Tag Archives: Accredited HVAC Training Online Waialua HI 96791

Online HVAC Schools Waialua HI

How to Choose the Right Heating and Cooling Certification Course near Waialua Hawaii

air conditioner condensers in Waialua HIOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning technician, the next action is to look for an HVAC technical school near Waialua HI. But with so many to pick from, how do you select the right one to get the training that you require? Some future students will make their choice based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Even though these are relevant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some of the other details that you need to look into 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 covered in more detail later in this article. But before we explore how to choose an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Pro

Waialua HI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally mandated to be licensed, however every state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an optional way for Waialua HI HVAC specialists to establish that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are a number of respected certifications within the trade that are available. Below are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a proficiency exam and can be earned in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are made available in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for techs that work with refrigerants. There are three types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing could be mandated in your location, and you may also desire to acquire certification, it’s important that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you pick readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Courses

radiator heater in Waialua HI homeThere are a number of alternatives available for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least amount of time, usually accomplished in just 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive edge in the job market and will provide more extensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short description of each credential offered near Waialua HI.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They provide a solid foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more detailed knowledge of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually taking 2 years to complete, a number of degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four 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.

Picking the right credential program will be dependent on what your long term career aspirations are, as well as the time and money that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the trade in Waialua HI, eventually going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, be sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Waialua HI student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC program online is one alternative to obtaining your education and earning a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Many also sponsor 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 attended on the web, this approach may be a more convenient solution for many Waialua HI students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are cheaper than other on campus options. Even commuting expenses from Waialua and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And many 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 fit school into your active schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Courses

Questions to ask Waialua HI HVAC training schoolsAfter you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you would like to obtain, either on campus or online, you can start to decrease your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Waialua HI area and all over the Country to pick from. That’s why it is imperative to have a list of relevant qualifications when making school assessments. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial two factors you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade schools in the Waialua HI area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Additionally, some states require that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning schools you are considering 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 may signify that students were unhappy with the program and quit. It might also signify that the instructors 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 result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Waialua HI HVAC employers to help students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC trade programs are taught together with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC companies or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have referring relationships with local Waialua HI HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish 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 in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Waialua HI HVAC contracting company if they can provide some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Waialua HI home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive 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 students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Waialua HI, verify that the programs you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Waialua HI?

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

Waialua, Hawaii

Waialua is a census-designated place and North Shore community in the Waialua District on the island of Oʻahu, City & County of Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the CDP had a population of 3,860.[1]

Waialua was one of the six original districts of ancient Hawaii on the island, known as moku.[2] Waialua is a former (sugar) mill town and residential area, quite different in its quiet ambiance from nearby Haleʻiwa, which is more commercial and tourist oriented. The Waialua Sugar Mill is the center of this town and the historical base of its plantation history.

Waialua is located at 21°34'31" North, 158°7'46" West (21.575300, -158.129457),[3] southwest of Haleʻiwa, reached on Waialua Beach Road (State Rte. 82) or Kaukonahua Road (State Rte. 830).[3] Kaukonahua Road turns eastward and, as State Rte. 803 then 801 runs up into the central plateau of Oʻahu to Wahiawā or (as 803) to Schofield Barracks. Farrington Highway (State Rte. 930) runs westward to Mokulēʻia.

Online HVAC Schools Waialua HI

Picking the ideal HVAC training course is an important beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Online HVAC Schools. However, as we have covered in this article, you need to pick an HVAC vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to look for are plenty of practical training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. In addition, ask about scheduling options and if night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Waialua HI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Hawaii

  • HVAC Tech School Eleele HI
  • How Long Is HVAC School Haleiwa HI
  • Train HVAC Hilo HI
  • Learn HVAC Kahului HI
  • How To Become a HVAC Technician Makawao HI
  • Heating and Air School Mililani HI
  • HVAC Education Kalaheo HI
  • Heating and Cooling Classes Mountain View HI
  • HVAC Technician School Lanai City HI
  • Learning HVAC Kealakekua HI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 151

    Air Conditioning Concepts
    25 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Pearl City, HI 96782

    Air Perfection
    64 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    98-027 Hekaha St, Ste 32, Aiea, HI 96701

    Cool Living
    12 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Mililani, HI 96789

    Hawaii Air Specialists
    40 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    Kapolei, HI 96707

    C S Mechanical
    87 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Honolulu, HI 96816

    Craig's Air Conditioning
    49 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2110 Lauwiliwili St, Ste 103H, Kapolei, HI 96707

    Cooling Tower AC
    16 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Environmental Abatement, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    94-1141 Pohu Place, Waipahu, HI 96797

    Air Solutions Hawaii
    29 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Honolulu, HI 96819

    Cooling Tower
    9 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    94-547 Ukee St, Ste 305, Waipahu, HI 96797

    KK Air Conditioning
    9 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    94058 Leokane St, Waipahu, HI 96797