Rating 4, 9 (17, 66) Our NATE certified technicians are available to provide service any time of the day or night without emergency charges like the competition. Wallace State Community College and College of Southern Nevada offer several HVAC programs that emphasize hands-on training and experience to help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass licensing and certification procedures. The programs include three short-term certificates: heating technician (12 credit hours), refrigerant management specialist (12 credit hours), and air conditioning technician (24 credit hours), a 55-credit HVAC certificate, and a 64-credit AAS degree in HVAC technology. In addition to technical skills, certain personality traits can increase a potential HVAC technician's chances of success. Popular certifications in this sector include those offered by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the Association of Refrigeration Engineers and Technicians (RETA), and HVAC Excellence (in partnership with the Esco Group).
The HVAC programs offered at Mount San Antonio Community College are accredited by both HVAC Excellence and PAHRA. As HVAC technicians advance in their careers, some specialize more in the types of work they do. For example, a non-specialty HVAC technician working for a construction company may need to obtain a certification in the field of installing HVAC systems to advance and oversee new buildings. Advanced HVAC certifications can be attractive to both potential employers and customers, but they are not mandatory. Two institutions that offer accreditations for HVAC classes are HVAC Excellence and Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA). Learn more from Lainey Brooks, architect and HVAC sustainability expert, about how to make HVAC systems sustainable and how regulations help increase sustainability.
First, HVAC technicians must be well-informed about the specific features of HVAC systems to perform repairs. Some HVAC technicians choose to gain their skills through an internship, where they complete 2000 hours of hands-on HVAC training a year and 144 hours of technical education.
