HVAC Schools Near Me in Brownsburg IN 46112

How to Select an HVAC Certification Class near Brownsburg Indiana

Brownsburg IN HVAC tech servicing AC compressor Now that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next action is to choose an HVAC trade school near Brownsburg IN. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide on the best one to obtain the training that you require? A number of prospective students will make their choice based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Even though these are significant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to investigate. Just some of the other details 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. These and other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later in this article. But before we discuss how to select an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and air conditioning contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Pro in Brownsburg IN

Brownsburg IN HVAC tech servicing industrial furnaces HVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, although every state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Obtaining professional certification is not required, but an optional means for Brownsburg IN HVAC specialists to establish that they are exceptionally qualified and experienced in their area of expertise. There are a number of respected certifications within the trade that are offered. Following are some of the significant ones.

North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a competency examination and may be received in one or more specialties.
HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience together with a passing result on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be mandated in your area, and you may also desire to obtain certification, it’s imperative that you select an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make certain that the school you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

Brownsburg IN HVAC contractor installing residential water heater There are several choices offered for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least period of time, often completed in just 6 months, although some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive edge in the job market and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short explanation of each option offered near Brownsburg IN.

Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more comprehensive knowledge of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally taking 2 years to complete, some 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 require an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 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 right credential program will be based on what your future career goals are, along with the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Brownsburg IN, eventually returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

attending HVAC Training School Online in Brownsburg IN Enrolling in an HVAC school online is one option in getting your education and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Many also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended via the internet, this approach may be a more practical solution for many Brownsburg IN students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are cheaper than other traditional alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Brownsburg 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 work or family responsibilities 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 lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Training Classes near Brownsburg IN

When you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either online or on campus, you can start to decrease your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many HVAC technical schools in the Brownsburg IN area and across the USA to select from. That’s why it is essential to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school assessments. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the initial 2 variables you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation. A large number of HVAC technical schools in the Brownsburg IN area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can attain Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the school is 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 acquire a quality education, it can assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates. Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It could also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may result in 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 a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Brownsburg IN HVAC employers to help students obtain 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 programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Brownsburg IN HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities. Make sure that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Brownsburg IN HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Brownsburg IN home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes. It’s important that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling. Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Brownsburg IN, confirm that the programs you are looking at provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Attending HVAC School near Brownsburg IN?

Brownsburg, Indiana

In 2009, Brownsburg was ranked #33 (and highest ranking town in Indiana) on CNN Money Magazine's list of America's best small towns. The magazine cited Brownsburg's low crime, strong economy and excellent schools as factors for placing Brownsburg at the top.[7]

Brownsburg is located in northeastern Hendricks County at 39°50′31″N 86°23′44″W / 39.84194°N 86.39556°W / 39.84194; -86.39556 (39.842032, -86.395641).[8] It is bordered to the east by Clermont and Indianapolis in Marion County, to the south by Avon, and to the northwest by Pittsboro. U.S. Route 136 is Brownsburg's Main Street, leading southeast 15 miles (24 km) to downtown Indianapolis and northwest through Pittsboro 30 miles (48 km) to Crawfordsville. Interstate 74 parallels US-136 and runs through the northern side of Brownsburg, with access from Exits 66 and 68. I-74 leads southeast to Indianapolis and west-northwest 107 miles (172 km) to Urbana–Champaign, Illinois. Interstate 65 passes approximately 8 miles (13 km) northeast of the community, and Interstate 70 about 13 miles (21 km) south. State Road 267 (Green Street) runs north and south through the middle of Brownsburg and serves as one of the town's main thoroughfares.

According to the 2010 census, Brownsburg has a total area of 11.16 square miles (28.90 km2), of which 11.08 square miles (28.70 km2) (or 99.28%) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km2) (or 0.72%) is water.[9]White Lick Creek, a tributary of the White River, flows from north to south through the town, passing just west of the town center.

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Choose the Right HVAC Training Course near Brownsburg IN

Picking the right HVAC training program is a crucial beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling trade. As we have covered in this post, you should select a school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC profession. Other features to look for are ample hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should visit 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. Additionally, ask about scheduling options and whether or not night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the right questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices 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 Brownsburg IN.