Now that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next action is to choose an HVAC vocational school near Lake Placid FL. But with so many to pick from, how do you pick the ideal one to get the training that you need? Some prospective students will make their choice based solely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Although these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some 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 other criteria will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we discuss how to choose an HVAC trade school, let’s 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”]

Becoming an HVAC Pro in Lake Placid FL

HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though every state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Earning professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Lake Placid FL HVAC technicians to demonstrate that they are exceptionally proficient and knowledgeable in their area of specialization. There are several respected certifications within the field that are offered. Here are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination and may be earned in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 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 made available in multiple specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing may be mandated in your area, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make certain that the school you select preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree Schools

There are a variety of options offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically completed in as little as 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a short summary of each option offered near Lake Placid FL.

• Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They furnish 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 and cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to finish, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, along with the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One approach is to start with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Lake Placid FL, later returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Classes

Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one possibility in obtaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical training. A number also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be attended on the web, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Lake Placid FL students that are pressed for time. And some online degree programs are less costly than other on campus choices. Even commuting expenses from Lake Placid and study materials may be reduced, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And a large number of online programs 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 online HVAC degree program will make it easier to fit school into your busy schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Training Classes near Lake Placid FL

Once you have picked the type of certificate or degree that you would like to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Lake Placid FL area and throughout the Country to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of key qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first 2 variables you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical schools in the Lake Placid FL area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you get a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A low completion rate might signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential 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 employ 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 field, but additionally that it has the network of Lake Placid FL HVAC employers to assist grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Check if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with local Lake Placid FL HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed 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 technician you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Lake Placid FL HVAC company if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Lake Placid FL home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you get as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk to some of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lake Placid FL, check that the schools you are reviewing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Lake Placid FL?

Choose the Right HVAC Trade School near Lake Placid FL

Selecting the right HVAC training program is an important first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning trade. As we have covered in this post, you should select a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to look for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools personally 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 instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether evening or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the right questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC technician in Lake Placid FL.

More Fabulous Cities in Florida

Business Results 1 - 10 of 28

Bentz Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

15 Observation St, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Miller's Central Air

3 Reviews

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

Phone:

20 W Interlake Blvd, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Lakeside Air Conditioning

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

6555 US Hwy 27 S, Sebring, FL 33876

Absolutely Cool

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

1067 Hawthorne Dr, Sebring, FL 33870

Clark Air

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

5031 Lakewood Rd, Sebring, FL 33875

Long's Air Conditioning

3 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Generator Installation/Repair

Phone:

800 US Hwy 27 N, Avon Park, FL 33825

America First Air Conditioning & Heating

2 Reviews

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

Phone:

2153 State Rd 64 W, Avon Park, FL 33825

Affordable Air

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

3517 Monza Dr, Sebring, FL 33872

Ridge Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2731 E Oak Island Rd, Avon Park, FL 33825

Whitmire Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning

Phone:

500 S Lake Ave, Avon Park, FL 33825

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Lake Placid FL 33852 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.