HVAC Schools Near Me in Plattsburgh NY 12901

How to Select an HVAC Certification Class near Plattsburgh New York

Plattsburgh NY HVAC tech servicing AC compressorOnce you have made a decision on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Plattsburgh NY. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the ideal one to obtain the training that you need? A number of potential students will make their decision based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Even though these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other details that you need to investigate are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional benchmarks will be discussed in more detail later in this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Pro in Plattsburgh NY

Plattsburgh NY HVAC tech servicing industrial furnacesHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, however every state and local municipality has its own criteria. Earning professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative way for Plattsburgh NY HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are several recognized certifications within the trade that are offered. Here are some of the important 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 earned in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience in addition to a passing score on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for techs that work with refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification obtainable, 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 intend to earn certification, it’s imperative that you select an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make sure that the program you decide on preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Training Programs

Plattsburgh NY HVAC contractor installing residential water heaterThere are a number of alternatives available for HVAC instruction in a trade or technical school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically accomplished in just six months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short summary of each option offered near Plattsburgh NY.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential 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 comprehensive understanding of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring 2 years to finish, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards 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 mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your long term career aspirations are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One option is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Plattsburgh NY, subsequently going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Schools

attending HVAC Training School Online in Plattsburgh NYEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one approach in attaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in practical 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 may be attended on the web, this option may be a more convenient solution for many Plattsburgh NY students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are cheaper than other traditional alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Plattsburgh and study supplies may be minimized, helping to make education more economical. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools near Plattsburgh NY

As soon as you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you desire to obtain, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are a large number of HVAC technical schools in the Plattsburgh NY area and throughout the United States to choose from. That’s why it is very important to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school assessments. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first 2 aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Plattsburgh NY area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Make sure that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Additionally, some states mandate 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 portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were unhappy with the program and dropped out. It might also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also essential that the schools have higher 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 confirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Plattsburgh NY HVAC employers to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of HVAC contractors or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Plattsburgh NY HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working with concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Plattsburgh NY HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Plattsburgh NY home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized 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 witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Speak to a few of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Plattsburgh NY, confirm that the programs you are considering offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Attending HVAC School near Plattsburgh NY?

Plattsburgh (city), New York

Plattsburgh is a city in and the seat of Clinton County, New York, United States. The population was 19,989 at the 2010 census.[1] The population of the unincorporated areas within the Town of Plattsburgh was 11,870 as of the 2010 census, making the population for the immediate Plattsburgh region 31,859.

The City of Plattsburgh is the population center and county seat at the heart of the Plattsburgh micropolitan statistical area (MSA) - population 82,128 as of the 2010 Census.[3] A statistical area representing the greater Plattsburgh region (as defined by the U.S. government), the Plattsburgh MSA includes all communities in the immediate Clinton County, New York area.

Beginning with Samuel de Champlain's expedition into the Lake Champlain valley in 1609,[4] the Plattsburgh region began to come under the French influence, and later passed under British, and finally American control. The early French contact and its closeness to Quebec made this an historically French area. Located in the extended fur trade network in the Montreal hinterland, the Plattsburgh area was the realm of the coureur des bois, who served the larger trading hub in Montreal.

The location could not be found.

Select the Right HVAC Training Course near Plattsburgh NY

Choosing the ideal HVAC training program is a crucial first step toward a gratifying career in the heating & cooling trade. As we have covered in this post, you need to choose a vocational school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC community. Other features to look for are plenty of practical 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 current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling options and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices 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 Plattsburgh NY.

More Fabulous Cities in New York

  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Newtonville NY 12128
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Chappaqua NY 10514
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Keeseville NY 12911
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Parish NY 13131
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Kinderhook NY 12106
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Rush NY 14543
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Akron NY 14001
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Harris NY 12742
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in North Salem NY 10560
  • HVAC Schools Near Me in Rensselaerville NY 12147
  •  

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 24

    Griffith Energy
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4736 State Route 9, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

    Williamson Plumbing & Heating
    3 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    444 Shunpike Rd, Williston, VT 05495

    Jay Mechanical
    10 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    Essex Junction, VT 05452

    Phil's Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    223 Sand Rd, Morrisonville, NY 12962

    Rene's Repair
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    9592 State Rt 9, Chazy, NY 12921

    Red Rock Mechanical LLC
    4 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    339 Red Rock Rd, Colchester, VT 05446

    Vermont Heating & Ventilating
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    16 Tigan St, Ste A, Winooski, VT 05404

    Niquette Brothers Plumbing & Heating
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    14 Whitney St, Winooski, VT 05404

    Chuck's Heating & Air Conditioning
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    416 Roosevelt Hwy, Colchester, VT 05446

    Energy Co-op of Vermont
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Home Energy Auditors
    Phone:
    73 Prim Rd, Ste 3, Colchester, VT 05446