne, CO 80498

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Silver Plume CO 80476 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.