Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Classes near Kailua Kona HI 96740

Air Conditioning Classes Kailua Kona HI

How to Find the Right Heating and Cooling Certification Course near Kailua Kona Hawaii

air conditioner condensers in Kailua Kona HINow that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and cooling specialist, the next action is to look for an HVAC technical school near Kailua Kona HI. But with so many to pick from, how do you pick the best one to obtain the training that you require? A number of potential students will make their decision based entirely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Although these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other factors that you need to look into are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we discuss how to choose an HVAC trade school, let’s look at what a heating and cooling professional does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Technician

Kailua Kona 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 technicians 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, however every state and local municipality has its own requirements. Earning professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Kailua Kona HI HVAC techs to demonstrate that they are highly qualified and knowledgeable in their area of specialization. There are several acknowledged certifications within the industry that are available. Here are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is earned by passing a competency examination and may be acquired in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing may be mandated in your area, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s imperative that you select an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will most likely be working with refrigerants, make certain that the school you decide on prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Courses

radiator heater in Kailua Kona HI homeThere are a number of options available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the minimum amount of time, often completed 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 can provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will furnish more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each credential offered near Kailua Kona HI.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more detailed knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring two years to complete, a number of degrees incorporate 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 require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your future career objectives are, in addition to the time and money that you have to invest. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Kailua Kona HI, later returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

Kailua Kona HI student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC school online is one option in obtaining your education and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to complete practical training. Many also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes may be attended on the web, this approach may be a more accessible solution for many Kailua Kona HI students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are more economical than other on campus alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Kailua Kona and study supplies may be minimized, helping to make schooling more affordable. And a large number of online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it easier to fit school into your active lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Training Programs

Questions to ask Kailua Kona HI HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you wish to earn, either online or on campus, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Kailua Kona HI area and all over the United States to choose from. That’s why it is essential to have a list of important qualifications when making school assessments. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the first two aspects you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs in the Kailua Kona HI area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make sure that the school is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain a superior education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states require that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could indicate that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It may also signify that the teachers were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of alumni, which may produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Kailua Kona HI HVAC employers to help graduates secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have working relationships with local Kailua Kona HI HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC specialist you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Kailua Kona HI HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Kailua Kona HI residence. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Talk with a few of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Kailua Kona HI, verify that the schools you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Kailua Kona HI?

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

Kailua, Hawaii County, Hawaii

Kailua is an unincorporated city (Census Designated Place) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaii, United States, in the North Kona District of the Island of Hawaiʻi.[1] The population was 11,975 at the 2010 census,[2] up from 9,870 at the 2000 census. It is the center of commerce and of the tourist industry on West Hawaiʻi. Its post office is designated Kailua-Kona[3] to differentiate it from Kailua located on the windward side of Oʻahu island, and it is sometimes referred to as Kona in everyday speech. The city is served by Kona International Airport, located just to the north in the adjacent Kalaoa CDP.[4] Kailua-Kona was the closest major settlement to the epicenter of the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake.

The community was established by King Kamehameha I to be his seat of government when he was chief of Kona before he consolidated rule of the archipelago in 1795. It was later designated as the capital of the newly unified Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. The capital was later moved to Lāhainā, and then to Honolulu.

Royal fishponds at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park were the hub of unified Hawaiian culture. The town later functioned as a retreat of the Hawaiian royal family. Up until the late 1900s, Kailua-Kona was primarily a small fishing village.[5]:58 In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the region has undergone a real estate and construction boom fueled by tourism and investment.

Air Conditioning Classes Kailua Kona HI

Selecting the ideal HVAC school program is an important beginning toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Air Conditioning Classes. However, as we have discussed in this article, you should choose an HVAC training program and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to look for are ample hands-on training and modern facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are available 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 evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Kailua Kona HI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Hawaii

  • How To Become a HVAC Tech Laie HI
  • How To Become an HVAC Technician Puunene HI
  • HVAC Courses Online Kaunakakai HI
  • HVAC Education Kalaheo HI
  • Heating and Air Conditioning School Hoolehua HI
  • HVAC Diploma Wailuku HI
  • HVAC Classes Online Keaau HI
  • Online HVAC Course Lihue HI
  • Air Conditioning Courses Kilauea HI
  • Learning HVAC Kealakekua HI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 13

    Kona Air Conditioning
    8 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-4200 Hulikoa Dr, Ste D, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    No Sweat Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-4576 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

    Hawaii Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-5612 Kauhola St, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

    Tropical Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    74-567 Honokohau St, Ste 14, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

    D&L Air Conditioning
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-4354 Holoholo, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    Gordon Sheet Metal
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-5600 Kauhola St, Ste A, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

    Kona Industries
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    73-5563 Olowalu, Kailua Kona, HI 96740

    Kona Solar Service
    5 Reviews
    Solar Installation
    Phone:
    755499 Loloku St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    Hawaiian Solar
    8 Reviews
    Solar Installation, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    73-5581 Lawehana St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

    Hawaii Fireplaces & Air Conditioning
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Fireplace Services, Chimney Sweeps
    Phone:
    64-1035 Mamalahoa Hwy, Unit E, Kamuela, HI 96743