Once you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning technician, the next step is to find an HVAC technical school near Baltimore MD. But with so many to pick from, how do you pick the right one to get the training that you require? Many potential students will make their choice based exclusively on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. While these are necessary considerations, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other factors that you need to investigate 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 addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC technical school, let’s 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 Contractor in Baltimore MD

HVAC is an acronym that is widely used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, however every state and local municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an optional way for Baltimore MD HVAC technicians to establish that they are highly qualified and experienced in their area of expertise. There are many acknowledged certifications within the industry that are offered. Here are some of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of professional experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are required 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 provided in various specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for techs that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be mandated in your location, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will prepare you for both. And since you will most likely be dealing with refrigerants, make certain that the program you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Training Programs

There are a number of alternatives available for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the least period of time, usually achieved in as little as six months, however some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short explanation of each credential offered near Baltimore MD.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more comprehensive background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring 2 years to finish, many 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 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.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be based on what your future career goals are, in addition to the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One approach is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Baltimore MD, later going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one possibility in obtaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in practical 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 may be participated in online, this approach may be a more accessible solution for some Baltimore MD students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other traditional options. Even travelling expenses from Baltimore and study supplies may be minimized, helping to make schooling more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it less complicated to accommodate school into your active schedule.

Questions For HVAC Trade Schools near Baltimore MD

After you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Baltimore MD area and throughout the Country to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of important qualifications when making school comparisons. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational schools in the Baltimore MD area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you acquire a superior education, it can assist in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Additionally, a number of states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher 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 employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Baltimore MD HVAC employers to help grads secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with local Baltimore MD HVAC professionals. 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 regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Baltimore MD HVAC contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Baltimore MD residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and experience the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Baltimore MD, verify that the programs you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Baltimore MD?

Pick the Right HVAC Certification Training near Baltimore MD

Finding the right HVAC training program is a crucial first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and air conditioning field. As we have covered in this article, you should select a vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to search for are ample hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to tour the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to ask about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the proper questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Baltimore MD.

More Fabulous Cities in Maryland

Business Results 1 - 10 of 654

Maryland Heating & Cooling

39 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

4943 Roundhill Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

HVAC Direct Heating & Cooling

10 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Catonsville, MD 21228

Powell & Turner Heating & Cooling

29 Reviews

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

Phone:

6308 Buck Cavey Ln, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090

It's Phenomenal Air Heating and Cooling

8 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

3001 Springhill Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215

Pinnacle Heating & Air Conditioning

6 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1001 68th St, Baltimore, MD 21237

FIXED! HVAC Service

41 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Gambrills, MD 21054

K&B HVAC Services

6 Reviews

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

Phone:

7955 Trailview Xing, Glen Burnie, MD 21060

KLG Services

10 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians, Plumbing

Phone:

1732 Old Joppa Rd, Baltimore, MD 21087

Amazing Heating & Air Conditioning

25 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1922 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230

O'Neill Plumbing & Heating

6 Reviews

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

Phone:

3927 Falls Rd, Baltimore, MD 21211

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Baltimore MD 21201 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.