Tag Archives: Accredited Heating and Cooling Schools near Lanai City HI 96763

HVAC Technician School Lanai City HI

How to Find the Right HVAC Degree Program near Lanai City Hawaii

air conditioner condensers in Lanai City HINow that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next step is to locate an HVAC vocational school near Lanai City HI. But with so many to select from, how do you decide on the ideal one to get the training that you require? A number of prospective students will make their selection based exclusively on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Although these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to take into account. Just some of the other details that you need to research are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional criteria will be discussed in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and cooling contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Tech

Lanai City HI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally mandated to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own criteria. Earning professional certification is not compulsory, but an optional way for Lanai City HI HVAC techs to establish that they are exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are several recognized certifications within the field that are offered. Following are some of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is earned by passing a proficiency examination and can 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 in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience as well as a passing result on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for techs that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing might be required in your area, and you may also intend to earn certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the program you select prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Classes

radiator heater in Lanai City HI homeThere are a number of options offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the least amount of time, usually achieved in as little as six months, however some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree training programs can provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short explanation of each credential offered near Lanai City HI.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more detailed knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring 2 years to complete, many degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Picking the appropriate credential program will be based on what your future career aspirations are, together with the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One possibility is to start with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Lanai City HI, eventually returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Classes

Lanai City HI student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one option to obtaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. A number also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be participated in on the web, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Lanai City HI students that are pressed for time. And some online degree programs are more economical than other on campus options. Even driving expenses from Lanai City and study materials may be lessened, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family commitments have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools

Questions to ask Lanai City HI HVAC training schoolsOnce you have chosen the type of certificate or degree that you wish to earn, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are numerous HVAC technical schools in the Lanai City HI area and all over the USA to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of important qualifications when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the first two factors you will take into consideration. Following are some additional ones that you will want to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC trade schools in the Lanai City HI area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you get a superior education, it can help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering 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 may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It might also suggest that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to use 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 field, but also that it has the network of Lanai City HI HVAC employers to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC vocational programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with local Lanai City HI HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Lanai City HI HVAC contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Lanai City HI residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk with some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Lanai City HI, check that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Lanai City HI?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Lanai City Hawaii area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Lanai City, Hawaii

Lanai City is a census-designated place (CDP) on the island of Lanai, in Maui County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 3,102 at the 2010 census.[1] Lanai City is the island's commercial center. Many of the island's restaurants and shops are in the town square that surrounds Dole Park, and the only hospital on the island, Lanai Community Hospital, is located near the park.[2]

Lanai City experiences a tropical savanna climate (Köppen classification As) with a mostly dry summer season. The average temperature in January is almost cold enough to qualify this climate as a warm form of a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa). An average monthly temperature of 64 °F (18 °C) is the lower limit for tropical climate classification.

Lanai was once the home of the pineapple plantation of entrepreneur James Drummond Dole, which spanned over 20,000 acres (81 km2) and employed thousands of workers. Dole owned the entire island for a time, and in the 1920s built Lanai City to house and serve the community of workers.[7] It was the first model city in Hawaii. In 1923 several stores, a bank, a hospital, a theater, a church and business headquarters were built around an open park space. In 1930 model homes for couples featuring two bedrooms, a large living room, a kitchen, with running water, electricity and spacious yards were erected. The single men's houses had three furnished rooms and also running water and electricity.[8]

HVAC Technician School Lanai City HI

Enrolling in the right HVAC school program is a crucial first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Technician School. However, as we have covered in this post, you need to select an Heating and Cooling training program and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other factors to search for are ample practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to tour 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, inquire about scheduling choices and whether evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the right questions as we have outlined in our checklist for comparing 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 eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Lanai City HI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Hawaii

  • Online HVAC Degree Kihei HI
  • How To Become a HVAC Technician Makawao HI
  • HVAC Program Kapaa HI
  • How To Become an HVAC Tech Kula HI
  • Air Conditioning Classes Kailua Kona HI
  • Best HVAC Schools Koloa HI
  • Heating and Cooling Classes Mountain View HI
  • HVAC College Kailua HI
  • Online HVAC Course Lihue HI
  • Heating and Cooling Schools Paia HI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 16

    Tradewinds Air Conditioning
    5 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    355 Hukelike St, Ste 109, Lahaina, HI 96732

    Sturdevant Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
    16 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians
    Phone:
    475 Hukilike St, Ste F, Kahului, HI 96732

    Cooling Hawaii
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2000 Mokulele Hwy, Ste 53B, Puunene, HI 96784

    Central Pacific Repair
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    61 Kee Rd, Makawao, HI 96768

    Wikiwiki Electric
    4 Reviews
    Electricians, Solar Installation, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    355 Hukilike St, Unit 108, Kahului, HI 96732

    Windward Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Makawao, HI 96768

    Scott's Cooling Unlimited
    9 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    270 Lalo St, Ste 110, Kahului, HI 96732

    Valley Isle Air Conditioning
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1980 Main St, Ste 8, Wailuku, HI 96793

    Steves Plumbing Service
    58 Reviews
    Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Irrigation
    Phone:
    270 Lalo St, Ste 101, Kahului, HI 96732

    SERVPRO of Maui
    3 Reviews
    Damage Restoration, Office Cleaning, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Kahului, HI 96733