Once you have decided on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next action is to choose an HVAC technical school near Bunker Hill WV. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the best one to receive the training that you require? Some prospective students will make their decision based exclusively on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Even though these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some of the other factors that you need to investigate are the graduation 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 within this article. But before we explore how to choose an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

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

How to Become an HVAC Tech in Bunker Hill WV

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, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, however each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Earning professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative way for Bunker Hill WV HVAC techs to establish that they are exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable in their area of specialization. There are multiple recognized certifications within the industry that are offered. Following are some of the important ones.

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

Since licensing could be required in your location, and you may also intend to acquire certification, it’s essential that you enroll in an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you pick prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

There are a variety of choices available for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least period of time, usually achieved in just 6 months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each credential offered near Bunker Hill WV.

• Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC specialists. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more detailed knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally taking two years to complete, a number of degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored 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 learning how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Selecting 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 approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Bunker Hill WV, later returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Enrolling in an HVAC program online is one option to attaining your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. A number also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be attended on the web, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Bunker Hill WV students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Bunker Hill and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family commitments have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to accommodate school into your hectic schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses near Bunker Hill WV

As soon as you have chosen the type of certificate or degree that you want to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Bunker Hill WV area and all over the United States to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first 2 aspects you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Bunker Hill WV area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you get a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It could also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may mean 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 Bunker Hill WV HVAC employers to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with local Bunker Hill WV HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Bunker Hill WV HVAC contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Bunker Hill WV home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Bunker Hill WV, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Bunker Hill WV?

Pick the Right HVAC Trade School near Bunker Hill WV

Selecting the right HVAC training course is an important first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. As we have covered in this post, you should select a school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC field. Other factors to search for are plenty of practical training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. In addition, ask about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the right questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for evaluating 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 contractor in Bunker Hill WV.

More Fabulous Cities in West Virginia

Business Results 1 - 10 of 158

Gemini Services

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

410 Ruebuck Rd, Clear Brook, VA 22624

J&L Heating and Air Conditioning

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Inwood, WV 25428

Aplus Hvac

8 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Winchester, VA 22601

Shenandoah Air Conditioning & Heating

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

351 Edmond Rd, Kearneysville, WV 25430

Book Sheet Metal Heating & Air

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Bunker Hill, WV 25413

DM Select Services

5 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

10 W Boscawen St, Ste 22, Winchester, VA 22601

Mike's Repairs & Service

3 Reviews

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

Phone:

Winchester, VA 22601

M E Flow, Inc.

4 Reviews

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

Phone:

Winchester, VA 22603

Trenary Service Company

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

900 Winchester Ave, Martinsburg, WV 25401

Small Solutions

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing

Phone:

1961 Abrams Creek Dr, Winchester, VA 22601

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Bunker Hill WV 25413 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.