In our last article, we discussed what an HVAC Technician is and does. We explained what kind of training they need, what they do on the job, and the industries they can work in. This article will discuss the next step of the process, which is HVAC Certification, and why it is important and necessary. As a consumer, we believe it is essential to understand who you are hiring because it will save you time, money and guarantee that the correct service is being performed each time.
Why does an HVAC Tech Need a Certification?
What is HVAC Certified? An HVAC Certification is an aid in identifying the scope and level of a tech's competency. The industry needs to identify the competency throughout the tech's career to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest technology and units. HVAC is much different now than it used to be, even 10 years ago. Our articles titled "What is HVAC?" and "How Long Does an HVAC System Last?" give insight into the latest HVAC units and technology. With technology becoming more energy-efficient and computer-based, HVAC techs are at the forefront of this new "green-collar" industry.
What is the Certification Process?
- Be at least 18 years old, and have a high school diploma or GED.
- Approval from the Alabama licensing board to sit for the exam.
- Be registered as an HVAC Apprentice.
- Complete at least 3,000 hours of HVAC coursework.
- Graduate from an approved HVAC School.
Are there Different Certifications?
An HVAC Technician will learn all about different heating and cooling units and technologies and how to troubleshoot and perform emergency fixes if the situation calls for it. Even though there is one primary certification, there are different specialties they can train for, such as:
- Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Analysis
- Light Commercial Refrigeration
- Residential Low-Pressure Hydronic heat
- Basic Refrigeration and Charging Procedures
- Fuel and Natural Gas Combustion
- System Diagnostics and Troubleshooting Procedures
- Energy Management Technology
Not every HVAC Tech will specialize in these different systems and services, but an HVAC Company will have multiple techs who have different specialties. This way, a company can cater to all the needs of their customers all in one place.
Why is Certification Important?
At Valley Heating and Cooling, we pride ourselves on hiring the best technicians to serve our customers. Our technicians are trained, certified, and continue to learn new services as they work on our team. We install, service, maintenance, and repair, all units and we provide our customers 24/7 emergency service availability. If you are unsure about your current unit's efficiency, give us a call, and our experienced HVAC technicians will come out and run maintenance checks to see if your unit is running correctly.