Now that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next action is to choose an HVAC vocational school near Monroeville PA. But with so many to pick from, how do you pick the ideal one to receive the training that you need? A number of prospective students will make their choice based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Although these are important concerns, they are not the only ones to investigate. A few of the other details that you need to research are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional criteria will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC technical school, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning professional does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

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

How to Become an HVAC Professional in Monroeville PA

HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Monroeville PA HVAC techs to prove that they are highly proficient and experienced in their area of specialization. There are several acknowledged certifications within the industry that are offered. Below are a few of the significant ones.

• North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is attained by passing a proficiency examination and may be received in one or more specialties.
• HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
• EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be required in your area, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the school you select prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Courses

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 just 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each credential offered near Monroeville PA.

• Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
• Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more extensive background of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Generally taking two years to finish, some degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
• Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your long term career goals are, together with the time and money 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 Monroeville PA, subsequently returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Courses

Attending an HVAC program online is one option in attaining your education and receiving a degree or certificate. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in 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 online, this option may be a more convenient solution for many Monroeville PA students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus choices. Even commuting expenses from Monroeville and study supplies can be reduced, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your active lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes near Monroeville PA

When you have chosen the type of certificate or degree that you would like to earn, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Monroeville PA area and throughout the USA to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial 2 aspects you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade programs in the Monroeville PA area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you get a superior education, it can help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to be approved 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 or portion of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the program and quit. It might also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Monroeville PA HVAC employers to help students secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC vocational programs are taught in conjunction 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 businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with local Monroeville PA HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area 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 in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Monroeville PA HVAC contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Monroeville PA residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there can be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much individualized 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 see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to some of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the instructors and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Monroeville PA, verify that the schools you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make certain that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family issues.

Attending HVAC School near Monroeville PA?

Enroll in the Right HVAC Training Course near Monroeville PA

Enrolling in the ideal HVAC training program is an important beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling trade. As we have addressed in this post, 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 look for are sufficient 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 explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial assistance 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 options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC specialist in Monroeville PA.

More Fabulous Cities in Pennsylvania

Business Results 1 - 10 of 469

Schultheis Bros

13 Reviews

Roofing, Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1001 Millers Ln, Pittsburgh, PA 15239

Goods Plumbing Heating & Air

5 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

1398 Robbins Station Rd, Irwin, PA 15642

Boehmer Heating & Cooling

28 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

Pittsburgh, PA 15226

Brickhaas Plumbing HVAC

10 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

415 Elmore Ave, West Mifflin, PA 15122

R.J. Staso Heating & Air Conditioning

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

14810 State Rt 30, Irwin, PA 15642

Gregg's Heating & Cooling

4 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

2789 E Elfinwild Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101

Ventec Refrigeration

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair

Phone:

2531 Universal Rd, Penn Hills, PA 15235

Beam Heating and Air Conditioning

2 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

140 James Pl, Monroeville, PA 15146

Lenart Heating & Cooling

1 Reviews

Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

814 Sylvan Ave, North Versailles, PA 15137

Restano Plumbing Heating & Cooling

4 Reviews

Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC

Phone:

130 Anderson Ln, Pittsburgh, PA 15239

 

The post HVAC Schools Near Me in Monroeville PA 15146 appeared first on Become an HVAC Technician.